Prince William playing polo.

That horse is darling.

I love the porch, and the orange tree!

Also, that polo pic had to have been taken some time ago--he has hair.

So, when smonster posts that she's on the porch waving to her neighbors, now you can picture it!

Thank you, Nora. Also, pretty Nora! And snuggly cats!

I also love the fireplaces. That's a very atmospheric house, with the transom windows and the shutters. Is the long pole with the hook on the end leaning up against the door frame for opening and closing the transom?

Okay, I need Dr. Hivemind. A few months ago, I noticed that I was getting out of breath climbing stairs. I chalked it up to my not working out enough and vowed to get on that (I didn't, of course). In the last few weeks, I've had these periods of shortness of breath, speeded up hearbeat, and/or chest discomfort. They don't last very long (a few minutes), I can still take a deep breath, but I am breathing shallowly and very aware of my breathing (I can consciously deepen my breathing), and the pain is rather like my bra strap is too tight. Ordinarily, I would probably ignore this and wait for it to go away, but I am considering some surgery, so I think that I should have this checked out before I undergo anaesthesia. I called my PCP, and can't get an appointment until July 14.

I was recently at my OB/GYN, where the PA listened to my breathing and everything was fine (I didn't think to mention it then).

So, the question is, should I go to Urgent Care or something? It's not ER worthy, I don't think, but I would like to get it checked out.

Vortex, have you had your iron levels checked lately? Because that's EXACTLY what finally drove me to the doctor.

ETA: meaning I had the shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat with the added bonus of swimmy lightheadedness. That's what led to checking my iron levels and discovering just how anemic I'd gotten due to the fibroids.

You know, that just might be it. I basically just got finished bleeding for two weeks because of the fucked up meds that I bitched about before. During that time, I passed several decent sized blood clots, so I know that I lost a lot of blood Plus, it started during that time; the first episode was on the plane back from California. (white font for fibroid issues)

I've had these periods of shortness of breath, speeded up hearbeat, and/or chest discomfort. They don't last very long (a few minutes), I can still take a deep breath, but I am breathing shallowly and very aware of my breathing (I can consciously deepen my breathing), and the pain is rather like my bra strap is too tight.

Does your PCP have other doctors/NPs/PAs in the practice you could see before July 14? Also, did you tell them about the shortness of breath? Because when I did that, they got me in within 2 hours. Possibly less.

If not, I'd consider Urgent Care. That constellation of symptoms could be a lot of things, some of which are in the category of Should Be Addressed, But Not Necessarily Right This Second (like low iron), or it could be asthma/allergy-related, or it could be a little more serious. Statistically, it's probably not cardiac-related, but if it were me, I'm nervous enough to want it checked out.

I'd guess allergies/asthma or possibly a stomach thing, like acid reflux or gall bladder. But I don't think I could wait a month to know for sure.

Cereal:

Vortex, I didn't see your fibroid post -- if it is that, a month is still a long time to wait to get it checked out.