Monday, October 17, 2005
That Damn Test!
Today was the day. A stress test for Momma. I was already stressed when I heard the instructions on Friday afternoon. No caffeine for 24 hours before the test. No dairy products after 8 am today. I can have a slice of dry toast or a muffin with juice as long as it is before the 8 am deadline. It was downhill from there.
Sunday evening I kept so busy doing nothing that I past my deadline before I got my last cup of coffee for the night. I slept very poorly waking up a lot and taking a drink of caffeine free pop or water. Which in turned cause a peeing urge two hours later. That in turn called for another drink of whatever and so it went all night. It also brought on a terrible headache. I know withdrawal but it didn’t make it any easier.
Jay woke me up at a little after 8 am which made breakfast out of the question. I didn’t tell him about the deadline so it wasn’t his fault. I was up a few minutes and decided the headache called for a little more lay down. Less then an hour later I was up again. O. k. I’m stressed now no need to go in for a test. I wished!
I arrived at the trailer parked beside the doctor’s office at 12:10 pm. Filled out the papers and got a shot in the arm. Then I was told to go wait for an hour then come back. I went out to the truck, grabbed my book, and settled down to wait.
An hour later it was back to the trailer, stretch out with my hands over my head, and have pictures taken by a machine for 25 minutes. Of course in this position your nose always starts to itch. You feel like a turtle with a shell that has shifted up to his chin. The head still feel like seven drummers have taken up residence in it.
Then up off the table into the other area to be wired up and climb on the treadmill. With my Dr. standing by they started the walking. As you are walking Doctor asked about pain. I have none. The test assistant asked if I am short of breath. Funny Man! I’m 234 lbs and 70 years old--damn right I’m short of breath. I was told to hang in there just a little longer and I did. Doctor was not happy with something but at point I couldn’t give a half a rat’s ass I was so tired. I then was told to rest for 30 minutes. and come back.
The good news was I could go get a cup of my beloved coffee and a bite to eat. I managed two bites of sandwich and seven small sips of coffee because it was so hot. Then back to the trailer for the last set of picture 25 minutes later I put my arms down, sat up, and for the first time in 29 hours I had no headache.
Damn I hate that test!
