The Mayo Road Trip Moves Quickly--Well, not really--to a Conclusion

Almost there! On MON 1/15, I left Norfolk for Rochester, MN & the Mayo Clinic. My first round of tests, examinations, & consultations took me thru THU 1/18. I spent that weekend w/Nathan & Laura, returned to Rochester on SUN 1/21, & had a 2nd round of tests, examinations & consultations that took me thru FRI 1/26. After another weekend at my son's house, I returned to Rochester this past SUN 1/28 for one last round of the same. Lord willing, it appears as if I'll finish up w/one last consultation this afternoon (TUE 1/30), then start my trek home.

Highlights of the first week of my Executive Health Program? I'm not sure if highlights is the right word for it, but some blood tests & two exercise tests indicated the possibility of a blockage, along w/some evidence that my kidneys were not performing optimally.Also, I had a colonoscopy. [Don't bother requesting a video. Apparently there IS no video. Inquiring minds want to know whether this is SOP or evidence of more corruption at the highest levels of government.]

The main "highlight" of the 2nd week was an angiogram which confirmed that I have an 80% blockage in the main artery of the heart. This will lead to the insertion of a stint, but I can wait until I get back to Norfolk to set the wheels in motion. 

All these machinations led to important tests & consultation having to be cancelled, then rescheduled, which necessitated a return to Mayo yesterday, MON 1/29. [My original schedule should have concluded last FRI 1/16.] Yesterday was long but not very intense.

•  First thing in the morning I had an ultrasound of my abdominal vessels & kidneys. This is supposed to confirm that my kidney functions are returning to normal. I'll find out the results when I meet w/a nephrologist this morning.
• I had a consultation in the sleep lab & was reassured that I did NOT suffer from sleep apnea. In fact, even if I wanted a CPAP, Medicare wouldn't cover it, because I don't qualify.
• Late in the afternoon I met w/2 dermatologists to look at some spots on the top of my scalp. I've had "spots" frozen off my skull twice before. The conclusion was that these spots are pre-cancerous but not troublesome. They were frozen off again, & I was told to keep monitoring them.
• These 3 appt's were spaced out so that I began at 9:15a & finished after 4:00. It was a long but relatively stress-free day.

Hopefully I will say the same after today's 3 appt's. I meet w/the nephrologist at 8:15. I have a diabetes consultation at 1:45 & a final consultation w/the physician overseeing my program at 4:00. Looks like another long but relatively stress-free day. I'll drive to Jackson, MN, after that last appt, stay overnight, then return to Norfolk tomorrow. I'm ready to be home.

And what about the flu?

I was diagnosed w/Influenza A on FRi 1/19 & put on a regimen of tamiflu for 5 days. Supposedly, I'm not contagious. A lingering cough which continues to make it very difficult for me to get a good night's sleep remains my biggest complaint. I've heard from several others that my symptoms, especially fatigue, could linger for another 4-6 weeks. That's depressing, but I'm thankful that I had a flu shot--which theoretically helped tamp down the severity of my "attack"--& had a doctor check me out on the 19th, which got me on the tamiflu. 

You've probably read a lot about the flu epidemic that's been sweeping the country. I haven't seen the terms "Influenza A" & "Influenza B." I HAVE seen the term "swine flu," which seems to be the villain in this "pandemic." Does that mean what I really had/have is swine flu? Once again, inquiring minds want to know. [And for the record, I have never been diagnosed w/any strain of influenza in the past.]