Hiccoughs
Nuisance or Fatality?
Pope Pious XII died from hiccoughs.
For the first time in many years I had a prolonged bout last night. For 2 hours my gut went into spasm every 20-30 seconds. My tried and true remedy, drinking from the opposite side of the glass, didn’t do it. Held my breath, read everything I could find on the internet. Suggested bringing knees to chest and leaning forward. (Try it, pretty awkward)
Worked! Phew.
Half hour later, hiccoughs.
Tried meditating.
I’m a lousy impatient mediator at best. This wasn’t at best. Maybe be able to fall asleep. Nope. Finally held my breath until I thought I might pass out (which I would have welcomed). Gut relaxed.
What were minor annoyances just a few years ago now take on more gravity. What if they don’t stop, as Pious XII didn’t. Do you go to urgent care in the middle of the night for hiccoughs?
I have finally turned to doctors and medicine for my lower back pain, an issue I have had off and on for decades. In the past I have done exercises and soldiered through it. Now I wonder if it will cripple me. Can I do all that our wonderful Vermont place requires of us?
Friends are going into health care places. Is that accepting defeat?
Is there such a thing as being prepared for the diminishment that finds us if we live long enough?
Writing this to you, staying connected to people we care about, are our best hedge against despair. Thanks for reading.
Thanks Mardy. I'll sure try it if and when...
Might Substack work for you? I had a hard time publishing this one because they've changed the format and I am slow to adapt. I also had to figure out how to reply to you. I used to be able to simply hit reply in my gmail. But this now requires going through Substack. (love that Substack still red lines the spelling of their own name)
My father and my mother in law both love their assisted living place. Not a defeat as much as a vacation from cooking, cleaning and maintaining a place. Dad spends his days reading and reflecting. Mother in law plays games and socializes. Not the worst things.