I scheduled an MRI with my HMO the day after the American Cancer Society recommended them for women like me.  I knew my remaining dense breast would not reveal the presence of any potentially malignant masses on a mammogram.  It was fairly easy for me to arrange for the MRI, surprisingly, but my oncologist told me that anyone who fit the American Cancer Society criteria and asked for an MRI could get one.  This should be great news for others with Kaiser health coverage.

Anyway, I was placed face down on the apparatus of the big machine, with barely-cushioned metal bars digging into my floating ribs.  The technician told me to stay VERY STILL during each series of pictures.

The whole test took about an hour.  During that time I was able to speak or cough between each series, but not to move or adjust my position in any way.

Truth be told, the process wasn't as bad as I expected.  Yes, it was uncomfortable.  No, the MRI is not completely enclosed.  There's air and light at each end.  The technician checked in with me between each series, and afterwards thanked me a total of 4 times for staying very still.  She explained that most people move enough that the test results are almost impossible to read and therefore worthless.

And just 4 days later my oncologist sent me an email with the news - the MRI showed nothing suspicious.  Thank God.