Scared or be scared

Life with the needle!
Life can be so entertaining when I pay attention to the moments.  Went in for my dreaded but necessary left hip cortisone shot 9:00 a.m today.  I have never had one before.  I don't like needles, surgery or medicine unless it is the last resort!  After exhausting the professionals, (4 physical therapists, including our daughter, 2 Chiropractors, a Physiatrist, (muscle and nerve doctor), healing touch, of course massage,  acupuncture, family doctor, ortho surgeon and specialist physical trainer, I was directed to an MRI of spine, CT scan of kidneys (which resulted in over 50 welts from contrast dye, opti-ray), X-ray of hip and finally MRI of left hip.  Consensus was to have a cortisone injection.  All this began November 30, 2011.
Because many people were praying for me I felt calm, a little concerned with the unknown and I thought peaceful.  As I was being prepared for the local, my blood pressure showed 177/110.  "Are you on any meds for high blood pressure?" the nurse asked.  "No, I don't have high blood pressure,"
I said.  I looked at the screen and was most surprised.  After taking it three times, changing arms and bands, the numbers remained the same.
In the surgical room the assistant confirmed the procedure of numbing me with an injection and then the best of the best, highly regarded for his technique doctor  would do the injection into the hip pocket.  You might only feel a little twinge when we put in the needles.
The doctor came in, introduced himself (first time I met him, his staff does all the prep including evaluation appointments, I was one of 23 that day) and asked if I had any questions.  I mentioned since he hadn't seen me I was concerned whether he knew my condition.  He said he had the report. Next thing I know, the assistant on my right side said, "you will feel a little twinge now," which I did, then the nurse directed my attention to the screen on the left side that reflected my hip bone and socket and showed the liquid filling the cavity.  "Can you see it?" she asked.  Yes, I could.  As fast as a minute or two the assistant said, "you are done"  "What?"  I said.  "When is Dr. Jain doing the injection?"  "That is what you were watching," he laughed.  I couldn't believe that it was over that fast and I never saw the doctor doing his thing.  As the two nurses wheeled me out, they asked if I didn't feel it.  I told them I felt a little discomfort but thought it was the numbing shot.  "You are tough," they both said.  "No, I don't think of myself as tough when it comes to medicine.  "Yes, you are, they both laughed.  Believe it as so."  And so, I guess I need to think of myself as tough and not chicken!   Another moment of wonder.  Whew, I am glad it is over.  Oh, I forgot the punch line.  They took my blood pressure when I came out and again it was high, 166/103.  I couldn't believe it since last month at the doctors it was fine.  Again they took it three times.  It came down to 155/103.  The nurse strongly suggested that I make an appointment with my doctor.  This isn't good she said.     11:00a.m. at home I went into the bathroom and didn't like the lack of color in my face.  I was concerned.   Thought it was from the shot and decided to go to the drug store tonight to take my blood pressure.  Guess what?  It is 122/76.  Here I am very relieved.  Along with the emotional pain, the physical pain is better and I am told I will have to wait a week or so for the final results of whether it works. That is what this whole situation that began with sciatica a year ago is all about....waiting and patience.  Sure has been a teacher!  And I am tough, not a chicken!  mjk