Well, today was another interesting day, but then again whatever you do throughout the day can be interesting if you think of it that way. It’s all how you look at it.

It was another challenging night coughing waking, coughing waking, with little sleep. I had packed the Wheelie for the move to the new hotel and had to take it down on the steep metal steps to the deck and not through the house. I was actually looking forward to moving and having less scrutiny. My breakfast came in the usual prison manner, with a knock on the door and the plate on the ground, but this time it was at the actual entry door and not the deck door. Must be my going away present. But, the hostess did come out to say good bye to me, even though it was from more than twenty feet away, and more of a glad to see you go wave.

I had decided that I would just walk the five blocks to The Arts Hotel and save having to break down the Wheelie. Once committed I regretted it as I broke out in a sweat, and it was cool outside. I love pulling my Wheelie through all those wonderful places I have been, but this was not one of then, and the thought of missing my The Island Walk was sad.

My room wasn’t ready so I got some hot tea in the restaurant at the hotel but my throat hurt so bad to swallow that I couldn’t finish it. Later in the room I was a little nervous because I know how important it is to stay hydrated and it was just too painful to even swallow water. Not a good sign.

About 5:00 I have to admit I was very concerned about getting worse because I could not eat my food without yelling under breath. I finally decided I’d better go to the hospital ER. Gad! I’ve got to deal with the cab services again! I called four of the five I found and all said they did not have cabs in Charlottetown! Was I black listed with my phone number? No cabs in town? Well there was one left, the one with the worst ratings, Yellow Cab. I cringed thinking how bad or rude this dispatcher would be, but shockingly it was a friendly, polite, nice woman on the other end and the most pleasant. Maybe the bad reviews changed them?

I got to Queens Hospital, with a nice driver, about 6:00 pm. Walked in and got a purple Covid sticker put on my shoulder and marched over to the orange waiting area. When I was called to register the clerk said, “oh you decided to come back!” Small town, not only do the cab companies know me, but now even the medical people.

A very nice nurse checked my vitals and took me through doors and down a long hallway to the orange waiting room. It was a big room with dozens of chairs but I was the only one there for the next four or so hours. Talk about torture, feeling horrible, and sitting in the “orange room,” by yourself all that time. Thankfully my phone battery was full and I was able to watch a six series adventure racing program. The custodian came in at some point and mopped the floor, wiped everything down, and when she was leaving I was sure she’d turn off the lights, but she didn’t.

I think around 11:00 pm they moved me to an exam room and I thought for sure it would be another few hour wait, but the doctor can in a few minutes later. At this point I really need a boost to my spirt, and the doctor was what I needed. He was a young 32 year old Asian doctor, with the spirit of a young man and not the serious old guy I was fearing. He sat down on the table and talked to me on an equal level and made me laugh. I told him my biggest concern was my throat being so painful I could barely swallow water. He checked my throat, and said red and a little swollen, but not real bad. He checked my lungs and breathing and said it sounded good, which is always a concern with Covid. He checked my ears, poked all over my body, which I didn’t mind because I wanted to get my $880 hospital’s checkin fee’s worth of exam. He went down a very long list of Covid symptoms and I said no to all of them, which actually made me feel better. He said because I was healthy and in good shape and would probably be fine. Unfortunately, the sore throat was fairly typical and not a issue unless I couldn’t drink at all. He said sometimes the virus could continue with other symptoms arising and suggested a prescription to shorten the recovery and help prevent long term issues, because some people have continuing issues for weeks or months. He gave me the prescription and actually left it up to me. After my blood work tests came back fine I was out the door about 1:00 am, seven hours after I got there.

Well, as I mentioned before you make something interesting out of whatever happens to you, and my interesting, or funny day, had not ended yet. I needed to call a cab to get back to my hotel, and it was actually a pleasant experience, which I needed after such a long stressful day.

As I got into the cab I notice the driver’s rather thick accent. It turns out it is a remnant of his Irish ancestry who first settled the island. He was born and raised on the island, and the accent is a giveaway of his island background because many islanders are now from other places.

I was starved because I had not eaten anything since breakfast, so I asked him if I could buy him a cup of coffee. No thank you he said, and I replied, I’m going to be honest with you, I am starved and wonder if we could go through a drive through to get something to eat. Well he said, most drivers wouldn’t, but I will. He radioed his dispatcher and told him what he was doing, and the dispatcher suggest Tim Horton’s. I’ve never ever heard of one. But sure, anything at this point. Five cars in front of us, me in the back of the cab, and ten minutes later, we get to the order speaker, I’m getting a full history lesson of the Prince Edward Island and want it was like growing up here. Ok, I’ll have a Turkey sandwich. Sorry, but all we have right now is bagels and donuts.

So off we go to the hotel. But wait, he’s pulling into another drive through with another four cars waiting in line. Back in line and ten-fifteen minutes later, while getting more info about PEI, I was able to place my order. What he actually told me was interesting because it was a perspective of one of the old timers living on PEI before it became so popular. It was like a tour with a guide and it got me away from thinking of what I had been going through.

I got to my room at after 1:30, could only eat half my food since I’ve lost my appetite, and finally turned off the lights about 2:30. It was a long and interesting day that ended with a fun positive.

Best wishes to all,

Ted

Ted’s The Island Walk Alzheimer’s Association donation link:

http://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=15144&pg=personal&px=16504635

Please excuse the typos, spelling errors, and grammar as I am not feeling great.