Getting Wired

Cardiologist appointment? Easy peasy lemon squeezy... Any concerns I had about my echocardiogram were very quickly dismissed. Modern technology and basic position make any difficulties about obtaining a clear image very easy. Of course, the technician wouldn't offer any details about what she did or did not see, saying only that she was going to put it onto my doctor's desk, and joking that I still probably had a good 2 or 3 weeks ahead of me.

Then it was on to the stress test. A basic treadmill stress test consists of 3 stages at increasing grade and speed, lasting 3 minutes each. I was having trouble remembering exactly what gradient came when, so I just Googled it, and here's a perfect explanation of what the stress test experience is like. They kept me on for 13:07. It's kind of a tease, really. I was finally getting to the point where I felt like I was getting a little workout and then I had to stop. And since my husband is a little concerned, I'm not allowed to do any real working out right now. Grrr....

Next, I had to get wired up for my 24-hour heart monitoring. They stick about 6 leads to you, and give you a recording device about the size of an ipod touch, and off you go. It's painless, just a little annoying to have wires coming off of you. You are supposed to record things in a log book, but I had trouble figuring out when I should write something down. Good news is that I did experience a "pause" event yesterday morning, so hopefully, if something registered on the monitor at that time, it will give them a little more information.

In what may or may not have been a good idea, I took the kids to Disneyland yesterday. I shoved the monitor into one of my running waist packs and it was nicely out of my way all day. The more I thought about it, I decided Disneyland was very "real world" for me, and there is probably no better way for me to spend a "recorded day" if the Doctor really wants to help me.

So now I wait. Bottom line, the doctor HAS to treat my abnormal EKG. Whether it's a prescription, surgery or some other lifestyle modification recommendation, it has to be dealt with. In the meantime, I'm already bored with this conversation. I am really itching to go for a run.