10 Hours in Emerg

After 4 days of pain and 2 calls to a TeleHealth Nurse I finally went to emerg at 10pm. I was there for 10 hours but you won't hear a complaint from me. They treated me very well and really tried to find out what was wrong.
It was quiet and I had one of the "soup" books that a friend had just lent me: Chicken Soup for the Soul, Living Catholic Faith. Perfect reading: inspirational and easy.

The nurses seemed sure they knew what it was and were pleasantly preparing me physically and mentally. The Emerg Dr. and the blood work thought differently. He said something could be happening but nothing was showing up so best to follow up with the Family Dr.

A bland diet seems to keep the pain at bay.

I was impressed with the way each person I encountered spent extra time to connect even in the few minutes of each interaction. The triage nurse who talked about my food allergies, celiac and arthritis. The clerk who shared her easy experience getting a new health card downtown and the location of the parking lot. The nurse who took blood and opened up an IV insert, calling my right arm vein "juicy". I admired her skill.
Even the Dr who was busy with a serious burn case that needed transferring to London took a moment to look at what I was reading. He was being followed dutifully by a med student or intern who seemed painfully shy but extremely studious. The student nearly toppled over at his heels when the Dr doubled back to check again if I had been traveling recently.
I am left feeling grateful. Grateful I am not as sick as some I saw. And grateful that these professionals are only a short few minutes from my house when I need care in the middle of the night.
A bland diet's not so bad.