A Stressful Week Report
Thank you for reading this Stressful Week Report. The explanation is below.
I did not fish this week, and wasn’t going to post anything. The tagline on the old blog was, “Fishing and Other Bits of Life.” This one falls into the “other bits” category.
About three weeks ago, a 2 cm cancer was found in Susan’s left lung. Surgery was scheduled for Tuesday morning. Could either of us have gone fishing or done anything else on Monday? I don’t think so.
I slept maybe three hours Monday night.
We arrived at Advent Health Orlando around 5:30 Tuesday morning. I have to say, without exception, every person I dealt with there radiated kindness and compassion. It was still not a fun morning.
Eventually the surgeon came into the waiting room, found me, and said everything had gone perfectly. That removed about eight tons of stress from my shoulders.
By 1:00 PM she had a room in CVICU, and they let me go see her. She wasn’t very lucid, and frankly, neither was I. After a while I told the nurse I couldn’t sit there and watch her sleep when I needed it so badly myself. I drove home and, naturally, couldn’t sleep.
I tossed and turned all night, getting maybe three or four hours of poor sleep.
Wednesday morning I arrived at the hospital with a box of donuts for the staff. They appreciated that!
I spent five and a half hours in a small, uncomfortable chair, basking in Susan’s presence until my body finally rebelled. I drove home and prayed for sleep.
I fell asleep around 9:00 PM and woke up at 3:00 AM. I couldn’t get back to sleep, so I worked on the Etsy shop until daylight.
Then things got weird.
While showering, I suddenly felt tingly, followed by a wave of dizziness. We have one of those old-people grab bars in the shower now. If it hadn’t been there, I might have fallen.
My first thought was, “The door is locked. How will the rescuers get in?” The things that go through one’s mind. I also thought, “This will pass.”
It did.
But afterward I felt out of phase somehow. I don’t know how else to describe it. I didn’t quite feel like the John I’ve known for 73 years. Which was both strange and unsettling.
After breakfast I started brushing my teeth. WHAM. Another dizzy spell.
I made it to the bed and collapsed onto it with the toothbrush still in my mouth, trying to cope with the sudden change in perception while wondering, “What is happening to me?” That passed too. For the next hour, feeling decidedly wonky, I tried to figure out how I was going to get to the hospital. I certainly wasn’t driving.
I texted Ashley Faith, a longtime family friend who once worked as a cardiac-care nurse at the same hospital. She immediately called and said, “I’ll come get you and take you there.” Mind you, she lives on the opposite side of the Orlando metro area. I asked, “How will I get home?” She replied, “I’ll bring you home. I can visit some friends while I’m there.” And she did.
I had another major dizzy spell on the way. Good thing I wasn’t driving.
I sat four hours, in a wheelchair this time, but Susan was feeling much better, and that made the chair more comfortable. Ashley and I grabbed a pizza on the way home so I could get some food into myself.
That night I slept maybe five hours, woke up at 3:00 AM again, and once again failed to fall back asleep. Thursday morning I had a dizzy spell before getting out of bed. Then another one in the shower.
I called my primary-care physician, and Shawn Healy came over to drive me there. Poor guy had to wait while I got an EKG, blood work, and a consultation. The doctor wants a CT scan of my head to rule out a stroke, thus vindicating everyone who has ever told me, “You need to have your head examined.”
Folks, you were right. Every one of you.
I took a hard nap when I got home.
Later, Scott Radloff drove up from Orlando with a pot of deliciousness served over pasta, then left me the leftovers.
I’m beginning to understand the saying that you don’t realize how good your friends are until you need them. These folks have been outstanding.
I did not make it to the hospital on Friday. The doctor told me not to drive, and I agree that driving while dizzy is a poor life choice. If I feel well Saturday, I may give it a try.
The surgeon is pleased with Susan’s progress, and so am I. He’s aiming to discharge her on Monday!
I don’t know whether I’ll fish next week. There are a few other things demanding attention right now. I am looking forward to getting back out there, though.
And you youngsters out there- some respect for all us geezers, please. ‘Cause getting old ain’t for sissies.
That’s the Stressful Week Report. Thanks for reading.
Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it. Go fishing! Go paddling! Go walking! Stay active!
John Kumiski – https://spottedtail.com – https://www.etsy.com/shop/PhotographybyKumiski
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