Old School Doc

It's been a rough slog for Wifey and ailments lately, with the latest being dizzy spells. She's had them during her training sessions, and on her recent cruise, and upon returning last week, thought maybe it was time to tell me and get them checked. I took away her driving privileges until cleared by a doc, which she agreed to, especially since DaveBer provides free service.

Monday, I took her to Dr. Rigo, our affable primary care doc, and he diagnosed orthostatic hypotension -- Wifey's BP drops when she stands up. He wasn't too concerned, but suggested maybe a follow up with her neurologist, Dr. Jose, a friend and neighbor who cared for Wifey 3 years ago following her stroke.

Dr. Jose referred her to her colleague, a Dr. Sharma. Wifey called -- first appointment in February. Wifey tried to correct the secretary -- February passed 2 months ago. No, she was told, February of 2025! Wifey contacted Dr. Jose, and found there was an opening for yesterday. In fact, a patient also there, from West Palm, had made her appointment last August. We kept our insider status quiet.

I had a business lunch planned, with young Michael, at Joe's, and really didn't want to cancel, as we had postponed the meeting several times. So I went into logistics mode: I drove Wifey to D2's house, and D2 would take her to UHealth Downtown, and I would leave South Beach and meet Wifey at the appointment. 

Joe's was fine, as always, and I left with good news and bad news. The good news is that now, in addition to Evan, we have Dan, another family friend, who is an exec there, so we have TWO sources to skip the lines. But the bad news: lunch was about $150 per person. Martinis were $24. I think Joe's passed my tipping point on price. Mike and I shared a plate of jumbo claws: $134!!!! We each got 2 claws. Sorry, great restaurant -- you have passed me by.

I sat in traffic, but made it to Dr. Sharma's before Wifey was called in. And then we met with him -- I had met him decades ago when friend Dr. Bob Davidoff was still at UM. Dr. S TRAINED Dr. Jose.

He spent easily 90 minutes with Wifey -- taking an absurdly detailed history -- including her first fainting episode at 16 years old. He took DETAILS about Wifey's stroke presentation, and cross examined her. "You say you couldn't hit the correct phone keys -- then how did you call your husband???"

He took her blood pressure several times, and gave the most thorough neuro exam I ever saw. He wants one follow up test, and EMG, to check the extent of her hand and foot neuropathy, which he thinks is from age and pre diabetes, but over all, the news was great: he thinks she's fine. And he cleared her to drive!!!!

He also wants her to follow with her cardiologist, and remind him she is a "Special girl" - low BP, but with a real risk of another stroke if the BP goes high again.

We thanked him profusely, and Wifey said she will contact Dr. Jose to thank him for getting her in. Zero chance she remembered to do that, so I will.

And then we celebrated -- by driving to D1's house, playing with the grandkids, and then putting Wifey into her new-ish SUV. She now has it, though the title switch takes place April 27th -- JM Lexus was slower to give a  financial appointment than our contacts helped with UHealth!

So for now -- all is good, although our driveway is a parking lot. Even though Wifey's car was sold and the funds are in, the company faces a shortage of transporters, so now there are TWO RX 350s out front.

Also, Joelle and Kenny left their BMW here -- their dogsitter needs their dedicated condo spot, and so we will car sit for a week or two. I moved their car next to our garage -- it will be left quietly alone there.

And hopefully next comes Passover. Joey's parents Jacqui and Ricardo are hosting. Today I bought my annual bottles of vodka and gin, and some tonic water. Last holiday, Rosh Hashonah, the gin slipped through the paper bag and shattered on their tile floor. Luckily, gin smells very nice. But this year, I shall use plastic.

Wifey is supposed to get a dessert to bring as well.

Tuesday night, since D2 and Jonathan will be with Jonathan's family, we'll drive back to North Miami for dinner with both Ds and their husbands -- either at D2 and Jonathan's house, or a Westaurant, as Little Man pronounces it.

It's that most magical time of Springtime -- and we can celebrate a mostly intact Wifey. Talk about emancipation from chains...