By "bedrest," I hope "chaiselounger rest" is acceptible.
It's been a rough going lately. Not in the sense that operations was, but I almost feel like I'm catching up, like my body is in recovery of sorts. I logged almost 2,000 miles this month and our hospital system isn't that big. My back has been a mess of knots and I think I was home four weekdays during August. So when I got home this past Wednesday, I quickly brushed my yuckiness off; of course dizziness, a thumping heart (palpitations...duh), and crazy headaches are normal for people who travel a lot.
Or those with high blood pressure.
Or extremely high blood pressure.
I was at the hospital today for a couple meetings, a retirement celebration for a long time radiology employee, and then lunch with Sister. My head felt weird, lightheaded, and I was dizzy. I've only felt that feeling once before, when my BP was 155/100.
This time? 170/110.
I actually went down to Imaging to visit a nurse who works down there in recovery. She was off today. Instead, I found today's replacement nurse resting comfortably in the patients' recliner. 35 weeks pregnant, she sprung to her feet and, upon seeing me in my suit, screeched out "I'm so busted! I'm sorry!"
To which I replied, "I'm the FORMER director of this department, oh, and by the way, can you take my BP really quick? I feel like I'm stroking out." She lept into action and was so nervous she couldn't get the machine to work. I finally said, "Dude (yes, dude), I'm a human who doesn't feel well right now. Relax, maaaaan!" She still couldn't make it work.
So after talking for a few minutes (and trying to not fall over), I wished her luck and bid her farewell. I felt so crummy that I didn't care about the loafing. That's so un-Dorrie. (haha). Not really wanting to be seen, I crept back through Imaging to the CT department. They take BP's all day long and I sort of hid behind one of the curtains so that I could wave down one of the techs. Instead, I get a GROUP of techs walking down the hall (probably returning from the retirement I attended earlier). It only takes .382 nanoseconds until I am spotted and they are reaching out to help me. Do I really look that bad?
Yes, it turns out. With a hugely-inappropriate blood pressure. They tried to get me to go to the ED but agreed to let me visit a nursing director pal (okay, the director of the ED) who pronounced me in "urgent" shape, not "emergent."
Well, that's a relief. But yikes. No wonder I feel like #$(*@&.
So while I have a doctor's appointment first thing Monday morning, my nursing friend feel it is best if I cool it this weekend. No galavanting. No stress. No caffeine (um...WHAT?) I will heed it because, well, my father died of a stroke from uncontrolled BP. I have to take this seriously and I will.
It's just so ironic. When I went to the retirement party gathering, everyone kept commenting on how rested I look. Funny that my head was swimming with dizziness and I could feel my pulse in my ears.
Time to relax. For realz.
Yikes.........Time to figure out HOW to relax.
I hope my life these past several years with the insane stress has not damaged my body too much. Here's to hopin'.
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