A Tale of a Cardiologist Appointment…

*Warning: This post contains no photos and a lot of text. Not my normal style, but I had stuff to say. Consider it all saved up from those few Wordless Wednesday posts I have done!*

I don’t deal with change well.Change makes me itchy and gives me “stomach issues”. I assume you don’t need more details on that one, right? I’m not necessarily inflexible. I just don’t care for change to long-standing things like traditions, holidays, and where you live. My parents and The Scientist have witnessed first hand some minor meltdowns when things don’t go the way I like them too. Attractive personality trait, no? What? You don’t want to be my BFF now?

Now that you know I can be a bit sensitive when it comes to change I have another personality quirk to share with you.

I can be a bit dramatic. Don’t worry. I will wait while you catch your breath from being totally shocked.

More often than not I am simply dramatic for entertainment purposes. Telling a story with a little flair is much more fun for all those involved than if I tell it all straight-laced. Agreed? I don’t lie. I just make it a bit more dramatic.  All for funzies kids.

Ok, now forget I even said all that about my personality quirks while I tell you this story about my visit to the cardiologist. I am 100% not being dramatic. I am not overwhelmed by the changes I’m making in my quest to be a healthier version of myself.

My cardiologist appointment was weird. AND it wasn’t my fault.

My story boils down to 5 main points.

1. Arrived Early- I arrive an hour early at the hospital to make sure I’m on time and can get registered with time to spare. I get on the elevator, press 4, and wait. and wait. and wait. I start to panic that I’m stuck in the elevator and start cursing myself for not walking up the stupid stairs. A little tear starts to form. Then it dawns on me to just hit 4 again. The doors open. Apparently I was already on level 4. Who puts the entrance to a hospital on LEVEL 4?!  

2. Not Quite There- I’m not at the right spot. I had called earlier in the day to confirm the address of the office for my appointment at 1pm TODAY. She confirms the address and I show up. The SAME woman then says, “Oh, Dr. X doesn’t have office hours here today. She is at her other office. I thought you meant an appointment you had on another day and just misspoke.” Ugh. Of course.I schlep myself over to the other office and arrive with 10 minutes to spare and a sweaty hot mess. I looked rough.

3. Older Than You Think- During the registration process the man behind the big bad desk says, “Do you want to call your Mom or Dad to get a copy of your insurance card?” Uh. No sir. I do not. I have the card IN MY HAND. I’m 31 years old and it would confuse my parents if I called them to request that.

4. Let the Embarrassment Begin- I am called into a room by a clinical assistant. She proceeds to start to undo my dress without a word. Hello?! I’m fully capable of undressing myself. Also, why am I getting undressed? No greetings or hellos? I get my dress pulled down and then she does the most awkward thing ever. She lifts up my bra (which is soaked with sweat) and pushes it onto my neck. Great. I’m laying there with my bra pushed up to my neck drizzling sweat on me, wires all over the place and my weight written down in big red numbers on my medical record laying right on my stomach.  I am officially in some sort of hazing ceremony. Either that or I am on Punk’d.

5. Hi I’m Your Dr. and You Won’t Like Me- Finally dressed, I wait for 45 minutes in the room, with the door open, for Dr. X to come get me. She walks by no less than 2ox. I am willing her into my room with my telepathic mind power. All that did was give me a little bit of a headache. She finally arrivs and took a seat to start asking me a million questions that her nurse already asked me. GRRR. Then it happens…she reaches over and starts taking her stethoscope up the bottom of my dress. I react and slam my dress down. She looks at me astonished and say “How am I supposed to hear your heart?” Oh, I don’t know…maybe ask?! What is it with this office and being so invasive? The rest of our appointment is a combo of discussing my issues (high BP) and how much she hates the automated documentation system. Awesome.

Sigh…so that is my cardiologist story. I have some follow-up tests to get done in a week or two (not by the same office) before I know more. I’m not nearly as nervous as I was before and appreciate all the nice emails and comments offering support!

PS. At no point during my appointment did I feel uncomfortable enough to leave. I spoke up when needed and you should too. If you feel uncomfortable with at a Dr’s office with ANYTHING, just speak up. You have to be your own health advocate and do what is best for you!

In other news…Harry Potter for the 2nd time is going down tonight. WOOT! Also, my blog does not like it when I try to block the Daily Eats post from the main page. Until I get it figured out the posts will be on the home page AND the Daily Eats page for browsing.

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!