Treadmill Test

The fear of the unknown can produce a lot of anxiety.  And for me, doctor visits are one of those things that can make me a bit crazy.  Today, I had a treadmill stress test.  I used to be a daily gym rat, and still think I hold my own when it comes to walking on a treadmill.  I have my own "Beast" and while I don't use it as often as I should, I do use it.  I walk every day with Sadie, and am constantly on the move while at work.  So a treadmill test shouldn't produce a whole lot of anxiety.  But there was a bit.

I wore my favorite workout shirt that says "Sweat today, smile tomorrow" and my fav Asics.  I walked into the room and the treadmill wasn't what I would call "state of the art" equipment.  Just the walking belt and a hand rail.  Personally, I was hoping it would have controls that *I* would be able to choose speed and incline, but no such luck.  Darn.

The tech hooked me up to all the EKG cords and I was hoping that would be it, but nope.  She also hooked up a blood pressure cuff.  On a good day, I don't enjoy how tight they pump it up, but when my anxiety is up, it feels like it's trying to choke my arm off!   She also explains that the target heart rate goal is 160 BPM. Um ..... what???  In my personal workouts, 150 is about my max.  Ok, we'll give this a try. 

Hopped on the treadmill and she gets it going.  Incline goes up, speed is about 3 mph.  That's the norm for me on a long workout and I thought "I got this".  Then she starts pumping to take my blood pressure and the cuff feels too tight.  Then 3 minutes into the workout, the ramp goes up, and the speed goes up.  Yikes, here we go!  About 5 minutes in, she asks me to read a chart on the wall and tell her what my comfort/discomfort level is.  She's taking my blood pressure again, and here goes the tight cuff feeling again. Ugh.  Then I'm thinking about how my legs are beginning to feel heavy, but worse, trying to get air into my lungs because I'm wearing this stupid COVID mask ......  

She's reading my heart rate out loud to me, 155, 156, almost done .... *walk*walk*breathe* *walk*pant*pant*pant*  .... 157, 158 ... *pant*pant*pant* .... 159, 160!   OK, we're done she tells me, hang on, I'll slow the treadmill.  "Are you doing OK?" she asks me once it stops.  I'm sucking in breaths, trying to slow my heart rate.  And stepping carefully off the treadmill because I'm wearing my reading glasses (which causes a few issues with my depth perception on uneven surfaces).   

Sneaking a peek at the computer chart, it took me 7:50 minutes to get to my target heart rate, and 3:40 to return my heart rate to my normal post workout rate of 120.  I'm not sure if that's good or bad from a doctor's standpoint, but I was happy with it.

 

So if you're being scheduled for a treadmill test, don't sweat it.  It's not as bad as it sounds!

Doctor, Doctor....

Gimme the news .....   *sigh*  Old song reference, but ...

A trip to the doc, with 8 months between the last visit resulted in some good and some bad news.   On the good side, my white count was back up again.  And my cholesterol dropped 20 points!  On the bad side, my blood pressure was up.  The doc was concerned that maybe I have "white coat" anxiety, and it goes up when I'm at the doc.   Personally, I think it's related to my caffeine intake.



I've been doing much better on reducing my consumption; Monday thru Weds I only had one Diet Coke, at 2pm each day.   But now that I think back, my Thursday started with over 200 gallons of paint that needed to be processed before I left for the doc's office, so did I slip and have a Diet Coke first off?  Did that set my blood pressure higher???  It will be one of the things I'll be tracking.

I've been investigating "diets".   Keto has too much fat for my body to process with my liver bile issues.  Lowering my carbs has always worked for me in the past, but I need to also reduce sodium and eat more plant based foods.  So I'm going to try the "DASH" diet -- a wider variety of foods, and controlling portions, and greatly reducing my sugar intake.  (Goodbye chocolate, I will miss you!!)

This will easily fit in with the new "Lifestyle Changes" I've been trying to do.  to keep. 
One day at a time ......

For today's numbers:  14,758 steps today, which included a 34 minute walk pushing Sadie in her stroller.  Tomorrow will be more walking, along with some housework!

Hello, Weekend!

Purple Ribbon

  

You never know the when and where

all you can do is your best,

to keep your hopes up,

your chin high,

and live life to the fullest.

My sister had a biopsy today.

Her original diagnosis:  pancreatic cancer.

She's only 54 years old. 

We have our fingers crossed, 

prayers winging their way to heaven, 

that the biopsy shows a different outcome.  

I'm sad, and anxiously waiting because she's my sister.

But when I compare the closeness my mother and aunt have,

I realize my sister and I aren't that close.  

I'm blue collar, she's white collar.  

We live in different worlds:  

I'm paycheck to paycheck, and she's always had money.

But that doesn't change the facts. 

What worries me most is how this will affect my mother.

My sister lives near her, and has taken on a lot of the decision making processes regarding doctors, how to handle the bigger expenses like real estate taxes and insurance, you get the idea.  Of course, just 2 short years ago, Dad died after a year long battle with cancer himself.  She was the one who took care of all his needs through all the chemo and other doctor related issues.  It's too soon for her to do this again -- and with her own daughter. 

My heart is heavy trying to figure out what's right, what needs to be done, what should be done.  I'm torn over the fact that yes, I could take a hardship transfer from my BigBox store and move in, take care of things - but is that the right thing to do? the fair thing?  Both my kids live here, and my son is special needs.  Yes, he's grown up, but there are still life decisions/issues that need a helping hand where he's concerned.   Can I handle things long distance?   I could fly up once a month like I did for the last year of my Dad's life, but my sis was always able to pick me up at the airport.  Now I'd have to find some kind of ride? Rent a car?  All these major concerns to consider.  A lot of travel will impact my own life as well, especially money wise.  So now is the time to begin thinking in that direction.

Good thing I've stocked up on chicken breast, brown rice and green beans!  I'm set for the next month as far as groceries go!   (sounds boring, eh? lol ) 

Which also brings me 'round to the next issue:  my own health.  Time to get to my doc, get things checked out, let him know the latest, and see what needs to happen for myself as well.  

You just never know - so if you're putting off your own doctoring ... don't!