275-Pound Woman Says Hospital Told Her to Use Zoo MRI

**Sister Iroz** · January 14th, 2009, 11:17 AM

When a 5-foot, 275-pound woman found out she had a tumor on her spine, she was told by her local hospital to go the zoo to have a MRI because a regular MRI machine could not hold her weight, MyFOXKC.com reported.

Carolyn Ragan told the television station she discovered the tumor two years ago and, after the hospital told her she could not use their MRI machine, a medical assistant said he would help her find a solution.

“So he suggested the Kansas City Zoo,” Ragan said. “I thought, I know I’m big, but I’m not as big as an elephant. And my husband got mad.”

The University of Kansas Hospital would not comment on Ragan’s claim, but said its MRI department does not know of any animal MRI in the Kansas City area that would scan a human.

Ragan’s problem was two-fold: She was too heavy for the table and too wide to slide through the opening.

Medical Imaging in Kansas City North, which has both closed and open MRI machines can typically hold up to 440 pounds, but sometimes a person who weighs less can still be out of luck, according to an MRI technician.

“It depends on how they are built a lot of times and what part of their body we’re scanning,” said technician Sarah Abbott of Medical Imaging. “(The machine) can only be so open before the magnetic field dissipates into the room.”

Ragan, who ended up having two surgeries and some paralysis, said she finally found an open MRI machine that held her weight, but it was embarrassing and frustrating.

“They should have machines that fit most everybody,” she said.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,479782,00.html

**penelopejo** · January 14th, 2009, 11:21 AM

Well, lady, not everyone weighs 275 at only 5 feet tall!!!

**Lizard** · January 14th, 2009, 11:41 AM

“So he suggested the Kansas City Zoo,” Ragan said. “I thought, I know I’m big, but I’m not as big as an elephant. And my husband got mad.”

The guy didn't say you were as big as an elephant, dumbass--he made what sounds like a valid suggestion to solve a particular problem related to your height and weight. If your husband's so mad, encourage him to work with you on eating healthier and getting whatever exercise you're capable of.

**StashRider** · January 14th, 2009, 01:35 PM

“They should have machines that fit most everybody,” she said.

They do. You're not everybody.

**Nellymed** · January 14th, 2009, 01:58 PM

i know huh? instead of looking for a healthy way to exercise or to eat right her solution is to find a machine to accomodate her. I dont know the details like maybe her thyroid is out of wack but still she doesnt need to get out of shape over a suggestion if its meant to solve the problem.

**Peeperann** · January 14th, 2009, 02:32 PM

I dunno about this. My sister Diane who just left this morning, weighed 430 pounds before her gastric by pass (she was the only heavy one in our family) and is only 5'2. She's had a few MRI's before and the hospital could always accomiadate her. No problems.

She now weighs about about 112 and is tiny like the rest of us.

Something doesn't sound right here...............

**Athena** · January 14th, 2009, 03:16 PM

Yeah, that kind of surprises me that the machine was unable to accommodate her. I mean, 5'2" and 275 is pretty damn big, but it's not outrageous, in my opinion.

That said, if you're fat, you don't get to be offended by honest statements about your stature. If you're that upset, do something about it. But being hypersensitive about your weight is counter-productive, in my opinion.

**SoUncool** · January 14th, 2009, 03:25 PM

I did notice that the article said it wasn't so much about her weight as her "shape." If this tumor was on her lower spine, I'm assuming her ass was huge, if it was on her upper spine, I'm assuming she was a little top heavy? It seems that the location of the tumor and the size she was in that particular area were the key factors.

Also, I would suggest a brisk 30 min walk for both of them (daily) to get rid of that anger and frustration.

**Dakota Valkyrie** · January 14th, 2009, 04:05 PM

**Dakota Valkyrie** · January 14th, 2009, 04:22 PM

Actually, They were trying to fit this:

into this:

Video: http://www.myfoxwausau.com/myfox/MyF...1&locale=EN-US

**brokenandtwisted** · January 14th, 2009, 04:37 PM

I fear that since obesity is becoming an epidemic, we will soon have to make such machines (or rather everything in general) much larger to accommodate obese people.

Terribly sad, but true.

