Yesterday, I was the patient in a medical procedure -- not the caretaker, my usual role lately. After experiencing chest pains, following a summer cold with a ferocious cough, I complained to my doctor who ordered a nuclear cardiac stress test. (Because Im 68 years old, and had chest pain, he said.) It took place yesterday morning. Heres the photo of me outfitted for my 7 minute 21 second workout on the treadmill: intravenous port and bandages across both inner elbows where my veins refused to cooperate on the first two tries to insert the catheter. I was hooked up to a saline solution and a blood pressure cuff before I got on the treadmill. Two fifteen minute trips into a gamma machine analyzed the emissions from the radium they injected into my veins. The test showed that my heart is just fine. (Whew! Im relieved.) My guess about the chest pain? I pulled a muscle coughing so hard. The second photo is of the card they gave me to use if Im stopped by a police car. It seems Ill be emitting high levels of radiation for 36 hours that can be picked up by the equipment in police cars. Do not joke with the officer, said the nurse. Show them this card and tell them that youve just had a nuclear medicine stress test, but are no hazard to the public. Im staying home for the next day!
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 20:11:32 +0000
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