Did the usual triage stuff - weight (still 9 pounds down..yay!), height (still 5'3"), temperature (I'm still hot!), etc. At one point I got a little upset with the nurse. She couldn't get the blood pressure cuff to read my numbers. After 3 painful tries, and an excrutiating 4th, she got a reading that was higher than I've ever had before. She insisted it was right, though I know you aren't supposed to take readings consecutively because it adds pressure to your veins and gives false high readings. She took my pressure yet again, and it was still astronomical. I was not happy so while she wrote the numbers on my chart and I had a brief 'Scanners' moment behind her back (you know, the classic sci-fi movie where they use their mind powers to blow someone else's head up....needless to say, it didn't work)
I get set up in a room, and thankfully there was no disrobing needed (keep your pants on!). The doctor came in and suddenly I wasn't nervous anymore. I found myself easily telling him about concerns I have, problems I've had in the past, and even some of the intimate 'girl' details I often found hard to discuss with my female doctors in the past. I realized I feel more comfortable talking to a male doctor than I do a female doctor. which, when I look at my circle of friends, I'm more inclined to tell my male friends stuff I'd never share with my female friends. I wonder why that is? hmmm...but I digress.
He ordered a series of blood tests, and wants to see me monthly for 6 months. He didn't have any recommendations for me other than to continue the diet I'm on, take my psych meds (oops, I mean blood pressure meds), and we'll meet up in a month. Oh, he did have one thing he wanted me to have before I left his office...I had to have a tetinus shot! Ouch! Actually, it didn't hurt at all.
So that's it for now...first visit is out of the way. I'm hoping we'll do the 6 months of visits and will be able to set a date for my surgery for Summer 2010...stay tuned!
