May 18, 2025 - "That's Not Good"

     After a difficult night on Friday and a none better day on Saturday, I decided it was wise to head to the ER.  On the way there I called my sister, Jan, who is a nurse, and her husband, Grady, who is a doctor.  I thought maybe getting some confirmation that we were making a good decision was prudent.
 
     On Friday night and Saturday morning my blood pressure had tanked.  It was 88/48 on Friday night and 90/50 on Saturday morning.  When I shared those numbers with Grady, his response was, “That’s not good.”  Not really what you want to hear from a doctor, including your brother-in-law.
 
     I also vacillated both days from either being way too hot or way too cold.
 
     When we arrived at the ER they were exceptionally busy.  Because it was a heart issue, they took me back to take my blood pressure.  Like most every parent has experienced, a child can be healed between your home and the doctor’s office.   My blood pressure was a perfect 115/74.  From that moment I think they were going to jump through the hoops they should, but I think they didn’t think I had a blood pressure issue.

     About four hours later they sent me home with these instructions: get plenty of rest, drink a lot of fluids, and take Tylenol for the pain.
 
     Being that I am a man who follows directions, especially from Teresa, I went home and did just that.
 
     About 10 p.m. I took a Tylenol.  As soon as it started to take effect, I began sweating profusely.  I knew something wasn’t right.  My heart felt as weird as it did when I had A-fib some years ago.
 
     I took my blood pressure.  It was 90/36.  I laid really still for most of the night.
 
     By morning the sweats turned into “freezes” and I was pretty sure that the crisis had passed.  My blood pressure was back to its normal range, about 115/74.
 
     All I can figure is that I have developed an aversion to Tylenol.   I rarely take pain killers but the last couple of weeks I have taken a lot of Tylenol because of the pain in my legs from neuropathy caused by the chemotherapy. 
 
     Here are some takeaways.
 
     You know your body better than anyone else.  If you think that something isn’t quite right, get some help, even if they don’t believe you!
 
     The weekend crew at the ER may not be quite as compassionate as the staff at the cancer center.  They were terribly busy and I tried to take that in consideration.
 
     I have a lot more empathy now for folks dealing with lingering or long-term pain.  Most of the pain that I have had has been after surgery and the pain usually gets better the longer things go. 
 
     The past two plus years the neuropathy from Chemo has been more than manageable.  At least until the last three weeks.  One evening my feet got really cold.  It may have been the day I put in the Pontoon Boat at Beaver.  I really don’t remember.  But since then, the pain has been constant. 
 
     People who deal with lasting pain have a new place in my heart.  I can pray for them with much more insight.
 
     Lord, help me be patient when life doesn’t go smoothly.  Help me to listen to Your voice and pray for people who need Your help.