If It's Not One Thing It's Two!

All the old-timers here say that Oliver is never this cold, never has snow on the ground for such an extended period. As I sit and look at the window at a grey day with a wind chill of -11 I don't know whether to believe them or not. Are they full of hot air? Blowing sunshine up my skirt? Oh please, if only there was some hot air or sunshine, which someone might blow up my skirt!

This time I was smart. Okay, I went to town to go to the PO and buy a few groceries at about 12:30. It's bleeding cold out there. By the time I was checking out at the grocery store my old familiar friend had decided to join me. By that I mean I had chest pain, that fist-in-the-middle-of the-chest pain that runs up the neck into the jaw and down my left arm.

I started taking K-Lyte there and kept taking it once I got home. I didn't want to have to go to the ER again. Frequent fliers are not looked on with enthusiasm in hospital ERs. However, by 5:00 it was apparent that my chest pain was not going to settle and I was getting a bit concerned. I called the neighbours and they graciously brought me to the ER.

The smart part was bringing Baby Mac with me, so I don't die of boredom while tests are run. I deal with pain by distracting myself. Music works, so headphones came along. I got a new CD in the mail today, a gift from Ian, so that was loaded into the Mac and is entertaining me as I sit here.

My potassium level is fine, 4.6, which is smack dab middle of normal. The pronouncement is that, until further testing proves otherwise, my pain is garden-variety angina and I am going to have to have more cardiac tests. I can't say I am all that surprised. My Mother's family has a history of early cardiovascular disease. All of her brothers and sisters had heart attacks beginning in their early 50s. My brother had a quadruple by-pass just a few days ago.

With a nitroglycerin patch and some Plavix I am considerably more comfortable. However the doctor came in with some unsettling test results. I was here November 28th and at the time my kidney function was normal. Now he says I am at the point where if my kidney function drops any lower I will need dialysis. Gulp This has come from nowhere. The Nephrologist (kidney specialist) has been called for a consult, and we will see where this leads. Very strange.

30 minutes later: (Your imbedded reporter types it as it happens!)

The Nephrophologist wants more tests done tonight, then I have to return tomorrow for more tests. I have to wait for the results, which will determine whether I am admitted tomorrow or can wait till Monday to see the Nephrologist in her office. Tony has a dental appt. at 1:30 Monday. I may have to figure out how to be in two places at once.

The nurse just came in and commented that she hopes I have blood left after the lab gets finished with me. That sounds promising. I have to say the staff here is superb. The three doctors we've seen in our visits have all been absolutely excellent. The Rocky in Calgary is excellent too, but god save me from ever having to submit myself to the tender ministrations of the staff at the Foothills again. Aw, we can complain all we like, but we've got a great medical system. None the less you don't like needing it.

My dearly loved Aunt Iva Lee (my Mother's older sister) had a granddaughter named Candy (It was the 50s, sweet was in. No one named their daughter Jackknife or Snotnose back then.) Anyway, dear little three-year-old Candy had a nanny. Nanny had a digestive complaint for which she took a large spoonful of castor oil every night.

Candy watched night after night as her Nanny downed the oil, and somehow got it into her baby head that this must be something delicious, which Nanny was greedily keeping from her. She asked if she could have some, but Nanny said, "Baby you wouldn't like it. It tastes real bad."

"Oh," Candy argued, "I know I'll like if you like it. Just let me have a taste."

"But Nanny doesn't like it, it's medicine. I just have to take it, whether I like it or not."

"Oh, I know I'll like it Nanny, please let me have a taste."

This went on for night after night until finally the poor Nanny could take no more of Candy's wheedling, and she popped a big spoonful of the nasty stuff into the waiting mouth.

Candy swallowed, shuddered, and blanched.

"See," Nanny said."I told you that you wouldn't like it."

"Oh I do like it," the little liar said, "Only I wouldn't want any more."

So, that sums up my recent experiences with hospitals. I appreciate the care, but I don't want to have to have any more. Now there's a new wrinkle in the sheet, and I'm not sure what to make of it.

Guess time will tell.