Eye Appointment Change

Got a call from the eye doctor. There have been more cancellations. Now I need to be at the hospital's out patient check in at 8:30. Fine with me. Earlier in: earlier out.

Pre-Op Interview for the Cataract Removal

The good part is I don't have to go into the hospital for the interview. The nurse will call me. At 2:00 P.M. I am to be by the phone with all my insurance cards and prescription drugs.

At 2:55 I get the call and the nurse was good and quick and it was over in about 45 minutes. It turned out going to the hospital for an in-person interview would have been faster. Oh well.

I have a new, earlier, time for the operation. And that's fine with me. I need to be at the hospital by 9:45 -- not 10:00. No food or drink for 12 hours prior. I should be released by 1:30.

The Cardiologist's Office Calls

The cardiologist can see me next Thursday at 1:45. Bring all my insurance cards, a photo ID and all my prescription drugs. Come to the office a few minutes early to fill out the usual paperwork.

I love the doctors who have all the medical history and release forms online. Then you can either fill them out online or at least print then and fill them out by hand. At home. At one's leisure.

Test Results

Got a call at 8:00 A.M. from my MD's office. There seem to be no significant blockages of the arteries. This was my biggest concern. However there are some scars on the heart muscle and doctor wants me to see a cardiologist for an exam. Somebody will call in the next few days to make an appointment.

Stress EKG, Day 2

Today I got there at 7:30 A.M. and I was called in at 7:45. I got only the radioactive shot today and 45 minutes later I was having pictures taken. The tech today was much calmer and more attentive than yesterday's and he kept popping in to tell me how much longer. I was back home around 9:00.

The Stress EKG

Got a call yesterday afternoon offering me the chance to reschedule so I went in earlier than originally planed. No food or water after midnight. No coffee either. Got there at 9:30 A.M. for my 10:00 procedure. They let me sit until 10:10.

There were five steps in my test and each was done by a different, highly trained (and highly paid I'm sure) nurse or tech. My MD ordered an chemical stress instead of the treadmill. The treadmill would have been better. The chemical is a strong vasodilator. Lots of heavy breathing and room spinning for a few minutes. Also at the same time an injection of something radioactive so they can track the flow, or not, of blood in and out of the heart. Had to wait 45 minutes before pictures could be taken. At this point I got some coffee.

When waiting time was up I got into a machine and had to lay there for a long time while huge radiation sensors recorded my blood flow. I wasn't told how long it would take and I was in an uncomfortable position. Finally it was over and I got out of there at 12:30 P.M.

As I was about to leave somebody rememberede to tell me to come back at 8:00 tomorrow morning for a retest.

I felt strange, I believe from all the injections of weird chemicals. Rested the balance of the day.

To the Dentist for Cleaning

A routine cleaning. There was much flutter about a deep pocket in the upper right gum. It's been there for 40 years and nothing ever gets done to it -- for treatments or repairs. Next cleaning in December.

EKG Results

Today I get a call from my medical doctor's -- it seems the EKG "results were questionable" and I need to got to the hospital to get a "Stress EKG." On Tuesday. Be there at 1:00 P.M. for a 1:30 appointment. "It will take about an hour or so."

Got an EKG

I got the EKG done today at the Airport Blvd labs. Very quick and easy.

Medical exam & eye exam

In the morning had a quick visit with My regular doctor. He needed to talk with me about pain killers for my right leg and the PTS problems. I think there is also some discomfort because the right knee is giving out, but it's too early for that to get fixed. We also discussed the most recent blood tests from back in June.

I mentioned that I had a date for the eye surgery. He was puzzled that I hadn't been told by the eye doctor to get a pre-op physical from my regular doctor and an EKG. This was the first I had heard about any of this. I'll need to get the EKG soon -- today if possible.

Afternoon I went to the eye doctor and got more measurements taken and was done with medical/optical stuff for the day. Did not see the doctor so did not mention my pre-op physical and EKG.

First Cataract Exam

I got examined and measured by the surgeon and his staff for the operation and the date will be September 6, a Tuesday. In two weeks I need to return for more measurements.