h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Yesterday wasn't one of my better days. I went to the office as usual, tried to do five things at once as usual, got some criticism for cutting corners as was necessary if I were to get anything done (as usual), took on a couple of extra urgent tasks on top of all the other urgent ones, and then I was taken to hospital with chest pains. (Just the chest, you understand; no shooting pains down the arms or anything like that.)

The episode itself wasn't especially painful, and it was very brief (all over within a couple of minutes) and it's not at all surprising to note the verdict that it was stress-related. But the thing is, as a result of the three ECGs that were conducted during the four hours I was under observation and the blood tests and so forth, it is now proven that I do have an underlying cardiac condition. This is the same rare condition my sister has, but apparently in a milder form. Mild or not, I have to do something about it.

The most likely medical outcome is that I'll end up taking beta-blockers for the rest of my life. I can accept that. I almost said 'I can live with that'. The sad fact is, without them I might not.

I'm off w*rk today. I'll rest a bit, then I'll arrange an appointment with my doctor for sometime next week. I'll tell (not ask, tell) her to refer me to a particular specialist as advised by the doctors in the emergency ward. I'll also ask my sister to email me a full description of her case, along with medication notes and the name of her specialist.

I'll soon call and tell my boss what the situation is and advise her that I will be taking time off for medical appointments as needed. She needs to accept that if I am tired I will rest, and to hell with deadlines. It's not my fault we're understaffed.

I have decided not to seek further advancement up the career ladder. The stress levels are too dangerous. If my employers don't like this decision, I'll move on as soon as I can find somewhere less frantic to move to. This would be a pity as I lIke the *people* I w*rk with; it's not their fault we're under enormous political pressure.

A note about medical tests: cholesterol normal, blood pressure normal, liver function normal, glucose etc levels normal, lungs doing a wonderful job, so I have every right to ridicule self-important prats who tell me I'm unfit.

So anyway. It's all been a bit of a shock. Knowing that I had an idiosyncratic heartbeat was one thing, now being told that it needs attention is quite another matter. The shock has passed. I'm now a bit angry. (How dare they pile so much w*rk on me at the office? Why is buying a house so bleeding stressful? You know, that sort of unanswerable thing.) I'm hoping the anger passes soon so I can see a clear calm way forward.

I should state here that the first aid oficers at w*rk were fabulous, as were the staff of the emergency ward at Calvary Hospital in Belconnen. (They are mindblowingly efficient, and genuinely nice with it.) But of course I hope I don't have to have further dealings with them...

A note about my approach to h2g2. I intend that all medical discussions, all case notes and in fact all mentions of my condition be confined to this thread alone. I'd like all my other threads to be Perfectly Normal, with not even an allusion to me being an object of medical curiosity. Please help me to achieve this.

Thank you all.

Just takes things slowly my friend - the healths of all my friends is important to me(as well as them of course)BUT distances means I can not render assistance, only mental and spiritual support

Hi Ivan, I wish you all the best mate. Take things easy till you get a full and proper diagnosis. No job is worth the risk to health.

It's good that you know what's going on and what's the cause.

That should mean you'll get the right treatment soon.

Thanks all.

My main concern right now is how to get the sticky residue of the ECG tabs off my chest. Soap just isn't enough. Metho, maybe? Turps?

sandpaper

You seem to have a sound approach to all this, Ivan. Good for you. None of us were built to last forever but as long as we last we should make the best of it. I'm trying it here and I trust you to do the same there

I didn't have that problem Ivan, with me it's a case of get the razor out to make them stick in the first place.
I did have one nurse, (who I knew before I had heart issues), who shaved a smiley face on my chest the one time when having an ECG done. The little minx.

It could have been worse; she could have shaved a grumpy face or a rude word or something...

I wish i could be there to give you a real one.

*saves madly for a trip east before xmas*

Thanks Helly.

Saving madly - does that involve stuffing banknotes into an old tin under the fridge, or something? I might try it.

Those alcohol wipes used to sterilise things should get the sticky residue off.

Stay safe mate, you're completely right when you say no job is worth putting your health at risk.

I might give myself a quick rub-down with vodka. There's no point having an issue like this if you can't have fun with it.

<> exactly the same as myself since my heart episode. I'm also taking a statin for cholesterol. One of my old schoolfriends (some years ago) got so stressed in her job with a financial institution (high-pressure selling) and failing targets etc. caused her to leave after working for them for over 30 years. She took a job as a cleaner going round people's houses, working at her own pace, no deadlines, and loves it, never been happier.

Another Bank employee I had worked with, I was at her funeral some years ago, she was younger than me. She had been worried about her targets and she'd passed away in her sleep, everyone was very shocked as she'd been in good (physical) health. We all know stress is a silent killer, Ivan, and as you've come to realise, sometimes work/job ambition isn't worth it. Aim to be happy instead

from afar and medical issues will stay in this thread as far as I'm concerned

GB

Thanks GB.



I will have to reconsider my career in some detail. I've already told the boss that I have no intention of going further up the hierarchy, and she's told me not to make hasty statements, so I don't think I'll tell her right now that I'm reconsidering being part of that w*rkplace at all.

There will be other, less fraught, public service agencies out there where I could stay at my current level for the rest of my career... I need to think about this.

with making that decision.

The day I finally stood up to the new boss and she hastily backed down, my back pain disappeared - and I'd had it for over two weeks, since the day the old boss left me alone here with her. If that's not a sign that Stress Is Bad For You, I don't know what is!

The power of stress is quite amazing. Sometimes it keeps me going, sometimes it knocks me flat, but this time it's done something really nasty. I am determined to make my life easier, by stages. Step One is to finish moving house. After that, I can look at the w*rk situation and see what's possible.

I'm glad you put the Chief Bint in her place, Mala.

I was going to post here last night, only I was unable to sign in

At least I've had time to think about things, and must say you are handling this admirably


Now... Don't shout that we have a 'normal' thread, everyone will want one! *hic*


lil xx

Thanks Lil.

Let's all see how long we can keep this thread looking 'normal'... It's a challenge, but I think we can do it if we try.

definitely bloody hard

as the saying goes(just made up) - walk don't run, you'll still get there but safely