John, a fellow islander who has become a friend, has been enduring a medical nightmare and his pacemaker procedure was delayed several times. He then told me his next appointment was scheduled for September 11 and I said, “get on the phone – you’ll be dead by then.” His heart is functioning at 15 percent. He was struggling through his days, barely able to walk his dog, hanging on to fences and lamp posts. I started walking Buster (he is a West Highland Terrier) in the early evening and have been at it for two weeks.

Then a savvy nurse said for him to just go to the emergency room, she’d make sure they had his paperwork, and he would get the procedure done without all this delay. So on Friday, I drove him to Health Park, a 40 minute drive in the wilds of Fort Myers, over the river, etc. Ed, fearful of my abilities said he would drive him, and I said, no I’m fine with this.

John guided me as to lane changes and we made it. I got him a wheelchair, stayed while he was checked in, and then a young volunteer showed me how to get out of the incredibly confusing complex. He got in the car with me and directed me to the exit. What a sweetie.
I can’t say I wasn’t trepid about the ride back alone. I did make a turn out of sequence, but recognized the street and decided to follow a different route home that was familiar to me from visits to the eye doctor. The original route was faster but it was also much busier. I was much more comfortable using the less traveled streets – they led to a different bridge.

John said another neighbor would walk Buster that morning. I went over to feed him at 4 and he was avid to go out and spent a full minute peeing in one spot and that tells me no one walked him. So this morning I got up at 6:30 and walked him, not relying on this neighbor. I guess she’s not an animal person. She should have known to check on the dog. (Image of me shaking her into an unconscious state.)

John will have the pace maker procedure tomorrow, Monday. They probably will keep him another night to be sure it is working properly and I will pick him up on Tuesday. (In a perfect world – I am keeping my fingers crossed.)
Meanwhile, I am worried about Buster being alone much of the time, so maybe I’ll bring him to my house tomorrow and he can terrorize Max.

xx, Teal