Stress "Test"

Considering I have Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, I decided to ignore the chest pains an attribute them to stress. I told myself if the trip to San Diego didn't calm them down, I'd go see my doctor. I made an appointment as soon as I got back, but it took three weeks to get in to see her (vacation time). So I went in with a laundry list of issues. Brought her up to speed on what the Neurologist told me about the headaches (LOL - it's all in my head).

Showed her the joint on my middle finger and mentioned my dad's joints in his fingers deteriorated I thought I needed to get it x-rayed. Yes, it's my bowling hand. Then I asked to go ahead and schedule the bone density test and mammogram.

Finally, I hit her with the biggie - I told her I probably show have an EKG to try and figure out the chest pains. She gets the EKG results and says "it looks okay, but..." So I get scheduled for a Thallium stress test. Been there done that so, I knew what to expect. So when the technician went to insert the IV, I warned her I was a "difficult stick". After about ten minutes of trying to chase after a "rolling vein" on the back on my hand, I was nauseated and started graying out. Finally she gave up and said she was going to get someone else. They get me stretched out and feet elevated. The new tech grabs my arm and rams the needle into my arm, rather proud of herself that she got it in on the first try. Then she tells me she's going to get a cool rag for my head and that I could stay put in the reclined chair. The rest of the test went as expected. The IV was hurting and I did ask them to check to see if it blew the vein. The radioactive dye was injected and off I went. The whole treadmill part only lasted 6 minutes. It's now around 2PM (I'd been there since 10AM) and I finally get my first drink (of water) since 5AM. The IV comes out and the tech is applying what I thought was the right amount of pressure to the "wound". I get a 30 minute break before the next scan and I'm told I can get something to eat. I have no appetite and feel pretty nauseated. I opt for plain saltine crackers. I come back for the last scan, get it done and am told I can go. Thank goodness, by this time the nausea is worse and I have an awful metallic taste in my mouth. I told Jeff I thought a milk shake might be good but we passed by a Starbucks in the hospital. He knew how much I like the Frappachino's but I didn't want any caffeine so I opted for the green tea Frappachino - that seemed to sooth my stomach. We headed back to my car and I drove Jeff over to his car. My arm seemed to be extremely tender at the IV site so I pulled the bandage back to look and as expected a bruise was starting to form. By the time I got home, the bruise was a football shape 4 inches long and almost 2 inches wide and very tender. I spent the weekend feel awful - didn't even coach the little kids.

I got the results back from the bone density scan - Osteopenia - so I up the calcium. The mammogram was fine. The x-ray to my finger told me what I already knew - the joint is deteriorating - guess I could learn to bowl left handed. Nothing back on the stress test - no news is good news. Just too stressed out :)