@LnzyHou It's not *bad* news. I still wonder about the matter that my left atrium and aorta are enlarged, when three previous echocardiograms showed no enlargement at all. This is a sudden change, since my last echo was done in April of this year. My doctor doesn't seem too concerned, however. Go figure. Anyway, my leg swelling and my weight gains are being caused by *something,* so we've got to find out what that something is. Vascular doctor is next up to bat.

I've finally heard from my doctor about my echocardiogram. The aorta and left atrium of my heart are enlarged, but not to the point where they're abnormal for someone of "my size." (336lbs/5'8") So, for my edema problems, he's checking me for vascular/circulation issues to see what's causing my swelling. It's apparently not heart related.

#cosomedical

Medical update 2022/12/15:

I've been contacted by my doctor's office about an "urgent" referral to a vascular surgeon in the wake of yesterday's echocardiogram. I still don't have a full readout of the echo's results, so I'm at a loss as to why. I've asked the doctor for the readout while I wait for the referral to go through.

#cosomedical

Do animals have a sense of humor? Discuss.

What's going on over at Birdsite right now...

Starting to get preliminary results from my echocardiogram. Raw data shows enlargement of my left atrium and my aorta, but my doctor says these don't indicate heart failure and are more or less normal for my body size. Still, they worry me, since they're sudden changes over prior echo tests. Now waiting for vascular results to round out the report.

#cosomedical

Ken Lieck
I Kidnapped Santa Claus
https://youtu.be/NerOaTygPvg

#cosomusic

@melsaywhat Good decision. Don't wait another minute. Believe me, my muscle atrophy hit me like a Mack truck, and since I'm as old as I am (59), it's irreversible now.

Echocardiogram results are back, but without an interpretation by my doctor. From what I can tell, there's nothing that jumps out and says, "BOO!" at you, but there are a couple of concerning items on the left side of the heart and on the aorta. I'm not going to speculate more than that until I hear from a cardiologist or my primary care physician.

#cosomedical

@melsaywhat

I can sympathize. I recently had surgery for carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome on my left side. That was back on Nov. 4th. Just had my first physical therapy session, and the evaluation showed my left thumb is now only half as strong as my right. My advice - get yours looked at by a doctor before the muscles atrophy too much!

CIVIL CIVIC
The Shift
https://youtu.be/mF72NY1xCGU

#cosomusic

This is a hidden gem, folks. Check this one out.

I've had my echocardiogram. Damned uncomfortable poking and prodding of my ribcage. Should know the results within a day or two.

The official fusion announcement is, to use Biden's words, "a big fucking thing" that will eventually shape the landscape of energy production across the world. This is a time to mark where you are, just like the day when Enrico Fermi conducted his first experiment in atomic fission under the stands at the stadium of the University of Chicago. Mr. Fusion is still some way off, but we're getting there, folks.

I finally have an appointment for an echocardiogram, tomorrow afternoon with a doctor in Rockwall, TX. Here's hoping that everything stays together until then.

I don't know if I want him to find a diagnosis of congestive heart failure or not. A positive diagnosis would at least let me know what I'm fighting against, but it'd mean a lot more restrictions on my life. A negative diagnosis would be better in lots of ways, but it would still leave me wondering what's going on.

#cosomedical