well, that's not too good...

Yes, all lower case for the Post title...

My oncologist had wanted me to have a MUGA after finishing my year of Herceptin infusions.  My insurance didn't want to pay for one as they deemed it potentially unnecessary.  In fairness to them - had it been out of my own pocket I would have said the same thing.  It is a negotiated rate of $688 per MUGA!! (That is Multiple Gated Acquisition Scan, a nuclear medicine exam.)

So, instead I had an echocardiogram.  I must say, that was a pretty cool test.  It hurt because of the hypersensitivity issue I have, but the woman who administered it was very kind and tried her best to be gentle.  An echocardiogram is kind of an ultrasound of the heart, if you will.  So I watched on the screen as my heart beat its lovely way through the exam.  The examiner commented (as we chatted) that it looked kind of low as it measured my ejection fraction, but the Doctor would  be able to determine accurately and report to my oncologist.

So yesterday morning my sweet Pamela from TCI (my oncologist's office) called to let me know there was a MUGA scheduled.

What?  That pretty much was my response, btw.  What?  A MUGA?  And insurance approved this?

Yes, was the answer to the above.  So now instead of seeing Dr. Rassam for my first 3 month follow up on Monday, I will not see him until the following Monday as I have been scheduled for the muga on Friday August 3rd.

Hmm.

Herceptin can cause damage to the heart muscle, and obviously, it HAS done.  This is reversible, and I expect a positive result of healing.

I feel great!  Of course, I really have an altered and positive perspective on feeling great because I know just how bad you can feel.  So I know that a bad day - is a FABULOUS day, and that feeling what some people would call bad is totally wonderful and awesome!

Regardless, I really do feel great!!!  Thinking about the possibility of having some weakening to my heart right now, that would explain why I hit the wall as soon as I do.  I just sort of run out of gas and need to rest.  At which time -- I rest.  I am doing my best to eat right, drink enough, rest enough, exercise enough, etc. What else can one do? 

So I will just have to be a little patient and I leave this all in God's hands. 

He has my back....