Rude awakening

I was awakened from deep sleep by a vivid dream with a full bladder at six thirty. After peeing my heart started racing with palpitations. Not the first time, but more intense. Trice the normal rate. No pain, dizzyness or breathlessness. It was very disconcerting. I woke up Clare and Owain, called 111 and this resulted in Kath driving me to UHW A&E half awake. It wasn't very busy, but the change of personnel had yet  to take place. My heartbeat had slowed by then. During the morning I was seen and tested by different medics, blood and urine samples taken. 

I had minor discomfort from a full bowel, which didn't go away until I had dumped my load twice. And then I felt normal again. To my relief the palpitations didn't well up again on either occasion. I was parked in a calm emergency unit in the depths of the hospital to queue for my third check and interview with a medic. It was one place where I could be safely placed near a toilet. Blood tests took time. It  seems l have a low sodium level. A result of the diuretic I take. My Blood pressure is dangerously high. I waited until the evening for a treatment plan to be devised and new medication instructions to be issued. Slowly the clot busting meds take effect - clearer vision and  reduction of visual latency as the speed of my brain function improves.

The aim of the plan is to get people back to  home comfort and peace as soon as possible with phone contact to the UHW emergency care unit. I was given a new medication schedule without a diuretic and with double dose of a booster blood pressure pill to add to the long list. Then I was told I was free to leave. It was pitch dark when I left the hospital and I was left on my own to navigate ye way to a pick-up point where Ann kindly agreed to meet me with her car and take me home. I exited the UHW concourse by the wrong door, because the signage was badly designed for anyone visually impaired. I waited in Concourse Reception until she arrived and returned me to Meadow Street. It must have been gone ten by the time I got home and ate the supper Clare had cooked for me. She had already gone to bed, and Owain welcomed me with a warm meal. Fell sound asleep in my armchair from overstimulation and exhaustion after a cup of tea and went to bed very late.