How NOT to bring in the New Year
November and December of 2004 were not the best of months for me when it comes to my health. COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) has been part of my life for so many years that breathing normally is totally unknown to me; but, hey, I’m still smiling.
The situation had reached a more difficult stage when an appointment was made with my primary care physician on the morning of Wednesday, December 29. After examining me, he made an immediate referral appointment for that afternoon (luckily there was a cancellation) with my pulmonary doctor. With some minor changes to my meds, he ordered chest x-rays and made a call to my cardiologist since he was concerned that the stress of breathing may be having an impact on my heart. Back in July of 2003, under going by-pass heart surgery was another of the delights of my ongoing trials and tribulations when it comes to my health.
By the time I had reached home, the cardiologist had set me up for an echocardiogram for Tuesday, January 4.
Well, so far so good; but this is only the beginning of the saga. Thursday evening, December 30 I was sitting at my laptop when an ache developed in my left arm. With initial concern, I continued to plod away at the laptop; but my concern increased as an ache appeared in the left side of my chest. Hmmmm !!! Not sounding too good.
Sitting down to watch a DVD with my wife (ok, I didn’t tell her how I was feeling), I felt the aches persist and, finally, popped a nitroglycerine tablet under my tongue. This was followed by two more tablets at appropriate intervals with no change of circumstances.
In a quiet and calm voice, I told her what was happening and called 911. While the fire department and ambulance were on the way, I powered up the laptop and printed a listing of all my meds so nothing would be lost in providing medical information.
For those who know me, my sense of humor is major part of my nature; so it is no surprise that, despite my concerns, I “entertained” the ambulance crew and the emergency room staff. Hey, their work does not have much levity to it; so it was therapeutic for all.
All of this started around 8:30 PM and it was not until around 2:00 AM that a bed was found for me in the cardiac care unit. Despite more nitro in the ambulance and two injections of morphine in the emergency room, the aches continued for 12 hours. Obviously, bed rest was not an option since blood was drawn on a few occasions, x-rays were taken and I was hauled off for a CAT scan (no, I was not purring - LOL).
After all of this, there were two events that placed me in a better frame of mind. The first and most important was my cardiologist telling me that there was no problem with my heart with an explanation as to what may have caused the episode and the second was his placing a pharmacy order for a drink of scotch with my evening meal and another later to bring in the New Year. What a guy !!! But wait !! Placed on my breakfast tray (New Year’s day) was another drink of scotch.
At last, my discharge took place late New Year’s day morning with orders for some other tests.
Interestingly, perhaps because of the constant oxygen during my “visit”, my breathing has improved but still is a matter for concern. A claim has been filed for State Disability Insurance since I’ll be away from work until the first part February. That is where my Scottish nature comes to the fore - “show me the money” - LOL . Although one does not have to be a Scot to look for financial benefits; and, lets face it, I have contributed to the system.
And that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Obviously, more could have been written but the story is long enough as it is.
