This Story takes place in the ’90s.
I was in my late Teens or early Twenties, and with as many Doctors and specialists as I saw, this was bound to happen one day.
I went to see a heart Doctor. They did a few tests on me.
I remember that I had to wear a heart monitor 24 hours a day for two weeks.
I also had to keep a journal and write down what I was doing anytime my heart jumped or started racing.
Afterward, I went back to the Doctor and turned the monitor in.
I then had to wait a week for them to look at the data and come up with a diagnosis.
After that, I returned to the Doctor for my follow-up.
The Doctor came in, shook my hand, and told me to sit down.
He had a serious look on his face. It made me feel very uneasy.
I could sense that something was wrong.
He then said, “You have congestive heart failure.”
“………………………………………………………………………..” I was speechless.
I was in my late teens or early 20s at this time in my life, and this Doctor was talking about Congestive Heart Failure.
He went on to say that many people go on living long lives with congestive heart failure.
“………………………………………………………………………..” Still speechless.
I was stunned.
I’d just gotten the worst news ever.
“………………………………………………………………………..” Speechless.
The Doctor said, “Mr. Jones, We’re going to start…….” I shouted, “Wait, what?”
The Doctor said, “What, what?”
I replied, “Wait, what did you just say?”
He said, “You have congestive heart…..” I interrupted, “No, not that part! What name did you call me?”
He said, “Mr. Jones.”
I said, “Nope… I’m Thomas…”
He said, “Huh? Thomas?”
“Yep. Thomas.”
He said, “Oh, I’ve walked into the wrong room. I am so sorry.”
He shuffled through some files and said, “Ah, You have MVP. Lots of people have it. I’ll be back in a minute. I have to get into the other room.”
I then heard the Doctor walk into the other room, and through the thin walls, I listened to the Doctor give “Mr. Jones” the worst news of his life.
And now I know how I will react to terrible news. I’ll be speechless.
“Mr. Jones” was also speechless.
I bet it happens more often than we think.
