Sleep disorder study

I suppose it means I failed. Not necessarily that I have a sleep disorder... I failed the test entirely!

Last night I did my much anticipated/dreaded at-home sleep disorder test. My cardiologist (EP) ordered it for me just to see. I told him my wife says I sometimes stop breathing when I sleep. 

I went to the sleep disorder clinic at 3:30 to pick up the stuff and have them show me how to use it. A woman who had lost her voice the day before took me into one of the bedrooms. She sat on the bed and I sat across from her in a chair. She put the contraption together and showed me how everything worked and what I was supposed to do. There was...

• One strap with the battery-operated device that went over my chest
• one strap that went over my abdomen and connected to the device on my chest
• an oxygen sensor that wrapped around my finger and connected to the device on my chest
• a tube that wrapped over my ears, went into my nostrils, and had a piece that hung down to my bottom lip - which also connected to the device on my chest.

The device was set to turn on automatically at 9pm (which is when I told them I went to bed), and would turn off automatically at 6am. I think I was supposed to wear it for at least 6 1/2 hours. I asked what happened if I didn't sleep very well. The lady said as long as I slept at least a couple hours that would likely be sufficient.

So, at 9pm I strapped everything on. I had to tape the tube to each cheek, and the sensor onto my hand. I felt like I had wires and hoses dangling everywhere when I tried to climb into bed. I wondered if I would ever be able to sleep.

Actually... I found I could sleep better than I thought. Once I lay down and got adjusted to everything, it wasn't so bad. Of course, I had to get up and pee twice during the night. Once around 11pm, and again at 4:14am. 

That's when the bad news came. 4:14am. I know, because I had a strange feeling, turned on the bathroom light, and checked all the wires.

Somehow the lead from the abdomen strap/sensor had come unplugged. I'm not sure when it happened. It could have been right from the start when I put everything on, or at any point during the night.

So, I plugged it in at 4:14 and went back to bed. I intended to get up at 5:15, but I decided to wait until the unit turned off at 6 - hoping maybe that hour forty five would be enough time to get what they needed.

When I returned the unit at 8 this morning the lady who took it from me seemed like she was in a hurry, and she didn't speak very good English either, so I didn't get a chance to say anything about it. I'd written it down, so hopefully someone will read it in the paperwork I had to submit with the list of questions from before and after the test.

Now... I wait. They said it will be up to two weeks before they send the results to my doctor.

I suppose the worst case is that it will be inconclusive and they will either want me to do it again, or they will want me to do the test there. Best case would be that they got enough info to determine one way or the other. I'm hoping for that... and that it determines I do not have a sleep disorder.

All in all, it seemed like a lot of hassle for something that doesn't seem to bother me. But, I guess we'll see. 

Cologuard and eye doctor visit

A continuation of my annual physical was taking (and sending in) a Cologuard Test. Apparently I get a free one every three years. Mine arrived last week and I sent it back on Thursday. It's not the most enjoyable of things, but it beats having a full-blown colonoscopy. This is the second time I've done one.

Also, today we both had eye exams. We went to Eye Specs on Main. It's just a block over from Jane's office, and she had been there once before. This was my first time there. We both needed a slight adjustment to our prescription, which meant we both needed new glasses. I am terrible at making most any decision, and especially so when it comes to eye glasses. The ladies were very helpful though, and I just went with the one's Jane liked the best. Maybe I will share a pic when they come in. We'll see (pun intended)!

My eyes are just beginning to get back to normal after the pupil dilation. That's always the worst part - other than having to answer "Which one looks better, this one... or that one?" Sometimes I don't really know, but today I felt pretty confident of all my selections. I also have a little cataract forming, but nothing to worry about yet (I guess).

Now I suppose I should make a dentist appointment. It's been... awhile for me. Ugh. I don't really like someone putting their hands in my mouth...

Dr. visit: annual physical

I had my routine annual physical last Thursday... with a new doctor. My blood test numbers were the best overall since I started keeping track in 2015 (with the exception of one). Yet... the visit wasn't without some of the normal issues.

I switched my primary care physician because we've found a much cheaper route (through our insurance) and I was just tired of my old doctor's office and how difficult it is to even get in for a visit. I like the new doctor and staff (Dr. G.E).

As for my visit: 

Weight: 161 (compared to 159 a year ago)

BP: 162/100 (compared to 148/98 a year ago)

Pulse: 63

Oxygen: 98

Of course the doctor and nurse were concerned about my blood pressure. However, I showed them my recent history (116/73 the day before, at home), along with my history of anxiety-driven readings from every other doctor/cardiologist visit... and since it was back down towards the end of the visit (the nurse just said it was in the "acceptable" range), all was well. I hate how anxious I get when getting my BP taken...

Otherwise... this is the first time I can remember when all my numbers except one were in the normal range. My glucose was 118, which is not good. It is normally just over or under 100 (should be 70-99), and was 106 last year. However, my A1C was 5.6 (which is in the normal range, although right at the very top). So, I need to work on keeping that in check. 

The lipid panel usually gets me, but not this time (I guess taking a statin for the past year has made a difference - unfortunately). Cholesterol was 168, Triglycerides 109, HDL 58, VLDL 20, LDL 90.

They ordered me a Cologuard at-home test since I haven't done one for three years. I suppose I can comply with that.

Other than that, the doctor listened to my heart, lungs, looked inside my mouth and ears, pressed on my stomach and back, and had me do a squat and toe-touches and the like... and I guess he declared me physically fit enough to live another year. So, we'll see. 

*Here is my post about last year's visit

**And my post about where I keep my annual blood test history

Marathon #9

It was the worst of times; it was the best of times...

Yes, I have that backwards (sorry Dickens), but juxtaposing was on fire around here last week!

So, this story is going to take a minute before we even get to the running part. A long story leading up to a long run, so to speak. I'll try to mark the route so you don't get lost...

>>NON-RUNNING PART OF THE STORY>>

It all started one week ago today. We took a quick trip to see the Minnesota kids - arriving there Saturday morning and flying back home Monday evening. Before returning, and while the daughter-in-law was at work, the two of us and our boy and his boy decided to visit the Como Conservatory. I didn't think much of it at first, and even when the smells started overwhelming me, it still didn't register...

Whew, baby. We made it home fine, slept good, but when I woke up Tuesday morning I was sicker than a dog! It was then I remembered the last time I felt like this: our trip to Jamaica two years ago. Apparently my olfactories cannot tolerate tropical foliage and such. I was coughing, sneezing, dripping and draining, and my body felt like I'd been run over by a truck and left to die! I was miserable beyond mere pollen season plug-up. Ugh. It was not good.

