No sermon today. No dates, no silly quotes. No humor. No polls, not even Pi.
Instead of having a really nice T-day with my honey, last night at the opera, she had problems seeing and walking.
Today, we spent hours in the ER. She stays. I get to go.
for a bit.
The good news is by ignoring a heavily advertised community hospital (which stinks, IMHO), I drove a bit further and got to one of the finest institutions in the Chicago area, especially for what this mere layperson diagnosed as a transient ischemic attack. I was telling my honey that she would soon love the flavor of aspirin.
One hour later, EKGs, BP, bloods, history, two exams and a ref for a consult. Another hour, CAT scans, blood tests, another exam. This time, a resident neuro going by the book. Another hour, and the chief of neurology comes in. Full history, full exam, and half way through (I say to my self - a TIA). He is nodding to himself and asks more pointed questions, even of me, as a witness of her words, her expressions, her ability to converse, etc., her complaints.
I ask, "Transient Ischemic Attack?"
He shook his head. "This is not so transient. Minor stroke?, but definitely she is still affected. Luckily most of her nervous system is fine, but her brain was assaulted, probably by a TIA, but with symptoms still present, it is not transient. Ischemia? I'd say 80% it is. An MRI and a few other exams will tell me for sure."
He turned to her. "Forget about you biggest client flying in tomorrow. Your biggest concern is getting back on your feet, as healthy as possible. Do you take Aspirin? NO? Well, you are going to join your husband in that every single morning. Starting now. You still have side effects, and we will fix that. This is not 1950. We can do wonderful things, and we plan to do them to you. Your body is getting a tuneup as of now. You will be here for a couple of days, but you will be fixed. I promise you."
On this thanksgiving day, am I bitching that I am forced to go to hospital and stay there for hours on end? Hell, no. She's alive. and that means everything to me.
So, As her ipad and phone charge up, and I gather her books, a robe, some slippers, and a few other things, while the dogs eat and crap, I will head back there shortly. But while she waits for the MRI, and gets a room assignment, I can't even wait with her. So after dog care, i head back.
Despite anti evolution attacks, attacks on education, attacks on a socially aware and responsive society, we still have enough of a safety net to help those in need, like my honey. And this is one good hospital. I hate it. Last time we were there, a drunk had plowed thru a red light at 60 mph. Honey was in a coma, I fractured a leg and thoroughly screwed up the back.
Sitting and waiting is the hardest. But things look a hell of a lot better than they did this morning. The real problem is they cannot tell if her R arm weakness is still do to the car accident, or a TIA. But she is in good hands.
As the mister doctor person said, repeatedly:
IF YOU SUFFER:
a) blurred vision
b) double vision
c) weakness on one side unexpectedly
d) nausea
e) vertigo
f) vomiting
and if you are 50 or older, waiting to see if you feel better is about as stupid as you can get. (I should have taken her last night, instead of early this am, kicking myself left to right and right to left. Even though she did feel better)
If you have two or more of these symptoms, GET THEE TO AN ER. Strokes and ischemia are more likely as you age.
Well, I am off, back to hold her hand.
So, folks, enjoy today. And please, DRIVE SAFELY.