April 7
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
News from Cabbagetown, St James Town, Regent Park, Corktown, the Distillery, Canary District and the Waterfront
So, I experienced an excruciating pain in my right chest area on Wednesday afternoon. Irene took me to St Mike’s for my personal safety and a diagnosis.
After 6 hours in Emergency, I had my blood pressure monitored, an ECG, X-rays, an ultrasound and regular check-ups by nurses who dropped in to see me. At 10:30 pm, the doctor came in and introduced himself.
Doctor: So Douglas, how are you feeling?
Doug: Really shitty
Doctor: Umm
Doug: Still got that chest pain, a headache, my body feels totally wrecked and I’m exhausted.
Doctor: You’ve got shingles.
Doug: WHAT (followed by a religious profanity.) Are you kidding me?
Doctor: That’s why the pain is running from your chest to your hips. It’s in your nerves.
Doug: But I’ve already had them. I thought once was the limit.
Doctor: Nope.
Doug” And I’ve had my Shingrex shot. Doesn’t that stop it?
Doctor: Not always. Now, I gotta go. Here’s a prescription.
Doug: What about the pain?
Doctor: Tylenol. Gotta go.
To be honest, he was a really nice guy. Outside my room, there were guys lying on stretchers looking blasted. One guy was yelling “Ow, ow, ow” over and over again. The Emergency Ward at St Mike’s seems to be the place where misery rules.
Back next week.
