One More Test

Well, I made it through the pre-op without any problems. I had an EKG, a BP check, a lung capacity test, a chest x-ray and the nurse filed six vials of blood, maybe a cup in total, much less than the pint I’m used to giving up for the bloodletting when I see the doc for PV.

I have my instructions for next week. I found out I can’t leave the floor I’m assigned too. I thought I might be able to go to the lobby for a decent cup of coffee, but I won’t be able to. I can wear PJ bottoms, but I have to wear the gown for a top. The room does have wireless though, so I can waste time on the Internet.

I was also given a device to use to exercise my lungs with. It’s a plastic thing with two side-by-side tubes. The one on the left is about the diameter of a quarter and the right tube is about the size of an Oreo. I have to exhale and then inhale and bring two pistons, one in each tube, to a certain height (the tubes are marked in ml) to breathe deeply. There isn’t any magic involved and there aren’t any drugs or fluids or anything special. Just the two tubes, two pistons, and a hose to breathe through and the thing is RX only. Why? I’d bet it set the insurance company back $500. It is silly that it’s RX only.

I also have a wrist band that I have to leave on until next week. I already want to rip this thing to threads. It’s very annoying and when I wash my hands water gets beneath it and my wrist stays wet. It will be a major relief to slice this thing off.

One more test Tuesday, the nuclear stress test and if I pass that on Thursday I get either four cuts or a split sternum if things go south. The doc thinks it will be the four cuts for the da Vinci robot.  If nothing else I’ll know the status of my heart and whether or not I have any plumbing problems after the nuke test.

I plan to hit the library this weekend and stock up on reading material.