Scare

My brother Jerry is in the hospital.

If you knew Jerry, you would know that he pretty much keeps on keeping on. He tends to downplay things, even when they're important. He also likes to talk to people.

One day, he called Dad at work. Dad, anticipating a long conversation in the middle of a busy workday, told Jerry to make it quick - he was in the middle of something. Jerry then asked if Dad knew any good doctors. Somewhat exasperated, Dad said Sure. Why? Jerry had just been hit by lightning and needed medical care. Of course, Dad dropped everything and took Jerry to the hospital.

That's just the way he is. No muss, no fuss.

He hasn't been feeling well lately. Finally, he went to one of those walk-in clinics to see about getting some antibiotics or something so he could feel better. They called the hospital and sent Jerry off in an ambulance.

Jerry called Dad as he was being carted out. Dad drove to the hospital to see what was what.

There were tests. LOTS of tests. When someone comes in with pneumonia as bad as Jerry's, the doctors check to make sure there isn't some underlying cause - like a pulmonary embolism. That was the fear. And Jerry fits the profile. They're extremely common in over-the-road truckers because they spend so much time sitting and so little moving about. A clot forms in the leg and travels. He's not an OTR trucker, but he's a tow truck driver. He spends a lot of time in his truck.

Fortunately, he turns out to only have pneumonia. No embolism. They're keeping him for observation, but he will probably be released tomorrow or the day after. Depends on how he responds to treatment.

And so it begins. The perils of middle-age. I've had my share of health issues and have worked them out with my doctor to the point where I'm pretty healthy these days. I hope that Jerry is able to turn his own health around. We need him here for a good long while longer!