A lot of time has been spent either by me wanting to continue to drive, or by my lovely, thoughtful, caring PSP community, who mostly advocated to stop driving NOW and a few lovely people who supported me to continue driving and I'd know when to stop. You all know who you are; you have my greatest respect.
On Wednesday morning, I was driving a considerable distance to a hospital to get my swallow study done, which by the way, came out pretty well, but said something maybe happening lower in the esophogus; sending to my neuro to see if he wants further tests done.
As I as turning right off the main road into the lots, w/o warning, I had a major fainting event, while still driving. I managed to get my van stopped and yell for help. Off to the ER I went; had the swallow study after the ER.
Had several medical professionals of all levels take a look at me, EKG, and labs done. Other than an abnormally low blood pressure, I was fine.
A Doc who I had not yet met, came in my room and sat down at the head of my bed. I do believe he was the top-dog of the E.R.
He wasn't rushed, no unkind, but in no uncertain terms, he said "I know what you have is hard to deal with, and what I'm going to tell you will be hard to hear, but beginning today, you will drive no more.".
He went on to say "You had about a 30 second difference between lying in my ER or lying in a room at Regions Trauma Center, because you passed out while driving, drifted across a lane, hurt yourself and somebody else, or killed one or more people." Stunning words, but the reality.
I got this much out in response, " I know the time is coming...". He cut me off and even more assertively said, "That time is NOW. Not tomorrow, not a month from now. It's NOW. Nor will we let you drive yourself home today. It's over."
Wow.
My daughter who's on spring break, who was at her own doc appointment at the time, came and picked me up, and managed to get my van back home later.
I have much to say about all of this. Not of the emotional boo-hoo, another burden/limitation to bear-type thing (well, maybe a tiche), but what he had to say about fainting and PSP, and some facts behind it of great substance.
Watch for Part II.
And thank you to ALL who posted what I didn't want to hear...it actually made what happened and what I heard yesterday a little easier to swallow, pun intended.