"Operator of MRI machine"

Prior to having my MRI on my hip and abdomen, I spoke to a lovely nurse who told me I would go into the MRI machine feet first and my head would be exposed to outside elements so I could see around the room. Then, the operator told me it would be loud and gave me earplugs. Having had a few MRI's in the past, I was familiar with the procedure. I asked the operator if they could play music, as in the past I have been offered music each time to help with drowning out the load noise from the machine. The operator replied that they think the CD player is broken and they would see what they could do. I replied, thanks. The operator offered me an extra pillow for my head and blanket. I was in this position for the first 20 mins or so and I was comfortable and relaxed. I should mention that each time I have been in the MRI machine, I have had past operators check in on me to ask if I’m ok and tell me I’m doing fine through the microphone that is inside the machine. There was no communication from this operator and I noticed that as I was lying there. I also figured out for myself that I would not be listening to music.

After the first part of the MRI and then without any notice or communication, the operator has applied the switch and I’m now going further into the machine. My arms are very tight inside the machine, my face is in the machine but my eyes are still slightly exposed to the outside room. I’m now looking down the machine but can’t see anything except the top of the machine and because the operator had given me an extra pillow my face is so close to the top of the machine. My arms are very tight now.   I now say to them, I won’t go in any further will I? They replied back, no. With my heart racing and no mind preparation for this, I try to stay calm and I’m now ready for the 2nd half of MRI. I’m also thinking at this time that if I do go further into the machine I will have to press the buzzer in my hand as this is a very tight squeeze inside the machine.

Then, my worst fear happened, the operator has pressed the button again and now I’m going further into the machine. I can hardly breathe, my arms are so tight, my face is so close to the top of the machine and I can see hardly anything. No notice, no - Are you ok? Total silence. I press my buzzer and ask, can you get me out of here?Still, no response so I try to raise my voice and say it again, please get me out of here,  while still pressing the buzzer. It felt so long until they arrived and got me out. Straight away I tell them my face was so close to the top, I state I have had MRI's in the past and the procedure was different. I was searching for an explanation from them but they just said - you can go now, we are not sure if we have enough images - and it felt as if they were implying that is was my fault.

I said to the nurse and the operator why was my face so close to the machine? The operator replied, well you wanted the extra pillow. Having been inside an MRI machine in the past for gallbladder, I have been right inside of an MRI machine in the past and I could still take a peak out by either looking down towards my feet or looking up and that takes away the claustrophobic feeling. I have had operators ask how I’m doing and who have been comforting when going into an MRI machine as I know most people feel uncomfortable in these machines.

I believe the operator could have handled my situation better. They should have, I believe, taken my extra pillow away before placing me further into the machine and I believe, but I’m not sure that the bed was raised and should have been lowered, because, why was I so high in the machine? Communication from the operator would have been reassuring and communication about what is going to happen next can prepare someone mentally. Worst of all is that I feel they blamed me for having an extra pillow for the horrible experience I went through. Also, I never got a complete MRI of my hip and abdomen. I haven't slept all night because this feels like a nightmare I went through. I respect all staff at Prince of Wales Randwick, but I believe someone needs to overlook the MRI department seriously. I hope this doesn’t happen to anyone again.