Kindness is a Warm Blanket
I made it out of the house with all my things, even though I tried to leave in my slippers!
I got to OHSU South Waterfront, where the diagnostics lab is, and got myself checked in.
There were a lot of kindnesses that helped so much.
The staff folks checking me in were very sympathetic and understanding of my anxiety about risk. They had me wait separate from the open atrium waiting area so there wasn't anyone coming by me.
It was a bit of a wait.
Being inside a closed up medical building waiting for a procedure is a whole new level of anxiety.
Once in I was delighted to find out that the scan used a CT, so I could wear my high-protective mask, didn't have to worry about my nose/ear piercings, and I even got to keep my bra on since it didn't have underwires! I kept on my tank top too since the electrodes could be placed around and under my clothing!
The very tall, kind man, Brandon, who conducted the test got a pillow to support my legs so my back was comfortable. He also brought me a warm blanket, which helped my anxiety hugely!
I told him I have Complex PTSD, he'd not heard of it before. I noted that for me it's due in large part to developmental trauma.
"My Mother had a personality disorder.", I said.
I've come to find that telling people that just lets them know enough to realize that I've survived some terrible stuff. Usually no one asks more, which is fine.
Brandon nodded, "Yeah, I hear you. That's too bad. You just let me know if you need anything else to make this easier."
Then three electrodes and lying still and breathing when the machine told me to. About five minutes.
We chatted a little at the end about why I was there. He laughed, "You mean you're here because you're being proactive about your heart health?!"
I said that was about it. I was keeping ahead of my family's genetic issues, where possible.
He told me he was proud of me and that he wished there were more patients like me.
That was pretty awesome!
Now I wait to hear from my doctor about the results.
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