Today when the medical assistant took my blood pressure, the diastolic number was a very high 106. She took it again, and it was down to a very normal 77.
In recent visits this has been a relatively common occurrence: my first blood pressure measurement is high, so they take it again, and the second time it's normal. Not sure what that means. Do I come into appointments feeling anxious, and need to consciously calm down? I don't think I feel any more anxious about my appointments now than before. Anyway, my infusion nurse pointed out that my cardio-oncologist thought my blood pressure was fine, so I guess it's nothing to worry about.
She also mentioned that she'd ask my oncologist about scheduling me for port removal. After today, I have only 2 infusions left!! She said they might even schedule me in before my last treatment, which is fine because the Herceptin infusion can always be done via an IV in the arm.
I'm looking forward to getting the port out. I'm so tired at looking at the ugly scar, I really hope they can clean it up when the port comes out... Given how the other procedures went, though, I guess I'll cross my fingers, but I won't hold my breath. The tiny non-dissolvable stitch is still there, too; it doesn't hurt or anything, but it just bothers me that it's there, and I'll be glad when it's out.
That first high reading is probably what they call "white coat hypertension". Even if you don't feel nervous, your blood pressure does. ;)
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Michelle
Whaaaa?! Mind blown! I just Googled the term. I had no idea! Thank you for this insight!!
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