Wired

I had a physical yesterday. Now I'm not usually one to go to the doctor unless there is something really wrong with me-and also requires a prescription. Some people go for every little thing...sore throat, little fever, whatever...but not me...I wait that stuff out. I know what the doc will say...rest, plenty of fluids, vitamin C, blah blah blah...I don't need to pay a $25 co-pay and sit in a waiting room for an hour to hear that. No way. (Not to mention the fact that I'm a wimp and I hate getting stuck with needles).

However, I decided to go ahead and get a full check-up because I've been feeling really tired and zapped of all energy lately (and everyone told me to). I also figured it was a good idea to find a general practitioner in Memphis because I haven't done that since moving here.


So I went, said "Ahhhhhh", had some blood drawn (I was so brave and even treated myself to a milkshake for my courageousness), got a chest x-ray taken and also got an EKG, which is all that their full physical entailed. I'll have to wait for the tests to come back from the lab on some stuff and my x-ray looked fine, but I did have an irregular EKG. They said that my heart rate slowed at certain places and that this could be due to the fact that I'm a runner and runners have slower heart rates because their hearts work more efficiently, but that it was probably a good idea to make sure.

And then they wired me.

For 24 hours, I had to wear a Holter Monitor. Basically, this is a portable machine that is worn and records heart activity, including any irregular heartbeats, which I have been experiencing for about 6 months or so. I had all these electrodes attached to my chest, stomach and sides with wires connecting them all to a small box that I wore on my waistband.

I also got a little journal, in which I was to record any palpitations, flutters or irregular beats. I had 4 yesterday. I went back to the doctor's office this morning and had it removed and now I just have to wait. They said they'll call in a few days to let me know the results.

I'm not really nervous about it, for some reason, which is very unlike me. Maybe it's because I doubt their credibility and knowledge of the human body. This belief is due my conversation with the nurse.

Nurse: Why did you come in today?

Me: Well, I figured it was a good idea to get a check-up, especially since I'm training to run a marathon in October. And I've been feeling exhausted lately...

Nurse: Oh wow, a marathon? I could never do that. I'd be so tired. (yes, she really said that, as if it were only her that would be tired after running 26.2 miles)

Me: Yeah, it was tough, but very rewarding. I did get a stress fracture from running it though...

Nurse: Mmmm Hmmmm. That's why we tell people that running is bad for you.

What the crap? She's a freakin medical professional! That's just SHOCKING. It's so shocking that I'd like to dedicate a whole post to it tomorrow. Now it's time for some research.