Had my stress test today.

They shaved my chest, four little round holes. They dry shaved it.

Ouch. Then the woman used real, honest to goodness sandpaper on my four bare spots. Ouch. Then she poured alchohol on the four red, tender, sanded, bare spots. Ouch!

B-tch!

Then the other woman was stupid enough to ask me why my heart rate suddenly spiked up by twenty beats a minute.

They hooked me up to wires and made me walk on a treadmill that inclined more and went faster until I was afraid I was gonna die. Then they increased the incline and the speed until I was afraid I WASN'T gonna die.

I seem to recall hearing the Doc say it was all good, but I was wheezing so loud I couldn't be sure. He finally repeated that I didn't have any blockages, and that the test showed a heart healthy enought to go through the surgery.

That's good. Now, I've gotta find some lotion for my chest.

Great news Ryan. I'm so glad all is well and you're on your way to better health now! I'm so excited for you!!

Isn't it a nice feeling to have had all those tests and find out you're ok? I know the tests suq, but you must have some level of relief at the outcome. Congrats on the clean bill of health, time flies from here to surgery, start prepping!

Today I completed the second endoscopy. The ulcers are gone, the stomach is still inflamed, but Dr. thinks it's treatable whether or not he does the surgery.

So now I know I'm getting banded. On the sixteenth. In twelve days. And I'm eating lettuce and drinking Carnation Instant Breakfast.

I'm not nervous, I'm just too durn macho.

I'm not excited either. Just a turn in the road.

Maybe Lisa Green is right. Maybe I should change those initials under my name. OFBG? (Old Fat Bald Guy, in case ya didn't know) Nah. There is a short fat bald guys club, but I was an inch too tall to join.

Maybe SSC. Sexy Senior Citizen?

Maybe MBM. Macho Bandster Man

Maybe MMBG. Mucho Macho Bald Guy (Remember Yul Brynner?)

Or maybe I'll change it, somewhere down the line, to JMOT. Just Me, Only Thinner.

Remember when I said I wasn't nervous, or excited?

I lied.

YAY!!!! Awesome news, Ryan!! Just days away from beginning again.. Wow! Congratulations and best of luck to you!:banana :Bunny :banana :Bunny :banana :Bunny :banana :Bunny

Alright!!!! Only 12 days to your band-birthday!!! Good luck Ryan, were all pulling for you!

-Nora

Whoooooo Hooooooo! I am excited for you! Good things do come to those who wait! You will be in bandland before you know it! :banana :banana