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!

Real LIfe Turnabouts

Life doesn't always take the shortest route to whatever's next, nor does it take the quickest route.  It seems that in most cases it takes the long route, the one that tests our patience, or some of our abilities to focus, to get something accomplished.  And in fact, if you're like me, it drives us crazy as we try to deal with changes or try to maneuver our way around the changes happening.  It makes me absolutely crazy at times!

There are many changes happening at work, and I'm at a strange place.  For the time being, my position is "safe" from the changes, which means my actual job title or any changes aren't affecting me.  However, with the rest of the changes in personnel and positions, my job has become busier!   Which makes me a little bit crazy, especially with the holiday shopping daze fast approaching.

On top of work changes, there are weather changes.  I've lived in the Valley of the Sun for 12 years now, and this has been the quickest transition from summer heat to winter cold.  We went from temps close to 100 to a high of 65 the very next day, and very windy.  The next morning .... frost on the rooftops!   I went from running the AC to needing the heat turned on.  In a "normal" year, we get 30-40 days of weather temps that transition from the end of AC season before starting the heat needed season.  

Being over 60 has also brought other kinds of changes.  I'm at a weird limbo - too early to retire, but wanting to be retired and do something else!  I've come to a conclusion that I need to be living with Mom.  If I was retired, we could be having some fun, hanging out.  I keep bouncing back and forth between doing one thing or the other.  I'm torn about selling my home, but I think it's time to get out.  I've updated everything, and hope I'll get my money out of it.  I should probably update the kitchen counter and sink at the very least.  Maybe I'll get that done in the spring.  

My normal day off is Weds, and work will be closed on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, so that's 2 days off in a row.  I think I'll be painting my bedroom those days.  Will also be a good time to thin things out and decide on what I want to keep or toss.  That's a toughie for me, but I'll get through it.  

No matter whether you choose Plan A, or Plan B, Real Life always throws in curves, twists and turns, and even sometimes a U-turn.  Which makes navigating this thing called Life a bit on the rough side.  But somehow we all come through it -- one way or another!