I wanted to tell everyone I made a perfect score on my final paper for my first class toward my Bachelor's Degree. That news, however, was overshadowed by my recent joy ride. I've never been in an ambulance, as a patient anyway....until recently.
One day I was sitting at my desk, just returned from a meal break and beginning to work on what I do, making Auto Trader magazines. My heart felt like it was beating kind of fast. That feeling continued, and it also progressed. As it worsened, I realized I couldn't hear, my vision went black and I couldn't respond to people asking me questions. I recovered enough to tell my boss yes, he should call an ambulance.
The paramedics came into the building and naturally I was somewhat better...my heart rate was still 146, very high. They asked if I wanted to go to the hospital and I said yes. That doesn't happen for no reason and I wanted to know what was going on. They took me to what they said was the nearest hospital, Medical Center of Arlington.
I arrived in the ER and one of the first people there was the admissions clerk, asking for my insurance card. The important stuff first, right. Nurses, nurse practitioners and physician's assistants all came in to see about me, took blood samples, etc. After the first 30 minutes or so, they were done with me and no one came to check on me. More than once I pushed the "Call Nurse" button and nobody came to see about me.
I became a pro at unhooking the wires and tubes so I could walk down the hall and around the corner to the restroom. I also figured out how to hook myself back up to the medical equipment because nobody was there to do it for me.
Nobody answered my questions, it was the worst experience I've had in a hospital...and I've had a few hospital experiences. Nobody there was very warm and fuzzy, nobody there was verycaring, nobody there was very helpful in numerous ways...nobody knew what was going on, or when my tests were, what my tests were, nobody knew when I was going home...just a few more minutes turned into hours. My mother said when I was in MCA, nobody took care of me the best.
It turned out to be my potassium level was low. That can affect your heart. The symptoms leading up to heart palpitations were lost on me because they are the same symptoms I suffer from everyday, leg cramps, etc. The doctor said to eat baked potatoes, avacodos, citrus fruits, raisins and bananas...all foods rich in potassium.
I'll never go back to that hospital....hopefully I won't need another hospital but if I do, it will not be Medical Center of Arlington.
Until next time. Stay well.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Make Your Other Half Feel Special
I was sleeping with one eye open on the television one morning and a segment on one of those morning long news shows comes on offering advice to make your spouse or other half feel special and not so left out during the holiday season.
Two things popped into my mind. One is that this advice should be taken all year, not just during the holiday rush. Isn't this why we have or are trying to meet that someone special, so we can show them on a daily basis why we think they are special? I dunno, could be just me. I miss that part of a relationship...doing the extra things for someone. I suppose I could continue that practice with my cat but she really doesn't appreciate those gestures.
The other thing I remember thinking is that we shouldn't need the morning news to tell us how to make the special ones in our lives feel more than adequate. Yes we live in a McDonald's society where everyone, even our pets expect instant gratification but we need to remember to take extra time and special attention for all of our loved ones. I could be wrong but isn't this time of year for showing those closest to you how you feel about them and how special they are anyway. Who cares if you dry cleaner got your holiday card or your second cousin's father-in-law receives a gift from you. Christmas...well life in general...is about making the ones who truly hold a place in your heart remember why or even that you love them.
Years ago when my husband and I decided we wanted to get married, the preacher I contacted...he was my youth minister...conditionally agreed to perform the marriage ceremony. We had to attend counseling sessions and when he felt we were ready for the nuptials, he would let us know. Part of the counseling was advice for a happy marriage (I know its ironic know, but it would have worked if my ex had followed this advice).
Fool-proof advice for successful relationships from a divorcee
The one and only thing I remember from those counseling sessions was this. The preacher said its important not to keep score in the petty acts of selfishness but to try to out-give the other, and not in a materialistic way. Go out of your way to do the little and special things for your other...and if they come back with some special act of kindness then its ok to one up them.
Two things popped into my mind. One is that this advice should be taken all year, not just during the holiday rush. Isn't this why we have or are trying to meet that someone special, so we can show them on a daily basis why we think they are special? I dunno, could be just me. I miss that part of a relationship...doing the extra things for someone. I suppose I could continue that practice with my cat but she really doesn't appreciate those gestures.
The other thing I remember thinking is that we shouldn't need the morning news to tell us how to make the special ones in our lives feel more than adequate. Yes we live in a McDonald's society where everyone, even our pets expect instant gratification but we need to remember to take extra time and special attention for all of our loved ones. I could be wrong but isn't this time of year for showing those closest to you how you feel about them and how special they are anyway. Who cares if you dry cleaner got your holiday card or your second cousin's father-in-law receives a gift from you. Christmas...well life in general...is about making the ones who truly hold a place in your heart remember why or even that you love them.
Years ago when my husband and I decided we wanted to get married, the preacher I contacted...he was my youth minister...conditionally agreed to perform the marriage ceremony. We had to attend counseling sessions and when he felt we were ready for the nuptials, he would let us know. Part of the counseling was advice for a happy marriage (I know its ironic know, but it would have worked if my ex had followed this advice).
Fool-proof advice for successful relationships from a divorcee
The one and only thing I remember from those counseling sessions was this. The preacher said its important not to keep score in the petty acts of selfishness but to try to out-give the other, and not in a materialistic way. Go out of your way to do the little and special things for your other...and if they come back with some special act of kindness then its ok to one up them.
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