The good part is that the paramedics arrived both times in under 10 minutes. The second set of paramedics that came were very nice,and the lady had a very caring way about her. She told me that the hospitals are all overflowing so the best I can do for myself is take a peppermint tea and read a book for a while. She seemed to understand that i was very distressed and I wasn't trying to waste everyones time as every call to the paramedics costs $600. So why would I make 2 calls in 2 days equating to $1200 for the fun of it.

I was talking to my father last night and he said that the tragic medical illnesses in my family have somehow left a scar on me. He and my grandmother had strokes within 3 weeks of each other.I was going from one hospital to another for the longest time as they were in different hospitals. I wasn't allowed to tell grandma that dad also had a stroke so she wouldn't get upset. I kept on telling her he was very busy with work. My brother then had a heart attack on his birthday when he was just 37 years old and almost died. Then my illness.

This history has somehow burnt a hole in me and has made me fearful as I see just how finite our life is. Carrying this with me and going into the emergency room when you feel like you are on the brink of death, just to be scolded and told to sit down and watch the tele is enough to drive you nutter.

Well I don't want to be a downer here,whats done is done. All of us have a cross to bear. Let's think positive happy thoughts. Life is good. I have a loving family, nice home,and a warm bed to sleep in every night. So there's plenty to be thankful for. I hope that all those hours that they kept me waiting, they were actually saving other peoples lives.

I have managed to now be almost 3 years post PN,and I am still here kickin'