SLOW AS RUST…..

That’s how this setback arrived…a slow, low-grade fever and night sweats!  And then I saw it!  It finally dawned on me – this is NOT going in the direction I should be going!

I won’t bore you with all the details of combating an infection, many of which are responsible for putting me back on that road to recovery, but I simply must tell you about my first ride in a medical helicopter!

The pilot, co-pilot, and medical tech person (all men) assured me all would go well during my 40 minute ride from HCH ER in Taos to the ER at Sandoval Regional Medical Center north of ABQ. They strapped me into a cocoon-like gurney next to the pilot. I was offered the option to be put in an upright position so I could enjoy the view! The view? No thanks. Just get me to a source of pain relief – fast.

The copter had a clear plastic dome – great for enjoying the view. However, this ride happened on a bright sunny day, and the sun shining on my face was intense. There was nothing to shade my eyes. Like a cat, I raised one of my ‘paws’ to cover them from the intense light. I saw red.

Had I been an egg, I would have been thoroughly scrambled from the vibration of the helicopter, and thoroughly cooked from the heat of the sun. I felt nauseous.  But I hadn’t eaten for two days, and had little to drink in the last 24 hours, so there was nothing to puke up but little puffs of putrid breath.

Life, in and out of ERs (I’ve now managed about 6 trips), is always about “hurry up and wait”.  But your turn finally comes about, and you become the center of attention.  What a relief!

So now, as Willy Nelson has said, “ I’m back on the road again” – to recovery. Thanks to you all for your well wishes.  I send you my love. I’ll be fine.