Thursday, December 11, 2008

Busy week and limbo news

My goodness, it has been a week since I posted last.

It has been busy with work and some other stuff. Today will be busy also. We are in the big push before we leave for our Missouri trip, with arranging for a housesitter, making sure all is ready at the other end, etc.

And then there are the reminders that despite all of our best plans, things can go awry. My Denver based brother RCE, who is looking for a new job, called last night to ask if he should go to the cardiologist appt that was set up for him or should he ignore it. The history of this is in his current job, he is required to have a complete physical exam every five years. He just turned 45, so he had the requisite exam. His electrocardiogram could have been better, so he went for a stress test--and flunked it miserably by what he described to me. Therefore he is going for further testing today, but wondered if it was just overkill.

"YES!" I told him. "You must go for the test today. What you described is not good." What he had were ominous changes in his exercise EKG that went away with rest. And RCE is in good shape--he runs five miles most days of the week and practices yoga and tai chi. He has a regular practice of Buddhist meditation. He does not smoke. He does take medicine for high blood pressure and for high cholesterol, which seems to be our family heritage (all of my brothers take those medications and I have my own issues). Grumble.

The first thing out of Taciturn's mouth was, "He won't be able to get a new job now!" RCE really needs a new job as the current one, which is well paying, is also very stressful (which is why he took up meditation).

Please pray for RCE. This is the same brother I took care of in the spring when he developed a septic elbow. Taciturn already has suggested that we might alter our travel plans as RCE may need us to take care of him, should he need further procedures. I'll wait until there is further information.

3 comments:

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

I'm sorry to hear this news about your brother. Saying a prayer for him.

Kirkepiscatoid said...

Prayers for your brother. I am also thinking in that devilish "God has a way of dealing with what we fear most" way of mine, "Hmmmm. Lauralew won't have time to visit AWM. Damn." heh heh....

Rev. Raggsdale said...

Prayers ascending for your brother...