The First Tests

I checked into the Radiology Department at Sacred Heart Medical Center at 10:15 this morning. I was there to begin testing to determine if I’m a viable candidate for a heart transplant.

I was greeted by Jeff, who was the first technician to deal with me. He was performing ultrasound scans on my veins. I was laid on a bed and he put blood pressure cuffs on both my wrists and both my ankles. Then he proceeded to take a bunch of reading while putting the ultrasound scanner all over my arms and legs. The hospital posted some records on my on line chart but I  have no idea what the tests determined but I suppose I’ll find out when I talk to the doctor.

The next technician was Ben, who did ultrasound on my Carotid arteries and my abdomen. He checked out my liver, my spleen and various other organs. I looked at the reports on those tests, and while they were still mostly indecipherable, I don’t think there was any news there that indicated problems. Again, we’ll find out more from the doctor.

The next scheduled test was a CT scan. This is the test where they stick you in a tube and run tests through the scanner. It was quick and easy and I was out of there pretty quick.

Finally, I had a couple of hours before I had to be back for an Echo Cardiogram. I’ve had lots of those in the past so there were no surprises there. The only thing I got from the report is that my Ejection Fraction has dropped from somewhere around 30 percent to 20 to 25 percent. That’s a little distressing but not surprising considering how quickly I tire during activity.

Stand by. More testing and meetings to come.

The Saga Begineth

Back on May 15th, I had an appointment at Providence Medical Center for a Stress Test. The test involved a bunch of breathing sessions where I have a mouthpiece and breath normally until the technician tells me to take a deep breath and blow blow blow blow blow blow blow blow blow until I almost pass out. That goes on for an hour. 

After that torture, they put me on a stationary bike, mouthpiece firmly in mouth, and make me peddle until I almost pass out.

All of this was a precursor to an appointment I had on May 17th with Dr. Diedre Mooney, my Cardiologist. I started seeing her a couple of years ago. She is one of the lead doctors at the Heart Institute office of Heart Failure and Transplanting.

I have asked her in the past whether I’m a candidate for a transplant. She has said, “No, not yet.”

At this appointment she said, “It’s time to put you on the transplant list.”

My stamina has not improved since they implanted the pace maker last September. My blood pressure has been all over the place. A few days ago, it was 90/63.

So the saga begins. I have many appointments coming up in the months ahead. I have to have all kinds of tests to determine my viability for a transplant. I shall be stepping up my posts on this site in order to keep track of everything that is going on, something I should have started after my heart attack 33 years ago.

Stay tuned!

Colonoscopy Preparation

I have one week to prepare for a Colonoscopy. It's next Wednesday, the Eighth. I have to change my diet to low fiber. Basically, no nuts, seeds or fatty meats. There's more it than that but that's what I took away from the instructions.

Of course, I'll have the great joy of drinking the prep solution and then spending the day in the bathroom.

Finally getting this appointment has been a journey. I got a notice last summer that it was time to get the colonoscopy. It had been a few years. I called Spokane Digestive in August and they told me I was ready for one until November.

I called Spokane Digestive in November and they said to call back after the first of the year.

I called Spokane Digestive after the first of the year and they said that the Doctor had reviewed my information and because of my heart condition and all the accompanied factors, he wanted to do my colonoscopy in a surgical setting rather than an office setting. 

That means I went on a waiting list in which I was 43rd in line.

While golfing last Thursday, I got a call just at the end of the round from Spokane Digestive. They said there was an opening on the Eighth of May. Known to some as Outdoor Intercourse Day, I now know it as Surgical Up the Ass Day.

I'm very excited!