Cardiologists, the flu and American healthcare

My rumetologist warned me weeks ago that because the Sarcoidosis is keeping my immune system busy attacking my lungs, that I will get every bug that goes by. One of the things he made me do before I finished my first appointment was to get a flu shot.

Now, I know that the worst place for a sick person is a hospital. But, when one of my little refugee families' babies got the stomach flu that has been going around and ended up in pediatric ICU overnight, I couldn't just leave them at the last minute when they needed help with translating to be sure she would be ok. It was only a few hours at the county hospital, what could it do?

That was Wednesday. Thursday night, I found out. And it was NOT fun.

Now, getting stomach flu is awful. But getting it while the dh is hundreds of miles away and the kids have to be in school the next day is even worse. All I can say is I have the best neighbor and friends around!

One thing I needed to do that day, though, was try to cancel my cardiology check up. No way would I be able to get to the office and sit through a 2-hour appointment. So I called and explained my problem. The receptionist was very nice and said they would not charge me, but they wouldn't be able to reschedule me until January. This would mean having to reschedule my December rumetology appointment and delay getting my lungs treated for even longer. I told her I'd be there. And then I called a friend who picked me up and took me to the appointment. While there, the physician's assistant said, "Wow, you don't look so good." No kidding.

But, I made it through and then the cardiologist decided to finish the tests with a treadmill and ultrasound the next day. It was fine with me, provided I could walk by the next day, but I was stunned. A cardiologist who works on Saturday? I've found the only one in America!

When the test started on Saturday I gave the technician the same speech I give all the techs these days, "OK, now every test I've had for the past couple of years has gone badly. I need you to make sure I pass this one, ok?". She said she'd do her best; and she did a pretty good job.

According to the cardiologist, all the years of regular exercise and vegan diet have finally been good for something! Except for some oxygen issues, my heart is in great shape. Hooray! And she said the few small problems wil be treated when I start treatment on my lungs.

So ok then. A doctor who works Saturday and gives me a good report. Now I just wait for the rumetologist and try to get rid of this flu and stay healthy!