A Visit to the ER

First off, I am fine.

A few weeks ago, I started having chest pains and tightness. I honestly just thought it was due to a sudden change in weather. I went from overcast Seattle to a weird and unusual 90 degree heat back home. I started using Xopenex, which has helped with tightness in the past. I also had a dry cough on and off too. On Tuesday I woke up with chest pains, the worst since the symptoms started to develop. I went to work and tried to have a normal day, but the pain persisted and I found myself thinking more about the pain then work. I called my CF doctor for advice. She highly recommended that I go to the ER. Ug.

I dislike the ER. It is usually crowded, which means long waits, surrounded by germs all to have the ER doctor have no idea what to do. My CF doctor said she would be available to help, so off I went.

I actually had a good experience this time. First, the ER portion of the hospital is new, so it was a nice environment to be in. It was so new, it just felt super clean. I was also admitted right away. One thing about being there with CF related symptoms, you usually get moved to the front of the line. I immediately had an EKG, which was all normal. The doctor came in and talked with me. He ordered an X-ray and some blood work. Having my blood drawn is always challenging and this was one of the worst experiences I've had in a while. Not only did she miss, but she then proceeded to dig the needle around looking for the vain. Pain. She missed the second time, but was able to find the vain quickly, so I was ok in the end. Man, I hate when they miss.

Then I had an x-ray with a mobile x-ray machine. It was so cool. They just rolled it up to my room, positioned me in the right manner and then took the picture. I have never seen that before. The x-ray tech noted that I have big lungs...which made me laugh. No one has ever said that to me before, I guess its a good thing.

Then I waited. Which was ok, because I was able to watch the Rangers pound on the Yankees. During which I also had an albuterol treatment. At some point the doctor came by to tell me all the blood work and x-rays were totally normal. In some cases, I hope they will find something, so at least I know what is going on. In this case, I was glad they didn't find anything. I'll take unexplained pain over nothing serious right now. I was discharged with a rx of albuterol to continue as needed.

I am fine now, the pain is completely gone. I actually have my CF Clinic appointment this morning, so I am sure we will talk more about this.