Wednesday I settled on the fact I was not going to be running any marathon anytime soon and felt miserable both physically and mentally. Thursday I didn't even care about missing the marathon - as long as God would somehow help me feel better!!! Friday there was a little clearing, and I thought, "I wonder if there's anything the doctor could give me?" (sort of on par with 'praying as a last resort'). Well, lo and behold, it worked! And by "it" I mean the prayer, the doctor... and I am now a believer in PEDS (performance enhancing drugs)!

The doctor agreed my symptoms appeared related to seasonal allergies exacerbated by visiting the floral conservatory. He suggested going back on the nasal spray and zyrtec I had taken for years... and he actually gave me a steroid pack too ("maybe you'll at least feel better IF you can run"). I had to assure him I would stop running and call it quits at the first sign of any breathing issues or chest discomfort. Yeah, yeah... sure. ;)

Let me tell you, my friend, I now know why steroids are banned in sports! I mean, Wed/Thurs I was SURE there was no way I'd be able to run Sunday. I tried jogging Thursday afternoon and within a half mile I could hardly breathe and my chest burned like those first few track practices back in high school. Friday I allowed the slightest glimmer of maybe being able to at least start the race. Saturday I was like a new person... but as the day wore on, I wore down. Even Sunday morning... I felt SO GOOD when I woke up at 4:50am, but by the time we left for the start of the marathon at 7:20 I had begun to temper expectations a little. I think in the back of my mind I was planning to slog through the first half and at least make it back to the car. I figured I would know if I could run at all before I made it out of the parking lot, but I was bracing myself for the fact that these last 18 months of training were not going to be enough to get me the full 26.2 miles. We were playing it by ear, and I was trying to be realistic.

>>>MARATHON STARTING POINT>>>

Well, I suppose you already know I ran the marathon. I believe it was the slowest one I've done (of 9). However, it was also one of my best! 

First, though, remember when I did this marathon last year and said I'd never do it again? I'd had an ablation to fix my afib/flutter seven weeks prior and was running this to prove I wasn't dead yet, and it was such a miserably humid day, with rain at the start, the course was poorly marked, I got lost temporarily, which was the only way I was able to cover the whole 26 miles because it was marked short, and there were only like 30 people doing the full marathon, and I barely saw any other runners after the half, and I was miserable by the end. Maybe it's starting to come back to you... Well.. you know how people will say things... Right? :)

This year was different. It was a beautiful blue-sky sunshine day, about 44°F at the start, apparently the Carmel Marathon had been cancelled last week so there was an influx of extra runners (107 just for the marathon!), and while the course was still a tad short, it was altered slightly and is actually a pretty route, partly on city streets but mostly some of the best greenway trail in these parts. Someone even put the medal around my neck at the finish line (instead of me having to find the table where they'd all been left in a pile like last year). An added bonus this year was that Jane wasn't running the half, and since it's still a small race, she was able to ride her bike along with me the last 8 miles or so!

>>>>OK, LET'S START THIS RACE>>>>

We lined up to start thE third annual Fort Wayne Marathon & Half Marathon (Rubletiming.com) at 8AM. The first .7 miles or so are around the parking lot of the Coliseum before spilling us onto the greenway at Johhny Appleseed Park. From there we took Parnell Ave south to Main Street and headed west. I was excited to see Drew Carrie standing along Main, and they offered to take my jacket (around the 3-mile mark). At first I hoped I wouldn't regret it, but I felt so good running, and my breathing/chest was fine, so I was at least gaining confidence I could keep jogging and wouldn't need to walk back to the car with my tail between my legs.

Anyway, I can't remember all the course, but we went West to Sweeney Park, then wound around on greenway most of the rest of the way back to the Coliseum. The half and full start together and follow the same route, then the full heads North up past The Plex, Concordia Seminary, through Shoaff Park, and back to the Coliseum again.

The first half went great. I wanted to stay at or just above a 10-min/mile pace because I didn't want to push it at all. I met Jane in the Johhny Appleseed parking lot (half way) about the 2:16 point and changed my hat and shirt and swapped out water bottles. The first half I used my 12oz bottle (filling it twice) and took 3 GU gels, and the second half I used my 21oz bottle (filling 1 1/2 times) and 4 gels. I was still feeling pretty good, but I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep up that pace, or if I even wanted to. At this point I was happy that it looked like a finish was possible, and I didn't care how long it took.

There were a lot of younger runners in this race (or, not a lot of older ones like me). So even though there were more people, the second half still gets pretty lonely. There were maybe a dozen people behind me at this point. It was around mile 17 3/4 I first noticed myself spacing out (which is pretty good). I was jogging through a marshy area and all of a sudden was like, "Wait, where am I? Oh yeah, I'm running a marathon." Not long after, as I was leaving the seminary area and planning to use the portapotty there, Jane showed up on her bike. I had to wait on some random guy who took forever in the jon, finally went myself, and then she rode with me through Shoaff and back.

For the first half I took a drink every 2 miles and gel every 4. I walked 1/10th mile or less while doing the gel. The second half I took a gel every 3 miles and mostly just drank with that. Once Jane joined me she was able to take my water bottle and that helped immensely. However I also walked a little more and had slowed down some. I was probably talking more than I should have, but it was nice to have her along, plus I was just really, really happy (I was SO happy) that I knew now I was going to be able to finish. So I didn't care how long it took. This section also had several turn-arounds, so you could see the people ahead of and behind you, and everyone was being pretty friendly and offering encouragement to one another. Pretty soon, though, I realized I had maybe lollygagged a little too much and was nearing a 5-hour finish, so I focused on coming in before that.

Some random stats:

• I got 92nd out of 107 total marathon runners (2nd in my age group - out of 2); btw, there were 102 half marathoners (results page)
  
• 4 hours 57 minutes finish time - though I swear 5 minutes was waiting on that guy in the portapotty!
• 11:19/mi total pace... 11:03/mi moving pace... 8:03/mi best pace
• My fastest mile was 9:21; slowest 16:42 (portapotty). 13 miles were 10-something pace, 7 were 11-something, 4 at 12-something.
  
• My Garmin watch distance measured 26.24 miles, so I just made it over the 26.22, and only because I knew the course was short from the start (.05 short on the very first mile) so I was taking curves as wide as I could and running a little past each turnaround point to make up some miles.
• Oddly enough my watch said my max heart rate was 148 bpm, and average was 129. Afterward it went right back to normal at home too. Normally it may take a day or two to do that. Must be another Prednisone miracle! 

So I guess if I had to sum up with a TL;DR it would go something like:

The worst:

• Being sick almost the entire week before the marathon, and not really running for 8 days prior
• My slowest time
• The uncertainty of whether I could even start, let alone finish

 The best:

• Running a marathon at home (I really, really want Fort Wayne to have a marathon!)
• Jane being there for support, encouragement, and riding along the last few miles
• Finding a doctor who listens to me, and who offered the Prednisone (I felt great not only for the race, but recovery has been so sweet too! This was the best I've ever felt post-race.
  
