How about some good news for a change?

I had an exercise echo done today. It is one of my least favorite tests. You're strapped to an examination table and hooked up to a cardiac machine that records your heart rate, etc. This particular exam table has bicycle pedals with a machine on top. You start pedaling and the machine records your reps and a 3 minute countdown. It also has 3 lights, a green one in the middle with yellow lights on either side. The plan is to constantly pedal, keeping the green light on. If you go too slowly the left yellow light flashes. If you go too quickly the right yellow light flashes. After pedaling for 2 minutes, the doctor tilts the table down to the left where he is sitting. You have to keep pedaling at that angle while he does an echo. The echo records all kinds of things including the pulmonary artery pressures. After a minute the doctor tilts the table back so you're laying flat again. Then the resistance is increased so that it's harder to pedal. Again, you do this for two minutes, trying to keep the green light on. At two minutes, the doctor tilts the table and does another echo. This procedure continues until the doctor gets enough info or the patient screams "UNCLE!"




I was suppose to do this test several months ago. But, I got sidelined by the "Wild Dogs of Borneo" and had to wait until the knee was in better shape, able to handle the pedaling. I was thrilled not be able to do this test, even if it was because I had a sore swollen knee! I HATE this test! Plus, the last time I took it, my pressures were elevated from the previous echo. So, needless to say, I was not looking forward to my afternoon appointment.

The doctor who did the echo is the head of the department, so, lucky me, I didn't have to wait to get the results! Are you ready for this????

Drumroll please...............

My pulmonary artery pressures at rest were 30!!

My pulmonary artery pressures with exercise were 55!!

Normal pulmonary artery pressures at rest are anything less than 25!!!

Normal pulmonary artery pressures with exercise are 30!!

The last time I had this test, my pressures at rest were 48 and with exercise they were 68!!

WOOHOO!!!!!!!



Rod was in the room with me while I did the test and was there to hear the results! He was so excited he told me we should order pizza for dinner to celebrate!! I had pepperoni...it was delicious!

I go to see my PH specialist on the 18th of the month. I'm excited to go and see what he has to say about this good news!

Here's Haver's version of the happy dance!!



And here's a picture of Asa, just because I don't want him to feel left out!



OK, that's all for now.
Thanks for checking in.
Thanks for reading.

AND, thanks for all of your continued prayers...obviously they're working!

much love
Annette