Feb 28 2008
Update-a-Rama
I didn’t go shopping when Mr. Hot was at the why can’t I breathe asthma doctor. He was so stressed about the whole thing after driving the 60 miles in a fuckin’ blizzard (why yes, another blizzard in Michigan, in February! Shocking, isn’t it?), I didn’t have the heart to remind him that he told me he’d drop me off at the mall. Apparently, to the non-child-bearing gender, shopping and breathing are not actually the same thing. I figured he’d forgotten, and so I think, “Okay…I’ll just read old magazines in the waiting room. If he gets finished fast, maybe I can have him stop at the strip mall down the road so I can take a quick look at the shoes in Dress Barn.”
Actually, though, once we got settled into our waiting room chairs, I figured out that he hadn’t forgotten. Because when they called his name - “Mr. Hot, the doctor will see you now” (which, we all know, is nothing but a bald-faced-lie), he looked down at me and said “Will you come back with me?” Y’all? This has never happened! Of course, I’ve never actually been to the doctor with him, either, but still! Now I was really worried. What did he know that I didn’t already beat out of him?
So, we follow Miss Nurse back to the “breathing test” room. He gets weighed. He rolls his eyes at me. I know he’s gained weight since he was there last, but it’s only been a year….then he tells me that the last time he was there, they didn’t weigh him. So, it’s been 18 months or more. Ooops. About the time we moved out to CornFieldLand and the bike riding and the soccer stopped. I understand the eye roll now. Probably 20 lbs over the last time he was there.
The blood pressure was a little higher than normal, but after checking her chart and looking outside, she figures that anyone who drove as far as we did in the suck-ass snow was probably not going to be calm, cool, and collected and let it go.
Then comes the hard part. The nurse tells him, “Take a deep breath. Put this in your mouth and blow out. Keep it in your mouth and breath back in through your mouth.” He blows out and goes into a coughing fit. Three times in a row. He’s sweating. The nurse asks if he’s going to pass out. He shakes his head. He never manages to keep it in his mouth for the “back in” part. I kiss goodbye to seeing a pair of shoes today, other than the ugly white ones the nurse was wearing. In fact, I start wondering if we’ll make it home in order to feed Shortman dinner.
They do a breathing treatment to open his airways so he can be retested. We sit around for another 30 minutes after the treatment, then he goes back to blow some more. This time, he manages to keep the plastic piece in his mouth through the inhalation part. Another 30 minutes later the doctor comes back in. Now = 85 minutes after we moved to the examination room.
Based on the second breathing test, she doesn’t believe it’s the asthma that is rearing it’s ugly head so much as a return of the reflux disease that he fights when he gains weight. Which also affects his breathing. Because asthma and acid reflux together? Suck. Blow. Er, actually, they permit you to do neither.
Two weeks on Advair, 3 months of Ranitidine before bed. And keep exercising and eating right. (He started back running/lifting in February after a couple of months off. But it’s not enough - diet has to change, too.) He thanked me at least three times for coming with him. Not only for the company on the ride, (which wasn’t nearly as white-knuckley on the way back), but for sticking with him in the examining room.
At that point it truly hit me (after 17 years of marriage!) - we will be advocating each other’s health care through the next 20 or 30 years.
Now, this isn’t the first time that we’ve been through illness. Once, he had bursitis and the emergency room doctors convinced me that he had an enlarged aorta and would probably die if they let him leave. (When the CT-scan showed no abnormalities in his heart or lungs, they gave him Tylenol and sent him home!)
But then, we were both young younger and injuries or accidents were much more likely than long-term illness. (I know there are plenty of young couples who are affected by serious long-term illness and my heart hurts for them.) Somehow, though, it truly hit home as I sat there, next to the man I promised to have and to hold, through sickness and through health, that there will probably be many more times that we sit next to each other, waiting for the doctor to walk through the door. That our wrinkled hands and fingers will entwine while clipboards are read and written upon. While test results are awaited. And somehow, it made me feel way more grown up than I wanted to be.
—- We’ve been so lucky. Our children are healthy. We’ve only lost one parent between the two of us (his father, 4 years ago). Our brothers and sisters and their children are healthy. And for that, as alway, I’m grateful. —-
HOT LOVE
Scarey, isn’t it? That moment you realize that you are an adult.
Bunny Bunster’s last blog post..New Fangeled Contraptions!
I don’t know why, but this made me want to start crying today. Maybe I should go have my hormones tested…
Okay I am making Red read this because seriously!
He does not believe me that he needs to go to the doctor.
I’m sad that you didn’t get to go shopping though, but I guess I understand
Julie’s last blog post..Awesome.
This made me get a little choked up too! OMG, I cannot believe I just typed those words- that was unintentional! But funny, in a black humor kind of way… which I know you usually enjoy…
barbra’s last blog post..why, oh why?
A gal can always shop online (coupons & cash back!) but being there for your husband in his time of need - priceless (and same with him doing that for you). I’m glad you guys were able to find out what was wrong and you can always shop at a more relaxing time later on, right (and without driving in a blizzard).
Lys’s last blog post..A Tale of a Traveler…
I kept thinking how sweet it was because he kept asking you to stick around. And that you two are so lucky to have each other.
But then you had to go on about being an adult and snapping me back to reality.
He’s lucky to have you! And you him!
Kristabella’s last blog post..DINAO Round 4 - The Political Edition
It’s a sobering thought, isn’t it? As if those first 20 years of learning to get along are all practice or warm-up for the next 30 of taking care of each other.
suburbancorrespondent’s last blog post..War is Hell
I kiss goodbye to seeing a pair of shoes today, other than the ugly white ones the nurse was wearing. HAhaha!
