Medical Matters, Music & Men

Upon my last visit to my doctor, he ordered some chest X-Rays, laboratory tests and a Dobutamine Stress Echo Cardiogram to be completed before my next regularly scheduled visit.  My next visit is scheduled for the day after Christmas.  I had the X-Rays done a couple weeks ago, and I am going to get my blood drawn for the lab tests this morning.  Yesterday I had the Dobutamine Stress Echo Cardiogram done.  The stress test was a fairly straightforward procedure whereby they hooked up 13 electrodes to various spots on my chest to monitor my heart rate, then introduced Dobutamine via an IV.  Dobutamine elevates your heart rate to simulate the stress put on your heart during exercise.  Prior to the Dobutamine being introduced, the technician took a sonogram  (the echo part of the test) of my heart at rest.  Once administered, the Dobutamine gradually increases the heart rate.  The first way point is a heart rate around 100 and they took a second Echo.  The next way point is a target heart rate of 134 where they were to take another echo.  However the Dobutamine did not elevate my heart rate enough to reach the target, so they had to introduce a small dose of Atropine to help it along.  They had to introduce a second dose of Atropine before the target heart rate was reached so they could take the Echo.  At that point the Dobutamine drip was stopped and they waited for the small doses of Atropine to wear off so that the final Echo could be taken.  All told the whole procedure took about 30 minutes, however it left me feeling like I had just run a half marathon.  Nothing serious, it just wore me out a bit which is a natural effect of the procedure.  

As preparation for the test, I could not have anything to eat or drink for at least six hours prior to the test.  So when I had completed the test, not only was I hungry, my throat was dry as a bone.  My store is nearby my doctors office, so I immediately drove over there to grab a Dr Pepper to wet my whistle a bit before I went home to fix me some lunch.  After I ate lunch, I was feeling a little tuckered out, so I took a short nap before continuing my activities.  Now all I have to do is go let them play vampire at the clinic this morning before I can do my regular Pay Day chores and errands.  I am going to the lab first as I had to fast for 8 hours and drink nothing but water for 8 hours so my blood sugar level would not be affected by food, sugar or caffeine for the lab tests to show accurate results.  So I have a fairly busy morning mapped out for me before I have to go to work this afternoon.  No rest for the wicked, eh?

Your Musical Moment for today features the Music of Johann Sebastian Bach with his Concerti for Oboe and Oboe D'Amore numbers BWV 1055, 1056, 1059R, 1053R, and 1060.  Today's performance is by Christian Hommel; Helmut Muller-Brühl and the Cologne Chamber Orchestra.  After the play list you will find a collection denim delights in this week's edition of Men In Jeans.  Thanks for sharing a part of your day with me, see you again on the morrow.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!