Wired up

Up for breakfast at eight thirty. Phoned for a taxi at nine to take me to my 10.30 appointment at UHW MSDEC.  It came sooner than expected so I arrived there half an hour early. There seemed to be some confusion about a missed appointment, perhaps because I postponed one at the GP surgery yesterday, because of the appointment this morning. Maybe the system hadn't updated right across the network. Anyway, blood pressure check was satisfactory, and a blood sugar test proved normal. So relieved there was no diabetic reaction to the high level of stress on my circulation in recent weeks. My finger was pricked and a drop of blood sucked into a diagnostic chip attached to a digital device to produce a blood sugar reading instantly.

I was finished by midday with a two hour wait until my next appointment, to fit me wtih an ECG monitor to record my heart activity 24/7 for the next week with four electrodes attached to my chest. I had difficulty finding the place where this was to take place, as I had incorrectly copied the detailed location into my diary. It wasn't easy to find, and the instructions I was given didn't work for someone unfamiliar with the hospital layout and what directions I received referred to. I was so disorientated I had to ask a staff member to accompany me more than once, which made me feel old and pathetic. But I got there on time in the end.

The last time I had to wear a device in aid of diagnosis, it was a blood pressure monitor. It was quite an unpleasant experience. It went off at timed intervals, I wasn't sure if I was meant to just carry on with whatever I was doing, or stop and let the device take its soundings. I'm nor sure anyone really knew what I was supposed to do. With the ECG monitor it's a matter of keeping the electrodes attached and sweat free, and being careful not to get the monitor or the electrodes wet. I'm asked to make a note of sleep and wake up times and report any unusual symptoms, though it's not clearly explained what they want.

To get home, I took a bus to town and another from there to Pontcanna. It took three quarters of an hour to get from UHW to the city centre. The buses were unbearably noisy and jerky in rush hour traffic. I was glad to walk a circuit of Llandaff Fields before reaching home in time for my tea-time pills.

Owain called and told us about his holiday in Berlin, a city he's fond of. He did a deejay streaming session for an internet radio channel while he was there and spent time with Swiss ex-pat mates from school days. Hopefully, he'll be over to see us again in the coming week.

After supper, I watched a couple of episodes of a series called 'Borderlands' which features a couple of detectives, one from the RUC and the other from the Irish Gardai, who are obliged to work together on cross border crime with all the complications and tensions arising from different histories and jurisdictions in addition to their temperaments and personal histories. An interesting take on a divided Ireland post Good Friday Agreement and post Brexit.

And now to bed, to find out how I can organise myself to pass the night wired up.

Not so good news, followed by good news

This afternoon, my long awaited cardiology test appointment at Llandough hospital was scheduled to take place after a two month, ten day wait. As I drove from the street the engine temperature warning light came on. Fortunately I'd left in good time, so I returned home and discovered the engine coolant had lost two litres, since it returned from servicing over the weekend. I replenished the fluid and drove to the hospital without any further trouble, but by then was in danger of running late in the 'school run' time traffic. 

Although I found a parking place easily, I parked almost as far away as I could from the Outpatients department, as I hadn't registered where it was located from signage on the way in. I power walked the five hundred yards along hospital corridors, stopping to ask my way twice, and arrived just on time. When my blood pressure was taken ten minutes later, I was met with the usual frowns, as it had gone through the roof. I didn't bother to explain, just said I always reacted badly the first few times I was tested. The nurse didn't take it again.

The ultrasound and EEG tests followed one another in quick succession it seemed, after brief waits. Little was said by way of explanation. Maybe it was assumed I'd been through this before. I was quite fascinated to hear the different kinds of sound feedback issuing from a system monitor during the ultrasound test. The EEG chart I was given to pass on showed no irregular spikes this time, but then I have stopped overdosing on dark roast Americanos since the first time I had one.

The consultant  discussed the results with me in detail, and smiled when I recounted him the tale of my arrival mishaps. No wonder my blood pressure skyrocketed. He said the tests show my heart is healthy and normal for my age, allowing for the wear and tear to be expected for three score years and ten. As ever, keep an eye on hypertension, and come back for another check in two years time. No tests ad interim, no treatment needed. And for me no more worries about travelling abroad and getting insurance cover. I can once more let others know that I'm available for locum duty. A joyful return home, with an extra spring in my step. The uncertainty of waiting has finally been lifted. And I am utterly grateful, to be able to continue normally, at least for the time being. I keep on reminding myself, nothing lasts forever. Especially not the car.