This week I had the pleasure of having an ultra sound. I know that you can tell by my sarcasm that I don't like ultra sounds. However, I do have a bit of common sense and realize the value of ultra sounds.
I have two ultra sounds a year to check on a little bulge on my aorta that leads to my lower body. Now I keep razzing my Doctor and tell him to look on the outside of me. It's all bulges , blemishes and wrinkles. Why is he worried about a little bulge on my insides. Doesn't he know my insides will be the same as my outside?
So I was ordered to be at the clinic at 7:45 Am. There were some new procedures this time. 1: There was a six hour fasting. 2: No urination after 6:00 AM. 3: drink 2 glasses of water at 7:00 AM.
And as some of you may have had this procedure more than I have, you know the drill. Some round headed devise is pressed into my abdomen and they run it around searching for things. Sometimes they press very hard looking for some hidden part. When they find it "click" and a picture is taken. Then "take a deep breath and hold it". I'm like leaky balloon and can't hold my breath for very long. It seems like a long time before they say let go. A new one this time is to extend your stomach.
So in about 15 or 20 minutes she said it's done and she would check with the radiologist to see if the results were acceptable. She threw me a towel and told me to wipe that horrible icky stuff they use to lubricate your skin so that the "whatever" they use to press very hard" on your abdomen will slide easily .
So it's over for another 6 months. If there's something wrong my doctor will call. If nothing has changed I don't get a phone call.
I bet you are glad it is over. I was there when they did ultrasounds on my Mom legs...and she was very uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteThey seem to have to use a lot of pressure , but the whole thing doesn't last long. Mine was 20 minutes.
DeleteWow, twice a year having an ultrasound, I hope the results of your recent one are what you want.
ReplyDeleteGot the results today and there is no change.
DeleteThey don't really need to check on the bulge because if it blows, there will be no way it's missed!
ReplyDeleteI guess that's pretty dark for me to say.
I hope your naughty little aorta stays in place for years to come
I'm not too worried as I'm in excellent health.
DeleteBeen there - done that! And I didn't find it much fun either. As far as I know though I don't need a follow-up in six months.
ReplyDeleteI got the results today and there's no change.
DeleteNot a pleasant thing.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI hope the results will be good, no call is good news! Take care, enjoy your day!
I hope everything in there is okay and you don't get a phone call, Red.
ReplyDeletethe Doc phoned today to tell me everything was the same. If you get a phone call you know for sure what's going on.
DeleteUltrasounds are pretty easy tests, Red! MRIs are much more stressful!! I hope you get good results so you don't have to worry about it for another 6 months! :)
ReplyDeletethe doctor , who never phones, phoned me to tell me that it was the same ... no change!
DeleteHope all goes well with the Ultrasound results.
ReplyDeleteYes, I did get results today. there's no change.
DeleteYou are in good care.
ReplyDeleteI have a great family doc.
DeleteRed, Thanks for a very descriptive post about getting your latest ultra sound. I hope you won’t receive a phone call and all is well. I’m curious … In Canada, are the costs for this type of test covered by your Health Care System?
ReplyDeleteI did get a phone call but he told me nothing has changed so all is well. Yes this is covered by Health Care. I can't remember when I last paid anything. We don't get physio therapy paid for any more.
DeleteI don’t know what to think of demanding that is senior man not urinate. I don’t even know if that’s possible.
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess one could always cheat!
DeleteI've had several in my lifetime too, but my biggest annoyance is the pressure on the bladder.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, and I too, hope there is no phone call.
Well, this time he decided to phone and tell me that everything was the same.
DeleteThe no phone call is the best option and result. :)
ReplyDeleteWell, he turned the option around and phoned and told me things had not changed.
DeleteWe are getting old Red - or in my case 'am old'. I recently had a scan and I can tell you that having a scan and being hard of hearing (even with aids) don't go together. Instructions are given inside the scan -- things like hold your breath for the count of three. breathe in slowly and the like. As far as I was concerned it could have been in a foreign language. I never heard from the hospital afterwards!
ReplyDeleteElderly definitely applies to me. I have good health so I keep active. Yes for the hold your breath thing I felt like a leaky tire with the air slowly leaking out.
DeleteThat sounds a lot like my echocardiogram, which I have once a year now because of my aortic valve replacement. I just had mine this week too.
ReplyDeleteI should know what the echo cardiogram is but I forget. I will look it up.
DeleteYeah I hate those ultrasounds too, when they press so hard. I REALLY didn't like MRI's but since I've had my Pacemaker those are out for me. Yea! There is SOME justice!
ReplyDeleteI guess the justice is that they keep on top of things before they become a crisis.
DeleteGood to keep a check on it. My brother and I were checked since my mother and her brother both had aneurysms.
ReplyDeleteThey are paying more attention to family history with some of these things.
DeleteI have the same problem in my neck, with the obligatory scan. Good luck to you and may there be no phone call.
ReplyDeleteOkay. He surprised me and phone to tell me that things were just fine- no change.
DeleteBest to go through the ultrasounds. Many "bulges" on that big vessel expand and separate layers (think of 3 different sizes of garden hoses inside each other,) lengthwise a bit slowly instead of an instant blow out. Those separations may not show outward symptoms immediately. They CAN be fixed, repaired and reinforced in some cases. Your doc is being a good doc. Ultrasounds are easier than the couple of options.... old cardiac nurse, Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteI'm glad all is well. I've had that hard round thing pushed around on my chest- looking for a t-tiny cyst, and those sono techs sure have some strong arms, pushing and prodding, Mine was nothing and I am glad yours is too.
ReplyDelete