I was up early today by my standards (after only 4.5 hours sleep) to go for an AAA ultrasound scan at Todmorden health centre.
I probably wouldn't have bothered to have the scan if it were not for the fact that my brother-in-law was found to have developed an AAA when he had
his scan a few years back. The problem has got worse and he will need surgery soon. That was enough of a warning to prompt me to be sensible for once and have
my scan done.
The technician took quite a long time to complete the procedure. She kept pressing the probe on my belly and stroking it up and down trying to get a good picture of what was going on in there. I became aware of the fact that the tin of beans I'd eaten last night was trying to fight back - she was effectively massaging a fart out of me!
I asked if there was a problem and she replied "
Buwal gars". [Covid-masks and dodgy hearing are not a good combination!] "
Pardon?" "
Bewel gus" I had a puzzled look on my face... "
BOWEL GAS!" "Ah, y
es, and if you keep pressing my belly like that it will escape and we will have to clear the room!" Chuckles...
Eventually, she managed to get a clear picture of the abdominal aorta. All is okay, and no future scans will be needed!
PS She showed me the scan. Gas in the bowel shows up as a big black area on the screen so she'd needed to get the probe at the right angle to see round the swollen gut to the aorta.
Very nice, apart from the pylons in one picture! We have some routes like that round here, minus the sea views.
I must fix the problems with my mountain bike and start doing those rides again.