Mind and Body reboot

First: Auggie, Bear and I are all fine – YEA!!

But, I did spend Sunday afternoon at the ER (Emergency Room of the local hospital) … with blood pressure through the roof!

It came down with medication and has stayed down: body reboot.

YEA!

Despite a childhood climbing trees, skating, running, playing all manner of sports…I’ve not had the occasion of being an ER patient until this past weekend.

It was an enlightening experience.

Because I had very high blood pressure ( I went to a local Urgent Care facility first ) … as well as some chest pressure issues (seriously, I attributed them to sinus related issues from the smoke and dry air) – I was moved – at the speed of light- to a trauma room and hooked up to all manner of equipment. Blood was drawn.

And then…a man was admitted to the unit next to me…separated by a curtain…and before they had a chance to gown him, he had a combination seizure/heart attack. But they revived him. And administered all the things they do…and he had a second seizure/heart attack – but, they revived him.

As anyone can imagine, it was unnerving to have to listen and watch a bit … there was a window and reflection.

I was praying for the man, for his wife who was in the room, for me and for the care team…the entire ER staff was involved.

Incredibly, after each attack, the man was speaking coherently – asking for his wife. His wife was there and answered confidently: “I’m here, honey!”. Her poise and her staying – she thanked the ER crew for letting her stay – such courage! She’d moved to a corner out of their way. It was VERY obvious that it was important to both her husband and her that she be there.

Then, it was decided that he would be moved to a hospital approximately 15 miles away – a hospital that had a cardiac unit. I was both grateful and fearful. This man had had two serious events that took the entire ER staff to deal with – what if he had an event in transport. And it was obviously crucial that he had contact with his wife. She could not ride with him – she had friends who took her and an ER nurse went with the ambulance.

I somewhat witnessed the transport and heard details and later found out that he arrived at Kalispell Regional as did his wife. Beyond that I will likely not know. I continue to hold them in prayer.

Meanwhile, my own blood pressure slowly dropped, despite what was happening beyond the curtain.

And while a medication was a bit delayed, due to those happenings, after given, my blood pressure continued dropping and after four hours in the ER, I was cut loose with a prescription, direction to contact my primary care physician and the OK to drive myself home.

I slept VERY well that night and despite being in the house for longer than normal, so did Bear and Auggie.

And my blood pressure has been normal, since.

Body reboot via medication.

Mind reboot via … focus on good health trumps everything else ??? Don’t know, only know that at this time, I feel very well.

Yea!

Mind and body rebooted and on we go.

Green and growing things: Greek Oregano and Organic Basil.

Growth means life and here at my house…Bear, Auggie and I – we are alive and well!

6 Responses to “Mind and Body reboot”

  1. Steph

    Reboot is a great description. What an experience you had! I am very glad and relieved that you are feeling well. Hospitals are great places when you need them…I so admire those that make their careers caring for others in such stressful and difficult situations.

    We’ve had some days of very heavy smoke here too, and I felt very anxious and “out of sorts”.
    Take care, Liz and have a great day.

  2. Charles Curran

    Might be a good idea to get some masks that filter the air for when you are outside, and it still smoke filled air. Stay well.

  3. Liz

    Steph, Yes, crazy stuff this heavy smoke!

    Charles Curran, THAT is a great idea … I’m unsure why it hasn’t been suggested in the media. I am not going out except for with Bear (short walks) and to collect mail. But, astonishingly, in the ER, it suddenly smelled very smoky. The nurses commented and shortly there was no smell. I’m guessing some filter/filtration system was offline or ??

    For any who have not experienced smoky conditions…the best I can describe is that it is disconcerting. One knows that there are no close fires and yet, it looks/feels/smells like there is. And with the scary dry conditions, it is obvious that there COULD be a fire easily.

    As in other years, I would have left in the motorhome except that this year…where to go?? So we stayed put.

    NOAA is saying that there is hope for next week…for more fall-like conditions, although not a fire season end event, but maybe a help in smoke and heat. I hope they are right.

  4. Margaret

    I thought I had commented yesterday but my comment disappeared…anyway, that must have given you a fright! I’m so glad you feel OK now and your blood pressure is normal.
    I have smelt the smoke here so I know what it’s like. Once when we were out eating near the lake at lunchtime there was so much smoke the sun was hidden and it was like dusk and the smell was choking. A mask sounds like a good idea! My fingers are crossed for some refreshing rain!

  5. Liz

    Thanks for the good thoughts Margaret and I really hope we turn a weather corner this week! Sorry about the lost comment – I didn’t find it my spam or trash folder so don’t know what went awry.

  6. Mike neighbor

    I have a mask from when I was on the Wedge Canyon fire in 2002 that I can show you if your interested. Then you can try to look it up online. I have been using it quite a bit lately and it really helps. I don’t know if it is a fire dept mask or a forest fire fighting mask but I found it along the road while working up there.

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