I’ve got rock solid proof too.  I went to a cardiologist a while ago as medical appointments are a big part of my social life ever since getting Medicaid.  If it’s a part of the human body, it’s either already been checked or it’s fix’n to be in the near future.

They treat you nicely.  They have candy on the counter.  I sorta feel regal when they ask if I prefer being called Mr. Namian, and then I get to look like a jovial old chum when saying that oh god no, just Jeff is fine.

So back to the cardiologist.  First we did a stress test.  I go to the gym regularly so the stress test was literally a stroll in the park.  Next he ordered something called imaging. You pass through a tube and they take pictures of your innards.  And just today, I did a big one with lots of stuff.  First they took a vile of blood.  Then they checked my blood pressure.  Then I disrobed (just the top) and they put those velcro dots with wires all over. But now the new cool sh*t started.  This was all way new material for me.  They put a nitro glycerin dissolving tab under my tongue to lower my blood pressure even more than it already was.  They pumped saline (I think) into me.  Then I took a few trips through a tube breathing and holding and exhaling, all of which I could do.

There was a final procedure involving the injection of dye into my arteries once they were enlarged by something else that kind of made me feel warmish.  That went on a bit.  And then wham … a whole fifteen minutes later I was dressing myself, got a complimentary bottle of water and they validated my parking spot.  I mean slow down … that’s a lot of stimulation for someone my age.

Before I left, they told me the level of calcium in my arteries and the passage of my arteries was not just good, not just great but FANTASTIC.  No worries of corrosion.  All the imaging work was spot on and then off I went to my car.

But I felt a little left out.  Taken for granted.

All these other people had tubes in their noses or blood on a stick and were being attended to by a whole team of people, not just one person. I was given water and dismissed.  I’m grateful and all, but I’ve been feeling just the slightest tingle in my lower back lately, well actually it just started about fifteen minutes ago.  I know it’s gonna be wicked debilitating, so I gotta investigate this matter with a professional chiropractor before I risk total paralysis.

Geez, it’s always something.