My Day at the Hospital
Today around noon, sitting where I am now, I got dizzy. And it didn't pass. And it didn't pass. And I staggered to the couch and it didn't pass. And I got up and threw up in the sink, and it seemed to get even worse.
After being advised by my mother, the doctor, to call my doctor, and being advised by my doctor's office to go to the emergency room (all of this with me being able to focus on things for a 1/100th of a second at a time) I called Charlotte and she came, picked me up, almost literally, and took me to the hospital.
For the better part of two hours the only thing I could do to help stem the dizziness was to close my eyes. I was wheeled through the ER because I really couldn't walk. Imagine being on a tilt-a-whirl. Now imagine it never stopping. That's kind of what it was like.
For awhile I thought I might be having a stroke. For a brief period of time I thought, "This is it. I'm going to die."
On the whole, I wasn't scared. I was happy that my children knew I loved them. I was happy about my life as it has been. I was a little concerned about taking care of my student loan debts and mortgage, but I realized that my life insurance should take care of that.
I'm glad to say, however, I'm not dead and it wasn't a stroke. The doctor isn't entirely sure as to what it might be. He suggested it might be a loose otolith, a stone in my inner ear, giving false signals. He gave me some medicine for my dizziness.
He also was concerned about my blood pressure and put me on some medicine for that and I'm going to work on keeping my sodium intake down. I feel very good, however, that I have shed about 25 pounds over the last 2 years.
Still, it's a wake up call. And, mostly, I'm very happy. Happy to know I have loved and am loved. And if I had to pass today, I'm good to go.
Comments
Wow, how freaky. I hope you're home and feeling better!
Posted by: Scotto Starkey | January 20, 2009 6:07 AM
Wow! I'm glad you've recovered. _You_ may be good to go, but _we_ aren't ready.
Posted by: Carl | January 20, 2009 8:41 AM
So here's a PSA, folks: If you haven't made a living will/advance directive, DO IT NOW! If you don't have a will, DO IT NOW!
'Cause you don't get to choose when/if you'll need it.
Posted by: Charlotte | January 20, 2009 10:47 AM
Again, I'm glad you're not dead. And I hope the Tilt-a-Whirl ride is over for good.
Posted by: Heather | January 20, 2009 12:11 PM
So very glad you're ok! 'Cause even when your kids know you love them, nothing beats having a dad around to embarass them ;)
And oh, yeah, the lovely bp meds. I had to go on them after I had Nicholas. My bp just never went down, like it always did with the other two. Ah, the joys of middle age!
But I'm so glad it seems to have been something serious; hopefully you won't have to deal with it again. Take care of yourself, 'cuz.
Posted by: Leah | January 20, 2009 1:04 PM
Thanks, all. I'm going to go see my family doctor this afternoon and make a recovery plan. I'm feeling good, just a little weak and tired, probably due to the meds I'm on.
Leah, of course I was thinking about your dad a lot yesterday and, you're right, I wouldn't want to deprive my kids of years of embarrassment to come.
The night before the incident Emma had 4 of her friends over for a movie marathon (realizing that the term "slumber party" is just ridiculous) and it has been speculated that perhaps that would be enough to do anyone in.
Posted by: ironic1 | January 20, 2009 1:14 PM
Glad you're okay! As I was sitting getting ready to respond, of all things, I hear a siren outside, and it sounds close. I look out and see a firetruck speeding down our street. It isn't one of my immediate neighbors, many of whom were by now poking their own heads out doors, so I came back in. The timing was freaky, to say the least. I said a prayer for whatever situation is going on down the hill, and thanks for your safety and recovery, too.
That said, I'm amused that basically the doc was telling you that not only do you have little rocks in your head, but they're rattling around loose in there...::running and ducking:::
Posted by: Celia | January 20, 2009 1:42 PM
Yes, Celia, I was very happy when the CAT scan came back negative giving ample evidence, as if any were needed, that there is, in fact, nothing in my head.
Posted by: ironic1 | January 20, 2009 1:49 PM
Wow- so glad you're alright. I'm glad that your list of possibilities didn't mention "bad soup."
Posted by: Lucie Amundsen | January 20, 2009 3:51 PM
And, by the way, I'm very proud of you for listening to advice and going into the hospital.
Posted by: Lucie Amundsen | January 20, 2009 6:36 PM
Hey Larry, it's Tracy (from Guru Java, a long long time ago). I had exactly those same symptoms earlier this year, and then it recurred in September (I wound up in the ER, too). The diagnosis was benign paroxymal positional vertigo (BPPV): http://www.tchain.com/otoneurology/disorders/bppv/bppv.html . It's pretty much exactly what your doctor said -- crystals in your inner ear detach and hit your hair cells, which causes vertigo. It sucks, but the good news is that it's basically harmless and treatable with the Epley manuever: http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/bppv/epley/first.html .
I hope this helps. Feel free to email if you have any questions.
Posted by: Tracy | January 21, 2009 9:31 AM
That kind of thing can be pretty scary--no wonder your bp went up. I'm thrilled you are feeling better. Take care and take it easy.
Posted by: Cheryl | January 21, 2009 12:50 PM
Oh goodness. Thinking good thoughts at you.
Posted by: Fuzzy | January 23, 2009 10:50 PM
Wow. Glad you're okay, Lars. Dizziness is scary. Congrats on the weight loss too!
Posted by: Jason Dufair | March 1, 2009 9:42 PM