Hesitant to tweet this (TMI & wee too personal) but I spent the eve in ER (not sure what else people in Toronto were taking about tonight?!). My first ever trip as adult. (I’m fine!) But I thought I was having a heart attack. 1/

Last few weeks my heart beat has been fast. It seemed fast to me - felt it beating in bed etc. Usually don’t. Resting fast and then “spells” of irregular fast. “Like jazz drumming?” asked Doc. Yes! Science. Anyway heart attacks? Stroke? All kinds of thoughts & fears. 2/

Last few eves I thought about going to ER but didn’t want to go now. Now seems like the worst time to go to ER, right? Add to burden for possible frivolous reason. Etc. So talked self out of it. Tonight tho decided to go, the worry built up. The jazz drumming. So 3/

I went to St Joseph’s at 730 tonight. Didn’t know what to expect. ER is calm. A man in vestibule asks if I’m there to see a doc. Yes. Opens door. They’ve got a lane way and distance markers. Nobody there so I went to front. Nurse comes up and rapid fire asks questions 4/

All the Covid Q’s - symptoms, travel - no no - she laughed and said, “A lot of questions”. Gave me a number ticket & directed me to waiting area. 3 other people. 3–4 min called to intake desk. Gave her my symtoma as other person took my vital signs. Then sat back down. 5/

A min later called to admission desk & gave the guy my home etc details. “Do you have your health card on you”? Casual question. Ok! Got my wrist band and told to follow blue line and put papers in tray. Long line. Learned later they made new ER for nonCovid. All calm & efficient

There were 10 people (patients) in the next main ER waiting room. Sat for 4 mins then RN took me to a room and did more vitals, took blood, and gave me an EKG (I was E.T.!). She joked, asked where I got my mask. It was the most calm ease-making thing. I almost cry writing this.

RN said things look normal, back to big room. Waited maybe 20 min to go to a room for the doc. “Call me Chris”. Also liked my mask. Looks fine, he says, asked good questions. It’s likely stress. No heart attack or stroke despite heart rate & it being actually painful in chest. /?

It’s most likely stress & such causing an electro-something-haywire (take notes next time!). He said go back in room and wait for bloodwork to see if any damage/illness then he’ll chat again. Took 1.45 hours maybe? Then “Good to go” he says when he comes by again.

Asked if I had more questions etc. Was not particularly rushed. Follow up precaution will be a 48 hr holster monitor to wear to make sure all ok but his confidence was the biggest relief. In conclusion:

It was efficient, kind, caring and absolutely *chill* (even a few other patients in various mild states of distress/acting out were never escalated). All calm. Even the mom of a kid who fell, asked them to turn TV w CP24 down cuz “it’s all bad news”, was dealt with w patience.

(Kinda agreed w the mom!) To wrap up, it’s a huge relief to know the ER still works for regular stuff. So if you’ve got a thing wrong, go. I was dumb to wait, could have been serious. Chest still hurts but doc says normal. Will sleep good for first time in a while.

All I did was show a green OHIP card and all this happened, and I’ll get some weird monitor to make sure all ok, and I was never made to feel like I was wasting their time. However I must find ways to be less pandemic stressed. Maybe less of consuming this web site I think.

The good folks of St Joseph’s Hospital are good, if you must spend a Saturday night with them.