Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Wired

My new cardiologist arranged to put me on a heart monitor for 7 days (to re-evaluate the ticker since I'm now off the lopressor).  Last Friday UPS delivered a box of, um, goodies?

Good grief!  I glanced through the instructions, poked at the wires and units, closed the box back up and decided not to deal with it until Monday. 

Honestly, it just looked too intimidating.  Also I didn't want to wire-up on a weekend when the doctor's office was closed.  In case I electrocuted myself or something.  Yep, I'm a wuss.

Monday I felt more 'in charge' so went online, viewed the instructional videos which were more helpful than the booklet.  Even then I was compelled to call the folks who make up these kits and get a little clarification on the cell-phone in the box.

After the vids, I glanced through the booklet again and saw that I had to change the AA battery in the heart sensor every day.  What?  I only saw 1 battery in that box.  Hey!  So I looked again and, (in my best George Takei voice) Oh My!

There was a whole 2nd layer of this crap!!

There's enough electronics, wire, electrodes, batteries, chargers, etc. here to build decent sized kitchen appliance or short wave radio.  *whimper* 
But, okay, let's get this show on the road, I thought and mentally slapped down the wuss.

There.  Look at all those empty sections.  Where are they?

They are either plugged into me, plugged into a wall, or tucked into my pocket (keep the cell monitor with you at ALL TIMES to record/send every symptom: chest pain, skipped beats, light-headed, etc etc).  Hmm.  Even one for "other symptom" which sounds kinda scary.  Hope I don't have to push THAT one.

Okay then.  7 days of the cyborg.  1 down, 6 to go.  Bet you guys aren't having THIS much fun now, are ya?  *urk*


13 comments:

  1. Hectic - but, if it gives the cardiologist the necessary info, then I reckon it'll be worth it. Would've thought he could've spared the time / assistant / nursing aide to at least come and set it up though?!?!

    Also cheaper doing it in the comfort of your home, rather than being addmitted to hosptal for a week...?

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    1. These deals all go through a 3rd party who make the kits, collect the data, bill the insurance, troubleshoot the lot, and then use the original box for a pre-paid return. The doctor's office will NOT respond to calls for help - he is out of the loop. He'll just get the data in the end. I'm 'with it' enough to figure this out, but, honestly if it had been sent to my mother, without help she couldn't do it and even then would probably prefer the heart attack. *sigh* Admitted to the hospital for monitoring - no insurance ANYwhere here would allow that kind of thing. Doctor's aren't in THAT loop either....

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  2. Oh my gosh. I can't believe you don't get that hooked up at the cardiologists. I could never figure that out. What on earth do they DO for the money?????????
    Best of luck to you. I hope it gives the Dr. the info he needs.

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    1. If I ever get 'cured' of whatever ails me, I should be able to hang out my OWN shingle by then... If I have to learn more new stuff, my head will explode (and I'm sure someone will BILL me for that, too). Ha! Thanks for the luck, I sure need it. :-D

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    2. P.S. The instructions in the book are pretty easy. The vids online are better. And the company reps are nice and explain anything you ask. Stuff like this frees up the doctors so they can see more pressing patients and is probably more cost effective. Next thing you know,though, drive-thru appendectomies and do-it-yourself knee replacement kits...? :-/

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  3. Wow, what a set up! Hopefully these days will fly by and you'll be free as a bird again!

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  4. From Dave: "I am Majora of Borg - Resistance is futile."

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    1. Guess I AM wearing a lot of gear right now. Just wish I could activate the Borg personal shield! :-D

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    2. And THIS is the post that compels you to get an ID so you can post??? Ha!

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  5. Hopefully you'll get an answer. If not, perhaps your cell phone and cable service will improve for a week. ;o)

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    1. ROFL! Good one, Tam. Ya gotta keep a sense of humor for stuff like this. :-D

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  6. Well I sure hope it will be worth it for whatever information your doctor gets. Only, after all the rubbish treatment and misdiagnosis you've had over the past few months, do have the remotest confidence in whatever is going to get suggested to you after your week wired up like a crash test dummy?

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