• Finishing another marathon and living to tell about it!

 

I do apologize for this being so long. It's been an emotional week. I was prepared to not run, and it would have been fine. I was just so looking forward to having this out of the way so I didn't have to worry about a fall marathon, or even trying to find another one in a couple weeks. Now it's done and I don't have to think about another one until next year!! :)

Thanks for sticking around, and have a nice day!

Five things friday

Yeah yeah... I know. Anyway...

1. After a rough 16-mile run last Friday, a week of feeling like crap again, visit to a new doctor, and getting some antibiotics for a bacterial infection... My 19 miles today wasn't half bad! Oh, sure, I'm plenty worn down and a little sore right now, but considering I could barely walk this past Wednesday, I was pretty happy with it. I managed to stretch it to 3 1/2 hours, plus another 3/4-mile walk afterward. That's still a little faster than I wanted to go. I was averaging just under 10:30 miles for the most part, and started walking a piece of every few miles towards the end. Again, it's not how fast I do these long runs, but how much time I spend on my feet. I'd have liked it to be closer to 4 hours today, but it never is. Whatever.
2. Speaking of the new doctor... Jane had to find a new doctor and she discovered this place called Premise Health. Apparently it's specifically for people who have PHP insurance (which we do). She really likes the doctor, and visits are only $35 - which usually includes your prescription and any lab work! Plus, it appears you can generally get a same-day appointment! So I tried it out. I made my appointment in the morning, and walked right in when I got there. The doctor is super mellow, I was in and out and had my antibiotic in 30 minutes! Btw, apparently it was an infection in my groin area (which I've dealt with most of my life every5-10 years or so). Personally, I think it was from pushing too hard the week after having the flu. I probably shouldn't have done that 16-miler last week. The infection attacked my weak areas (groin issue and my right knee) - at least that's my non-medical-degree hypothesis. Regardless of all that, it's feeling much better.
3. This morning I listened to Song of Songs (Song of Solomon) on the Youversion App. I recommend reading/listening to it in its entirety. There are just eight short chapters, and having the New International Version (Anglicised), Audio Edition guy read it to you is another plus! 
4. Lots of things going on, and I really do feel heel-ish for not blogging more than I do, but it's just how it is right now. And it's MARCH MADNESS! As much as money and greed is ruining everything, for some reason I'm still a sucker for men's college basketball. And, yes, I know women's sports are popular too... give me a break. You can watch it if you want; why can't I watch what I want to?? Anyway, I wish we had a better TV plan, and that I maybe cared just a little more, because I really like watching college basketball. I don't do it as much as I used to, nor get as into it as I used to, but it's a fun time of year. At least until I start to think about how it's all going to hell because of money and greed and whatnot...
5. "Learn what is to be taken seriously and laugh at the rest." -Hermann Hesse

 Well, I'm a little impressed with myself that I did this much today. I did not expect I'd get this far. Yay. How 'bout we all find something to laugh at today? Or at least smile. You can thank me later. ;)

Annual blood test history

I doubt this post has much interest to you, but I wanted to jot something down for myself for the day I need to search for it... [NOTE TO DAN: The comparison sheet from 2015 to present is in the computer file "Blood Test History. Dan", as well as a paper copy in my file cabinet folder]

As I mentioned last Friday (1/31/25), I had my annual blood test for my annual physical. The physical was in October 2024, and I finally got around to the rest - mostly to see if the Rosuvastatin made much difference for my cholesterol (I started taking it around the first of the year).

Fortunately everything looked about the same as always or better - particularly my cholesterol! Here is a comparison from the past few years:

• Cholesterol: 166 (2025), 231 (2023), 221 (2022), 226 (2021), 229 (2019) - you can see it was down quite a bit not only over the past 5 years, but it was also the lowest I've ever had. 
• HDL: 52 (2025), 53 (2023), 60 (2022 & 2021), 51 (2019) 
• LDL: 81 (2025), 151 (2023), 147 (2022), 144 (2021) 144 (2019) - another one that really dropped. 
• Non-HDL Chol: 114 (2025), 178 (2023), 161 (2022), 213 (2021), 178 (2019) - ditto
  
• Triglyceride: 163 (2025), 137 (2023), 71 (2022), 106 (2021), 171 (2019) - this one seems all over the place for some reason; plus, as I said Friday, they used to suggest it be below 200 and now it's 150 for some reason.

So, yes, I do think I will stay on the cholesterol medicine. Whether these numbers mean anything to anyone other than pharmaceutical reps I do not know, but as long as I can afford the medicine, why not.

My doctors office called today to make sure I'd seen my results. The nurse said the only thing my doctor mentioned was the Sodium (which was 133 and should be between 136-145), which we will just keep an eye on. Sounds good to me!

One thing I'd like to find out someday is my blood type, and my ferritin number. I'll have to try to remember that next time it comes up...

Eye for an eye (eye exam)

We both had an eye exam last Friday. My last "annual" exam was in February of ... 2022. Once again we went to the Eye Exam Center at Costco. Last time was with Optometrist Danielle; this year was with Daniel. Ha! That's about the only change...

I have no idea what these numbers are or what they mean but my "Spectacle Rx" from 2022-2025 went from:

OD SPH: -2.25 to -2.25

OD CYL: -1.00 to -0.75

OD AXIS: 180 to 180

OD ADD: +2.25 to +2.25

 

OS SPH: -2.25 to -2.25

OS CYL: -1.00 to -1.00

OS AXIS: 143 to 135

OS ADD: +2.25 to +2.25

 Basically my prescription did not change much and the doctor said I didn't need new glasses unless I wanted to get them. I laughed and said, "Uh, no thanks. These are fine!" :)

On this year's receipt is this ICD-10 section, which I'm assuming is some kind of notes. There are six for me, and the doctor said not to be worried about the names - basically it just means I'm getting older. 

1. H52.13 Myopia, bilateral
2. H52.223 Regular astigmatism, bilateral
3. H52.4 Presbyopia
4. H43.813 Vitreous Degeneration, Bilateral
5. H25.813 Combined Forms of Age Related Cataract
6. H53.019 Changes in retinal vascular appearance, unspecified eye

M'yeah... whatever. 

I also thought it was interesting that in 2022 my exam cost $102, and this year it was $100 even. That's probably due to the new president, you know. Lol.

So, I had an uneventful visit to the eye doctor, and that was just fine with me. Jane, on the other hand, got to select a new pair of spectacles - plus an extra pair on sale that she had tinted for sunglasses. :)

Kardia mobile

I got one of those Kardia Mobile devices last Friday (12.13.24) and took my first home EKG. It said I had a "Normal Sinus Rhythm". Yay!

