Brilliant me went to bed last night at around 9:30 because of the pounding headache that wouldn’t quit and couldn’t be cured by my Excedrin Migraine because of the caffeine content and my scheduled stress test for the next morning. Like a good girl, I had successfully avoided caffeine since Monday and have been on a water kick which truly helps my WW goals too. Other instruction from the scheduler was to eat nothing after midnight the evening before and come to the test on an empty stomach. Simple enough. Problem is, that on any normal night I wouldn’t even bat an eye or think about eating after midnight and I may go without breakfast until later in the morning or what-have-you. Well, last night, all I dreamt about was eating. Eating and then freaking out because “Well, I can’t take the test now, cause I ate!”. Funny stuff. Also, I really wanted breakfast this morning…I supposed there is something about the old adage “you don’t want until you can’t have”.
So, I get my jazz pants (left the jazz hands at home), sneakers and headed out the door at 6:30 AM. Testing started at 7 AM. I arrived there and sadly was probably the youngest person getting one of the exciting nuclear stress tests this morning. Naturally, a lot of the older people kept asking me if I’ve had a heart attack. “No, no…I told them, I just have a pretty strong family history of heart disease and have had some symptoms we’re wanting to check out.” I felt like I was giving interviews. Three of us got ushered into the first room where we were all told to put on the “these open in the front” gowns, but we still got to wear our pants and shoes (whew). Still, there I was, with a hospital robe on, not looking stylish. We were all seated and given the run-down on the tests we were about to receive. All three of us. At the same time. I felt like I was in one of those football movies where the coach gives you the rundown before the next half. We each got our IVs put in (mine in my hand because I’m a VERY deep person – at least vein-wise). Then we were escorted into a waiting room that unfortunately was playing Faux News. We had to sit for 30 minutes and drink 2 glasses of water. Hey, that’s two glasses outta my six I have to drink for WW, so SCORE! Then they take you for your first “scan” where you have to lay still for 20 minutes, and again when you HAVE to be still it seems harder.
After the drinking, dawdling and then scanning, they escort you into the room with the treadmill. You get asked by the nurse why you’re here. I dunno, I have a family history and some disconcerting symptoms, etc…. Then the put a utility belt of connectors on you and hastily prep your chestal region for the electrical connections. By the time I was wired up, I looked like the bionic woman, without the cool sound effects. They then put a blood pressure cuff on and have me sit for a little while to get base readings. My base reading was normal. Then onto the treadmill. That’s when the interesting thing happened. It appeared that when my body started to exercise or go under the “stress” of exercise, my blood pressure skyrockets! Add the second injection of radioactive materials. We note that my blood pressure goes WAY above normal with the stress added Interesting. When I got off the treadmill I went back to normal. So, that might be something interesting for my doctor to look at (I’ve already googled the issue and think I may have a few self-diagnoses picked out but I’m not saying anything until I hear from the person with the degree).
After that, we get to finally have some cookies, juice and story time (I’m sorry that was just the Faux News channel in the background). The second scan then happens and you do your best to stay still for another 20 minutes. After that, you put your clothes back on and it becomes a waiting game. That, seems to be the hardest part for me – I want to know so I can go from here. Alas, I am just stuck waiting to hear from my physician. In general, though the situation did cement some things for me.
1) If I do have to do some work getting my heart back in shape, then I’m glad I’m doing this 365 challenge. Losing the weight will be a huge help to lowering my blood pressure if that’s needed.
2) If my heart does need some tuning up, it might be good to forgo some of the more invasive options for my husband and I getting pregnant until after the weight is dropped. This means it’s a good kick in the pants for me to get on with doing this weight loss thing. I mean, if I’m going to postpone and lose another year of fertility, I better make this count.
3) I feel much better going to get these things checked out, because my mother did not. Already, I’m ahead of the game. I wish she had taken better care of herself. I so need her here…still.
After the interesting morning, I lunched with a very good friend and went back to work. Proudly, I stuck with my eating plan all day and calculated the pizza I ate at lunch as best I could since it’s a family owned pizzeria and I have no idea what it would look like. Also, I got my multi-grain in for today! WHOOPIE! In addition, I did more of my Rosetta Stone lessons. I’m on my way!
OH, did I mention that I got the call yesterday and I’m taking the cooking class on the 31st! Woohoo…goal down. Okay, so after my long boring story, here’s the goods…thanks for reading and thanks for givin’ a crap.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
| Morning |
| 1 package(s) Zoo Animal Crackers |
2 |
| 2 cup(s) water |
0 |
| 1/2 cup(s) fresh orange juice |
1 |
| Subtotal |
3 |
| Midday |
| 1 cup(s) canned tomato sauce with tomato tidbits |
1 |
| 1 cup(s) mushroom(s) |
0 |
| 1 cup(s) red onion(s) |
0 |
| 4 serving(s) Pizza Crust Mix |
13.5 |
| 4 serving(s) Fresh mozzarella ball (packed in water) |
6.5 |
| 2 cup(s) water |
0 |
| Subtotal |
21 |
| Evening |
| 1 cup(s) water |
0 |
| 1 serving(s) Panera Asian Sesame Chicken Salad |
9 |
| Mulitgrain Baguette – Quick-added food |
3 |
| Subtotal |
12 |
| Anytime |
| No entries for this meal time. |
|
| Subtotal |
0 |
| Food POINTS values total used |
36 |
| Food POINTS values remaining |
0 |
| Activity |
| No entries for activity. |
|
| Activity POINTS values earned |
0 |
| Check off these important items daily: |
Liquids
  |
Milk & Milk Products
|
Fruit & Vegetables
|
Multivitamin/Mineral
|
Healthy Oil
|
Activity
|
Lean Protein
|
Whole Grains
|
|
Deep Or Positive Thoughts