Getting an Echocardiogram

We went to the brand new Virginia Hospital Outpatient Center to have my blood work drawn prior to cataract surgery in August and September. Unfortunately, our doctor office didn’t have the staff to do it there - so it was a bit inconvenient. But as outpatient centers go, this one was extremely convenient to access, and the process was simple. We should know - my husband is a retired surgeon and I am a retired nurse administrator. So when my husband needed to schedule an outpatient echocardiogram we would get to try the system again this week. The parking structure is specific for outpatients, away from the inpatient hullabaloo. You simply walk in to the building and there are so many way finders - people and signage - it makes it even easier to get where you need to be. This time however, when we tried to sign in using the cardiac center kiosk, it didn’t recognize the appointment so we needed to check in with the receptionist. We had already completed the registration on line before arriving so it was not complicated. I accompanied my husband to the exam room. It was huge - things are quite different from the days I used to work in the cath lab all those years ago - and all for the better. We didn’t know what the results would be, but they arrived on line via the patient portal within two hours. We will get to visit the center again on Monday to see the cardiologist. Hopefully everything will be well. So far, so good. 

VHC Outpatient PreOp Lab Blood Draw

I thought we might be able to get away without any medical issues this year. But I was wrong. It wasn’t unexpected when the ophthalmologist said it might be time for cataract surgery. It’s been difficult to focus and the bright lights are annoying. So rather than get a new prescription and then turn around and need the surgery anyway, we decided it was time to schedule. I was able to get the preop exam scheduled with my doctor office, but the blood work would need to be drawn at the hospital. We haven’t been to Virginia Hospital Center for quite some time. The new outpatient facility was being built during the pandemic and it was recently completed and opened a week before we went for the lab work. Since everything is on line through the patient portal it was easy enough to schedule the appointment for the same morning and we arrived in plenty of time and decided to park in the neighborhood rather than the parking garage. It’s a beautiful new building and the lab is located right off the front entrance and wasn’t busy at all. We signed in on the touch screen computer as we walked in and were immediately taken in to the lab draw station. My husband sat next to me in the seat while the technician drew my blood. It all went very smoothly and the results were available on line and soon after the physician summary report was also available. Obviously I would have preferred having the blood work done in the office, but this was a second option easy process. It was a nice drive anyway. Now I just need to get the surgeries over with. 

Fairfax County vs Virginia Hospital Center Covid Vaccine

Three down and one to go. My husband has received both doses of the Moderna vaccine. He was one of the first to get an email notice from our health care provider Virginia Hospital Center. We had to travel to a centralized clinic in Shirlington, but it was definitely worth it. His process was handled entirely through the VHC patient portal, like any other physician visit. The building was a high rise glass tower, managed by the Virginia Hospital Center staff. It was a very smooth process and the second dose was scheduled on the same day we were there for the first dose. After that, the state decided all the vaccines would be centrally distributed to the health department, so VHC wouldn’t be administering them anymore. So I had to sign up on the Fairfax County health department website and get on a waiting list. That was on January 18. About three weeks later I received an “invitation” to make an appointment. In the meantime I had also explored CVS and anywhere else just to get on a list. Hearing that all my Florida high school classmates had already been vaccinated was getting annoying. So last Sunday we drove to the Fairfax County government center building and also went through a seamless process - except a second appointment was not scheduled. I am now in a limbo position of waiting for a second “invitation” to schedule the second shot. Hopefully it will arrive sooner than later. I was so thrilled to finally get my Pfizer vaccine and am looking forward to getting the next one. If nothing else it will feel more comfortable to go to any appointments, knowing things won’t change that much for anything else. We’ve been cooped up for a year now, and are looking forward to some normalcy - whatever that is. 

One Down and Three to Go

Congratulations to my husband who received his first dose of the covid vaccine yesterday afternoon! I signed him up last Saturday after receiving an email from our health care provider. The appointment times were disappearing in front of my eyes so I looked for a time later in the first week. We had to travel to Arlington to the centralized clinic but it was worth the ride. The process was set up flawlessly and the staff was simply wonderful. Since it was later in the afternoon there were no lines, and it was really organized. I didn’t plan to go in with my husband but decided to anyway. The next appointment was made right away so he is all set. We waited in the car for a few minutes but then decided to drive home since we would be passing by the hospital in the event we needed to make an emergency visit. Luckily that wasn’t the case. I also signed up for the Vsafe CDC program app where you input any side effects, etc. My husband said he is a little tired today but has no other issues. I have a feeling I will have to wait a lot longer to get my vaccine due to the huge pool of people I am in and the lack of supply. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? I don’t know, but it’s at least it’s slightly visible. 

Covid Vaccine Scheduled

Our son was the first in our family to get a Covid vaccine. He is a cardiac surgeon and obviously it is highly recommended. He just got his second dose last week. My husband falls in the next grouping of candidates because he is over 75 years of age. We were wondering when and how we would find out when the vaccines would become available for us because there has been a lot of communication on the news, etc. I didn’t want to have to sit out in a line somewhere and hope for the best like in Florida. Ironically, yesterday we received an email from Virginia Hospital Center that my husband could sign up and schedule a shot. So I immediately got on line to schedule. The first try or two was difficult because the times were being scooped up faster than I could schedule. So I selected a date that was later in the week and succeeded. The available doses extend through the first week in February. Since we go to VHC physician group we are already patients and we could easily sign in for early registration to avoid delays at the site. We have to travel to Arlington to a central location rather than cross the street to our regular clinic, but it’s worth the short drive. So instead of having to go only twice, we will need to go four times because I am in the next group - which I’m sure won’t be called up for a while. It’s just nice to see that the process has begun in our state and that my husband and I will have more peace of mind having done this. He thought about waiting until it was my turn too, but I didn’t think he should. So the appointment is made and we have had email reminders fir early check in and we are both looking forward to it. So if we need to see a dentist or anything else we can feel a bit more comfortable. After almost a year of hibernating, at least it’s another way to stay safe. 

A Virginia Hospital Center Radiology Visit

Last week we had a telemedicine conference chat with my husband’s physician. It resulted in having to schedule a radiology appointment at Virginia Hospital Center. It’s bad enough having to go to a hospital without the virus around us, but even worse when it is. So the last week has been rather anxious for both of us. Since we moved from Capitol Hill last year, we now have all new doctors that are within a block or two of our house. But that also means going to new hospitals and clinics that we are not familiar with. This morning we took a 15 minute ride to the hospital. My husband was armed with his face mask, gloves, and hand sanitizer. This was the first time I was not able to accompany him on a visit. We always do things together, and I didn’t like the idea of just dropping him off at the front door in an unfamiliar place. After that, I drove around the suburban Arlington neighborhood and found a two hour parking spot across the street from the main entrance. Luckily it didn’t take very long, and my husband called me about an hour later to pick him up. He was pleased with the whole process and staff from start to finish and even more pleased that things looked good. Since he was in the “cootie” environment, I wasn’t able to hug him when I heard the news. This damn virus is upsetting in more ways than one. I’m looking forward to telling everyone things turned out okay - but my husband is waiting for the official report and not sure if anything else will be recommended. He’s taking a nap now since our schedule was weird today and anxiety has subsided. I am forever grateful for the good news having just lost my mom three months ago. Just another reminder how another day is never guaranteed. When we both worked in health care all those years we saw that all the time. But when it’s personal, it takes on a whole new meaning. 

Behind the trees is the Virginia Hospital Center