Some Days are Unbelievable---Yesterday was one of Those Days...

   I knew Tommy was sick Tuesday night. What I didn't know was how sick he really was.  I slept on the couch beside his recliner because I had an uneasy feeling. I should have followed my gut instinct and drove him to the hospital that night. However, that is not as easy as it sounds. Tommy would not have gone. He would have flat out refused because he had an appointment for the next day.  Since he lives by his watch, that would have messed up his plan by being at the VA and in the emergency room 14 hours early. I took a xanax and tried to sleep. I believe in picking my battles. I should have fought harder and longer in this war.

   Sure enough the next morning he was sick. Really sick.  He was short of breath and could not walk 20 feet without having to stop. We arrive at the VA and go to his doctor. We didn't have an appointment and this usually messes up the little receptionists day to no end. She hates to see us coming--me in particular--Tommy in general. However, luck was on our side and she was busy. The man who waited on us knew how sick Tommy was and got the nurse immediately.  She took one look, scanned his chart and said we are going to the ER ASAP.  Tommy was once again in congestive heart failure. He had been out of his fluid pills for 4 days and he was gaining at least 2 pounds a day of fluid around his heart. Everyone got busy working on him. I felt a big sigh of relief flood my  bones. After all the tests, blood work he was given Lasix im and observed for awhile.

   Tommy's nurse told him he was lucky he did not have to be admitted because there was not one available bed in the VA. He went on to say, there were no beds at the University Hospital, Boone Hospital and Ft. Leonard Wood had two beds that were probably filled by now. He said this was the first time the hospitals in Mid Missouri had faced this problem. I am sure the full moon did not help with this situation.

  We were at the VA for about ten hours, he had another appointment and he was advised to keep it because it would be a long time before he could get an appointment with this particular doctor. To say he was exhausted was mildly put.  Today he feels worse than yesterday. I am right there with him. 

  We were given a 'bridge' of medicine to get him through until his meds arrived in the mail. The administrator wanted to give him 5 pills and I asked for 7 and got them. I wanted a whole bottle. That didn't happen. 

  I know my guardian angel was doing double time yesterday. I tried to behave and I did. I must admit it was a heck of a time to leave my nerve pills at home. If my memory doesn't improve, I think I will tie that bottle of relief  around my neck...just in case.

  Today has had its own set of aggravation's. I hate computer phone calls---just hate them.  We received a call about a new physical therapy place and appointment for Tommy.  The robot could say everything right except the doctor's last name...and she talked too fast. I was trying to write down everything 'she' is saying and all the  information. I never could understand the last name.  I had to hang up--the robot was through talking. I guess she figured if I didn't get it in four repeats--I wasn't going to get it and she was right.

   About that time the phone rings again and it is a nice lady from Louisiana wanting to know how my previous phone call went and did I need any extra information.  Well, she asked and I told her all about the fast talking rude computer. The lady was laughing her butt off. She said wait just a minute please and I think she put me on speaker phone while I tried to explain that she was the one I needed to talk to and not a machine. And the machine needed to be able to speak perfect English, especially when it comes to doctor's names.

   Everything got straightened out. We have an appointment for tomorrow. The receptionists and I decided to move it to Monday since Tommy is having such a hard day. He hears us talking and has a fit--so he has an appointment for tomorrow. I am putting the Scarlette O'Hara to it and as "God is my witness, I will not feel sorry for Tommy while they turn him every way but loose".  

Rant over...I am going to take a long nap.