Running.

I think its a theme in my days lately. I'm running off today to finish my tests at the clinic. Yesterday I ran at the clinic. I'll update later this morning when I return, although its a sunny and warm day, I may just have to run... away.

Its later now.

I guess "away" wasn't really very far, because here I am back home again :) I wasn't sure I was ready to go back to the clinic after my workout yesterday. I had to fast all day and they took away caffeine. I am not an all day caffeine user, but I do enjoy a strong cup of coffee in the morning. So by yesterday afternoon I was starving and sluggish and cold and heahache-y. It was 59 degrees when I drove over to the clinic. Inside it felt closer to 50.

First I had an echocardiogram that took ultrasound images of my heart. Not a painful test by any means, but a lot of holding my breath and laying really still while shivering and laying in an awkward position. Then it was off to my stress test. I see why it gets that name. I was a little surprised at how very much they are willing to "stress" the very organ that is supposedly not working very well. It starts off like normal walking, but every 3 minutes they raise the incline and increase the speed. The average person lasts 9 minutes. At each interval they ask you if you can last for the next 3 minutes. At nine minutes I knew I was about done. I lasted for 12. I was dizzy by 11 and we quit at 12. I felt like I hadn't done very well, but then they told me I finished at a speed of 4.5 (not very fast) but an incline of 16. That is pretty steep for me.

Next, after being injected with cardiolite dye, I was taken to the heart scanner. 20 minutes later I was done. It felt so good to go home and finally get to eat. I would be the Worst. Survivor. Contestant. Ever.

But this morning, I actually had a lot of down time at the clinic. They injected me with dye and then told me to go and eat. Plus they took away my caffeine restriction. Happy, happy, joy, joy! The hospital boasts not one, but two coffee shops. I settled on a Mounds Bar latte. I savored every bit of it after going without for several days. I then curled up with a book and waited for my turn to have another scan. I was in and out in 15 minutes this time.

I zipped away in my summer car. The sun was shining and it was 72 when I left. And I felt really relieved. I felt like I had done everything, now, to know. To know where my health is at. To know how to best proceed to take care of myself. I'm hopeful nothing much is found. And I'm really thankful, regardless of the outcome.