Echocardiogram

Yesterday afternoon I had the echocardiogram that the cardiologist wanted me to have just to make sure there is nothing structurally wrong with my heart. In case you haven't gone and read the slew of updates about various things that I just got caught up on, and I don't blame you if you didn't (not sure I would have either if I wasn't the one typing this) here is the gist of it: I had some issues with tachycardia, or a rapid heart rate, while I was in the hospital after my ex fix surgery. The doctor's in the hospital weren't to concerned and discharged me. I ended up in the ER a day later. The doctor there was quite concerned and said he was surprised that the hospital sent me home without first being seen by a cardiologist. As a result, he referred me to the rapid assessment clinic who said he wanted me to have an echo just to make sure everything was okay. If you want to read about the whole thing, the links are here and here.

I wasn't really sure what to expect with the echocardiogram but assumed that I would have copius amount of cold gloppy jelly all over my chest. That and that I would have to take my top off. Nothing like lying on a stretcher tits out in front of a complete stranger. *sigh* That's health care for you. 

My assumption was half right, half wrong in the best way possible. Like the appointment I had with the cardiologist, I first checked in at the admission desk (although I was not being admitted). This time I got neither an ID bracelet or a bright yellow one proclaiming to the world how much of a fall risk I am. Score! I then went back to the cardiologists office where I sat for a while (our fault, we were early anticipating the line ate admission would have been longer. Apparently not the week of Christmas) with my mum and people watched a bit. Around 2:00 my name was called, I was led down a small hallway by a friendly echocardiogram technician, and then ushered into a small room with a sink, chair, stretcher, cart full of blankets towels, and hospital gowns, and the echo machine itself. Music was quietly playing in the background. I was instructed to take everything off from the waste up and put on a hospital gown and told the tehcnician would be back in a few minutes.

The technician was incredibly friendly and curious about my fixator. She was quite concerned that I might be uncomfortable on the stretcher because I had to lie on my side. This is kind of difficult and awkward, although not outright painful. The technician turned the lights off in order to be able to see more on the computer screen as she did the echo. She laid a towel over my chest and then carefully slid the gown off of my left shoulder. My boobs were not exposed! Score two! She was very friendly throughout the echo and curious about the fixator. As she got to work, I told her all about the broken legged, bone infected, tibia less ordeal. The towel stayed over me the entire time; the technician was able to freely move the transducer (looks like thing used one a pregnant woman's belly when she has an ultrasound) around as needed. At no point ever did I think "Omg, I'm alone in a room with another person and I don't have my top on". The entire thing was pretty relaxing. Not to say that I would want to have one again, but the staff definitely try to make it ask comfortable as possible. The only part that was a bit uncomfortable was when the technician (I think sonographer is the right term) had to press the transducer hard on my rib cage. I should also add, the technician did not have to use loads of cold gloppy stuff. Score three! She did have to use a bit, but it was more room temperature than anything and it was easily wiped off with a towel. Once the echo was done I was given a towel and left alone once more to get dressed. After that I could go home. Instead, mum and I took a nice drive through the countryside and got several small last minute gifts (just to tease him, all in good fun) for my brother for Christmas.

The cardiologist should call me with the results. I don't expect this for some time what with the Christmas this week and New Year's next. I am fine with this as we are not expecting anything negative to have shown up. It was more precautionary than anything. My heart rate was between 90-100 throughout the echo, so it is still not perfect, but it is much preferable to 120 or 130. I know it still fluctuates at home too, but all in all it is getting better.

And that's it! I am caught up on blogging. This is great because I have some fun advice style stuff I want to blog about, like how the bone transport process works and how to make tea on crutches. I felt bad blogging about this kind of stuff while I wasn't posting any update, and then I wasn't posting any update anyways so... you get my point. Now that I am caught up I feel free to blog about other stuff.