Assumption is the Mother of all F**Ups
At 55 years of age, I thought that I had pared my approach to multiple facets of Life to not expecting or demanding or assuming most things, because then I wouldn’t be disappointed if what I wanted didn’t eventuate. For a while now, I am one of millions I am sure, who count their daily blessings and who like to assume that they will wake up the next day or that the Earth will still be spinning around on its axis in its place in the Universe tomorrow when they wake up.
After all, it is natural, even helpful, to assume things, which based upon previous experience and probability, are likely to continue happening. A recent close call has reminded me not to assume that I am super-woman when it comes to my health and fitness. It has given me a proverbial “kick in the pants” to tell me that I have still been assuming things.
On 3rd January 2019, I was rushed to the Emergency department of hospital with internal bleeding, there to spend a horrific 5 days in hospital being fixed up. The pay-off for this dip in my normal Life was survival. I was admitted, looking white as a ghost, with low blood pressure and pulse, and with an act of grace (or helped by a guardian angel or God if you believe in such things) I was saved at my 11th hour.
I had warning signs two days before but I ASSUMED that I was okay. Note to all: yes it is scary if you notice something wrong with your body, but if that happens please do NOT ASSUME that it is a passing thing. Go to the Doctor or to the Hospital straightaway.
Assume it is a problem, if you want to assume at all.
On the morning of the 3rd I woke up dizzy, but I ASSUMED everything was okay. I wanted everything to be okay. After all I felt fine the day before.
When I fainted it was a miracle that I was only 5 minutes from the nearest hospital, and I am glad that I am here to tell the tale.
This episode has taught me three things: to (1) look after myself properly and (2) to stop working so hard, i.e. to stop worrying and fussing over others and having high expectations of myself, of which the latter needs replacing by my being relaxed and in the flow of things, and open to receiving and caring for myself.
The other message was, of course, that:
Assumption is the Mother of all F**Ups
It was a close call. I was away at the time holidaying in a hotel in the city. I assumed I would be okay and that I didn’t need cellular on my iPad or to take more than a couple of days underwear with me to a 3 day stay at the hotel.
I assumed I would be out of Hospital the day after the procedure but I stayed for 5 days for monitoring, and ended up with 3 drips in, for heparin, antacid and potassium. As I am on warfarin for a mechanical aortic valve, I now need to stabilize my warfarin again.
Back-track to mid November when I felt dizzy at work and nearly fainted, and went home early. I assumed that it was a passing thing and that I would be okay. I did not go to the Doctors then. If I had had a blood test done then, it probably would have picked up a low hemoglobin content. Going to hospital for a standard gastroscopy and getting fixed up, without nearly dying or having to be given a blood infusion, is much preferable to the mental stress and physical trauma that I went through in January.
There are some very important assumptions not to make.
So, an important message that I am sharing today is:
Look after your body. You only have one.
Do not assume things especially when it comes to how healthy you are. The little things count, so besides what your body tells you, you can look at every little thing that you assume and suspend your assumption or judgement until you know the facts or have the knowledge you need. Testing your assumptions can lead to sound mental health, as well as to right choices. Assuming things can be dangerous when it comes to your physical and overall health.
