Ageing? Me? No way!

On Thursday, at 1:30am I was still watching the England versus Ukraine game when suddenly I felt this massive pain in my chest and my right hand went completely numb. Yes, I know - WTF! Going by my little knowledge of diagnosis based on symptoms, the right hand was a good sign. I tried to remain calm and first called Rami then Herbert who woke my mum up. My mum, obviously extremely worried gave me a quick round of 20 questions on what I was feeling and then asked me to get a few meds (from the very dependable 24 hour medical store in Bombay, that delivers to your home). Her next set of instructions were for me to call some one who lives close by and let them know I may not see them ever again. That was a joke. She basically wanted to make sure I had someone close by who could take me to the hospital if needed. At this time my pulse was at about 130. 

So at about 2:30am I called a colleague of mine, Jerome, who obviously was sleeping away after a long day of hard work (may be), and he jumped out of bed to come over to my place. I had a difficult time convincing him that I will be alive the next morning and see him in office, but it finally worked. I went to office the next morning, worked the entire day, also drove 4 1/2 hours to Pune the next day and lived to write about it on my blog! The doctor did come over to office on Thursday and after doing a round of quick tests and asking me another set of 20 questions, she said it was gas ('caused by the one I didn't let go - I assume). I don't know if she intended pun. But how does that explain the numbing of my arm?  Well, that was due to the Cervical Spondylosis that I also apparently suffer from. It just got aggravated, possibly by gas(?). Some questions are best left unanswered I guess.


This was last week and I can tell you I'm absolutely fine now save for the Cervical Spondylosis. 

Although not serious, incidents like this do put a little seed of doubt in the mind. Am I really alright? Will I wake up in the morning? Should I drive for four hours straight? Should I drive at all? Most of all, is this all worth it? I know I'm not getting any younger and the sedentary lifestyle I live, it's a miracle I've not had anything serious. Well not yet at least. But a check up is in order soon and I have to admit I will be very nervous before the results come out. Is it possible to fail a blood test?

When I look back, I think this over confidence about my health issues does come from all those years of playing (being a "jock" as Kima put it). I remember inspite of being injured, I would still carry on with torturing myself. It was fun. But how those days come back to haunt me on a cold day. I know what my grandmother (who once fell off a cliff, down about a 100 feet) must feel like. I also think the reason I survive all the punishment I put my body through now (and let me tell you there are several) is because of those years. So at this rate, I should be able to get through a couple of years more before I need the walking stick, hearing aid, pacemaker, insulin shots, etc. The collar on the neck might happen much sooner though!

The good news is, I'm still here. So, smile (or frown if it suits you).

P.S.

Me - Doc, but why was my pulse 130?

Doc - Maybe because you thought you had a heart attack

Me - Oh, you mean like the storm before the calm? (heheheh)
Doc - But your pulse is absolutely fine now. Like the calm before..!!

BITCH!