22 The X-Ray Experience

From the basic communications between the young x-ray technician and myself, I was prepared for the fact that they were going to unzip and remove the zipped-up plastic cover from the bottom half of my right leg. I tried to prepare myself for the anticipated pain as the uniform pressure was removed.

The pain hit with a vengeance. And at this weakest moment, as the saying goes “adding insult to injury”, the dear x-ray technician timidly explained that I would have to balance the metal plate with my one good foot. He had to maneuver the x-ray equipment so as to get a shot of my injured leg, and since the old model machine couldn’t come to me, I had to go to it. Of course, any movement from twinges of pain would result in having to take yet another xray.

Obviously, this was not the modern x-ray equipment that we’re used to in North America, with its relative flexibility and maneuverability, allowing a technician to take x-rays of the necessary body part regardless of the angle that body part is laying on the table. In this case I had to move the body part—an extremely painful process—due to the limited non-flexibility of this mammoth equipment towering over me.

I was ever so thankful when the x-rays were completed and the plastic casing zipped up back over my foot and air pumped backed into it. As I heaved a sigh of relief, I felt like I’d just run my second marathon of the day.

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