I started my day at 8.15 with a radioactive toasted scrambled egg sandwich. It didn't quite make it to Toronto's Top Ten Breakfasts as it was missing the coffee and OJ but it was welcome after the overnight fast.
I then got to watch it pass through me - in a manner of speaking. It was really a boring set of white dots on a black background every 30 minutes as they x-rayed my digestive tract.
On to the spirometry test which always results in a fit of coughing as though all the huffing and puffing disturbes the fibres in the lungs.
Then the physio program for 2 hours. I finally got to the office at 3 feeling as if I had put in a day already.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tests and more Tests
The weekly grind of the physio program goes on - and it is making a difference as I have more energy and feel stronger.
This is interspersed with periodic testing. Next week it is Solid Gastric Emptying - a delightfully named test for something relatively innocuous. It's essentially a barium meal on an empty stomach to see how quickly solid food is digested. Apart from having to sit around for periodic x-rays to track the meal's progress - it doesn't seem that much of a challenge. Fedex could learn something from this procedure perhaps when they lose parcels.
At the end of August it's the Esophageal Motility and 24 hour pH study. This looks like much more fun! It involves sticking a tube down my nose into my stomach and leaving it there for 24 hours. The tube is attached to a walkman-sized measuring device and is taped to the side of my nose to prevent it slipping in. I think I'll cancel client meetings that day.
I have also signed up for a research project looking into the psychological effects of being on the waiting list. Not something that I had thought much about but my quick preview of the questions has made me think about how I deal with uncertainty and waiting. I'll complete the test and then post my reaction.
This is interspersed with periodic testing. Next week it is Solid Gastric Emptying - a delightfully named test for something relatively innocuous. It's essentially a barium meal on an empty stomach to see how quickly solid food is digested. Apart from having to sit around for periodic x-rays to track the meal's progress - it doesn't seem that much of a challenge. Fedex could learn something from this procedure perhaps when they lose parcels.
At the end of August it's the Esophageal Motility and 24 hour pH study. This looks like much more fun! It involves sticking a tube down my nose into my stomach and leaving it there for 24 hours. The tube is attached to a walkman-sized measuring device and is taped to the side of my nose to prevent it slipping in. I think I'll cancel client meetings that day.
I have also signed up for a research project looking into the psychological effects of being on the waiting list. Not something that I had thought much about but my quick preview of the questions has made me think about how I deal with uncertainty and waiting. I'll complete the test and then post my reaction.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The Aston Martin DB10
The trial of the walker seems to be a success so I am going to keep it to use on longer jaunts and for getting in and out of the office with my briefcase etc.
Kate and Stephanie have dubbed it the Aston Martin DB 10. Daniel Craig need not fear - downhill with a tail wind it perhaps can make 4 kms/hr.
Kate and Stephanie have dubbed it the Aston Martin DB 10. Daniel Craig need not fear - downhill with a tail wind it perhaps can make 4 kms/hr.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Registering to be a Donor
If you are interested in registering to be a donor in Ontario here is the link to the Trillium Gift of Life Network site. It has a lot of useful information, including a frequently asked questions section and a section on cultural and religious perspectives on donations.
http://www.giftoflife.on.ca/page.cfm?id=313B576D-E970-4CBE-B946-49A4B3F306D8
I was surprised to find out that the oldest Canadian organ donor was over 90 and the oldest Canadian tissue donor was 102.
http://www.giftoflife.on.ca/page.cfm?id=313B576D-E970-4CBE-B946-49A4B3F306D8
I was surprised to find out that the oldest Canadian organ donor was over 90 and the oldest Canadian tissue donor was 102.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Second Month - Second Gear
I've now finished the first month of physio and also filled up the first exercise card. On Friday I got my new program - a kind of second gear where I have to increase the intensity all around.
The program now consists of more repetitions, slightly heavier weights and faster on the treadmill. None of this is going to turn me into a Schwarzenegger or a triathelete but it does feel good to be making progress.
The physiotherapists have also persuaded me to try a walker for a week to see if it helps. Up to now I have resisted getting one but they do have advantages. I can walk farther, it has a basket to take my oxygen bottles and it has a seat. Apart from the hassle of folding it into the car it does mean that I could get to places I might otherwise avoid such as a waterfront concert or a longer walk in a park.
The program now consists of more repetitions, slightly heavier weights and faster on the treadmill. None of this is going to turn me into a Schwarzenegger or a triathelete but it does feel good to be making progress.
The physiotherapists have also persuaded me to try a walker for a week to see if it helps. Up to now I have resisted getting one but they do have advantages. I can walk farther, it has a basket to take my oxygen bottles and it has a seat. Apart from the hassle of folding it into the car it does mean that I could get to places I might otherwise avoid such as a waterfront concert or a longer walk in a park.
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