I saw Dr. Moncier on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. I have had an ongoing urinary problem for several years. The Clinic nurse took a blood sample and a urinary check. I was given an antibiotic prescription. But other problems would surface.

On November 2, at 3:00 p.m. I saw the doctor again. This time for my right leg. It was red swollen just above my ankle and throbbed with pain. I had been having problems sleeping with the pain that had progressively worsened during the past two weeks. My fear was that a blood clot might be the cause. The nurse couldn't get a good blood pressure reading. Dr. Moncier checked my foot and found only a weak pulse. My blood pressure was taken again with some improvement.

Dr. Moncier suggested I go to the hospital and have the situation checked out. He feared blood clots in my leg artery or small veins or maybe infection. Even gout was a possibility. He gave us a letter to present at ER. Anne went back home to gather supplies needed for a Hospital stay and we stopped for supper on the way to Ft. Sanders.

Everything proceeded promptly at the hospital. I was interviewed at the triage office and various tests performed. Blood and urine samples were taken. A nurse did an ultrasound of my leg. Later, I was told that it did not show a blood clot.

Finally, an x-ray was taken of the leg. Anne and I waited for an hour for the results that came back negative as well. Dr. Welch's conclusion was that I had an infection caused by fluids, not blood, not being able to make the circuit back up my leg. He prescribed compression socks and gave a prescription for doxycycline to clear up the infection. I was sent home.

What a relief. My blood pressure had returned to normal as well as my attitude. At home, Anne wrapped by right leg with an ace bandage. She had tightened the ace bandage after I said it was too loose. It wasn't. It was removed a few hours later because of the constricting pain.

Back to my November 2nd visit to the Clinic. My previous blood work and urine sample had checked out OK. Considering that I am almost 94 years old, I am in pretty good shape. However, it seems that something tries to strike me down every few months nowadays. It will be a constant effort to closely monitor my health from here on out.

Back to my ER visit. I had fun joking with the nurses. One had the most beautiful eye lashes I had ever seen. They were almost an inch long. I asked if they were real. I thought I heard her say they were. Anne later told me she had really said they were not.

I guess, joking around was a ploy to cover up my nervousness in the situation. What a relief to learn there was no blood clots. I slept much better last night. It seems that I like to borrow trouble. Better to be safe than sorry is my motto. What will come next?