Overall, this second trip was easier in general. Last time, arrived v late on Sunday night, and stayed til the Wednesday, so it was a bit long and fed up of the hotel by then. This time stayed only the 1 night, and arrived about 5 ish on Monday so gave a good chance to get organised and settled and have an early night.
After a misunderstanding and confusion about where to meet the shuttle bus for pick up at airport, finally arrived, had a short rest and then went for some grub. Food was a bit stodgy and didn't feel good afterwards. So even though I was a bit tired, went for a walk down the road strolling along different streets and houses nearby. It was a gorgeous day, about 25 degrees, which was a nice surprise. I love the sun and always feel better during summer, but at home all of May has been lashing rain and still feeling wintery, and needing heat on in house. I was way over dressed with a vest, sweater, zip up hoody, jacket and scarf when I just arrived lol. For rest of evening just rested up, looked over test results again, and organised my questions for KDM. I had way too many and wanted to make I gave important priority.
I got a good rest and getting up early wasn't too bad, since I am not used to waking and getting up early. So considering this, I was doing quite good. Especially compared to last time where I felt like I was resurrected from the dead. I was generally much more alert and 'with it' which helps.
Anyway, shortly after arriving at clinic for 9.30, was the exercise stress test. To put it nicely, this was all kinds of hell!!!
And not just the exercise part either. The most 'stress' came from my inability to hear and understand what was being said. (Because I don't get out I don't think I even realise how bad my hearing problem really is.) I keep doing wrong and needing to ask to repeat again and still not knowing, especially when she was getting machine ready etc and with her back to me. Instead of taking off my top, I just rolled up sleeve! Then she said it again, I only removed my sweater but not my vest top, so had to be asked again. Rest of it followed much the same! So embarrassing!
Anyway, the pathetic pedalling part didn't go so great either. It's really hard to know when to actually stop, I keep trying to keep going and going, because it barely had started so I couldn't just stop? It got to point where I could barely go anymore, the nurse asked me do I want to stop because I was making all sorts of faces and grimaces trying to push on with it. So I agreed to stop, she then asked me why. I said it was because my legs in lot of pain and could barely move them anymore. And the fact that my breathing was bad. Which was obvious I'm sure, as I could barely answer through gasping for breath! I knew Justy saying she did about 5 minutes, but I didn't even think it was even that long so I asked. She told me the doctor would give me the information. So I don't know how long I lasted, I was worried it wouldn't be long enough to give a proper result.
Also, last time I was at the clinic, loads of people coming out of that same room had print outs so was assuming it was from exercise stress test and asked her about it, again told wait to see the doc. Perhaps those patients had something else done. Also, thought I would have had the echocardiogram done this time, but no that is for August. Took quite a while for my breathing to settle back to normal. And also one of my most hated symptoms - pins&needles/tingling in my feet- were going crazy! This is not an issue now mostly, only when I over do things and push too much, I get my feet problem slightly so use this as to gauge that I need to slow down or not do so much. During the meeting with KDM, he didn't mention much about the test at all, so I brought it up. He said it was stage 4 disability and in no way could I work.
(I will finish rest of it in a bit, about the meeting with him, I need a bit of a break)
