Not important really.
I'm wheeled into position in front of the relevant piece of kit.
Big, square, white-fronted box with an arrangement of grab handles 'round the side and a convenient cross-hair pattern in the middle of the box.
Think I can figure this out but I'm given some instructions by the radiologist anyway.
"OK Mark. Just stand up when you're ready, go over to the machine, stand up against the plate as straight as you can and when I tell you, take a deep breath and hold it until I tell you to let it out."
Deep breath ? Hold it ? Bit of a challenge.
Quick bit of sympathy from the porter. " Sorry we can't get you closer to the thing but the trolleys intefere with the X-Rays".
Not a big deal. It's only a couple of paces.
Lever myself upright. I'm getting used to when the pain's really going to hit so it's not quite as surprising. Plant feet firmly on the floor. Push off from the trolley on a wave of pain and stand. Take a pace.
Cross-hairs on the X-Ray box slide upwards and to the right in a graceful arc and this time I don't feel the floor when I hit it.
