Echo Echo echo
By Modestah
@Modestah (11179)
United States
April 11, 2007 10:55am CST
Well, on Monday I had an echo cardiogram done for the first time. It went pretty good. the tech had on some classical music which really helped keep things calm. It was interesting to see the inside of the heart and the valves opening and closing - to hear the sound of the blood pushing through was interesting too.
After that I had an ekg done....this was the first time I have been given a towel to "cover up the important parts" as the tech put it. What a relief! in the past I've been left to the breeze and felt very very uncomfortable.
I then had a chest xray done, which I am supposed to have every year... what I do not get is that they have woman's dressing rooms but after we put on the awful gowns we have to sit in a co-ed hallway that also has a direct line of view to the outside of the clinic.
There is a door leading from the dressing room directly into the xray room - why can't they just have us wait in the dressing room and enter from in there? I hate sitting in the hallway half nekkid in mixed company!
2 people like this
6 responses
@kattghoti (106)
• United States
11 Apr 07
I've never had to sit in a waiting room full of people for any of my heart check ups. Every time I've changed into a gown, I was in the exam room already. I don't think I would enjoy the waiting room, and I would definitely go to the cardiologist even less than I already do if I had to do that. The only time I've ever had to change in another room was for an MRI, so I was able to keep my pants on! I was mostly dressed then.
I like being able to see and hear my heart, though. It's really quite fascinating.
@mrsbrian (1949)
• United States
11 Apr 07
I had a echo cardiogram a few years back and was ammazed at watching my heart go lub lub and listening to the sounds. i often wonder who thinks up these waiting room areas i guess if we had any digenty left if would be about gone by sitting in the hospital window.i would guess it was a man lol.
2 people like this
@juls2me2 (2150)
• United States
19 Apr 07
I'm sorry to hear there's a concern. I pray they findout what the problem is and help you get it taken care of. Its never any fun going through heart tests and other procedures that just draw unclear conclusions. My prayers are with you as you go through everything. We just went through the echocardiogram, ekg, chest x-ray, and pulmonary lung function tests with my husband. He passed with flying colors too. At least they rule out the more major problems 1st. Sure was interesting watch the heart pumping on the echocardiogram. I tease my husband...because it looked like a little man was in there beating a drum as the blood was pushed through the arteries and flaps. :) Might as well laugh about it when you can...
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
19 Apr 07
well the echo results were good, other than due to my massive bre@st tissue it was somewhat inconsisive (sp) The ekg showed some funky arrhythmia's so I will be doing the holter monitor thingy...the troublesome results were from the troublesome test...the chest xray. There is a nodule on my lung that has raised some concern.
Still do not have any answers as to what is the cause of the symptoms I originally went in for. I will be seeing a vascular surgeon for more testing and insight in that regards.
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
11 Apr 07
That is the way they do it in the University Hopital here to. I hate sitting htere. I purchased myself a cape (for lack of a better word and now I wear it over my clothes when I have to go and have thinks like this done. I feel much more comfortable. Some people are just not modest enough. They show way too much and dont seem to care in fact some seem to enjoy it.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
12 Apr 07
I think this is awful - I am a modest person and the thought of setting in a waiting area where there are people I don't know and all of us in the state of partitial dress horrifies me. I think once the hospital or doctor's office asks you to "undress" you should go straight in to have your tests done, not be asked to sit in public areas without clothing - I do not concider those open backed hospital gowns clothing.
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
12 Apr 07
I know! infact it is this very reason that I have not had my yearly x-rays done, it has been more like 10 years! The gowns they use actually open on the side - and having a majestic sized bosom leaves even more open and exposed. next time I may just take a poncho with me, like Anne and her cape. and just remove it as I enter the xray room.
@Rickrocks8 (1751)
• United States
19 Apr 07
Well I can understand that. Sheesh that is horrible I would have said something. Actually I am so shy I would have told them no way! I hope everything turns out ok with all of your testing!