**katyk** · January 14th, 2009, 05:33 PM

I'ma reprezent for the big girls. I am not even close to 275, and I fit just fine in MRI machines (I've had a few in the past year), but I'm a chunky monkey.

If this happened to me, the LAST thing I would do is call the media. I wouldn't want people to know that I am too fat for an MRI. I'd go to the zoo, try to score some free passes for later, grab a snow cone on my way out and deal with it. Then I'd call Jenny Craig, lose a hundred pounds, THEN call the media. Get on Dr. Phil for my crazy story, write a self-help book, and become a millionaire. Like Subway Jared.

**MichaelJCheaney** · January 14th, 2009, 05:42 PM

:Sniff Sniff: Is that a Lawsuit I smell?

Oh wait! That's just the smell of sweat coming from the fat rolls...

**theskyisfalling** · January 14th, 2009, 05:53 PM

Seriously? Woman get a hold of yourself. It is not the hospital's fault that your ass is the size of a mini cooper.

**MichaelJCheaney** · January 14th, 2009, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by theskyisfalling

Seriously? Woman get a hold of yourself. It is not the hospital's fault that your ass is the size of a mini cooper.

Bad choice of words....There is nothing MINI about her ass...

**Pete Bondurant** · January 14th, 2009, 06:47 PM

275-Pound Woman Says Hospital Told Her to Use Zoo MRI

Fat people are amusing.

**Unamused Cat** · January 14th, 2009, 07:43 PM

I can see where she wouldn't fit. She has limited her options, so she shouldn't be bitching for her 15 minutes of fame. Bah!

**MichaelJCheaney** · January 14th, 2009, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by theskyisfalling

Seriously? Woman get a hold of yourself. It is not the hospital's fault that your ass is the size of a mini cooper.

I am betting however that you could park a Mini-Cooper ON her ass with room to spare

**Rockin Ma** · January 14th, 2009, 09:01 PM

I was reading between the lines in that article. I don't think the key information was her weight and not fitting into their machines.

a medical assistant said he would help her find a solution.

“So he suggested the Kansas City Zoo,” Ragan said. “I thought, I know I’m big, but I’m not as big as an elephant. And my husband got mad.”

The University of Kansas Hospital would not comment on Ragan’s claim, but said its MRI department does not know of any animal MRI in the Kansas City area that would scan a human.

I think its possible the medical assistant was being mean, not trying to be helpful

**blue_zombie** · January 14th, 2009, 09:24 PM

I am NOT a small woman, nor have I ever been. Do I rationally and intelligently understand that it's my fault that I'm the size I am? Yes. Fat people are perfectly well aware of the problem they have and how they look. Would they point out and ridicule you for some sort of body deformity you have whether your own fault or not? Probably not. Why? Because some of us are actually sensitive to other people. Do you honestly think that she doesn't know that you could "park a mini cooper on her ass"???? As a woman considered "obese" by today's standards, I'm going to branch out and answer this, DUH! Of course she fucking does! And you never know, the tumor could be the reason that she weighs as much as she does, but instead, let's all just jump to conclusions and point fingers and laugh at how fat she is. Because clearly she doesn't know she has a problem (insert dripping sarcasm).

**MichaelJCheaney** · January 14th, 2009, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by Rockin Ma

I was reading between the lines in that article. I don't think the key information was her weight and not fitting into their machines.

a medical assistant said he would help her find a solution.

“So he suggested the Kansas City Zoo,” Ragan said. “I thought, I know I’m big, but I’m not as big as an elephant. And my husband got mad.”

The University of Kansas Hospital would not comment on Ragan’s claim, but said its MRI department does not know of any animal MRI in the Kansas City area that would scan a human.

I think its possible the medical assistant was being mean, not trying to be helpful

I just went to the MyfoxKC site and does anyone care to guess when this happened?

2 years ago!!!

Why is this a story now?

**Sister Iroz** · January 14th, 2009, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by MichaelJCheaney

I just went to the MyfoxKC site and does anyone care to guess when this happened?

2 years ago!!!

Why is this a story now?

