A Whole Week???

Has it really been a whole week since I last posted??? Geeze Louise.

OK. So you know how people say, "when I retire I want to do (insert the thing)"? I never got that until Tuesday. I needed to go to Port Saxon (a three hour tour-one way) and the weather was perfect for driving. I had made a birthday card for my brother the night before and since it was a little bigger than the standard postal rate, that meant stopping somewhere on route to post it. On the way back from the inspection, I saw a little sign pointing the way to a Canada Post outlet in Port Joli. So I drive onto the Robertson Loop and I find this gem. A tiny room, complete with woodstove and comfy chair on the left and a little postal counter complete with a rack of rubber stamps and slots for people's mail. I was in love. There was no one there, but the sign said open. A woman came across the road from the big farmhouse and posted my envelope. I couldn't contain myself, "I love this place!" She replied, "Tourists like it, but the residents don't...too small". They are nuts. I mean, I could so see myself being the postmistress with a pot of tea or coffee on depending on the time of day waiting to dispense mail and pleasantries with the villagers. Then again, I do have a thing about mail and the whole idea of it.

Wednesday brought an unexpected, unpleasant suprise. I woke up, got out of bed, and felt a very strange pain in my abdomen on the lower right. It hurt to bend over. I couldn't stomach any coffee. By the time I was ready to go to work, I was nausiated. Now, the type and position of the pain was something I had never experienced before so I decided it warranted a trip to the l'hopital. By this time, the pain would grip my gut every minute for 3-4 seconds. I am thinking appendix. I was seen by the Doc within the hour (!) and he decided I had pulled an abdominal muscle during the night in a coughing fit (!!!). I am thinking, uh...it isn't that type of pain...I have pulled muscles there before...but he said if it got worse, to come back. I think he must have been pulling a double shift. He looked like crap, the poor guy.

So, I go to work. Choke down half of a bagel with peanut butter. An hour later I am doubled over. By 11 I think it might be best to wrap it up. By noon, I can't stand up straight and feel like I am going to throw up and the pain is all around my abdomen and includes my back. I am so distressed that I shun the suggestion of going to the clinic in Wolfville because I don't think I can drive that far and I go back to the Valley Regional. The room is full to overflowing. After being screened by the nurse and having a take-your-breath-away episode, I took a seat in one of the red chairs to wait. And before I know it, miraculously, my name is called! Apparently Kim, the nurse (bless her), decided to put me at the head of the cue. A Dr.Bowden took on my case. She had a very different approach from the other doctor...mindful and methodical. Great bedside manner. After all was said and done (after 5 xrays, bloodwork and a urinalysis) the pain was gone. She was at a loss. Xrays and labs fine. Minimal tenderness. So she said there was no sense in waiting at the hospital...that I could wait at home since I lived so close...and sent me home with a note to be off work for the rest of the week and instructions for a liquid diet, rest and told me to come right back if it happened again because then she would order a cat scan.

One thing I did realize during my time in the hospital was that the place needs help. I was struck by the tight quarters, the tired paint, the old machines. I was equally struck by how dedicated and efficient the staff were with minimal resources. I think the Valley Regional Foundation is going to get my donation dollars this year.

I still can't believe I was in and out in 2.5 hours. So far, so good...just tenderness. I thought I felt it coming on again this morning, but it did not develop. I still don't feel right. I was exhausted yesterday afternoon...came home and slept for 2 hours. The Doc said there is a weird bug out there and it may be some virus has taken up residence. The good news is, it isn't a blockage or appendix or gall bladder or kidney stones.

So today will be a quiet day.