Ugh. Being part of the Over 45 demographic bites, doesn’t it? As does being tempted to say old people junk like “Yeah, but it sure beats the alternative!”
SarahO’s last blog post..I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU CAN LOOK AT THIS. NOW WITH BONUS LINK!
Man, I HEAR you loud and clear. The Saint has passed fifty and it seems like he’s seeing some doctor or another once a month. That’s where i get my reading done!
Fannie’s last blog post..Twenty-nine
I’m so jealous of your relationship. I don’t think I’ve ever had someone stand by me like that.
Solomon Broad’s last blog post..Things I’m Grateful For on Thursday 28 February
Aww….so sweet! I’m blinking back tears, too. I know Rock and I will be that way, too. Good for you for going with him. It’s so great to have that hand to hold.
Shelly’s last blog post..Award!
He doesn’t ask you to play “nursey” does he?
witchypoo’s last blog post..It’s All About Me
grow old with me….
zoe’s last blog post..A letter to my body
This TOTALLY made me tear up. I’m glad he’s going to be okay and that he was “Man” enough to ask you to be there with him; that really says so much about your relationship.
Jules
House of Jules
HouseofJules’s last blog post..Putting the Hump in Humpday: Renaissance Man offers himself to me; prizes to you!
It’s sweet, and telling, that he thought to thank you on the way home.
Jennifer H’s last blog post..Something tells me we’re not alone…
Damn.
Dawn’s last blog post..Punt Soup Recipe
I have a theory: whenever a doctor doesn’t know what the hell is wrong with someone, they ALWAYS diagnose reflux. ALWAYS. And percentage of time they’re actually right? 10%.
imhelendt’s last blog post..Life can be fair when you have boobies?
You paint a great picture!
daysgoby’s last blog post..rocking horse people and marshmallow pies
“will ya still need me, will ya still feed me, when I’m sixty-four”
yeah, you both are lucky to have each other. I hope he’s feeling better soon …. and Mr Hot? shed some lbs. Mrs. Hot and the Shortdude, want ya around longer. =)
Nancy’s last blog post..Combo Platter
I’ve always kinda known that someday, the mail man would find my half eaten body . . . . which is why I’m as nice as I can be to my friend’s children . . . so they’ll put me in a nice home someday . . . some place with windows and where they’ll change my diaper at least once a day.
The Super Bongo’s last blog post..Vanity
This was very odd to read. I had the same thing last year, the test, the cough, the Advair and the reflux. But can you explain how it is the reflux that causes it? Indigestion and breathing problems just seem to be at such odds. I took the meds and changed my diet and 6 months later I was fine. I admit that at the time, I thought the MD was crazy. Well, I’m glad to hear that your husband is going to get better. And isn’t it sad (but also sweet) that there will be many more office visits and you’ll be there for each other. It is nice to have someone there to hear what the MD/RN’s are saying. As a patient you are already sick and trying to hear all the words flying around can be difficult. So at least with you at his side he was able to know that you would listen for him. You make a great team.
Sigh. Very sweet and touching. Hey, what blog am I reading?
(kidding - love ya)
sue’s last blog post..In Which We Discuss Things That REALLY SUCK because that other stuff? NOT. EVEN. CLOSE.
“For richer, for poorer, and in sickness and in health…”
I wish the Hubby would actually share what he mentions to his doctor with me.
It is tough to think about advocating for each other’s health, especially during the healthier/younger stage in life. But yes, it is there. Looming over us all…
And I thought being responsible for Little Dude was a challenge. At least I can still pick him up. Now what if the Hubby had something happen that made it difficult for him to move?
Scary stuff. I think I know why they include it in the vows.
RC’s last blog post..A bit like jet lag
Oh babe, major suckage on the no new shoes front, but being there with him is worth it.
So tofu burgers on the menu at your place tonight?
Smootches for you my gorgeous. And a big one for Mr Hot too.
Kelley’s last blog post..what do you see?
I’m glad he went, and glad you went with him…hopefully the meds will work.
As we get older, we *all* have to start worrying about the diet and the exercising thingy. I know we’re in the same position…it’s now or never…
Heidi
Heidi’s last blog post..Bloggers Rock!
First off, Advair is from the devil. If he starts feeling like he has a tightness in his chest or that he, in fact, is breathing worse than before the Advair, tell his doctor. Of course, that could just be me. But I, too, have the acid reflux and the asthma-like problems, and I can’t take that shit.
Ree, I’m so envious that he wanted you to go with him. Bill refuses to see a doctor unless he’s bleeding profusely and even then, perhaps a tourniquet first? And after he goes to the doctor, he refuses to take the meds they prescribe him, and eventually gets well just…well…because. And when that happens, he declares himself smart not to take the meds, or follow the advice, because LOOK. He’s ALL BETTER WITHOUT THEM.
Anyway, I’m glad you’re not taking today off
All Ree, all the time.
Candy’s last blog post..Some Questions I’d Like Answers To. Today, if Possible. Oh. AND PANTIES!
A true partnership for sure. To be there in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. Isn’t it nice to know that when the inevitable old age catches up to us we have someone there to be by our side when things get scary. Lovely post Hot.
Gypsy’s last blog post..A mother’s pride
This post makes my heart hurt for a true loving partnership like you have. You are very lucky!
Vanessa’s last blog post..I <3 Mail!
This made me tear up a little bit, which is hard to do. I’m glad Mr. Hot is okay. I’m glad you stayed. I hate being a grown-up.
Miz S’s last blog post..Random Random Bo Bandom.
Deep thoughts hott, deep.
Anyway, it struck me as we’ve been dealing with my grandmother’s health issues as of late. Scary stuff. I know it means a lot to be there when they need us, and i’ve been on the other end. Sometimes it is just nice to have someone there for it.
Jessica’s last blog post..Seen on Saturday