The date on it says January 13th MJC. So sorry was going on the date on article on Fox News

**Rockin Ma** · January 14th, 2009, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by blue_zombie

I am NOT a small woman, nor have I ever been. Do I rationally and intelligently understand that it's my fault that I'm the size I am? Yes. Fat people are perfectly well aware of the problem they have and how they look. Would they point out and ridicule you for some sort of body deformity you have whether your own fault or not? Probably not. Why? Because some of us are actually sensitive to other people. Do you honestly think that she doesn't know that you could "park a mini cooper on her ass"???? As a woman considered "obese" by today's standards, I'm going to branch out and answer this, DUH! Of course she fucking does! And you never know, the tumor could be the reason that she weighs as much as she does, but instead, let's all just jump to conclusions and point fingers and laugh at how fat she is. Because clearly she doesn't know she has a problem (insert dripping sarcasm).

Blue I appreciate that post. And I do think people posted mean comments. Larger people are mean and insensitive to me all the time. They look disgusted with me and point out the obvious, that I am skinny... too skinny. It is hurtful both ways. Especially the "god you're so fucking skinny"

For the record though, I think big is beautiful. No one in my family is under 250 lbs... now that I think of it, my sister may be as low as 225, but I think they are all beautiful. I do think a hospital can find some way to accomodate her like refer her to another hospital. There's an MRI machine somewhere for bigger people.

**MichaelJCheaney** · January 14th, 2009, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by Special2bme

The date on it says January 13th MJC. So sorry was going on the date on article on Fox News

Its not your fault Special.

I just happened to follow the link from FoxNews to My FOX KC, and watched the video report and It did say 2 years ago when Carolyn went to get an MRI...Blah Blah Blah....

So I am wondering what her motives were for going public with this 2 years AFTER the fact?...

Because I am guessing Fox News in KC Didn't approach her....Which could only mean she went to them....

**Rockin Ma** · January 14th, 2009, 09:48 PM

In lots of states, you have two years to bring a suit in Court. Perhaps all this time they've been negotiating to avoid Court and negotiations broke down.

**Morticia** · January 14th, 2009, 09:50 PM

Let's just say that for the sake of argument I was really big, so big that an MRI technician made a suggestion I found offensive (the zoo).

Plan a) Use a device called the internet and research facilities that would accommodate my particular needs.

Plan b) make the necessary arrangements by using a device called the telephone.

plan c) Should there be no other option, what is the address for that Zoo? My medical care should be my first priority not what a technician thinks or says.

Then again if my medical care were a priority, perhaps I would be a healthier weight.

(Just a thought)

**Rockin Ma** · January 14th, 2009, 09:54 PM

I still don't think the medical assistant nicely made a suggestion to try to help.

**MichaelJCheaney** · January 14th, 2009, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by Rockin Ma

I still don't think the medical assistant nicely made a suggestion to try to help.

I totally agree with you. I Don't believe that he was trying to help either.

However. I will say that while this comment is one that NEVER should have been uttered in the first place, I REALLY hope it was uttered under his breath.

Which brings me back to the fact this happened 2 YEARS ago.

This would piss me off so much that I couldn't help BUT go to the media, just as soon as my ass left the hospital, hell I wouldn't even wait THAT long.

Why wait 2 years to go public? Either this NEVER happened, or there is some scum sucking bottom feeding lawyer who see dollar signs..... or perhaps with Obama coming on as president she wants to be the face of a Nationalized Health care debate?

**Lizard** · January 14th, 2009, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by Morticia

Let's just say that for the sake of argument I was really big, so big that an MRI technician made a suggestion I found offensive (the zoo).

Plan a) Use a device called the internet and...

Find the home address of the MRI technician, get my gun, and go shoot the bastard.

**moonlilly1981** · January 15th, 2009, 12:04 PM

When my husband worked for commercial ambulance he had a patient that was over six hundred pounds that had to go to the baltimore zoo to be weighed because the scale at the nursing home didn't go up that high.

Im short and pygmie like. I have also put on alot of weight. Not quite as much as this woman but still enough to be considred obese by the medical field. My weight gain is because of depakote. Great right? I don't know the reason why this woman is so big but its not my right to judge. MRI's are a little cramped to begin with. But it is the job of the doctor that has ordered the test to help her find one she would fit in. Not a medical assistant. I wouldnt sue per say but I would want an apology in writing.