My Electrophysiologist suggested I get one, and if I have any odd readings I am to text him the results.

It's actually pretty slick, and super easy to set up and operate. I got the basic unit for $69 (Holiday special), and it's no bigger than a pack of gum. Once I downloaded the Kardia App on my phone and created an account I had an EKG in 30 seconds. To send it to my doctor I merely save it as a pdf from the app and send him the link in a text. Easy as pie!

There are different types of devices you can get, as well as subscription plans that do all sorts of things. My doctor said the basic model with no subscription was sufficient for me. 

So, there ya go... Next time I see that commercial asking if I know my heart health, I can say, "Yes. As a matter of fact, I do!" 

The ablation

I suppose at some point I should get around to jotting down here some specifics of the ablation procedure I had done last Tuesday, March 5. It's not that I don't want to talk about it, but, yeah, I kinda/sorta would just as soon not think about it. Still, there's the posterity aspect, and someday I may need to recall this stuff (like when I need to have this done again). Plus, I know you've been dying to hear all about it!!

WHAT I HAD DONE

I don't fully understand much of this, but I think it was called a Catheter Radiofrequency Ablation. They went through my groin with tubes and wires and burned parts of my heart. Or, as the clinical notes say:

Procedure Name
1. Ultrasound-guided bilateral femoral vein access
2. Ultrasound-guided right femoral artery access for blood pressure monitoring
3. Electrophysiology study
4. Intracardiac echocardiogram
5. Transseptal access x 1–Baylis versa cross
6. Three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping–Abbott
7. Pulmonary vein isolation–cardio focus X3 laser balloon
8. Radiofrequency ablation–cavotricuspid isthmus ablation for typical atrial flutter
9. Manual pressure and figure-of-eight sutures for hemostasis

As near as I can tell there were 23 actual ablations - whatever that means.

WHY I HAD IT DONE

I was hospitalized and diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) on November, 14, 2023. They did a cardioversion (shocked my heart back into rhythm) on 11/15. I then wore a monitor for two weeks and it was determined that I had persistent AFib. They suggested since it was fairly early and I'm in otherwise good health, I was a good candidate for ablation.

At the time of the procedure the EP (electrophysiologist) said I also had Atrial Flutter, which he could fix with the ablation as well. I don't know the difference.

THE PROCESS

The procedure was scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at the Lutheran Heart Pavilion. After fasting since midnight the night before, I arrived at 5:30am with Jane holding my hand. I had preregistered and already paid the ~$3,800, so it wasn't long before they took us both back and strapped a bracelet to my arm. Then it was off to get me ready. My nurse was also named Jane, and she was super. I put on my gown, got an IV, a tech came in and shaved my front-side from neck to knees, and then I chatted with the anesthesiologist, his assistant, the EP (Dr. Rodriguez), and probably a couple other people. Right around the scheduled procedure time of 7:30am a nurse came and wheeled me down to where they did it.

The procedure room had a ton of people in it. They were all joking around and very friendly. They had me walk from my bed over to the operating table. First I sat up and they stuck monitor pads (or something) all over my back and front. People were asking me questions and everyone seemed to be talking at the same time. Finally they told me to lay down with my head on this little pink piece of foam. The anesthesiologist had told me in my room that he could give me something to help me relax before the actual anesthesia if I wanted. I told him to feel free to give me anything and everything they had! The last thing I remember is someone saying, "Okay, you can give him the good stuff," and someone else said, "He's already getting it." :)

The next thing I know I was waking up and a nurse was leaning over the side of my bed. She said they were all done and she asked me some questions (I think). Then I vaguely remember being pushed down the hall back to my room where Jane was waiting.

According to the notes I arrived in the operating room at 7:30am; the physician arrived at 8:14am; and I was out of the room at 9:59am. So almost exactly 2 1/2 hours (which is what they said it would be).

RECOVERY

I'm guessing I was in post-procedure recovery for about 1/2 hour coming out of the anesthesia, because I thought I got back to the room with Jane around 10:30. I remember feeling very relaxed and sleepy.

It was kind of a blur for awhile, but I remember them asking what I wanted to eat. There were several options and I chose yogurt with blueberries and granola. I remember Carrie being there because she said something like that's what I would be having at home. They also let me have coffee through a straw - which tastes different for some reason. Anyway, I remember it all tasted pretty good.

I needed to lay still for 3 hours to make sure I didn't bleed from the insertion sites. About that: for some reason I thought there would be one incision in the artery (or vein) in the groin area. What they actually did was go into BOTH SIDES of my groin, but instead of an incision they sort of just punctured the skin with a tube. So I had no stitches in my skin, but they did use sutures to close the artery/vein. So, I had to lay fairly still for 3 hours until they removed those sutures and made sure I wasn't bleeding. 

I don't really remember much about that 3-hour waiting period. That and the incision are what I had been most concerned about, and neither was much of an issue. 

At 1:30pm the nurse removed the sutures - and I didn't feel a thing! Then I had to wait another 30 minutes and as long as I could walk and everything seemed okay I was free to leave.

At 2pm the nurse accompanied me down the hall, I stopped and peed at the restroom, then we went back to my room and they removed the IV and told me I could get dressed.

By 2:30pm they were wheeling me out to the door and Jane picked me up to take me home!

RECUPERATING AT HOME

For 48 hours I was supposed to take it easy and avoid: heavy lifting (5 pounds or more), continuous stair climbing, prolonged walking, and squatting or bending for prolonged periods of time. The EP also suggested I take at least 5 days off from running, but I could otherwise resume normal life.

The rest of that first day I actually felt pretty good. I spent most of my time in the recliner and we watched TV.

I didn't sleep great the first few nights. My chest hurt and it was a little hard to breathe Wednesday and Thursday. I don't know if it was swelling from the ablation or the anesthesia (or both), but they said to expect it. It wasn't terrible, but I've never had a hard time breathing other than the couple times I've had bruised ribs. It's not fun.

Thursday evening was my first venture out of the house. We went to a play the two grandsons were in. It was a bit of a chore, but actually felt good to get out. Leaving their school I felt better than I did arriving. That night was the first good sleep I'd gotten and I felt much better Friday.

I think Saturday was my first actual "walk" outside and that went well. I hadn't really had any pain in the groin area like they said I might.

Saturday night I tended bar for a concert and... that just about did me in. Being on my feet for 5 hours of activity was probably not a good way to ease back into things, but I survived. I had a little groin pain, and was pretty wiped out. Fortunately our church doesn't start until 11am Sunday, and that arrived early enough. After resting the rest of Sunday, though, I felt like I was almost back to normal.

