On Friday, I went to Temple Lung Center for a series of tests that will, one hopes, reveal the cause of my problems with breathing.
I took the route over the Betsy Ross Bridge this time, and leaving home at around 6:40 AM (!!!) I got there in about an hour. Philadelphia is one run-down city!
At 8 AM, they ran me through a series of "routine" breathing tests that involved a glass "room" about 7' by 3' by 3' where I sat and followed the tech's directions. The only thing conclusive that she told me was that Albuterol, a bronchodilator, had negligible effect on the test results. So what that means, I surmise, is that whatever damage there is to my lungs -- if any -- is not reversible by dilating the bronchii.
The equipment she used was computer-based and very high tech, so I was a little surprised when my 6 minute walk consisted of walking in the waiting area between two pieces of tape place on the floor about 25 feet apart! This tech monitored my O2 levels as I completed each lap, and "measured the distance" I walked (674 feet -- I was moving really slowly to insure that I would have no trouble completing the test! I can do 6 mins at 3 MPH on a treadmill.). I had no shortness of breath, BTW.
My next test was a CT scan at noon so I went to the cafeteria where I had a tuna salad platter, an iced tea and a piece of apple pie. I drank slowly and read until about 11:45 when I reported for the scan. At about 12:30, it was my turn. They inserted an IV port for the contrast material, had me lay on the scan bed, scooted me in, had me hold my breath for about 15 seconds, infused the sys, had me hold my breat hagain, and we were done.
I went back to the pulmonary lab and the "walking" tech was ready for my stress test. Temple Lung is in the process of moving the pulmonary lab to new quarters. If the walking test didn't make me aware of the need, the room for the stress test surely did! He had to move oxygen tanks -- the big ones that are always exploding in the movies -- and other equipment to get to the bench where I could sit so he could attach the EKG cups. Then he had to move more stuff so I could get to the test bicycle (yes, a bicycle, not a treadmill! He said that all of Europe uses the bicycle as they found they can get better and more reliable results that way). I had to use a breathing tube as I did in the first tests with my nose pinched off, but the bicycle was much better than the treadmill. It was 2 minutes of no resistance, then increased resistance each minute. After about 7 minutes, my legs were really tired and my breathing was a little labored -- I could have done more if it hadn't been for my legs -- and they said they had enough data. One interesting thing -- my EKG showed a slight arrythmia during the resting phase which cleared up as I exercised. I'm guessing that was due to my heart meds. Neither of the techs not the MD who monitor the test seemed concerned about the arrythmias. After I see Dr Criner (the pulmonologist) on 8/17, I'll have them send copies of everything to Dr Lebovitz (the cardiologist).
So now I just have to wait.
I went over the Betsy Ross on the way home, and misread my directions so I had to navigate some city streets near I95 to get back to Betsy (I've been "on" her enough so that we're on a first-name basis). Had I not goofed, I would have been home in less than an hour. For reference, the first trip to TLC took over an hour via PA Turnpike and route 1, and an hour and a half to get home!
