Contemplating Mortality − 18 May, 2007
Today I had to go to the doctor. I felt fine; there was no obvious illness.
That's the way high blood pressure works, see, no symptoms. Just walking along, doing your thing, then --BAM-- your eyeballs pressurize and shoot out of your head like shotgun shells. Well, more likely you have a stroke or ruin your kidneys first.
And that's where I am. My blood pressure has been insanely high for the past two weeks.
Now, here's the problem: I'm a teacher. I do not like to call in sick. Especially now, at the end of school, I hate the time I've lost today with my kids. As I said in a previous post, this is one of the best sixth grade classes I've ever had; I regret not being able to be there with them today.
But, if I didn't go today, it would be weeks before I'd be able to make time. By then, who knows? Maybe one of those big --bams-- and my eyes would be splatted on the wall.
Of course, nothing has been decided yet. I have to go in for blood tests.
That's nothing unusual. I think every time I've been in this past year, they've wanted to run blood tests. I suspect if I came in with a big spear sticking out of my back I'd still get sent off for a blood test.
Still, for now, it's better than getting measured for a pine box.
That's the way high blood pressure works, see, no symptoms. Just walking along, doing your thing, then --BAM-- your eyeballs pressurize and shoot out of your head like shotgun shells. Well, more likely you have a stroke or ruin your kidneys first.
And that's where I am. My blood pressure has been insanely high for the past two weeks.
Now, here's the problem: I'm a teacher. I do not like to call in sick. Especially now, at the end of school, I hate the time I've lost today with my kids. As I said in a previous post, this is one of the best sixth grade classes I've ever had; I regret not being able to be there with them today.
But, if I didn't go today, it would be weeks before I'd be able to make time. By then, who knows? Maybe one of those big --bams-- and my eyes would be splatted on the wall.
Of course, nothing has been decided yet. I have to go in for blood tests.
That's nothing unusual. I think every time I've been in this past year, they've wanted to run blood tests. I suspect if I came in with a big spear sticking out of my back I'd still get sent off for a blood test.
Still, for now, it's better than getting measured for a pine box.
Comments:
edunn (May 20, 2007. 08:44pm)
I am so glad your eyes didn't fly out of your head! I think they have medicine for that :)
bmccosar (May 20, 2007. 08:52pm)
Actually, the nightmare I have is the big stroke Pembleton had in the 4th season of "Homicide: Life on the Street." ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Pembleton#The_stroke )
CrystallineTulip (May 22, 2007. 07:55am)
Well, your eyes flying out of your head may have made a good hook to some sort of health lesson for your students (j/k). Hope you feel better soon!