Monday afternoon I did an easy 4-mile jog and it went better than expected. My legs were a little tight, but nothing other than from being a lazy slug all week.

Wednesday was an 8-mile run and it went pretty good. Again I kept at an easy pace, which was 10:15/mile and included stopping at several lights because I went from our house to downtown. I guess I did walk a tenth of a mile during the 6th or 7th mile, but the run felt fine. I was kinda wiped out after though.

This morning was 5 miles, and I did it on the treadmill at 6am because it was supposed to rain all day and I just didn't feel like that right now. Actually, it's been storming. 

So far I feel like I'm back on track not only as far as general health, but maybe even the marathon at the end of April. My only concern is if my achilles tendons can deal with the week off or not, but I'm trying to be cautiously optimistic.

As for whether it "worked." I don't know. And probably won't until my scheduled return visit to the doctor in June. Apparently it takes 2-3 months for the heart to fully heal and during this time I can still have AFib and flutter episodes, but that doesn't necessarily mean the procedure wasn't successful. In fact, I had an AFib episode the morning after the procedure! My resting heart rate has been running higher than it used to, and I can feel things get a little wonky from time to time. However, everything else seems to have healed up, and I feel pretty good. I don't seem to have tired spells for as long or as often, and that's maybe the biggest problem I had before. So, we'll see.

And... there you have the long and short of it, folks (if anyone is still reading). Perhaps the only thing to deal with now is the itch of chest hair growing back!

Ct scan

Yeeaaah... I didn't manage to get a post written yesterday. I worked out, had an early-lunch meeting, set up the concert hall (which took longer than usual because we had a beer order to put away), and went to the grand-daughter's basketball game. I know most people do these things AND work a regular job. Mmm, whatever.

Anyway, today I had a CT Scan (with contrast) at the hospital. This was in preparation for the ablation procedure in March. I had to be there at 10:30 to check in, they took me back right at the 11AM appointment time, and I was all done by 11:30.

Originally they told me not to eat anything or take my morning meds beforehand, however someone called the other day and said they don't do that anymore. So I ate a regular breakfast and took my pills. I was kinda hoping that meant I would have the scan without contrast (no IV). No such luck, though, and I think it was the most uncomfortable IV I've ever had.

When they took me back to radiology I just sat in a chair in the hallway and they put the IV port in. I had to wait there maybe 15 minutes. Once I went into the scan room they had me hop on the table, put my arms above my head, stuck some monitor patches on my chest and hooked wires to them, then they hooked up the IV hose. They slid me into the tube up to my chin. I had to inhale and hold my breath a few times, then they said I would feel a warm sensation (when they pumped the iodine into my blood). I got a funny taste in my mouth and it felt like warm water was flushing through my body. Fortunately the first nurse had told me it may feel like I'm peeing my pants, and it did! It only lasted maybe 20 seconds. Then I was done and they unhooked the wires and removed my IV.

As soon as I was done the lady said I could get my coat and I was free to leave. It maybe took 10 minutes.

I was surprised I didn't have to put a gown on. I didn't even have to take my glasses off or take my phone out of my pocket. Weird.

I think the estimated cost with insurance was ~$650. Geesh. What else are you gonna do though?

So, that's done. Now I just live my life and wait for the ablation...

Afib, ep doctor visit, ablation

We interrupt this series on running-as-therapy for some 'other' health news...

I have now had two AFib recurrences since being hospitalized in November and having a cardioversion done to shock my heart back into rhythm. The first was just before New Years and the second was this past Sunday night through yesterday morning. The former lasted from mid-afternoon until the next morning after showering. The one yesterday lasted an additional day and... I'm not really sure what caused my heart to reset. I'd tried all the "tricks" (coughing, bearing down, holding my nose while trying to breathe, cold water on the face, shower) and nothing worked. But as I was carrying my bowl of oatmeal to the table and sat down at the computer, I noticed I suddenly felt a lot better (I'd been feeling really tired and just 'not right' and actually skipped my workout yesterday). I checked my heart rate and it was steady again and back to normal. Weird. It's been fine ever since (so instead of a run I almost immediately got on the Assault bike and worked up a 30-minute sweat).

I guess I haven't had this condition long enough to understand that one or two days in AFib is apparently not that big of a deal (as long as I'm on a blood thinner and feeling relatively okay). Apparently some people have an erratic and high heart rate for months, years, or even all the time. It still freaks me out quite a bit, but I suppose I will get used to it eventually.

Ironically, I had my first scheduled post-hospitalization follow-up with the electrophysiologist doctors yesterday. I asked Jane to accompany me in case they asked any difficult questions or there was anything I needed to remember. I'm glad I did.

We met with a super nice NP and he spent almost an hour talking with us about AFib, its causes, treatments, and whatnot. He said my case is fairly minor at this point and my age plus the fact I am in excellent physical health means I am only at a "1" on the stroke chart (or something like that). This all means I am a "good candidate" for an ablation and that is their recommendation (instead of continued treatment with medication). So... I am being scheduled for a catheter ablation where they stick a tube up a blood vessel in my leg and burn parts of my heart! It will likely be in a couple months or so.  

Actually, it was a really good doctor visit. The NP was super down-to-earth and we both really liked him. He listened to us, talked to us like normal people, and I swear he would have went out for supper with us if we'd asked him (Jane also liked his Australian accent). He was very reassuring and helped ease our concerns about how to live with this for the time being. I think we were both hoping for an ablation too, so I can maybe get off some of the meds eventually and hopefully not be as tired as I have been lately.

For now, I guess I just keep doing what I've been doing: No drinking, drugs, or smoking (I stopped drinking entirely mid-November and the others long before that), eat a heart-healthy diet, and continue exercising. I'm not sure whether to stick with the marathon training because the ablation will likely happen sometime between now and then and I'll need to take some time off. We'll see. Otherwise I feel a lot better about things. So, I'm just waiting to hear from the doctors office (who are likely waiting to hear from the insurance company). Not much else for me to do...

Maybe the hardest thing has been getting used to the fact I have so little control over this. I can't fix it or make it go away on my own. In some ways, though, learning to accept that is kind of freeing. Life goes on (or not) and there's really no point worrying about it. And there ya go. :)

Second shingles shot

Oof. Man. I've been out of it all day. I got my second of two doses of Shingrix yesterday and it's just about done me in.

I got the first one on 10/17/23 and had to wait 2-6 months to get the second. I wanted to do it before the end of the year because apparently I've met my deductible and it doesn't cost anything (instead of the $235.85 per-shot price with no insurance coverage). 

Everyone said there is generally a worse reaction to the second than the first. The pharmacist said both shots are exactly the same, so when you get the second your body recognizes you've had it before and is not a fan of this stuff in your system. While the shot itself did seem to hurt a little more than the first, I really didn't notice much the rest of the day. Even when I went to bed I had to touch my arm to notice anything. When I got up this morning though... Oh boy.

