2008 Is Finally Over

I couldn’t take much more of 2008. In the last month it dealt me a friend’s death from brief illness of pneumonia. He was 45. There was a real lesson or two about life in that. First, work is not as important as your health. Had he seen a doctor, rather than continue working, he may well be alive today.

Second, trust your gut, the irritating sensation in your skull, your instinct, whatever you want to call it. Had he gone to emergency when his housemate asked if he wanted to, perhaps treatment could’ve been successful. Instead he was found deceased later that day.

Like Brian’s housemate, I had a similar sense when Mother was gravely ill a few years ago. I expressed that while she had no fever, had been seen twice by health care providers and had been under treatment for pneumonia, I had the nagging brain quake that this illness was different somehow and more serious than had been diagnosed. I was correct and, ultimately, by the time she asked to go to the ER, by medical standards she was beyond help and died within 12 hours. The diagnosis of pneumonia had been in error, she was suffering from sepsis, a systemic infection.

The final week brought hospitalization for friend, a circumstance which is as yet unresolved. I couldn’t hazard a guess as to the outcome. He’s had serious medical problems in the past and I wouldn’t speculate. While he expressed great concerned, it still took some effort to get him to agree to be transported to the ER. I was genuinely exasperated.

The end of 2008 brought breakups and jobless for some and struggles with depression for others.