Health Screening

My first ever health screening ... on Fri the 13th ... -__-"

Didn't know what to expect ... was just told to expect a long wait ...

So decided to take one day leave so that I don't have to worry about rushing back to work.

I didn't know it encompass so many different types of tests.! Apart from the usual blood & urine tests, there was also the ultrasound to check on all the key organs (pancreas, kidney, liver etc.). While conducting the ultrasound, the Sr Radiologist asked me "In your previous ultrasound did the doctor tell you about anything critical that he find?". At this all alarm bells started ringing, I said No and asked her what did she find ? Something serious?!?! She immediately said no, she was just asking to confirm.

I can only say .... WTF?!!?!?! Come on, as a doctor she should be sensitive in the qns that she asked so as not to cause any undue alarm to her patient. I mean, if I hadn't probed further, I would be going home with a heavy mind and wondering what could be seriously wrong with me.

The other ultrasound require me to have a full bladder. And I mean FULL bladder. I was told to drink 5 cups of water which I dutifully followed, after which the same doc told me nicely "Oh, you are still a long way away. At least an hour ... " -_____-" I was right to have taken leave ... so I waited around, filling myself with tea (which she advised would help) and also many more cups of water until I felt like puking. In the meantime I had my eyes checked. Not just the usual checking of color blindness and eyesight check, but also some other tests to check my retina (flashing each eye at 10 mins apart with this strong flash of light blinding me momentarily). There was also one test that puffed wind into my eye at intervals. It was extremely uncomfortable.

I also had to endure my most dreaded test on body fat analysis, height, weight etc. Eeeks, really don't need a machine to analyse how fat I am! Anyway, the machine recorded that I am 3cm taller than before (yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doctors should hook me up and test me since when was the last time a person my age can still be growing vertically??). Haha, likely the machine was inaccurate ? (we tested twice though) or the nurses who took my height in the past all suffer from the same parallax error when they recorded my height readings. Ah well, anyway, doesn't matter lah. In normal situations I would strive to be above avg in whatever I do BUT not when it comes to my weight... So anyway its scientifically stated that I have to lose weight (not that I dun already know :P). I am dreading to see my body fat results ... am sure the readings are going to hit the roof hehe

There were also 2 tests on the heart. One being the ECG which the person explained is to test my heart at rest, and the other, the treadmill test, was to test the person while exercising (ok i'm not sure whether I heard correctly coz I wasn't really listening and couldn't bother to double-confirm what the nurse was muttering). I would have much preferred if they had told us to bring our own attire and shoes. They were proud to present to us their fitness gear which was .... pathetic to say the least. The shoes were extremely uncomfortable, hard and inflexible but well, just got to contend with whatever they have. I didn't think I would have any problems here ... it started with a very easy walk on the treadmill and at every 3 mins interval ( I think ) the treadmill will increase pace and incline. The nurse would also take my blood pressure at those intervals. It was alright until the last stretch when I had to run at that incline. Not very used to it and felt v unfit lor ...

The last station was the consultation with the doctor. Nothing exciting there ... just the usual examination. And an affirmation once again that my blood pressure is on the low side, but nothing to worry about.

I was there for a good 3.5 to 4 hours. Now shall just wait for the results and see what kind of follow-up needed. Hopefully nothing serious ba ... :)