I mean, I wasn't sick at all, but my arm/shoulder was sore, and I just felt achy and run down. We went to work out at 6am and by then I decided I wasn't going to do my usual Wednesday 5 miles on the treadmill. I managed 35 minutes walking at 2.5 mph. Fortunately Jane forgot her phone at home, so while she showered and got ready for work I drove home and got her phone for her.

I had breakfast when I got home, and next thing I know I was waking up on the couch at 10am. I didn't stray too far from there the rest of the morning.

My arm is still a little sore, but I mostly just feel out of it. I'm sure I'll be fine tomorrow (at least I hope so). Still, it's worth it to be 92% sure I won't get shingles like my mom did. 

Now I'm all caught up on my vaccinations and can give my ol' arm a rest. Tomorrow is a weightlifting day so we'll see how that goes.

Monitoring my thankful heart

This past Monday my electrophysiologist's office called and asked how I was doing (since being released from the hospital the previous Thursday. I said I was doing fine, but didn't have a lot of energy, and that my resting heart rate was usually around 40. The person on the phone sounded a tad alarmed and said she would notify the doctor and get back to me. They called on Tuesday and asked me to come in and get a heart-rate monitor to wear for the next 2 weeks. Ironically I regained my energy Tuesday and have felt even finer since then (they said it may take a week, and it did).

Anyway, I went in and had some guy stick this thing on my chest. It's a Zio ECG monitor and it apparently collects my heart rate and and records an EKG for someone somewhere which my doctor can then look at to assess my heart health - at some point.

It's not the most comfortable thing, and is fairly noticeable under a shirt, but I'm glad it just sticks on and I otherwise don't have to do anything with it. I can still shower, exercise, and do whatever I want.

So, I got to wear this for Thanksgiving and it's a constant reminder to keep my heart in check. That's really not a bad idea all the time.

For posterity's sake, my heart actually feels pretty swell right now. My mind is at peace most of the time (seems like it's been a long time since I've been able to say that), I'm relaxed, feeling quite thankful for family, friends, and to not be in the hospital... and I don't have any complaints about life (well, other than politics, gun laws, and various other world events).

Happy day-after-Thanksgiving, friends! (and a happy day to those of you who don't celebrate the holiday as well!).

Hospitalization (I wasn't even mostly dead)

Well, it happened. I had to make a trip to the ER and be admitted to the hospital. It's the longest I've ever been in (the only other time was when I had my gallbladder removed 25 years ago and had to stay overnight only because the surgery was so late in the day).

Tuesday evening, 11/14, we went for a 3-mile run after Jane got home from work. I'd already walked 5 miles and worked out with weights for 45 minutes in the morning. After eating supper we were just sitting watching something on GRIT TV and I was kind of feeling a little odd. My chest felt "fluttery" or something, and I checked my pulse and it didn't seem like a steady rhythm. I thought maybe I was having a panic attack.

Jane must have sensed something because she asked how my blood pressure had been lately. So I decided to check it. I can't even remember what it was, but what I do recall is my heart rate was 120 (it's usually around 50)! I checked it several more times and it was over 100 every time. Google said I needed to call my doctor. Jane was texting her nephew (the doctor) and he said the same.

Since it was like 9:30pm we headed for the Lutheran emergency room. The triage nurse checked my bp/pulse, jumped up and said, "Follow me. You're getting a room." They did an EKG and some other stuff, and the doctor said I was in AFib (atrial fibrillation) - which means I had a fast and irregular heartbeat that could lead to blood clotting and stroke. Great. This is what my mom just had earlier this year.

I was hooked up two IVs - one was Heparin (blood thinner), and the other was something to try to slow my heart down (or something like that). I was also given a shot of one or the other as sort of a quick fix. It did bring my heart rate down to 78 right away, but it eventually went back up. Finally they said they were going to admit me to the hospital "at least for overnight."

It was around 2:30am when the ER nurse wheeled me to my room herself (so I didn't have to wait any longer for the one person in the entire hospital whose job that was). It was a nice room and the staff were all really nice. Nothing much happened that first night (other than drawing blood and checking vitals every few hours). No one said anything that Jane just slept in the recliner in my room.

Wednesday morning was kind of a blur. I'm not sure how much sleep either of us got or what time they woke me up. Eventually someone informed me (maybe a cardiologist) that their attempts to control my heart with medicine weren't working so they were going to do a TEE w/cardioversion (basically put a scope down my throat to make sure there were no blood clots on my heart and then shock my heart back into rhythm). First they did an echocardiogram, another EKG, took a bunch more blood, and maybe some other things. All I know is I couldn't eat or drink anything until they did the shock procedure.

We kind of thought it would be in the morning, but the clock kept ticking. Around 3pm an electrophysiologist (specializes on the electrical system of the heart) came in and said he just needed to put a pacemaker in someone and I was next on the list. I think it was almost 5pm when they finally came and took me down to the procedure room.

There were a bunch of people in this room. It was cold and they shaved my chest, attached a bunch of pads with wires all over my front, back and neck, then wrapped me in blankets. People were talking to me but I wasn't really listening. I was ready for them to give me the "good drugs." They finally had me turn on my side and stuck a plastic thing in my mouth, then the doctor said to give me 350cc of something. That's the last thing I remember until I woke up and there were just two nurses and me and I was telling them how much I loved them!! :)

Apparently it only took about 30 minutes from start to finish... AND IT WORKED! They said I wasn't totally unconscious, but I don't remember a thing. They wheeled me to my room and I felt really good.

The nurse had some snacks waiting for me, and soon my supper arrived around 7pm or so. I chowed down. They also unhooked me from the IVs and started me on pills instead.

At some point the electrical doctor said everything went great and as far as he was concerned I could go home in an hour, but since it was late they wanted to keep me overnight. He said this may last 5 years, 5 months, 5 days, or 5 minutes, but all was good for now. Chances are it may happen again, and eventually they may have to do an ablation, but that would be an outpatient procedure. This is the definition:

Ablation is a procedure to treat atrial fibrillation. It uses small burns or freezes to cause some scarring on the inside of the heart to help break up the electrical signals that cause irregular heartbeats. This can help the heart maintain a normal heart rhythm.

Jane spent the night in the recliner in my room again and no one really bothered us much. I slept fairly well. Thursday morning they said I could go home as soon as the doctor(s) saw me. They may have also done another EKG and took some more blood.

