The test of the Gom Jabbar

In the classic sci-fi noval, Dune, the hero is tested by an old woman using a box that induces incruciating pain in his hand while she holds a poisoned needle at his neck, ready to strike if he withdraws his hand from the box. The test is to determine if he's human. An animal would not resist the impulse to draw away from the pain.

 

Last Tuesday I had my first MRI. Somehow or other I got in a very uncomfortable position, with a lot of weight resting on my forehead. What started as niggling discomfort soon became intense pain and it became all I could do not to move and ruin the test. OK, I wouldn't have died, but still the stakes were high and I couldn't help thinking of Gom Jabbar.

 

Everyone tells you how noisy an MRI is, but its not often mentioned how strange and diverse the noises are. Some sound like fire alarm, which makes you want to jump up and evacuate. One pooping sound was accompanied by a synchronous tap on my thig, which made me want to turn around. And then there are the idle impulses like , "I'll just jump up and check my texts"  which go through your mind.

Strangest of all was on my second MRI, I could taste the contrast medium as they injected it. That was very weird and I came close to aborting the scan. Surely its supposed to be in my boob, not my mouth? Something must be wrong!!

I must say, it builds one's character!