How Much Is That Going To Cost?

It's been a long week.

I think I mentioned that.

So why not top it off with a trip to the Emergency Room?

I like to keep things exciting around here so that's just what I did.

Thursday night, actually I suppose it was technically Friday morning, 1:30am to be exact.

I awoke from a dead sleep to intense pain in my chest and pressure, lots of pressure. Like a cow sitting on my chest and something, I'd say snake or python but that paints a picture of my biggest nightmare so I'm sticking with something, squeezing my ribs so tight I can't breath.

I didn't panic, at first, I think it took me about 2 minutes to decide I needed to wake up Barry. I've never felt so much pain. I've never not been able to breath. It didn't get better, it got worse.

Then it went something like this. My dad was in the room, taking my pulse, then my mom, and they are making me take aspirin. This is when I realized they had called 911 and so I wanted some clothes on. This is one downside of sleeping in your underwear, paramedics in your bedroom. I only ever did get the pants on because I couldn't lift my arms without intense pain. And this is also when I realized I was sort of freaking out, sort of. Then there is a policeman taking my pulse and then like 5 paramedics. They are sticking sticky pads all over my abdomen and putting oxygen on my face. They are asking me a million questions and I can't really answer because all I want to do is breath air and I'm having a really hard time doing that.

Then someone asks me if I've been stressed out lately. I'm instantly confused. Stressed? I'm always stressed lately. No more than usual. Stressed? They think this much pain comes from stress? I can't breath people! Has anyone removed the cow from my chest yet? Or better yet the python that is wrapped around my ribs?

So then I'm on a gurney and in an ambulance and they are giving me more aspirin and starting an IV and taping it on with a years supply of tape. I didn't realize this till later but seriously I'm like a human lint roller now. You can't get that adhesive off your skin. I know, I should give them a break, they are trying to make sure you don't die while riding in a vehicle which is probably not all that still. So the tape probably seems necessary at the time.

The whole time all I'm thinking is where is Barry? I want Barry! Where is Barry? Then they open the ambulance doors and there his is. Ahhh, I can breath again. Wait, no I really can't and I am still in a lot of pain. Isn't that weird, I don't really remember being in pain in the ambulance because I was so focused on why Barry was not there with me.

By the time they got me in the ER, one of the paramedics had talked me into breathing normally. Apparently I was hyperventilating and that is why my hands and feet where totally numb and tingling and I could barely move them. Don't underestimate breathing, breathing is our friend.

Next they tried to get a EKG but apparently I was shaking too much to get a good one and then they took blood and made me pee in a cup. Can't miss that one, you must always pee in a cup when you are sick. They did ask if I needed a basin in case I couldn't hit the cup. That was nice. :) I hit the cup just fine thank you. I think my dad came about then and he and Barry gave me a blessing. Then a chest x-ray where she asks me if I'm pregnant. Pregnant? Umm, I don't know. It's possible, not likely. (By the way, not pregnant) By this time the pain and pressure are going away but I'm left feeling like someone has just beat me up. My back is so sore I can hardly sit still and my ribs are aching and throbbing.

Then they make me drink some Mylanta with Lydacaine in it. Barry tells me to just gulp it like a shot. Hmm, no experience with shots Honey, thanks anyway. So my mouth and throat are so numb I gag when I swallow. Trying to rule out GI distress, I think. Then they do another EKG and take some more blood.

What's the verdict? Good Question! My heart looks fine, no GI problems, nothing in the x-ray, no blood clots. However I have low potassium, so I have to take 2 of the largest potassium pills I have ever laid eyes on. At this point I'm trying not to feel dumb and Barry looks at me and tells me not to feel dumb without me even saying a word. Then he says maybe I'm more stressed out about everything then he thought. Yes, that is true, but I don't think it was the problem. See that day had been filled with discussions of Barry's schooling and all that it encompasses, which is NOT a stress free topic. See Barry is SO laid back to the point that just how laid back he is causes me stress. Bottom line, I don't feel dumb because I was in pain y'all. I could not breath and I was really scared.

So was it an Anxiety Attack? Don't Know! Isn't that so frustrating! I've had an anxiety attack before and it was nothing like that. Plus, I still don't feel right. I'm exhausted, I'm dizzy, I'm spacy, my ribs are still sore and my back is sore. I have to go have a stress test on my heart on Friday and I guess we'll see what that says.

So here are the after thoughts. Did I know any of those policemen/paramedics being that they got to see me in my skivies? Luckily no. Phew! Did the kids wake up? Amazingly no! Can you believe that! Ry and Jen's room is right next to ours and they slept through it all. And Sara...she didn't move a muscle! She is in our room! Lights on, me carrying on (Barry said I was quiet, I don't really recall) Barry, both my parents, at least 1 policeman and I believe at least 5 paramedics all 3 feet if not closer to her crib and she sleeps through it all. I'm amazed but glad that none of the kids saw any of it. And so far no neighbors have asked either. Although here I am posting it for the all to read but my neighbors don't read this anyway.

So the last thought remains - How much is that going to cost us?

I'm sure potassium pills that size are at least $100 a pop.

Couldn't they have just fed me some banana's?