Medical Test

Today is a cardiac test. It was to be a stress test but those are hard to do when using a walker/rollator. We attempted to do this recently, but the med tech took one look at me and said no, this would not do.

So, we arranged for something called a Lexi Scan. It does not rely on my doing much of anything. Equipment and contrast meds do the work. Costly; nearly $2000, but insurance documents informed me it would be fully covered by insurance and Medicare.

I do not expect the test to detect anything abnormal. Just aging and its effects. Likely meds will remain the same and tell the doctor we are good to stay on the current regimen. Can’t ask for anything better than that!

Of course, each test at my age is pondered by me. What will it say? Must I follow yet another daily treatment plan? Will it be difficult or easy. Past experience tells me it will be OK. A new pill or two, or a little more exercise is all quite normal. Well, actually doing the exercise is the real challenge!

In fact, my medical journey has been mostly uneventful. My family history is very stable medically. Mom died at 104 a few years ago and suffered very few medical dramas along the way. Dad died early at 88, breaking the family’s usual 95 average. Like me, a heart condition easily controlled, placed him on blood thinners. That became a problem when he fell and broke a vertebra in his spine. Doctors did not want to attempt surgery with blood thinners. With thinners blood clotting would be slow and not effective. Without thinners stroke risks were too high. He survived this fall for just over two years when he chose a very simple medical procedure that produced a wound he needed to dress each day. While doing that he fell and broke a vertebra in his neck. This could not be fixed, and he died ten days later. Still, 88 is a good solid age to reach.

I’m on the same blood thinner but not with the same sensitivity as Dad’s. On the other hand, my cardiologist has newer drugs for me, but Medicare and Aetna will charge me a high tiered co-pay I cannot afford. So, we remain on warfarin.

Life has its risks, and this is one. We take them routinely and it is manageable. So, onward to the next test. I'm sure there are more in the future.

November 29, 2024

 

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