October 03, 2003
Interior ~ Photo Friday Image for 10.03.03
The Interior of My Mind
Click on image for a larger view.
For this week's Photo Friday challenge I give you an MRI scan of the interior of my head. It's a rare glimpse into the inner workings of my mind. If you look closely you can see that it's chock full of nuts with a core of sweet nuget and it's surrounded by a thick white chocolate shell. YUMMY!
When the MRI was done I asked the technician if I could put all of the films up on the light wall to look at them and take some photos. He said sure and even helped me hang them. A flick of a switch and a few presses of the shutter release and PRESTO! The interior of my mind is revealed for all to see. And those dark spots... IT'S NOT A TOO-MAH!
This MRI was made in December of 2002 for the purpose of looking at my Arnold Chiari Malformation, also known as ACM. The simplest explanation of what ACM is that my brain is too big for my head. The bottom of the cerebellum and the cerebellar tonsils are extended down approximately 5mm through the opening in the skull and into the area occupied by the spinal column. There's not enough room so the cerebrum and the tonsils are under pressure and this can cause a host of symptoms. Headaches and neck pain are my most common symptoms, but I have also experienced vertigo, spots in my vision, nausea and a few others. I have my symptoms under control through therapeutic massage. I decided several months ago not to have the surgery. The herniation of the cerebellum and the cerebellar tonsils won't get any worse, nor will it get any better on its own. Some ACM patients really suffer and are debilitated because of this condition. I am lucky that my symptoms are fairly mild and that the serious headaches and symptoms occur infrequently. The good news is that the condition is not life threatening, but it can be a real pain in the neck.
I was wondering what you looked like...
Posted by: Joel on October 3, 2003 03:07 PMSure beats the picture of my cracked tooth I posted acouple of weeks ago. http://www.barndoorfanclub.org/rant/images/cracked-small.html
Seriously, the fact that you shot from an angle makes it all seem so much interesting. A straight on shot would have been boring.
Posted by: Brian the Red on October 3, 2003 03:45 PMAwww I wish I brought my camera in with me for my kidney ultrasound! - great take on "Interior", Will :)
Posted by: Christine on October 3, 2003 06:00 PMIt's good that your symptoms are not serious. we do want you around for a while.
I like all the different sides of Will ;)
Posted by: Mona on October 3, 2003 10:54 PMVery original and you look so sexy on this pictures Will ;-)
Posted by: Tine on October 4, 2003 03:00 AMcute brain! :)
Posted by: melanie on October 4, 2003 04:09 AMhaha! Good one. I feel a bit woozy now though.
I guess I could've posted a photo of my gallbladder for "interior", but it was taken (not by me!) after it'd been removed from my interior. I did actually post that on my weblog, as part of my hospital story...
I actually have a camera with me all the time, but didn't even think of taking a photo when I was brought into a room by someone I knew, who thought they were doing me a favour... eek... who had CT scan slides up on a lighted wall... but I didn't even want to see them, never mind take photos! The person was pointing to a kidney stone as if we were in an art gallery and he was pointing out some intricate part of a painting. I was swooning, but not because I'd had too much wine at an art opening - I was sick as hell at the time, with medical phobia to boot. heh.
So I have to say I did NOT click for the larger view of your photo. haha.
As it happens, I had a better choice to post for 'interior' - a more recent x-ray photo. ;) But no, not of my innards!! haha.
like "...down the rivers and the highways that keep you..." Oh, no, wait that's Glenn Campbell, "The BACKROADS of My Mind" Something else entirely. My mistake ;-)
Posted by: Lynn on October 4, 2003 05:57 PMGreat idea Will. ;) Very clever. Sorry that you have to suffer with Headaches and neck pain. :(
Posted by: Martie on October 4, 2003 09:11 PMim having the surgery done on June 11th to repair the ACM. it wasnt my choice but my symptoms arent mild at all. they are very bad and my mom is making me get it done. its kinda scary looking at all the pictures of it though. and the fact that i will have to be in the hospital for 4 days under strict care. im only 14 so thats why i dont really have a say.
Posted by: Kara on May 28, 2004 02:16 PM