And before I know it I’m all wired up to a machine
Having spent most of yesterday back in hospital for some waiting around and the odd repeat check, I’m now at home with itchy stickers on my chest strapped up to a machine that records 24 hours of heart activity. Having been largely ignored by the first consultant on Wednesday, I upped my game, writing a clear list of symptoms and asking again for investigation into the odd heart rhythms and weakness I’ve been experiencing.
The combination perhaps of my precise list and a different doctor meant this time, to my surprise, I was taken utterly seriously. Immediately an ECG was ordered, then the other machine, after which the registrar sent a message that he’d like me to remain in overnight for observation. I got exactly what I wanted, which was to be taken seriously, but was now caught between feeling pleased at my success and nervous of what I’d started.
Against medical advice I declined the offer of a comfy night on the ward and the promise of some great food (Jamie - you’ve done school canteens, now it’s time to get onto the hospitals…), and feeling a bit rebellious, settled myself in front of Celebrity Big Brother with a curry that I couldn’t manage more than a mouthful of. Bad idea. I do struggle with food, but this was properly rank. (Jamie - when you’re done with hospitals, get onto the curry houses.)
My own bed was well worth going against medical advice for even if NHS food might have proved a better option than the gunk I ordered. The deal with the equipment was that I remain connected for 24 hours, without bath or shower (swimming pool OK presumably), and record all activity along with precise times and symptoms. Putting on the light to note that I’d got out of bed for the toilet at 4.54am (no symptoms to report), was tedious I have to say, but remembering that I’d brought this upon myself, I dutifully obliged…
Some poor sod now has the job of tallying my scribbles with the machine’s readings and making some sense out of the data. As for me, it’s now 3pm and I have some slimy stickers and wires to remove. Phew…