CAT Scan...Without The Cat

Above, the Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Hospital. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning was spent in the radiology department at the Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Hospital in Gallup.

A recent check-up found a possible kidney issue and the doctor requested an abdominal CAT scan to rule it in or out. I personally don't believe there's any problem, but it is best to know for sure.

I went in with the idea that the "juice" they give for contrasting the images would be orally given. It turned out that it was to be administered through intravenous means. Well, that sounded simple. They first tried to put the i.v. in my right arm, but the vein "rolled". Then they tried my left arm. They thought they had it ("We got a flash!"), but that vein rolled.

So, they had to call in another tech to install the i.v. gizmo. He did it on the first try on the back of my right hand.

Since my episode with the stents in Twin Falls last year, needles no longer bother me like they used to. I was poked and prodded so much back then that it's no big deal. It's amazing how used to things we get!

After I was done, I headed back home. But stopped at Denny's for our usual gathering for coffee. When that was done, I headed to our fire station to vote in today's election.

Now, I get to relax at home and drink lots of water to flush out the contrast "juice" out of my system.

And, no, the radiology department isn't located next to the aquarium.

Busy Day

Above, the new glasses. 

Today was spent mostly on the road, or so it seemed, between Jamestown and Gallup. Not once, but twice.

First, I had to be at the hospital for an aortic ultrasound, which required me not to eat or drink anything for six hours before. I was in and out of there within an hour.

Second, after being home for about a couple of hours, my optometrist's office called and said that my new glasses were there. Initially, I told them that I would be there next day. Then, after hanging up, I realized that I was going to go to Albuquerque tomorrow. So I called and told them that I would be there in a half hour.

So, I went back into Gallup and picked up my new glasses. After getting them, I stopped at the Ellis Tanner Trading Company store and did some browsing.

I took care of another bit of business. I called a Ford dealer and made arrangements for them to find what's causing the air conditioning vacuum leak in The Beast. They need it for about a week to diagnose the problem. I will leave it with them during the week I'll be on the cruise to Cuba and pick it up when I get back.

Since my haircutter won't be in tomorrow, I will go to Albuquerque on Wednesday.

Wasn't What I Planned For Tomorrow

Above, the Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Hospital. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This is going to be rough without my morning coffee tomorrow. I have to be at the Rehoboth Christian Health Care at 8:30 for a 9:00 aortic ultrasound.  

Aortic, Iliac Vena Cava or Renal Artery Stenosis Vascular Ultrasound. Do not eat or drink for six hours before your exam. Take any medications with a sip of water.

This Evening

Above, this evening's sunset. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tonight, our monthly dinner gathering at Martin Link's in Gallup was held.

It was seafood night and we all had plenty of good food. It is just as well, since I have to go into the Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care hospital tomorrow morning for an ultrasound of my aorta. This is just a check-up that will probably take place every six months. Right now, I am stuffed.

I was told that after tonight's dinner, I can't eat or drink anything until the ultrasound is done, which should be at around 9:30. The hardest part is not having my morning coffee. I guess I could stand without it for a few hours.

Above, P.K. (in front of the garage) heading for the food dish on the front porch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of our group owns a cattle ranch and she said she hasn't seen any new calves. She thinks there's been some cattle rustling in the area.

Another topic of discussion was AMTRAK train service from Los Angeles to Gallup. It takes about 13 hours to travel from L.A. to Gallup by train, but it was said that the view and ride is a pleasant one..

After getting home, I took a walk around and saw a beautiful sunset. While I was enjoying the sunset, the stray kitty I feed, P.K., came up the road and headed towards me and proceeded to the food dish on the front porch.

Doctor Appointment and Eyeglasses Problem

Above, without my glasses, AOC looks like this (well, she looks like this anyway).

Today, for the most part, was a a busy day.

I had to go into Gallup for my regular check-up. Blood pressure, pulse, heart rate, etc. all came out fine.

I have to go in later in the month to get a pneumonia vaccine (they were out of the vaccine). The doctor recommends them of those in my age group. Considering how miserable my "honorary sister" was when she came down with pneumonia recently, I decided that would be a good idea. I should get vaccinated before my cruise to Cuba next month.

While in the lab for a blood test, a screw to my eyeglasses broke and I had to get it taken care of. Fortunately, I keep a spare pair of glasses in The Beast and was able to drive with those. I went to three places to see about getting the eyeglasses fixed. The first one doesn't do glasses. The second place (a block away) tried, but one part was bent, so they recommended Bishop Optical a mile away. That did the trick. They were able to fix it in minutes at no charge!

It is just as well this happened when it did instead of being on a cruise ship. I am currently on a waiting list for an optometrist to get an eye exam. They are booked up through May. I definitely need new glasses!

Didn't Go As Planned

Above, the Rehoboth McKinley Medical Health Care Services. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One thing about aging, the mind is willing (and feels young) but the body doesn't quite get the message.

I went to the Rehoboth McKinley Christian Medical Health Care Center in Gallup today to take a stress test. Until I stepped into the medical center, I did not know what was in store as I was not given any details or instructions. Definitely a failure to communicate here. Everything was going fine on the treadmill (my heart rate went up to 100, the target is around 140) until my left leg decided to cramp up. I had to stop.

This has been a chronic problem for the past few years, but it has been better since I've been taking Vitamin D3 and Magnesium supplements. Still, for today, it wasn't good enough.

So, I will have to go back and take a different test, one where you get an injection of some sort of medicine that is radioactive (maybe I'll have atomic breath like Godzilla when I leave) and raises the heart rate without while reclining.

The only problem with that I will have to skip my morning beta blocker and coffee (!) before I go in. I told them that I would prefer to do it during the morning hours.

At least my blood pressure today and heart rate were fine. I, at least, found that out.

Before I went to the medical center, I did manage to get some other things done. I went to Harbor Freight to get some tarps for the swamp cooler to wrap it for winter, Boot Barn for some shirts and Home Depot to see about a signpost. After the medical appointment, I did get some grocery shopping done. I was too beat to cook tonight, so I ate at Denny's at the Flying J.

Where's The Aquarium?

.Above, the sign at the elevator. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I went to see my cardiologist this morning at the Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services in Gallup, I spotted a sign near the elevators that reminded me of the Laurel & Hardy short, "County Hospital".

Above, the Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care hospital. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At the bottom of the sign for the 3rd Floor, it indicated that the center's Solarium is on that floor.

In "County Hospital" Stan Laurel goes to the hospital to visit his friend Oliver Hardy. When he gets there he asks where to find Ollie. A nurse tells him his room is near the solarium upstairs.

Stanley goes there and asks if that's near the aquarium.

Here's the full "County Hospital" short: