My Wednesday blog is arriving on Friday this week. Between an unexpected ER visit and a few technology hiccups, life had other plans.
I hate having an IV put in. I’m sure I’m not the only one. Honestly, I can’t imagine anyone actually liking it, but for me, 90% of the time, getting an IV means torture.
Why am I talking about IVs?
Well, Wednesday (my normal blog-posting day) was spent in the ER. I tried to bypass going there, but my GP’s office wouldn’t see me because my symptoms were too close to those of a heart attack. So, they sent me to the ER.
Once I got there, I was fairly quickly sent to the waiting area, where they did—guess what?—put an IV in and drew four vials of blood.
After sitting there for another ten minutes or so, they moved me to a room, where I stayed for the next four-plus hours, except when they took me for a CT scan.
Oh, and I don’t like the feeling of contrast dye either. The machine I can handle. The dye? Not so much.
They also did an X-ray in the room and, of course, more bloodwork.
After all the testing, the discomfort of the IV, a numb backside (those gurneys are not designed for long-term comfort), and what felt like forever, the doctor finally came in.
Doctor: “Your heart is fine. Your bloodwork was okay except for your kidneys. It appears to be stress. We’ll set up an appointment with a cardiologist if you don’t already have one.”
Me: “I already have one. So, stress—just what I thought. That means I can go home, right?”
But no.
Since they had given me the contrast dye, which can be hard on the kidneys, I had to stay longer while they gave me a bag of saline to help flush everything out.
Everyone was nice, and I’m still having headaches, chest pains, shortness of breath, and fatigue, but the good news is that my heart appears to be fine.
I did have to schedule a follow-up appointment with my cardiologist, but that’s okay. He’s a nice doctor and, ladies… easy on the eyes too. Married, but you can still look.
I’m sure my cardiologist will ask me about my stress and whether I know where it’s coming from—or how to get rid of it.
Well, I don’t have to think very hard about that answer.
One of the biggest sources of stress in my life lately has been an ongoing series of publishing and website issues.
In fact, before I even went to my doctor’s office (which then sent me to the ER), I received my first shipment of newly revised books. I had ordered 40 paperbacks and 15 hardcovers and was excited to finally see the finished product.
Unfortunately, that excitement didn’t last long.
The covers were glossy when I had requested matte, and when I opened the book, I discovered that a major visual element was missing. After months of revisions, corrections, and troubleshooting, it felt like one more problem added to an already growing list.
Then today, I discovered that the email connected to my website appears to have disappeared as well.
At this point, I’m beginning to think my stress has stress.
Do I have other things going on in my life? Of course.
But sometimes it isn’t one major event that overwhelms us. Sometimes it’s a hundred little frustrations piling up until one final straw lands on the camel’s back.
For me, Wednesday may have been that moment.
The experience reminded me that while books, websites, deadlines, and business problems are important, none of them are more important than our health.
The books can be fixed.
The website can be repaired.
Problems can eventually be solved.
But we only get one body, and sometimes it forces us to stop and pay attention.
As I type this, I still have a headache and some lingering symptoms, but I’m doing my best to focus on what matters most—taking care of myself and moving forward one step at a time.
Meditation, here I come.
Well… in addition to the sleep meditations I already listen to every night.
Anyway, IVs and contrast dye aside, as I told a friend:
“It’s better to be safe than dead.”
With all that fun information—and venting—I’ll leave you with a question that I’m sure someone has asked you before, or that you’ve thought about yourself:
If you thought you only had one day left, who would you call, or what would you do?
As for me, if I couldn’t get to them in time, I would video call my niece and my sister (her mom).
My mini-me niece is a light and sparkle in my life, and I would want to make sure she knew exactly how much she is loved by her aunt.
I also need to get around to doing a will. Not that I have all that much right now, but I want to make sure certain people receive certain things that I would like them to have.
Remember to fill your life with hugs, love, laughter, and as many blessings as possible.
Love and blessings to each of you.
Good night!
Dorey
Wahaya may have disappeared from the printed page—for now—but he’s still watching from the shadows.
