Saturday, July 28, 2012

Stress Test

The stress echo test wasn't that bad.  They hooked me up to an EKG, blood pressure cuff, and some other things that go to the echocardiogram machine.  They did a baseline echo and then I got on the treadmill which started out flat and slow and increased in speed and elevation every 2 minutes.  They had me do just 8 minutes on it, which oddly I made it fine.  My hips and knees hurt before I got too out of breath.  For a person who has to rest after a shower sometimes and gets winded bringing in groceries and getting the mail, I thought that was good.  When the nurse asked me questions before the test, I told her I didn't think I'd last too long.  She said she agreed after looking at the pictures of my heart.  Hmmm.  As much as I dread this surgery, I am really looking forward to feeling better. 

Hearing too much about people getting MRSA after surgery in various hospitals in Nashville, including Vanderbilt.  Scary.  Is it happening where you are, too, or do you know?

7 comments:

the dogs' mother said...

Eldest came home from South Korea with a lovely infection in his throat - but locally and with all my parents' friends haven't heard anything. Just imagine your white cells getting ready for war! Arm them with the latest weaponry and put them on patrol.

Beth said...

MRSA is in pretty much every hospital, clinic, and community. In my lab, about 40% of our Staph aureus isolates were methicillin resistant (but we had a lot of nursing home clients, too, and they have a higher rate of it). Pay attention to whether your caregivers wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before they do anything with you. Don't be afraid to ask them if they've washed their hands.

I'm guessing that Vanderbilt is on the ball, and that their infection control team is topnotch. Also don't hesitate to ask your surgeon what his and the hospital's post-op infection rates are, and about their infection control program. The smart patient wants to be well-informed, and is not afraid to ask!

Miss Ginger Grant said...

Most hospitals nowadays have cans of sanitizer foam at the entrance to every room. Not only should you watch to make sure the staff uses it, but any visitors who come to see you should use it as well, Better to be safe than sorry!

Take care! Do we need to send Maddie down to be your nursemaid?

mrs.missalaineus said...

thinking of you

xxalainaxx

Joy said...

Good advice! I knew you'd know, Beth. I will be vigilant about visitors, too, Ginger. Hadn't thought about that.

Ken Riches said...

Thinking of you, glad the stress test was not as bad as you anticipated.

Big Mark 243 said...

I am with Beth... I would expect Vandy to be on top of things and MRSA is something that not nearly, but EVERY hospital has to be on top of.

That you are going in for surgery after a decent stress test does not surprise me any. I am very glad that the doctors do see a problem and can correct it. A lot of people go on thinking that the stress test is more than what it is and ignore other signs...

Anywho, cheers and feel better sooner than later!!