24 August 2009

How to send an aged person shuffling off their mortal coil...

A PS to my previous post...

My mother rang me last night and I was telling her about the stress test I'd done earlier in the week. She had a story of her own...

When she was in hospital about three years ago with heart problems, she had to have one of these tests. So she was standing on the treadmill and they turned it on. She had no warning, it was set at quite a fast rate and her feet shot out from underneath her. When they wanted her to get on the treadmill again, understandably she flatly refused to do so.

Later on, back in the ward, during rounds, the doctor told her he wanted her to take the stress test. Mum asked, "Why on earth do you want to put an 87-year-old lady on the treadmill? What earthly use is it at my age?"

She was somewhat miffed when the doctor roared laughing and said, "Yes, 87...going on 40!"
She then asked the doctor if people died during that test. "Oh, yes," he replied. "We have that a lot!"

11 comments:

Cindy said...

What?? Was he nuts? Cindy

Gattina said...

Hahaha ! I wonder too for what a person that age should do a stress test ! anyway the doctor at least has a lot of humour !

Hootin Anni said...

I remember that they had put me on a treadmill too...and while I was there, and the speed was picking up...the cardiologist looked over to the nurse and asked her if there was a good dose of the Rx they had me on to slow the heart....well, at that time I told 'em to shut it down!!! I refused to do the stress test when they were so stupid to make jokes of it. I was in no mood for jokes.

LOL

Carole Burant said...

I can just picture your mom! lol Personally I think it`s ridiculous they would even have an 87 year old person get on the threadmill in the first place! xoxo

Alice said...

Yes, it's a bit disconcerting to be told as you step onto the treadmill, "Now, you understand that very occasionally this stress test can BRING ON a heart attack, don't you?"

I guess the only consolation is that you assume you're in the right place if it does happen....lol.

Lifecruiser said...

so that's the way they get rid off all the old patients! *giggles*

Jeanette said...

Gday Robyn.. What was the doctor thinking when he put your 87year old mother on a treadmill. 'Bloody ridiculous"

Liz Hinds said...

That's why i'm terrified of treadmills! I love your mother!

Merle said...

Dear Robyn ~~ What a stupid thing to do - a stress test at 87. Good on your mother for refusing it.
All Mum's siters and some of us "Kids" look very much like each
other. Glad you liked the Horth
Whipperer Very funny one that.
Our weather has beenquite windy, and much worse in Melbourne lots of damage. Before the last week we had several days at 20 C and 19 and warmer nights. You may be in for a very long hot summer. And oh that humidity.
I couldn't return your Fwd., but I would rather be here than anywhere
and I go to Safeway/Woolworths fortnightly/ Love the smell of
freezias, violets frangipani and
A good casserole cooking. Can't remember any more questions.
Take care, my friend. Love, Merle.

RennyBA's Terella said...

What an strange comfort? :-)

Glad to know (from your previous post) you survived though!

Peter said...

Looks like there is a NEW place on earth... "Only in New Zealand"!!!!!!!!!!