An ER Visit

When we complained about how many doctors we have seen since moving to Princeton, Susan (our daughter-in-law) said that at least we had not been introduced to Princeton Medical Center's ER.  Well, now we have.

We were at the Princeton High School Jazz Cafe Friday night where Michael was playing his trombone with his band.   It was hot, Jim was standing up for an hour and had not removed his coat, he had golfed that day and not remembered his water, and he started to feel bad.   We got him seated but it was clear he was fast fading from us.

Jeff called around for help from a doctor--and a couple of parents who were medical personnel wanted him on the floor in the hall.  At that point, it was very clear he was out of it.  I felt for his pulse on his neck and felt his breath so I knew he didn't need CPR.

Susan was quickly calling 911.   Cathleen, a nurse, asked if I was his wife and told me to try to get him to respond to me.  I sat down next to him and by that time, I think, he was saying that he was feeling better. 

Two EMT fellows came and brought him to the ER over his objections but with our blessing.  Jeff and I followed in his car.  We spent the next 3 1/2 hours there and Jim was admitted, again over his objections, for observation.

All tests--bloodwork, CAT scan, and EKG, were fine.  It's not the first time Jim has fainted when dehydrated--which was probably the cause.  Syncopy for unknown causes--the diagnosis.

I spent the night at Jeff and Susan's lest I need to go back to the hospital.  In the morning, I picked Jim up and we were home by noon.

It was all very frightening and I find that now, almost a week later, I can close my eyes and not see the blank look on his face.  I had a few moments of thinking that it was Good-bye right there in the halls of Princeton High School.

Jim will remember to drink water.  He was told he could add more salt to his diet-while I try to eliminate it from mine!  He doesn't need to see a cardiologist unless it happens again.   Maybe it won't.  But it was pretty scary when it did--for me and for Jeff and Susan. 

Saturday night we sat in our living room, quietly watching football with a fire going in the gas fireplace.

It was time to be treasured--far better than Room 07 in ER or PO 20 in the hospital--even if everyone we met was very kind and competent.

Cancer

I have not been in a blogging mood.  It has been a difficult month as we have begun to live with the big C word--Cancer.

Our PCP did a routine blood test for Jim and included a PSA test which our doctor in South Bend would not have done for anyone over the age of 70.  The score was high so Jim saw a urologist and had a biopsy.  The biopsy showed cancer in enough sites and with a high enough Gleason rating that he recommended radiation.  We saw a radiation oncologist at a site dedicated to prostate cancer and Jim will most likely begin eight weeks of daily radiation in February.  Everyone seemed to agree it was fine to postpone it until then so we could go on our planned two week holiday in St. Pete Beach, Florida in January.

So, November 6, the day the urologist gave us the biopsy results,  is the day that marks a new "season of our lives" as Pastor Sharyl Dixon labeled it when i asked her to meet with me.   I feel angry with the PCP for doing a test without asking our permission and she did apologize saying everyone always said Yes when she asked.  Maybe Jim would have; maybe I would not have done so because I knew it was not advised for men over 70.  The "cure" can be more life changing than the disease because it is slow progressing usually and many older men have it but die of other causes.

But it is done and we are on a new journey in our lives.  44 treatments--but we do not have the pressure of work so that is not the problem.  And Jim has every hope of it not having spread.  The urologist pointed out that men live longer these days so it is more worth treating.  I just hope the side effects are not too hard for Jim.  One scary one is that he has to give up his RA miracle drug methotrexate for the duration and I hope that doesn't mean pain from RA again.

 Cancer is a scary word and we have to accept the idea that we are aging and our bodies are aging and that we are not going to live forever.  Jim is pretty cool about all of this.  I was very anxious before the biopsy results but at least now we know where we are and what has to be done.

I have my own issues and difficulties with the PCP and that causes me more stress.  I hope to find another one after I get results from the last test I have done.  I need someone who doesn't make me feel like I am a bad person because I have insomnia, drink a glass of wine with supper, and get stressed.  She thinks Jim is a "best patient" but I left her in tears the last time.  I know I need to be told to eat fewer carbs etc. but of all the doctors we have met here, and there have been many, she is the only one to make me feel  so bad and to send me out with five other things to do.

To be continued.   May the next blog be more upbeat!   I hesitated to write this one but I think my limited amount of readers already know about this episode in our lives and have supported me already through their emails and calls.