Checking off the list

Yesterday I had a routine mammogram, which may be the last one for me. I haven't decided yet. In any case it will be the last one done by my favorite CGH technician who will retire in a few months. It made yesterday's appointment a little sad. To mark over twenty years of service I gave her one of my first published books, signed of course. I know she will enjoy the 30 stories in part two featuring the lives of local residents. I'm sure at least some of them might have been her patients.

Tomorrow I get to have the new experience of an open MRI to find out for sure what is going on with my lower back. I checked out the online site and watched the video and it doesn't look too intimidating. It only takes about 30 minutes. For some reason I keep picturing some of the contraptions I endured during radiation when I had cancer 28 years ago. I survived that so this should be nothing to worry about.The video said I could even watch a TV program during the procedure to help pass the time.

That reminds me of a surgery I had in 2011. I wasn't allowed to eat anything for almost two weeks. I kept watching the cooking programs during the afternoon. It was a great way to go on a diet!

The procedure I am really worried about is the possibility of an echo cardiogram and stress test, possibly next week, to make sure my heart is healthy. I know it's beating but that's not good enough for the new cardiologist I am seeing. In preparation for the test I just renewed my fitness room membership for another year so I will be able to use the treadmill. I have an exercise bike, but it hasn't been used much lately.

So that's the focus of my life for the present and near future. I'll let you know what happens.