Here is the 5th installment of the serialized version of a section of the memoir, Souvenirs from My heart; The Patient Patient Advocate. Paul’s disconnected and as yet to be diagnosed medical symptoms take a bizarre turn for the worse and he ends up in the emergency room. This is not sci-fi…

cont. medical history document…

In March 2007 Paul was hit hard again with the nighttime fevers and chills, and daytime fatigue. He eventually took time off work and stayed home to try and get better.

Paul was so hot and chilled for several nights in a row that we went to the after hours clinic where his PCP was on duty. As we sat in the waiting room, Paul quietly mentioned that he was feeling dizzy; I turned to him, touched his hand and asked if he was okay.

He was sitting up in a chair, but did not respond to my voice or touch and his hand that was under mine started to “float” up, even as I tried to hold it on his leg. When I let go of it, the hand and arm continued to float in the air. Then both arms were floating; his eyes were open, but looked foggy and vacant. He was completely unresponsive to my pleas for him to answer me. He was still loosely sitting up in the chair. I ran across the room to the receptionist and tried to get help.

Paul broke out in a body-soaking sweat. The staff, including his PCP, told me to get him to the ER (emergency room). A man we did not even know, a patient at the clinic, helped me get Paul into our vehicle and I drove him to the local ER. Although he was now responsive, but still very pale, the ER staff took him immediately to Triage and began asking questions and drawing blood.

Then Paul had another “episode” like the one at the clinic, less than 20 minutes before. He was bleeding from an attempt to draw his blood, and was again unresponsive…covered in sweat, then seemed to pass out completely…other staff rushed in to help and they got him on a gurney and into a treatment room and began treating him for possible heart attack.

Postcard 6:

I had been trying to get Paul to change doctors, as his was an older man (very) and was soon going to retire. He was far too casual about the issues Paul was having, especially since Paul had such a clean health history. So, please take time and consider whether or not your doctor is the best fit for you if you begin to have unusual symptoms and do not feel they are being addressed properly.  Another big point: call 911 if you have a medical emergency anywhere except a hospital. I did address this with Paul’s doctor and got a sincere apology. The doctor or his staff should have called 911. As it was, a complete stranger helped me get Paul into my truck, rather than the clinic staff. I was not in any condition to drive; this was the most bizarre and frightening medical emergency I had ever witnessed and I was so afraid for Paul.

Postcard 1 here.

Postcard 2 here.

Postcards 3 & 4 here.

Postcard 5 here.

Other notes:

Still not caught up on social aspect of my writing. Have not written or edited a thing:>( Bad writer!  Have worked outside on garden projects, which are nearing the length of my list of writing projects. Got new garden soil added to my friend’s back garden and added some of my extra irises and mystery bulbs. I’m helping him design a lower maintenance garden. Later, we took on the huge task of clearing the back area near Maggie (my home), where my pond and shade garden will go.  I feel much older and out of shape than I did a just a few days ago! The shiny side is that I am outside more and making something with lasting beauty. Oh, and I sleep a bit more.

Thanks for hanging in there, and your comments are especially appreciated.

Patti