After returning home yesterday, today's trip to San Antonio almost didn't occur. Not being able to fly because of my pneumothorax turned a 1 hour flight into a 5.5 hour drive. Last night, my shortness of breath returned and that with shaking chills necessitated a visit from my physician neighbor Rick.
The verdict? Stop trying to tough out the pain and take your pain pills. Advice taken and problem eventually solved. Sometimes, we physicians truly make horrible patients through our horrible decision to be the "tough patient." Today has been an up and down day and I find that if I don't stay on top of my pain control religiously, the pain returns in such force as to make me feel even worse than this past Thursday.
Felt bad that the employees of the bookstore in San Antonio had to watch me sleep on their chair looking like I was on death's door. Kindly enough, one of them asked if I wanted a blanket. I politely declined but that did make me feel happy.
Today's lesson to myself is that through all of the problems that have arisen over the past two weeks, I need to maintain my calm and balance and not get caught up in the anger over the situations that have occurred. Priority one is building energy up for the big fight.
Once again, many thanks to my friends who have called and are willing to listen to me vent over topics that really aren't important at this point in my life. Of course, hearing their voices coupled with not being able to work, makes me miss them even more.
While some patients may pray to be healthy enough to go about their day to day activities, I pray to be healthy enough to work with my friends again and still have more than enough time to spend with my wife and kids. If you are reading this post tonight, GO TO BED! The next day beckons to you and tomorrow is going to be a GREAT day. 8o)
The verdict? Stop trying to tough out the pain and take your pain pills. Advice taken and problem eventually solved. Sometimes, we physicians truly make horrible patients through our horrible decision to be the "tough patient." Today has been an up and down day and I find that if I don't stay on top of my pain control religiously, the pain returns in such force as to make me feel even worse than this past Thursday.
Felt bad that the employees of the bookstore in San Antonio had to watch me sleep on their chair looking like I was on death's door. Kindly enough, one of them asked if I wanted a blanket. I politely declined but that did make me feel happy.
Today's lesson to myself is that through all of the problems that have arisen over the past two weeks, I need to maintain my calm and balance and not get caught up in the anger over the situations that have occurred. Priority one is building energy up for the big fight.
Once again, many thanks to my friends who have called and are willing to listen to me vent over topics that really aren't important at this point in my life. Of course, hearing their voices coupled with not being able to work, makes me miss them even more.
While some patients may pray to be healthy enough to go about their day to day activities, I pray to be healthy enough to work with my friends again and still have more than enough time to spend with my wife and kids. If you are reading this post tonight, GO TO BED! The next day beckons to you and tomorrow is going to be a GREAT day. 8o)
Love your attitude Norm. Calm and balance gives you the advantage.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with you.
Thank you Alan. Isn't always easy to do, but when you have my perspective, it doesn't take much to get back to neutral.
ReplyDelete