Tuesday 8 December 2009

A series of events...

As you know I've been fighting with ill health for the past six weeks, it has been a revolving door of maladies and for a little while I actually got a reprieve from the health gods and I could function on a low level of fitness, however, all that rapidly changed over the weekend.

Now, I do have a history of breathing problems, partially stemming from hereditary donations from grandparents and parents and some self induced indulgence while growing up in the '60's.....I don't need to go into details, but just look in your history books you young'un's, it was a happening time!!!

While living in Cairo (one of the many locations I've lived in), I picked up what is known as Bedouin Lung and had to transported to a hospital in Paris, once recovered enough to travel, I was shipped to the Tropical Disease Centre in Toronto for Pulmonary Function Physiotherapy...so, ya, you could say my lungs are my Achilles Heel.

Now, here is what happened over the weekend....

I've been sick for over six weeks and it was progressively getting worse, Saturday night I could not breathe hardly at all, it was just so scary. There was no way to find relief other than placing pillows under my shoulder blades and hanging my head backwards, similar to what you would do while performing CPR.

I emailed Jen to let her know that I wasn't going to run with her at the group run we go to at the Running Room and I figured it would just get better on its own as it has in the past.

I thought I'd come into work at the office for awhile, so I dropped into the pharmacy situated below the office and asked the pharmacist what I should take to ease my breathing...she took one look at me and told me to go to the walk in clinic behind the Metro Grocery Store, located not far from my office. It is open on Sunday's so I drove over and the Doctor at the Walk-In Clinic took me right away. She checked me out and told me that she wasn't going to prescribe anything, that I was to go to Emerg at the Queensway Carleton Hospital A.S.A.P.  She told me if I didn't go I could drop dead by midnight....

yikes,

I tried to call a couple of the Wooo Hooo’s to let them know what was going on, but no one answered their phones, everyone has a life, so off I went to Emerg where they green tagged me. I didn't have to wait too long thanks goodness.

It was all pretty scary  and after a battery of tests, questions and results, I finally got out of there about 5 or 6pm.   Off to the pharmacy (again) where I dropped almost $ 200.00 bucks on meds....I love not having any medical plan, jeezzzz.

so, there you go, my story...and the moral of the story?

Don’t goof around with your health, the difference between life and death is one breath.

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

At least this happened before Christmas not during.....

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

You poor dear. I hope you are resting up and will heal quickly.

love and hugs,
~ b

Marlene said...

Oh Laurel, how scary. :( I'm glad you went to the pharmacist and got some help. This is a good reminder not to brush things off. Take care of yourself, my dear. I hope you are on the mend. {hugs}

Unknown said...

I'm glad you didn't wait any longer to go in!

And expensive as it is not to have medical insurance...it is only money...won't do you a bit of good if you are dead. Your health is the #1 thing you need to take care of.

Rest and heal up!!

Jess said...

That sounds pretty frightening, but I'm glad the right people pointed you in the direction of safety!

Nat said...

Thank god you're alright.


I think whatever it is that is going around is hard on the lungs. I know I am still hacking from time to time, and well, we ended up at CHEO with The Boy because of asthma. But man that's scary.

Deep breath. We still have to do run/drinks (drinks then run?)

teacherwoman said...

Oh my goodness. That is so scary. Rest up! I hope you feel better fast!

Unknown said...

I'm pleased to hear you're stocked up on the meds that will help you mend!

MrDaveyGie said...

Geeepers Laurel, take care, get strong, and kick butt.

Shelley said...

Get better and those are great words of wisdom!

Jo Lynn said...

Christmas or not Christmas, it's never a good time to be as ill as you are. I'm so sad that you had to go by yourself. That's really sad to me.
Get better quick!
BTW, I thought you had medical up there?

Marci said...

OMG I am so glad you are OK!! Take good care of yourself, you are right, never mess with your health! **hugs** feel better soon <3

bikesgonewild said...

...i understand only too well what you mean & i hope you'll get both strong & clear soon...

...my best to you...

Alexandra said...

On My Gosh! What a scary incident! So glad you went to the Pharmacy and followed their advice. Take care and i hope you are feeling better soon.

Wes said...

yea, don't goof around! geez!!!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

Yikes!!! Please take care of yourself... glad you didn't wait any longer! Feel better soon. Hugs.

Runner Leana said...

Laurel, I am so glad the pharmacist sent you off to the doctor! Hope you are recovering well. Thanks so much for the reminder!

Judi said...

girl, i am so glad you got your meds and are getting better!! that is some scary shit!

kilax said...

You poor thing. I hope you start to feel much better soon.

Vickie said...

Thank goodness you got this taken care of before it was too late! Sometimes don't you wonder what leads us to places where events unfold for the better? If you had gone running, who knows?? Get better soon!

Anne said...

You don't need to tell me what happens when you take your health for granted. May you soon be back to your old self, where you're out of breath only because you can't stop enjoying yourself.

EndorphinBuzz said...

Quite a scare, I hope you get better soon!

Bluenoser said...

Ocean air girl, you need ocean air. But I'm glad to hear you're getting better.

-B

mrbill said...

The Best to you, hope your health improves. I'm nearing 63 and yes the 60's was rough, we survived, now what, make the most of every day. Take care.

bluecolnago said...

you will take care of yourself, right? :) yes, i know you will.