Medical

Stress Tested

I am reminded of the George Santayana quote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Which most often remembered as “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.” I think that both those who do not learn history, and those who do, are doomed to repeat it. And I know history, mostly because I write it here and can look it back up, so I know that I am repeating it.

From June of 2002, Stress Test.

Last week I had another stress test. This one was in two parts, Tuesday was the resting version, inject some nuclear stuff in, wait an hour, take pictures. Thursday was the actual stress part. I packed my sneakers and a pair of shorts to run in and when I got there I was thrown a curve ball. Because of COVID they didn’t want me (or anyone else for that matter) to be exhaling forcefully in a little room with other people, so they medically stressed me. I got an IV shot of Lexiscan which made my heart think I was exercising. Very weird feeling…laying flat on my back feeling flush and having to breathe heavy. Then I had to wait 45 minutes before laying down for more 3D pictures of my heart.

The follow up with the Cardiologist is next month.

Tested

I have been to see a couple of doctors recently and every time I check in to be seen, one of the questions asked is, “Have you been tested for COVID in the last 14 days?” My answer has always been, “No.” Why bother? Neither Donna nor I are exhibiting any symptoms…

Today we changed that answer. Firstly, so that next time (at least for the next two weeks) the answer to that question can be, “Yes.” And secondly, although we have no COVID-19 symptoms, for the last week I have been randomly getting when inhaling through my nose a sort of weird sweet smell and occasionally my back teeth will hurt when biting down. These are not any COVID symptoms I have ever seen listed anywhere, but in the past, these things have meant to me personally, that I am coming down with a flu. But in that case these symptoms show up for maybe a day and then I’m sick. Right now I’m not feeling sick.

The local hospital system has a testing site in a parking lot of one of their medical clinics that is right up the street from us. We pass by it at least every other day. There has rarely ever been a line and today was no exception, but by the time we circled the building to get tested there was one car ahead of us. They weren’t ahead of us for long as they were not in the system and were unsure if their insurance would cover the cost, so they pulled through and parked to the side.

The paperwork took the longest, even with us being already in their system. The test took all of 5 minutes total, but just 5 are seconds spent with a long handled mini brush looking thing in your sinus cavity. Not too unpleasant, but I’m glad I am not in any sort of position where I have to get tested daily.

The test results will take a couple days and I’ll be sure to let you know the results.

Really, That Long?

On Thursday morning I called around looking for a doctor to get a tetanus shoot and to establish a relationship with. I’ve got a few prescriptions that I’m going to need refills of in January and I think our old doctor in Aiken is eventually going to catch onto the whole I’m just visiting in Oregon thing.

My first call was to the Adult Medical Clinic at the local hospital. They were listed on the BCBS of Alabama website. When I called I was informed there were three doctors and only one was accepting new patients and the next available appointment was in July 2020! The nice person who answered the phone said I might try something called Cascades East, when I called them they said the waiting list is 6 months! I had them send me the forms to get on the waiting list.

In the meantime we could avail ourselves with the services of Basin Immediate Care, a walk-in clinic that takes anyone who can pay or has insurance. So guess where we spent 2-1/2 hours on Thursday afternoon getting a tetanus shot and a band aid?

This afternoon we had a shiny new 3/4 horsepower, kevlar belt drive garage door opener with two remotes and a wireless keypad installed. So much smoother and quieter that the old chain drive unit. Now it has got us thinking about replacing that old heavy wooden door. When the installer took the old unit down we looked at the date of manufacture on the sticker and it read 1995. Twenty-five years, so it had a pretty good life, but who knows how much longer it would have noisily gone about doing its job if I hadn’t accidentally killed it.