MRI results

I got my results back already and thought I'd share them here.

Findings: There is some elongation and inferior displacement of the cerebellar tonsils which extend approximately 3-4 mm below the level of the foramen magnum. (very helpful, right? that means that I have a Chiari malformation, which we already knew.) There is no syrinx seen in the upper cord, but is not well evaluated. (that means there is no cyst in my spinal cord, which was a possibility, but they could not tell for sure.) There is no hydrocephalus. The brain is otherwise normal in appearance. (that's good news!) There are no white matter lesions. (I'm not sure, but that might mean no brain tumors or evidence of a stroke.) There is no evidence of mass, hemorrhage, or infarction. (OK, I got the mass - that's a tumor, I got the hemorrhage - that's a stroke, but I have no idea what an infarction is. But if anyone calls me infarcted, I can deny it emphatically. And I have proof!)

This is my favorite paragraph right here: There is some musocal thickening in the left side of the sphenoid sinus and some mild mucosal thickening and ethmoid air cells.

Holy cow! Is that fatal? Is it contagious? Should I panic? No. In plain English, I have 'mild sinusitis.' In even plainer words, I'm stuffy. I could use a decongestant.

So it was mostly good news. I do still have a chiari, no surprise there. But it could have been worse. Nothing new to report.

I asked Randy for a blessing for something else and I was told definitely to proceed with treatment for my brain, so I feel good about planning on the surgery. Again, no date, but I have an appointment with Dr. Reichman for September. I'm a lot less worried about it, seeing how well Carrie has done. Of course, my case might be different, but she is doing really well, considering that she's just a couple of weeks out of brain surgery! I sure wouldn't wish this condition on anyone, especially Carrie, busy as she is with two sweet little girls at home, and as nice as she is herself. I guess I'm just grateful that if we both did have this condition, we both found out about it around the same time and live in the same neighborhood. I think the Lord was looking out for us both.