StressTest

Okay, here's an update. Yesterday I went in for a scheduled stress test and sat for over TWO HOURS before seen. During this time, one of the staff comes up to me and questions about the doctor I'm seeing. Apparently because I saw Dr. A before (Years Ago!!!), now I can't see Dr. B, whom I am scheduled to see. Who needs a test when you get stressed out like that?

Fortunately, a nurse called me in and said they just switched the name on my chart. Don't know why they couldn't have done that in the first place.

But Dr. B sees me (and I have to say that he was very, very nice) and asks why I'm having a stress test because I'm 'young.' (Ha, ha, but I take my compliments when I can.) Sees something off about my last two EKGs and asks me to have an echo-something-or-other. Only thing is, the technician isn't in and they can't reach her on the phone. So I go home with an appointment for a stress test the next day (which is today, Thursday) having accomplished exactly zilch. Needless to say I had a breakdown and could not stop crying for a while.

But the technician came in and called me to come back at 7:30 so at least I got that out of the way. She was also very nice and explained everything. Seeing your own heart beating is awesome.

Then things start to turn around. I was supposed to go in at 2 today but got a call asking if I could come in at 10:30. I was so happy because I would have had to fast until 2 p.m. I hate fasting.

I was pretty much taken in right away. After all the worry, the stress test wasn't bad at all. First they inject you with a dye, then you wait 45 minutes. Then they take pictures of your heart with a big machine (which is nice and quiet, not like an MRI), Then you wait some more, then you do the stress test. I didn't know what to expect because I've never had a chemical-induced one, but it was SOOO easy. Seriously, I only felt a brief tingling from the stuff they used. The stress test itself was over pretty quickly. Then, of course, more waiting and then more pictures.

Finally, I get a thumbs up and a promise they will contact the hospital.

And then...


...I get a call from my surgeon's hospital coordinator that the FREAKING INSURANCE HAS NOT APPROVED THIS YET.

Seriously, WTF?

I am promised that they will work on UHC from the early morning tomorrow. Meantime, I'm scheduled for 10:30, which is a great time. I will take my shower with the special soap they gave me and will fast after midnight, all in the hope this actually goes through tomorrow.

At this point, I'm not going to make myself crazy worrying about it.

Weird Sky

The clouds in the sky are strange this evening (it is about 7 pm). Matches my weird mood. Tomorrow is the stress test. God, I can't wait to get past all this!

New Homeowners

Here are Michael and Megan in front of their new house:

It is a really nice ranch with lots of property. They liked my garden gift!

Mike helped Michael try to figure out why the pool pump isn't working, It seems there isn't electricity going through the line. The kids will have to get used to all the ups and downs of owning a house!

Happily, the previous owners kept the place pretty nice, and neutral colors on the walls (plus curtains left behind) made it easier for Michael and Megan to bring in their own things. I'm sure they will eventually replace some, but it's nice they don't have to put that money out right away.

Just a few more days...

...and surgery, etc., will be behind me. I'm not even dwelling on the recuperation part of it.

I spoke with my good friend, Virginia, who says Stress Tests are standard for anyone having surgery. Might as well not worry about that over which I have no control.

I had my pre-surgical testing last week and it went well. Nobody said boo about the EKG I had so maybe that means the stress test will be okay. It wasn't a big deal and I didn't even have to get undressed. Just a lot of paperwork and questions.

They gave me special soaps that I have to wash with two nights before, the night before and the morning of. And I have to change the bed sheets! Wow...

Today we are going to visit Michael and Megan at their new home. I'm bringing a present:

It is a basket with bulbs to plant and garden tools. And some cayenne pepper to put on the bulbs so the squirrels don't dig them up!

Mom and her brother, Bob

Here  is a cute picture of my mother with my Uncle Bob:

Mom, and my upcoming surgery

My mother had dental work done last week. One of the stitches was bothering her so she decided to cut it out. Don't ask how, since she can hardly see.  Needless to say she started bleeding, and, being on blood thinners, it wouldn't stop. Susan spent the night in the emergency room with her, which prompted some email discussions among us siblings. We have all agreed to have a DNR for Mom. She wouldn't want to be kept alive artificially, I'm sure. If anyone is ready for Heaven, it's her. Not to say I don't hope she lasts a bit longer!

A dental surgeon finally came in and fixed the problem. Sue says Mom is really deteriorating. She is out of breath after just a few steps and will soon be better with a wheelchair.

Still, when we talk on the phone, she sounds great. Always upbeat and joking about things like the bruise she got from the dental surgery. I hope I have such a great attitude in my last days.

I had thought of canceling surgery just so I could see her, but Sue says it isn't that urgent. I should be fine in October.

God, I wish this was behind me. I so DO NOT want to do this surgery. I don't want all the crap that goes with it, most especially the fricking stress test. But I have no choice. The pain is terrible when it happens, which is daily, off an on. And it only exacerbates my f*cking back pain. I am really down about this.

I wish I could take things in stride and not worry so much. My mother is the same way and so was my grandfather. I guess this sh*t is hereditary. I know that everything will be okay on a logical level but my emotions fight that and all I want to do is cry or sleep. It is a constant struggle to fight this stress. How the hell I got through Jamie's 42 days in the hospital back in the day is beyond me. Must have been easier to be in emotional control when I was younger.

Latest on Mom

My 93-year-old Mother lives in an assisted living center in Columbus, Ohio. Happily, my older sister lives nearby and keeps tabs on things. Sue sends us all updates and here is the latest:

We went to the macular degeneration doctor today. He confirmed that there is nothing she can do besides take some vitamins.  He did say she probably won't get any worse, that is, she will  not lose her peripheral vision and be totally blind.  She has dry macular.  She made it there ok but didn't want to go out to lunch.

 

The physical therapist came this afternoon and is ordering a walker with a seat so she can sit halfway down the hall.  Medicare is supposed to pay for most or all of it. Hers is a special order because she is so small.

 

Her breathing was better today but we used the wheel chair.  Foot is still swollen from the fall out of bed. 

 

I am getting our second car sooner rather than later because she is having trouble getting into the pilot.  Have to get a sedan so it is low enough.  No big deal - good gas mileage. 

 

 My main worry is that I won't be able to get there this fall because of the knee surgery. Mike says I can fly. It will be too hard to drive after the first of October because you never know about snow in Pennsylvania. As long as my sister can put me up (and put up with me, lol) I hope to be able to at least get there for a few days in later October. 

It is not easy to push worries to the back of my mind: worry about Mom, worry about this surgery, worry about the stupid stress test. I still don't understand why I have to do that. What does it have to do with knee surgery? 

Still, it's all a month away so I try to think of other, more pleasant things. What is, is, and you can't do much about it.