I have a slight medical problem. Sometimes I drop like a stone and no one really knows exactly why. Sometimes it's caused by pain or heat or maybe I haven't eaten in a while or maybe I'm freaking out over something like a too-crowded room. Anyway, once it starts, it's a runaway train. I can feel my body turn hot and cold at the same time and then it's like I go through a tunnel where my senses just shut off. Yesterday, I was sitting in a restaurant sipping a coke when I felt it starting. Usually, if I catch it early, eating or drinking something with sugar will curb it but not this time. I told Scott, "I think I'm going to pass out." I remember reaching for the drink, my hand missing it several times, and then I woke up on the floor.
A little while later, I was in the ER. Nurses swarmed around me and I was hooked up to a lot of machines that go ping. Hours passed. "This is Star Trek," I said, and my husband seemed a little worried that I might be losing it again. I clarified that what I meant was that back in the TOS days, they were still dreaming of much of the technology we had seen over the course of our stay in the ER. I held up the simple clip on my finger that gave us a constant readout of my heart rate. "Like this thing," I said.
Many of the sickbay instruments regularly used in Star Trek have become a reality. The
hypospray, the
tricorder, a
handheld ultrasound, and
bionic eyes that work much like Geordi's visor have all been developed. Back when Bones first ripped the sleeve off of Kirk's uniform to fix him up in "The Naked Time" all this stuff was just a good idea. Now it's real.
That's why, when I watch Star Trek and see devices that can instantly graft skin or bones back together, food replicators that mean no one has to go hungry, and seamless universal translators that make it easier for everyone on this planet to talk to everyone else, I feel optimistic. People out there are working on that. Maybe someday I'll be writing posts from a handheld, tablet-like device that instantly transmits my work to thousands of people all over the world--oh, wait.
Omg first of all, I'm glad you're well. Whew. Second of all, I am so happy and proud of the medical technology these days, and glad it's getting better for us all. Good health is a right.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm feeling much better now. And yes, sometimes I feel like I'm living in the future!
DeleteIt's cool that you were able to turn a miserable situation into such an awesome realization.
ReplyDeleteYour medical problem is an interesting one, and obviously inconvenient. I have issues when I hit my funny bone really hard. My perception goes funny. The sounds I hear seem to drop an octave and sound muffled like I'm hearing them through water, and the room seems to go dark. Time seems to slow down too. Then I snap out of it within a couple of seconds, though it seems longer than that to me.
I hope you're feeling better today!
The funny bone problem sounds pretty crazy! It's amazing how weird the human body is.
DeleteI know that you have probably had every test known to mankind to try and figure out what is happening to you when this occurs, but please don't stop looking until you find THE answer.
ReplyDeleteMy brother in law, who died about 10 years ago at the age of 30, would have 'spells' as he would call them, where his skin would turn bright red, and he didn't feel well. They never found out what it was till it was too late. He and my sister in law were awaiting the arrival of their first baby. They had just returned from a baby shower, when he went into the bathroom not feeling well, and that was it. They kept him on machines for about a week, and just before they were going to ask my sister in law for permission to turn off the machines, he passed away.
It was a shellfish allergy. He had gone into anaphylactic shock and had died 3 times on the way to the hospital. And all because he assumed that what was happening to him was nothing serious--just a 'spell'.. I don't think I will ever get over that. We were great friends and spent a lot of time together.
So PLEASE, don't stop looking until you know exactly what is happening to you. These occurrences are warning signs from your body that something is not right. I can't stress this enough.
I guess you struck a nerve. sorry to be so serious...
Doug
Oh Doug, I'm so terribly sorry about your brother in law. It's such a horrible thing to lose someone so suddenly. I am definitely going in for more tests. I was advised to seek a primary care provider's advice for heart tests and tilt table tests. I'd really like to get to the bottom of this if only because it's such a crazy thing when it happens (not just for me but for everyone around) and the possibility of preventing these attacks is something that I want to seek out. I promise I'll keep you guys updated!
DeleteI hope you're feeling better!
ReplyDeleteThe weird thing is, I have a similar problem (which arises for similar reasons). I don't actually pass out, but I get really dizzy and I need to sit down, unless I have something sweet to drink. I've been at work or at concerts and had to run to get a Coke before I couldn't stand anymore.
...maybe it's something that affect Trek fans?
Trek-itis?
DeleteAlso, isn't Coke basically like magic? I totally consider it a medicine.
I'm just waiting for the holodeck. I've got a piggy bank earmarked for when the technology becomes available :D
ReplyDeleteI hope you're feeling better though.
I'm feeling much better! Also, I seriously can't wait for my first holodeck visit!
DeleteThis just proves the point that star trek is basically a peek into what the future basically will be. all of the medical devices used in the franchise are ones that basically here or very close. Also,hope tat you get to feeling better and off of the "disabled list" quick. I also do like your drawings and hope that there is going to be another drawin contest soon.
ReplyDelete-From an autistic star trek fan.