Heart Scare.

Recently I fell into a fit of coughing and expectorated some blood into my hanky. Everyone panicked and short of calling an ambulance packed me to a large hospital. I was in the pink of health except for my nicotine stained larynx. The pulmonary specialist was a chipper 40 something doctor, who ran his stethoscope all over my body, my breathing was fine, but I was a smoker so he suggested an X-ray. The X-ray showed a patch, I thought it might have been the hole in the vest, but there was an eerie silence while the doc evaluated. He suspected “Pneumonia” I did not even know to spell it, I was more worried about the tobacconist whose family depended on my business. Then he wanted me to run a battery of tests and investigations i e. CT-scan, HRCT – CBC + RES, Creatinne, Bronchoscopy, Electrolytes, Blood picture, Glucose post & pre postprandial and a sputum culture. I thought recovery was all about confidence. Mercifully the reports were “negative” I thanked negativity for the first time in the life. My blood sugar was high so he referred me to a diabetologist. This guy looked at my history, smoker 30 cigarettes for 30 years, Alcohol 3 pegs daily, B. P. - Heart 3 stents and a diabetic and stuttered how…. how….. I completed the sentence for him “are you alive” the miracle of booze, I wanted to say. He also wanted several tests, thyroid, stress test, urine, and stool. By now my purse which had become desiccated revolted. I beat a hasty retreat towards the emergency exit with my frail and ailing wallet. I am happy to report that with sunshine, a swig of whiskey I am in fine fettle again. –Vinay-