Whoa! Didn’t see that coming.

For those of us who spend our days assessing, preparing and predicting, this statement is a humiliating admission. Whether grim or agreeable, I like life to be - expected.

The House at Pooh Corner was a regular favourite for bedtime reading. We heard that the bear of very little brain calmly accepted the grim as pathways to the agreeable about which his friend Piglet needed constant reassurance. Eeyore always knew it would rain, Tigger bounced for adventure and Owl was only wise after the event. I never liked Rabbit’s officious efficiency but have to accept that it is the character I have become. I too would happily hang tea towels to dry on the legs of a friend if they were in a convenient position.

Two weeks ago I suddenly had a lump in my throat and a numbing pain that ran up my left shoulder to fizzle with a cracking ache across the centre of my skull. M sat me down to take my blood pressure and found a number that would have made Eeyore lie down and accept his fate. My bottom skimmed a chair in ER triage and within minutes it was hanging out of a hospital gown. I was bundled into bed with a cannula in my arm, blood taken, a chest Xray taken, hooked up to an ECG monitor and listening to Dr Marty jokes. I guess they thought I was having a heart attack. I channelled Pooh and tried to think of a little hum when left to await results.

After many proddings and pokings, I was told that all the things that could have killed me were not the cause, all my organs were in good nick and there was no sign of clots. Even with meds, my BP was Tiggering, so more fluids were extracted for testing. Days later I was released without a cause.

On Friday I sat in my specialist’s office and was told everything the last lot of test results said I didn’t have. Almost apologetically, I was told that I was just suffering from garden variety genetic hypertension that 90% of sufferers have. The Dr said that it must have been slowly rising and that I must have a high tolerance for pain and discomfit. I thought I was too Rabbit for that.   

The lesson is ‘know thyself!’ Legend has it that Socrates scored this on Delphi’s temple in response to the Oracle’s ironic statement that he was the wisest man living because he told her that he knew nothing. But I would say to you – save your life by listening to what your body is telling you. Be aware of changes. Go for routine check ups with your GP.

Do not let yourself be surprised!

 

Friday was also Charlie’s 14^th birthday – a happy surprise that he made it and is still having many bright moments every day despite the cancer eating him away. He loves unwrapping presents. (All these are old, loved toys- he is a dog of small brain and thinks they are new.)