Road Trip Day XII: MN Odyssey

FLU + ANGIOGRAM + MORE APPTS + MORE DOWNTIME

Where was I? Sorry, but I let myself run out of steam since returning to Mayo Clinic this past MON 1/22. And my road trip numbering system has changed at least 3 times. Here's what I'm using as a standard. I originally left Norfolk on MON 1/15. Today is FRI 1/26. This would seem to make today Road Trip Day XII . . . & there are a few days left to go. [Is this becoming a personal record-setting road trip for me?]

Last week, based on 2 exercise tests, it was determined that I should have an angiogram to confirm whether or not I have a blockage in one of the arteries in my heart. Then I was diagnosed with Influenza Type A, so my whole schedule got messed with this week, as did my thought processes. I am pretty sure that the Influenza has made it difficult for me to think as clearly, read with as much focus, keep my blog at least somewhat up-to-date. Or maybe it's been the frequently dosages of cough medicine that have knocked me for a loop. And then of course is the ever-present cough--possibly the worst that I can remember. It's keeping me from sleeping very well. I go to sleep okay, but beginning around 12:30a--like clockwork every night--I start waking up because of a coughing fit. This lasts maybe 5-10 minutes, after which I fall back into a restless sleep. Then the cycle repeats itself. But I digress. Here's my road trip journal for this past week.

MON 1/22:  It turned out that all I had to do on Monday was donate more blood. In this case I think it had something to do w/the upcoming angiogram . . . 

TUE 1/23:  . . . Which couldn't be done on Tuesday, because I had just finished my tamiflu treatment. Although the cardiologist felt that it was probably safe for me to have the angiogram, she decided that it would be better to push it back one more day. This became the one day of my Mayo odyssey when I had absolutely 0 appointments, tests, procedures, consultations. Ordinarily this would be a day to lay around, read, watch TV, Facebook, & eat & eat & eat. If there's an upside to this flu, it's that I've pretty much lost my appetite. My lack of focus made it difficult to get some of those other things done. And I did find time for a couple of naps.

WED 1/24:  Nathan drove down from Eagan, picked me up from the Grand Kahler Hotel, & delivered me to St. Mary's Campus for my angiogram. For those of you who need a primer, it works like this. A tube is inserted in the groin or wrist--for me it was the right wrist--& threaded up into the heart. A contrast dye is injected. [Disappointingly, one doesn't get to choose his own color.] The doctors watch the contrast work its way to & through the heart, which confirms whether there are any blockages. 

Things went pretty fast. I was checked in by 8:30, in the OR before 9:00, & back in recovery before 11:00a. I was checked out & on my way by 2:30. Besides getting poked by needles in various parts of of both arms, the procedure was pretty much painless. The nurse brought me a peanut butter & jelly sandwich while I was in recovery. I must say that it was the most delicious meal I had since sometime earlier last week.

Nathan had to stay w/me overnight into THU morning, since there is a "1 in 1,000 chance" that bleeding will occur at the site where the tube is inserted. Given this is an artery, it would NOT be good to suffer massive blood loss during the night. I also was told that I couldn't lift more than 5 lbs w/my right arm & had to avoid pushing, pulling, lifting, etc.

THU 1/25:  Nathan left for home after it was determined that I was awake & alive. * What followed yesterday was another pretty laid-back routine.

• I managed to get a test moved from next WED back one day, which means I can leave for home one day earlier than had been scheduled.
• I downloaded an application to plug into a video-conferencing site & worked w/tech services to make sure everything was ready for a video-conference this morning. [Note to self:  Must remember to shave, wash hair, dress appropriately.]
• I had a very informative if somewhat sober consultation w/the cardiologist, who explained why I needed a stent [80% blockage in 1 artery] & how lifestyle changes could get me back on the road to heart health. [Did I SAY that I was fat & out-of-shape? With slovenly eating habits & bad attitude? Okay, no use denying it. Guilty as charged.]
• Once again I had to donate blood, this time to see what effect the contrast dye had on my kidneys. The cardiologist told me that she would call me on FRI w/the results.

* I'm sorry IF this seems irreverent. I'm trying to be succinct.

FRI 1/26:  At 8:30 this morning I have a video-conference w/Dr. Mikhail, the physician managing my Executive Health Program. After that's finished, I can get my stuff together, load the car, & head to the Twin Cities. My plan is to drive to the M.O.A. & do some clothes shopping. [MN does not charge sales tax on clothing items.] Then I'll head over to Nathan & Laura's. Lois is driving up from Norfolk. 

No plans for SAT. Hah! Who am I kidding? There will be lots of grandson/grand-mother interaction. Since I'm still coughing like a crazy man, my interaction, sadly, will probably be limited. 

SUN 1/28:  Lois heads back to Nebraska. I head back to Rochester.

MON 1/29:  I have an "ultrasound of abdominal vessel," follow-up consultation, & dermatology consult.  

TUE 1/30:  Two last appointments, including a diabetes consultation. Should be done by early afternoon, then it's back to Norfolk.

DISCLAIMER:  My blog today is functioning as a journal, mostly for my consumption, not yours. I cannot, therefore apologize for the interminable yet tedious narrative.