There was a slight hangup when they called in my prescriptions for Dilt-XR ER (120mg) and Eliquis (5mg). I get texts from the pharmacy and it said the Eliquis was going to be $523 for a 30-day supply. I asked one of the doctors about that and they said they would see what they could do. That $523 was WITH our insurance! Without insurance it would be $709 for 30 days! A nurse eventually came in with two coupons. One was for a free 30-day supply, and the other was for a $10 co-pay if I needed more. I mean... that's nice and all... but that seems like some kind of racket to me. If I hadn't said something it would have cost us over five hundred dollars!!!

Anyway, the nurse finally walked us to the elevator and we were on our way. So almost 40 hours in the hospital (9:30pm Tuesday to 1pm Thursday). I do have to say all of the doctors, nurses, and other staff were very nice and I have absolutely no complaints about my stay there. It was also nice having Jane there almost the entire time, and Carrie came up Wednesday afternoon.

My current meds are now: Eliquis 5mg, Dilt-XR ER 120mg, Lisinopril 40mg, and Sertraline 25mg. I am to discontinue the amlodipine and my allergy meds. They scheduled me a follow-up visit with the electrical doctor in early January and he said he didn't think I would need to stay on the Eliquis after that. I am to schedule a visit with my primary doctor within the week.

So, there ya go. The worst part of the ordeal for me was getting my chest shaved (she was not gentle), and when they pulled off all sticky things on my chest, back, arms and legs. Otherwise I never was in any pain. I'm supposed to take it easy for a week, and I do have to say I was much more worn out today than I anticipated. I guess it literally was a shock to my system, so it's probably understandable.

Covid/flu shot

I got my fourth (I think) Covid vaccine yesterday, and my first ever Flu shot. I went back to Meijer where I got the shingles shot last week. This was even easier. I think I was there maybe 30 seconds and out the door!

My receipt said it would have been $67.25 without insurance. I don't know why I always thought these were free. I dunno.

Both shots were in my left arm, and I didn't really even feel them. My upper arm got a little sore last night and still some this morning, but not as bad as the first couple covid shots or the shingles. I've yet to have any other side effects other than feeling a bit groggy this morning.

Now I just need to get the tetanus shot, though I think I may wait a couple weeks to give my arm a break. Then once my second dose of the shingles vaccine is complete in December/January, I should be good to go on vaccines for awhile.

One thing I'm never sure of is which arm to get shots in. They always say to do it in the one you don't use, except I am sort of both-armed. I do some things with the left and some with the right. For some reason I always do the left. I also only ever speak on the phone with my left ear. I don't know if that's weird or not. I guess it is what it is...

Shingles vaccine dose one

Boy, I've been on a real health kick lately. Yesterday I got my first dose (of two) of Shingrix, the vaccine for shingles!

I can't get the second one until two to six months later. Then I will supposedly be 92% protected against getting shingles. I guess the one-shot vaccine was like 63%.

I've wanted to get this for awhile. My doctor said after age 50 you should consider it (of course our insurance won't cover it until age 60). Mostly, though, my mom had a terrible experience with shingles and still has trouble walking because of it even though it was years ago.

Anyway, I wasn't exactly planning to do it yesterday. I was making out a list of all the things I need to do, and I thought I'd just check to see the closest place I could get it. The Kroger by our house of course doesn't have any availability, but the Meijer pharmacy on Illinois Road where I get my prescriptions did. I started clicking buttons and next thing I know I got a text to confirm my appointment at 3:15 that day! So I figured - what the heck?!

My doctor had said you can get flu-like symptoms like with the Covid vaccine, but the pharmacist said he thought that mostly happened (if it did at all) after the second dose. 

It didn't hurt at all, and only took maybe two minutes in the room with the pharmacist. Around when I went to bed I noticed my arm was sore at the injection site, but I never got sick at all. 

I'm not sure how much our insurance will cover, but the receipt says the retail price without insurance is $235.85. I knew these shots were expensive. Someone said there are coupons you can get online. Whatever.

Both my doctor and the pharmacist said you should wait at least a week before getting the Covid/Flu shot (after the shingles vaccine). I'm still debating the flu shot. I've never gotten one before, but, what with me suddenly being all old and unhealthy, maybe I should. I don't know if I'll get the tetanus at that time too or if I'll wait until the next week. May as well spread this fun out as long as I can.

Doctor visit for poison ivy

I finally broke down and went to the doctor for this darned poison ivy rash. Egad, last night the itching was terrible!

The pic is the inside of my right elbow, which is where everything started about a week ago. Those blistered up and have popped, but somehow it spread to my right wrist, on the outside of the right elbow, the inside of my left elbow, and one little spot on my right side just above the waist.

I'd been using a Benadryl spray and taking my usual Allegra/Flonase. I haven't slept well since it began - usually waking up after about 3 or 4 hours. When I got up last night I took a Benadryl tablet and had a vodka on ice hoping it would help me sleep. I eventually did drift off again until my alarm went off at 5am.

Today I was determined to see a doctor because not only does it not seem to be getting better, but actually worse. First I made an appointment at Redimed, but couldn't get in until 5:30pm. So I went to Urgent Care on Coliseum and got right in and right out. The doctor was nice and right away said it was poison ivy and ordered me a prescription of Prednisone. He also recommended a 1% cortisone cream, as well as all the usual oatmeal bath, cool showers, and such (sorry, but I think I'll pass on the oatmeal bath).

So, when I got home I took 3 of the 6 pills I'm supposed to take today (they're supposed to be spread out throughout the day, but I started late). He said I should feel better in a couple days, and the prescription is for 6. Man, I HOPE I am feeling better soon. This is driving me nuts!

Vacation warmed over

It's not like anyone died, really. I only wished I had...

So goes the story of this most recent vacation. It also partly explains why I haven't blogged for over a week. I ain't been well. Hopefully I can expound a bit later, but here's a start.

THE FACTS

We were celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary, so we splurged and booked a week's vacation at Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay, Jamaica. If you click the link, yes it does resemble the pictures... but it's maybe not exactly what it looks like (plus there was a lot under construction).

We flew out of Fort Wayne, Tuesday, April 25 and returned on Tuesday, May 2. Both flights were through Atlanta (1 1/2 hours FW to ATL, 2 1/2 hours ATL to Jamaica). The resort is a mere 10 minute bus ride from the airport in Montego Bay. 

Our room was on the second floor overlooking a pool on the "quieter" side of the resort (actual pic from our balcony). There was a daytime bar around the corner, and a girl who brought us drinks usually 10am-5pm-ish. There were rarely more than a dozen of us old farts around this pool, and occasionally we were the only ones there. It didn't suck.

There were like seven different restaurants, and we only ate at four of them. We did the buffet for breakfast every day, mostly skipped lunch, and ate at the Italian outdoor place for four suppers. All the food we had was good, but we are purposely not adventurous when it comes to eating in faraway places. Better safe than sorry.

