Doctors, Tests, Food, and Friends

It seems like I can't get through a week without a doctor appointment or a test. ***sigh*** 

I'm thankful that medicine has advanced so much that I am able to take advantage of the many tests available to help figure out my condition and therefore get me back on the road to recovery. Sometimes it's something as simple as a finger stick to check my blood for clotting time and then just 'visiting' with my oncologist. We've become friends.

Earlier this week I had 2 MRIs, one on my lower back and one on my brain. I am not claustrophobic but I still don't care for it. I was able to listen to music while the test was in progress and that helped GREATLY. Every now and then the techs talked to me and I like that. 

Yesterday I had an appointment with my cardiologist in Milwaukee (roughly 2 hours away). My good friend drove......I would NEVER go alone and with my drop foot I don't trust myself to drive in traffic. We left early, therefore arrived early.....no big deal. I had blood drawn (used to that) and then saw the NP and doctor. I am loosing water weight and can walk further than I did the last time I was there. We discussed my surgery........I am at a higher risk so it's something to think about. He adjusted my meds and also prescribed a Holter heart monitor for me. I have to wear it for 48 hours and then return it to the hospital. Ahhhh....  I need an hour appointment to get it......I said it has to be now b/c I can not just come back any ol' day. They got me right in. ***smile*** 

The nurse explained it to me and proceeded to stick the wires on. I'm not quite sure how/why the conversation started but I told her I had congestive heart failure from chemo. Lo and behold, so does Jill. She is a breast cancer survivor! Jill explained how her dog found it..,.,sniffed it out and pawed the exact location (it hurt like heck). She scolded the dog for hurting her and just let it go. But finally a good friend found out and made sure she got a mammogram and ultrasound. She told me her story and we exchanged our side effect stories, I cried, we hugged, and she gave me her #. We knew exactly what the other was talking about. I am so glad God put her in that hospital yesterday! I was still crying when she returned me to Carolee in the waiting room. She ALWAYS brings a project or 2 along to work on so is happy to get something accomplished.

Finally, after spending an extra hour at the hospital, we were ready to do some shopping. I think it was about 2 and we were hungry. We stopped at a restaurant that Carolee had eaten at before, it's nice and on the expensive side.....but hey, I live in a very small town so most places seem expensive to me. I found something with relatively low sodium (sauce on the side is my new catch phrase) and a high price.....but I haven't been out in a while so....... After that we stopped at Trader Joe's, I've never been there and didn't know what to expect. I guess I thought it would be more like a World Market, but it is a grocery store. The employee who helped us find low sodium foods was so sweet and helpful. Next we went to a coop and found a few things there. I was looking for low sodium snacks for myself and for food that I can cook for dinner. I have a start now. I'll try some things and if Kev likes it - great! If not he may have to add salt or I'll just eat it myself. I could have spend more time looking at everything (there is not a specific section for low sodium) and reading labels but we wanted to get back so Carolee could make it to the event she had on her calender that evening. She's a busy lady.

I was hungry when I got home so I had to try some of my new snacks.....yummy!

So today is a new day and I have things to do.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Weekend!!!