“Here is your prescription, some paperwork and your excuse from work.”
I am not really sure who I am supposed to give the excuse to. And the workday was almost over when I received it, so it wasn’t really going to get me out of anything. I have it though, if you want to see it.
I woke up Tuesday morning with a sharp pain in my chest. I figured I must have slept wrong or pulled something. I know. Not a very clear diagnosis. The problem was that as the day went on I felt more and more pain. And I began to freak myself out. Just before lunch I decided I needed to go to the Emergency room to make sure everything was OK.
So I drove myself.
I know, I know. It was a dumb idea. I have been chastised enough already, but if you feel the need to pile on go right ahead.
After three hours, blood work, a chest x-ray and the tightest blood pressure cuff I have ever experienced, they determined that my heart is in good shape. The problem was my lung. And an unexplainable case of pleurisy.
I spent the rest of the night trying to relax. The stress was exhausting. My fear was overwhelming. The thought of something major happening…
And so in the midst of my pain and fear I spent a lot of time thinking. Thinking about my girls. About Laura. About this good life I live. And about you.
You see, so much time goes by in between Sundays. So much life happens. It is impossible to reconnect in the little bit of time we get to spend together. So, how are you doing… really?
I hope to hear from you.
Joshua
May 5th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Joshua:
Glad that you’re OK. Pleurisy is extremely painful and I can’t even imagine how scared you were.
Of course driving yourself to the ER was silly, but I’m sure that crossed your mind a time or two WHILE you were driving there. And, you were most likely justifying all the way there that you don’t live that far from the hospital and this was faster than waiting on someone to take you. And… surely…. it wasn’t REALLY anything that required an ambulance. (I think those are all denial thoughts and we all have them when we’re afraid.)
I’m glad you went to the hospital, ever how you got there. I hope that you’re on the mend.
How am I? Busy. Too busy. Overly busy. Not “busy” in a good way… stressful stuff. Wrestling with some of my own “crud” and muddling my way through it. I think that things are getting better and are going to continue to get better… I just have to make some personal changes to get that ball rolling.
Remember… chest pain is actually your friend (you just don’t have to be best friends).
Know that I love you guys and I’m always thinking about you.
Donna
May 5th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
Well, I am really doing very well, thank you for asking. I love my job and my family. I love where I live and I also love my church. I love David Smith’s bible study (I should be reading it right now.) I am sad that my last day of school is on June 16th – yes that is right! No waivers this year (thank you Mr. Bennett.) But I am just thankful that I get ANY time off in the summer because most people don’t.
I agree that you shouldn’t have driven yourself to the Dr., but I probably would have done the same thing myself. I have had (explained) pleurisy and it hurts!!!! So I sympathize with you. I hope you are feeling better!
Carol
May 5th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
I hope this e-mail finds you relaxed and on the path to recovery. These wake up calls help us to realize just how blessed we are and how special our life really is.
We are enjoyed the arrival of our 5th grandbaby and have made the trip to Houston to see him.
Take care of yourself, as that is the best gift you can give your family!
May 6th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Well you had quite the busy day yesterday sir–quite frankly you deserve another day off after an ordeal like that! And I too would have driven myself to the hospital–but then again I can’t run media shout so perhaps you should not take my advice without a pinch of salt. . . wink!
My week has been strange. My five-year old son (who I now realize most of my waking hours revolves around) is in Florida with his grandparents visiting Disney. There is a strange emptiness in my life this week as I have, what feels like, endless hours to care for no one but myself.
I’ve been able to go to cycling classes without worrying about the tee ball schedule. I’ve worked in the yard and flower beds without looking around having to remind someone to stay out of the road or not to eat this or that. I haven’t had to make up a song to remember things like our address and phone number to memorize or even play the “how do you spell that word” game. I’ve been on time to work for pity sake!
What I have missed are all those moments that seem so fleeting–the numerous kisses and hugs and smiles that happen in spite of my own busyness throughout each day. The endless questions and teachable moments that we are blessed to be a part of as parents. But most of all, Noah is the gentle reminder from God that I’ve truly been a part of something that matters. That’s bigger than me. That without His grace and mercy I would’ve never known what it’s like to be a mother.
I look forward to him coming home Saturday. I can’t wait to hear all the stories of the rides, games and characters he’s seen. I mostly can’t wait to see his precious smile and know he’s home safely.
He graduates from preschool in a week. . . I may not live through it and even if I do I surely will drown in my tears on August 11th when he starts kindergarten. I admire women, like your lovely wife, who have survived this transition with success. Mother’s Day reminds me that women before have survived and I surely will too.
I hope you are feeling better today.
All the best,
Lindsay
May 7th, 2010 at 2:33 am
I’ve heard pleurisy is very painful – I’m so sorry! I really hope you are doing much better by now. I hope you took a few days off.
Roger and I are okay. Roger started a new job today, quite a paradigm shift from being self-employed. The last time HE got a new job, they didn’t require a whiz-quiz!
Count down to Afghanistan and Iraq is moving faster and faster. I think I have a permanent lump in my throat!
We’ve been training for the Indy Mini. Well, mostly just talking about what to wear and eating pasta. It’s not like we’re really athletes or anything.
Remember that pain is like a “smoke detector” for the body. Your best bet is “when in doubt, check it out”, which 99% of the time involves a face-to-face with a health care provider. You did the right thing to go to ER with chest pain, especially since it got worse. I’m glad you remained conscious while driving yourself there, but….well, you already know the general consensus on that decision!
love ya –
Roger & Sherri
May 14th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Joshua, we are so sorry for the pain and probably fear that you experienced with the pleurisy, but thankful that is all it turned out to be and that you are on the mend. And a little time off doesn’t hurt anyone!!! No way will we beat up on you for driving yourself….most of us would probably have done the same thing.
Thank you for asking about us. The reason we are just now sending our comments is that we’ve been in the Dominican Republic celebrating the marriage of our baby (okay, so he’s 6’4″ and soon-to-be 33), Anthony and his new wife Sara Ann. It was an incredible time with just the immediate families. The weather was gorgeous and we were treated like Rock Stars. The best, however, was to gaze at the star-filled night sky and to experience the sunrise each morning right from our room. God is good and has given us so much beauty to behold.
We hope each day brings you better health.
Our Love,
Keith and Edie