There was entertainment every evening and we enjoyed most of it. Sometimes it wasn't so well-attended, and a couple nights we just weren't into it. I do recall having fun at the headphone dance party late one night.

We tried snorkeling on the Monday before we came home. I was a complete nervous wreck - and that was before I knew they took us in a boat out to deep water!! I lasted about 30 seconds. Jane for a bit longer.

It was HOT. Daytime temps were in the 90s and it only cooled to upper 70s (if that) at night. 

SICKO

I only drank too much one night (maybe two), and only had a couple mild panic episodes (which I'm not sure Jane was even aware of). I was plenty stressed before we even left on the trip though, and never settled much. However, towards the end of the week I started getting an earache and sore throat. At first I thought it was all the vegetation. I have allergy problems anyway, and the smells were pretty overpowering. Plus, the air conditioner blowing nonstop didn't help. So...

Sunday I was just kind of all-around feeling like crap. Stress, I hadn't been sleeping much, my stomach was messed up, it was sooooo hot, I was having a hard time swallowing, and I was honestly just counting down the hours until we could leave. 

I always hate when I get like this, but I just did not feel well. Fortunately I was able to hang on until Tuesday when we flew home.

Getting out of Jamaica was a bit tedious in itself; as well as the connecting flight in Atlanta (which they actually scheduled us for a hotel and a different flight the next day because they didn't think we'd make it). We finally arrived home Tuesday night around 10pm. I was beat, and had no idea that night would be even worse!

I'd gotten to the point where I couldn't swallow at all. I was spitting into a waste basket all night. At some point, since I couldn't sleep anyway, I made an online doctors appointment for the next day. I was supposed to work Thursday, and I was stressing about that too - not to mention needing to fly out again Friday for Atlanta!

The doctors visit just pissed me off! He's a quack and I don't know if I will continue there. At least they finally did a strep test and that was negative. So he says, "Just do what you normally do for a sore throat." Really?!?! Fucking moron. And this was after I waited 2 hours for my "scheduled" appointment!

Turns out I apparently had a "7-9 day" virus. Yeah, I'm still recovering, but feeling better.

ANYWAY...

Honestly, my head is still swimming. It's not that we didn't have a good time at all... I've just been really thrown off course by not only being out of my routine, but this sickness has done a number on me. I didn't feel like blogging or journaling the entire vacation, I haven't run for two weeks, and it seems like everything has changed.

I wish I could say things were getting back to normal, but I'm not sure what that even is anymore. I suppose I will survive. It's just taking awhile to get there.

One of these days I may post some pics and more details, and also about the boy's Phd graduation. Maybe. Hopefully. 

[Yeah, I know. I hate being that guy who goes to a caribbean island with a beautiful woman for a week and all I can do is complain. Argh.]

Cologuard

Since I can't seem to find a writing groove lately... let me tell you about my Cologuard test. [This is when Jake from State Farm is supposed to step in and say "You don't need to get that personal for our Personal Price Plan"]...

When I went for my first visit with the new doctor he was adamant that I get a colonoscopy. He couldn't believe I'd never had one. I was like, man, I've never had any issues, and I don't want to start messing around 'down there' if I don't have to (I didn't tell him I also thought it was all part of a big scam the insurance and medical industries have sucked us into to make oodles of money for themselves). He finally settled on letting me do an at-home test.

Now, I'm no advocate for crapping into a cup and taking it to UPS, but it's way easier than having to take a day and a half out of my life and having a camera shoved up you-know-where. And even though it is recommended for every 3 years (instead of every 10 for a clear colonoscopy), it is still supposedly 90-some percent effective at detecting colon cancer even in the early stages. It's also super simple and easy to do.

So, as far as my experience with Cologuard.... the worst part was putting up with all the text and phone messages asking if I had any questions and reminding me to do it. Geez. I wanted to wait until after the marathon to do it, because sometimes running higher mileage can, you know, cause chaffing issues and whatnot (the test will supposedly detect any blood from anywhere in the vicinity, and I didn't want to risk it). They finally gave me a week to turn it in. Fortunately it was the week after the marathon. So I finally did my business and mailed it back in the box it came in. It really was easy-peasy.

Then early last week, when I was feeling down from being sick and my foot hurting, I got a message from my doctors office to call them as soon AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I knew right away it was the results from the test, and immediately thought the worst! Why else would they call? Why else would it need to be as soon as possible!?!

Well, it was them... but the results were negative. Which I double-checked to make sure that meant there were no signs of colon cancer detected. And I breathed a sigh of relief. I don't have to do it again for 3 years.

Of course I say all this knowing it is nothing to joke about. If I had had any problems or had a family history, I would definitely feel different. Until then, though, I'm good with the ease and comfort of the at-home testing.

The new doctor

I am having a hard time keeping doctors.

Right before covid my old doctor I've had almost since we've lived in Indiana decided to retire. I found a new one the next time I needed my annual prescription for blood pressure renewed. This past year he decided to relocate.

So... on Friday, September 23rd I had my first visit with my next doctor.

I'd had this appointment from last year for my annual physical. Fortunately Doctor "W", as I will refer to him, is in the same building as my last one. So I just kept the appointment.

He's fairly young, and seems pretty easy going. I have to say, though, I didn't leave his office feeling better than when I arrived.

For starters, he was concerned about my blood pressure. Granted, it was high (178/88), but I told him I'd drank a bunch of coffee, plus it's always high at the doctor's office. I showed him my monthly readings compared to the last several visits to the doctors office. ALL of my office visit readings were in the same range. Just this morning it was 126/70 at work though.

Then he wanted me to get a colonoscopy. I talked him into letting me do one of those at-home tests. I don't wanna be messing around there if I don't have to (plus I think it's a racket!).

Then it was a tetanus shot, shingles vaccine, and he said due to my smoking history I'd have to start getting lung screenings in a few years. What the heck!?

It's like he was looking at the service manual for an automobile and simply going down the list (at 60,000 miles do this; 100,000 miles do this, etc.). I didn't feel like he was at all treating ME!

He said he wouldn't make me come back for a year, provided some stipulations. 

1. I have to check my bp daily for a week or two and send him the results.
2. I have to send him the results of my wellness screening I have scheduled through work.
   
3. I have to do the cologuard screening.
4. I have to get a tetanus shot and shingles vaccine.

I don't know. I mean, I get it, he probably needs to cover his butt... but I much preferred my old, old doc who was always like, "So, do you feel okay? As long as you feel okay I'm good with that. What do you need?" 

Meh. Anyway, I weighed in at 163, and my heart rate was 55. I was glad to get out of there.

I know he's just doing his job and trying to keep me healthy (I guess), but if I didn't need a bp prescription I don't know that I'd even have a doctor.

***