That Wasn't Much Fun

Not mine, just a representative photo from the web.

My doc asked that I undergo a second nuclear stress test*, to see if my condition has changed. I did so, early this morning.

Patients are instructed not to have caffeine of any kind for 24 hours prior to the test. I think that's harder than the test itself.

I did so, this morning. Now my wallet is $600 lighter, and my heart and blood would set off radiation detectors at the airport. Seriously, the nuclear tech told me that if I planned to fly in the next couple days, I should ask for a note from the doctor to show the TSA/alphabet security folks.

But vacation is still months away ... dang it.

In the meantime, I'm working on a large Americano and the caffeine headache is beginning to subside.

In another half-hour I might even feel human again.





* The first was last year, after getting a couple of stents inserted in a blocked cardiac artery.

Glow in the Dark (the Update)

I'm heading over to the cardio clinic in 90 minutes, for nuclear imaging of my ticker before & after time on a treadmill. The cardiologist tells me the radioactive dye which they'll put in me is the equivalent of a chest x-ray.

But I had multiple x-rays done 3 weeks ago, after the accident. Why do I need more radiation, again?

Scientists/enviroweenies/talking heads are always 'splaining how radiation is harmful ... so why then are medical folks in such a huge hurry to introduce large doses of the stuff?

I'm kidding. I think.


Update: It was - of course - no big deal. I'll get the results sometime in the coming week, at which point we'll know whether I need a) more stents, b) bypass surgery, or c) nothing.

I'm guessing you know which option I'm rooting for. :^)