After talking to the receptionist for a few minutes, she put me through to the nurse. The nurse asked about my symptoms and I explained about my fatigue, shortness of breath, and a little bit of chest pressure. She said the office was closing for the day and recommended I go to the emergency room. I asked if I couldn't just make an appointment for later in the week, as I wasn't really feeling that bad. She said, I could, but that she was going to mark in my chart that I go to the emergency room that day.

     When my husband asked what she said, I told him and of course he was concerned. I also, began to feel a little afraid. The nurse said that heart disease in women can creep up on you and because the symptoms were vague she thought I should have a complete work-up.

     At the ER, I had blood tests, and a chest x-ray. They gave me a nitro patch, and made me chew some baby aspirin. Everything came back normal. Sigh of relief inserted here. However, the doctor came in to speak to me and said that he wanted to monitor me overnight, but that they had no beds with monitors and he wanted to transfer me to another local hospital. He checked with the two closest hospitals and they too said they had no room. He wanted me go to EMMC, one of the two best hospitals in the state when it comes to heart disease. They said they didn't have a room, but would have. (Yeah right!)

     I asked if all this was really necessary. He said that just because I hadn't had a heart attack, didn't mean I wasn't fixin' to and he just wanted to have my enzyme levels checked at regular intervals for the next 12 - 18 hours. Next day was my daughter's 8th birthday and the last thing I wanted to do was spend it in the hopsital.

     My husband came to check on me, just as they were getting me ready for transport. He asked if there was anything he should bring up to me. I told him that I was fine and not to bother coming to the hospital that night because there really wasn't anything he could do. Then I broke down and cried and told him just to make sure that our daughter had a good birthday.

     I got to ride in the back of an ambulance for an hour and a half, then spend the next 24 hours in the ER at EMMC. They didn't have any room either and they had 7 patients in ER waiting for a room. They did a complete work-up with echo cardiograms, x-rays, a stress test and blood work and everything came back normal, Praise God! I was able to leave the hospital a little after noon and spend the rest of the day with my daughter. 

     Tomorrow I have a follow-up with my primary care physician.  While I don't knowfor sure  the cause of my symptoms, or the reason God had for having me spend the night in ER, I do know that he answered one of my concerns. The previous week I was having thoughts about death and what would happen to my children if anything happened to me. I know they would be well taken care of, but I also know the struggle and pain and difficulty they would have to face and I want to protect them from that pain. This visit assured me I was in no immediate danger of leaving them, but also that He is in control and I just need to trust Him with life and death. I am trying, but it's still a struggle.

I am sure you were thinking a little anemia or something. What a surprise that was. It seems you get two types of care, it is either over the top MRI"s for gas or under care "as we grow older" aches and pains when it is really MS. Glad yours was over the top and all is good. Well except that you are still tired. Your symptoms seem to be very peri-menopausal to me. I hope they find your answers soon. Peace to you all.
Because of Jesus, Bobbie

I'm so sorry to hear of your recent hospital visit, but I am relieved to read that everything came back fine :) PTL!

I'm just visiting blogs and wishing you a wonderful week!
~Tamara
www.traininghearts.com

So glad you are okay, & was able to spend the day with your daughter!

Wow! So glad you're OK - how scary! And Happy belated to your dd!!

I've been through those thoughts - especially where there is no dad here to continue on in my absence. I've also learned that the thoughts alone can cause stress - which can exhibit itself in a multitude of ways.

There is a reason they still call it the "practice" of medicine. It's because they haven't perfected it yet.

Rest in the Lord, ask him to help you through (no getting out of or going around) and cut out sugar and caffine and anything else unhealthy (chocolate - okay maybe not).

Aren't hospital's fun? I've gotten to the point where it's better NOT to tell anyone when I'm feeling a little "off" because the whole hospital thing is way more stressful than just taking it easy around home until the feeling passes.

Wish I were closer.

Sorry I missed your birthday. Ugh! Some friend I am, huh?

Hugs, MaggieRaye

Praying!!