silly sam

There was a little drama around here last night... I ended up in the hospital. Do you remember me mentioning that I was sick a while back? I finished a course of antibiotics last week but still wasn't feeling too perky. On Monday, I slid over to see the family doctor who did a throat swab and some other tests and ruled out strep throat or other bacteria.

By last night, I was that much worse for the wear and my temperature was higher than at any point over the last two weeks but even more scary, I completely lost my voice and my throat began to close up, feeling sharp like razors and leaving me unable to breathe!

Let me just say, the family would have quite enjoyed the "not talking" part of my affliction but Veto insisted that I follow doctor's orders and go to the emergency room in the night if things got worse. He also insisted on canceling his important meetings in Toronto to stay back with me.

Just to summarize because sick posts can get very tedious, I have several things to be happy about:

We have the one of the best health care systems in the world. Of course all systems have glitches, but I was seen with a short wait by an extremely competent doctor. I will tell you the story another time about how I snapped his head off a bit because he was explaining things in too much detail and I just wanted him to get on with it already. Veto will vouch for me, I was, even without a voice, a saucy little brat. Shame on me. But I am still happy with the hospital.

Three of the nurses who attended me during the night and early today, as well as the lab tech who drew my blood (I hardly felt a thing, he was so good at his job) were from the Philippines. They were so caring, helpful and compassionate. I managed (after an IV full of steroids) to visit with them a bit and each one of them had the same story: they moved to Canada to secure jobs in health care and will move their families here when they have enough money. They miss their children and parents very much. Note to self: be more grateful that we all live under the same roof. Scrap with the kids less about stuff on the floor. Be glad they are here.

I am very lucky that an old friend of mine was working in radiology during the night shift and the doctors sped the tests up so I could have my CT scan before she went home at midnight. Being cared for by someone you know in a strange environment is extremely comforting. We need to stop meeting like this...

I am so happy (and lucky) to report that my condition is not serious but the infection might be a little harder to lick than originally thought so I have a few prescriptions here to gobble down with whatever liquids and soft foods I can handle. The specialist I saw this morning put a probe down my nose and ruled out all the sinister things that cause extreme throat pain. I just need to lay low for a week or so... and I promise I will. I don't want to miss our family holiday in June. Veto made me promise to take it easy.

Lastly, I am thankful that at age 80, my Daddy, The Secret Weapon, went to his studio and made me a little poster of one of my favourite characters that he drew for me when I was a little girl. Silly Sam appeared in cartoons, on napkins, on the back of envelopes. He still brightens a cloudy day.