MadisonAllie

i began a new study at the University of Virginia Hospital (UVA) in Charlottesville, VA. This is not the first study i have participated in and will probably not be the last. The studys deal with diabetes. It works out really well for me since i am a diabetic i enjoy it and starting doing them because i feel like i am able to use my disease in a good way and help.

UVA is about a 1.5 hour drive for me. Thursday’s visit was just a one day outpatient visit. I started my drive after i dropped the kids off at school and so they could get done with me as quick as possible since the whole area was calling for ice.  Somehow i had missed this announcement till i got in the car and started to drive. My two favorite radio guys Danny and Zack along with the awesome Miss Monica in the morning on K92 kept saying how the weather forecast was worsening and i was thinking oh my gosh. I hate driving in anything but sunny weather

I love (some sarcasm) visiting the big teaching hospital. They always seem to be so colorful, full of all kinds of people. It does make for such an interesting place – that is till (for me) I step in the elevator, packed full of people. I for one don’t like enclosed places like that and then put me in one at the hospital (germs) with no space to move and i hold my breath with a smile most of the time. I know i am wierd And since i have been going up to UVA i have had many many experiences in the hospital elevators traveling up to the 8th floor.

Thursday was an uneventful day traveling to elevator and in the elevators. Once on the 8th floor i was comfortable and the team got work. Blood had to be drawn. Paper work had to be filled out. My heart had to be looked at. All sorts of things. This is the screening process to get things in line for the study and big events.

Thursday i also had to do an exercise test which is going to be used when i go back for an overnight stay. This exercise consisted of riding a stationary bike. These bikes are not comfortable and i think you look ridiculous on them. Not to mention you also wear a big blue face mask which i think monitors your breathing and you have leads on 10 of them monitoring your heart rate. You also have a couple lines in because they draw blood every 3 to 10 mins. Sounds like fun right? It really isn’t too bad though. Todays exercise test i had to bike with all that stuff on while they increased the intensity and go until i couldn’t go any longer. Oh joy

Now with all that in mind i had to eat lunch in the cafeteria before biking. I sat eating and observing. I like observing. I thought this doesn’t seem to be a Grey’s Anatomy Hospital - all these people appear normal and normal looking. Cool! That was until i walked in the bike/excercise room and saw who would be working with me. A gentle, soft-spoken, well-built, good-lookin man, Mr. cute-well-built, i shall name him.  I am going to say it – I was self-consciousness.

I knew the nurses working with me from some of the other studies i had been in and i also knew one of the docs. There was a new doc and she seemed fine. It was the guy (Mr. cute-well-built) that had me all crazed. I had to bike in front of him  First off he was not bad looking at all and he looked like he could bike several miles up Mt. Everest! Ha

Me i am not an exerciser - never have been and do not see in my near future that i will be. (i.e reason for self-consciousness with Mr. cute-well-built guy in room) However thankfully i am not totally out of shape either and did fine biking and really don’t mind having nice, kind people in the room with me and yes that includes well-built

Although somewhat uncomfortable i pushed along till my legs didn’t want to go anymore. With funny nurse on one side drawing blood and Mr. cute-well-built on other taking my blood pressure. When i finished i was totally looking awesome myself now all sweaty with a swore butt and red face!!  I just laughed.

That is what led me to this post. My day and random thoughts that go through my head. I figured i would write and tell you.

It was an enjoyable trip and i am due to go out two more times in the next month for overnight stays and more bike riding. Yoo Hoo!