ARRRGH! Stress test stress

[radfringe]

This Friday my partner is scheduled for carpal tunnel surgery. Last week she went for a pre-surgical check-up. Routine. Blood work, general physical, heart testing etc.

Yesterday she gets a call from doc's office. They detected an 'anomaly' with the heart test and want her to have a stress test tomorrow (thursday).

She was unable to get details on exactly what the 'anomaly' means. Could be nothing, could be something -- but the doc wants the stress test done because they have no baseline for comparison.

My partner was adopted at birth - so she has no family history to look back on for clues if this is a hereditary problem.

Needless to say, she's very nervous, as am I...

We just went through a breast cancer scare and lumpectomy with her mom, and more surgery for her brother two weeks ago -- now this. (mom and brother are doing fine)

[zanne]

1. Try not to worry too much.

I know it's easier said than done, but when doctors detect anything at all, even if it's just a glitch, they'll order more tests, especially where surgery is concerned. I had bypass surgery 15 years ago and the Red Cross still won't allow me to give blood! What I'm saying is, your partner's doctors will be extra cautious about her heart because of the surgery. Best of luck and please let us know how she's doing.

[radfringe]

2. Thanks...

my gut tells me it's going to turn out to be no big deal, perhaps something to watch in the future - but we're not talking about an emergency quadruple by-pass by tomorrow afternoon

she does have high cholesterol levels (somewhere between the high end of acceptable and mid-range) same with her blood pressure -- so it is a concern

what is very frustrating is the not knowing, on one hand they don't want to say much because they do not want to cause further stress/worry, on the other hand NOT knowing causes further stress/worry

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. Both of you will be in my thoughts...

:hug: I hope all goes well for you and your partner. It can be so very scary.

[radfringe]

4. well, my concern level just went up a notch

in addtion to the stress test they have also scheduled her to have an echocardiogram