In youth we run into difficulties. In old age difficulties run into us. Beverly Sills (1929-2007)
Prelude
In simple words aging is the process of becoming old. Unquestionably everyone ages the minute they are born. When we finally reach our senior citizen status it's the beginning of old age. Sure there are some favourable and helpful benefits. Retirement from the work force and receiving our government pensions are undoubtedly long-awaited blessings. But on the flip side, our health begins to decline. A lot of us start to acquire aches and pains in our once thriving bodies. The Golden Years have arrived.
So once again a new chapter in my life was launched. At 3:00 a.m. May 14/20 I woke up with intense pain in my abdomen but managed to grab forty winks here and there. Three hours later I surfaced but the discomfort was still present. I've experienced what I believe to be diverticulitis (a throbbing stomach ache) once in a blue moon but the pain would eventually disappear. I also had symptoms of nausea, no energy or appetite but managed to doze off until 11:30 a.m. When I aroused my pain hadn't gone away. I asked my E.A. (Executive Assistant) to perform a Google information search on appendicitis. Sure enough my hunch was correct and off to the hospital we go.
At the beginning of the week my E.A. and I were dealt a major inconvenience. Our mechanic told us our 2004 automobile needed too much work, in other words he said, "We need another vehicle." It's certainly comforting to have wonderful neighbours. Our next door lady friend stated we were welcome to use her car any time. It was certainly appreciated at a much needed time of urgency. She is a very caring and considerate individual and undoubtedly came through for us. Our neighbour is a saviour. Once again, thank you.
Since Juravinski Hospital was only a stone's throw away we decided to drive to their E.R. (Emergency Room). The institution was formerly called Henderson Hospital but it's name was changed in 2010 because Charles and Margaret Juravinski donated millions of dollars into the health centre.
After the Triage Nurse took my personal information and vitals I was officially admitted. The waiting game commenced. In the span of a few hours I was hooked up to an IV which included morphine, my blood work was performed, a urine sample was handed over, two doctors had visited me (one being a resident) and I had received a C.T. scan (Computed tomography scan). That machine is definitely an incredible piece of medical technology. The female radiologist told me the device cost $2.1 million and was manufactured in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by G.E. (General Electric). I thought to myself finally something that isn't made in China.
5:00 p.m.
By now I was waiting anxiously for my results. A nurse indicated the doctor wanted to reassess my condition...whatever that meant. I was tested for Covid-19 (it was mandatory for all patients) or as other folks call it, the Wuhan Flu. The examination was short but not sweet. A nurse pushed a pointed swab into my nose to the end of my right nostril. It was truly unpleasant. Finally I received the official news. Another doctor stated I had appendicitis and without question surgery was in the game plan. Right away I became very nervous. She told me there was a possibility of surgery in the next few hours but it never happened. So I ended up staying at Hotel Juravinski for the night. I sat back and thought the last time I did a sleepover at a hospital was 38 years ago.
Friday 6:00 a.m.
It goes without saying my overnight stay was restless and unsettled. Once again I watched time go by. At 1:00 p.m. my surgery was given the green light. I went under the knife at 2:00 p.m. and was recuperating in my hospital bed at 4 o'clock. The staff mentioned as long as I was feeling up to par I could discharge myself. At 7:30 p.m. and thirty-one hours later I said toodle-oo to Hotel Juravinski.
Epilogue
Nurses do care. I dealt with many female caregivers including radiologists, porters and housekeepers. Meeting these women once again proves my point when it comes to caring and nurturing, the female species rule. The surgical team (all female) made me feel at ease and extremely comfortable. There was a twist of diversity within that group. Two were Chinese and three were white, one of them European. I give these health care workers full marks of praise, gratitude and my utmost appreciation.
The End
The Harvenut Puritan Project
Harvenut will return with
"The Age of Collapse: A Journey to Remember"
I didn't think it would get this bad this fast.
