Apache Junction, AZ High 68 Low 54
Yesterday we left home at 8:50 a.m. and didn’t return home until 8:35 p.m.
Our first stop was at SMIL in Scottsdale for Jim to get a chest x-ray. From there we had some time to waste so we found a party store and wandered around.
Then it was time for Jim to have his Echocardiogram, a test that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart. We haven’t heard any results on that test yet. While waiting for Jim, I really enjoyed this TV or whatever it is. It kept changing pictures – very soothing.
Ready for lunch. We went to Portillo’s for a really good hot dog. Jan and Bill introduced us to this place. Picture from their website.
After lunch Jim had an appointment with the pulmonologist. All of these appointments were in Scottsdale so we were happy to have them all in one day.
Of course, I was able to sneak this one picture. Jim was not impressed.
The doctor pulled up his chest x-ray and we got to see all the way down through his lungs. Fascinating.
Those dark areas are his lungs and the oval hole is his windpipe. The white streaks are blood vessels.
Jim does have some emphysema and COPD. Not real serious but something that needs to be treated so it doesn’t get worse. He is also missing the lower left lung lobe because of the cancer surgery last year.
The doctor gave him another medication to use along with the Spiriva. She also scheduled him for some more tests in February.
We finished up about 4:30 and had made plans to meet my sister and her hubby for dinner. Headed down to Mesa and debated about where to go for dinner – you all know how that goes. We ended up at Charleston’s. I’ve often wanted to try it and I’m glad we did. It’s a little spendy so Jim and I decided to split a chicken fried steak and Judy and Don did the same. Holy cow. They brought each a plate with the meat, mashed potatoes and honey glazed carrots. There was so much food on that “half” dinner that we couldn’t finish it all. And it was very good.
Sunset through the windshield.
After dinner we had an address that was supposed to have great Christmas lights. Wrong!! Nothing there. We headed back to drop Judy and Don off and I happened to spot a huge snowman and Jim pulled into that neighborhood. It was wonderful. Lots and lots of houses decorated with lots of lights. We even had several trucks pulling carolers through the area.
This street is the pet street in Judy’s RV park.
Definitely time to head for home.
Long, long day. Hopefully the testing will bring you good results.
ReplyDeleteI love that decorated house, but sure wouldn't want to have to put it up or break it down and pack for storage. What a job.
That was a very long day! At least.you had all the appointments together and got them behind you. It's certainly better than making several different trips. I bet you're glad this is over.
ReplyDeleteHope everything turns out alright with the tests.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful lights!
I find that any time I have to go for medical tests it is an ordeal and a long day. Glad it's over with until February.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lot of tests in one day, but I am sure it beats doing them one a t a time:)
ReplyDeleteHaving to do all those medical tests must have made the day seem even longer as there was bound to be some stress involved.
ReplyDeleteJim's lungs look better than John's. But after learning to read John's, I can read Jims. Oh, the education we get.
ReplyDeleteNow we can all say we know Jim from the inside out!! Great pictures - not just of Jim's lungs, but all the rest too haha!! That dinner sounds like one of my favorites - yum.
ReplyDeleteAnything medical just seems to stretch things out both mentally & physically. We are fortunate to live in the age of medical advancements that we do. Hope things work out OK for Jim. Driving around at night looking as Christmas lights was always a favorite of mine. Still would be if we could get ourselves out of the house long enough to go do that.......
ReplyDeleteNow that was a very full day. I think you two are very smart in making all those appointments on one day. Glad to read that Jim is doing great.
ReplyDeleteLove looking at Christmas lights. Thanks for sharing.
That was a long day--here's sending good thoughts your way for the test results!
ReplyDeleteAnother fun day in Arizona, and excellent pictures as usual.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the good news, but I must say just following Jim around would tell you how good he's doing. Glad the doctor visitors are behind for awhile.
ReplyDeleteWhat a long ordeal of a day. Here's hoping all those tests bring good results for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI hate long days like that, but sounds like you had a successful venture. Nothing like a good hot dog right after a visit to the heart doctor :-)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had quite a day. I've never been to, or even heard of, Charleston's.
ReplyDeleteWell--it's good that you had several appointments on the same day! My Dad smoked for 50 yrs. before quitting.. He developed Emphysema and that is what killed him.. For that reason, I have never smoked... I have however had a weight problem all of my adult life... I finally have a handle on it and am MUCH healthier and feel so much better now. Why didn't I get this weight off before? BUT--the downside was that I had to give up the hot dogs and chicken fried steaks! BUT--it was worth it!
ReplyDeleteHope today is better for you two..
Merry Christmas.
Hugs,
Betsy
A very long day! I hope you both slept well after all that. And that you continue to sleep well right through getting the test results.
ReplyDeleteHope all goes well with all the test results. Great decorations on the homes. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteA long day indeed, hoping for good results
ReplyDelete