Richard, as I write, is in the Princess Alexandra hospital in Brisbane.  He fainted again.  Like he did a year or more ago.  We'd gone to Anthony's 50th birthday party.  He was standing at the kitchen bench talking to someone when he fainted.  I was around the corner, heard the crash and was, I was going to say instantly by his side but as there were two paramedics, a nurse and a doctor surrounding him, the closest I could get was at one remove.  But he was conscious and talking, a bit vague, as to expected but at least conscious.  The previous faint he was out unconscious for half a minute?  Time seems to expand during something like that, when the nature of reality tears ever so slightly and the fragility of existence is exposed through the rent.

He'd only had one beer and had had a little bit to eat, not much as it was a catered party with hors d'oeuvres and finger food, but something.  He'd had a good lunch.  Everything was normal except for the nature of the party itself.  The physicality of a cocktail party is illustrated by standing, small steps and maybe sitting with a small plate balanced on your knee.  Richard hadn't taken a seat in the hour and a half we were there.  He'd moved all of six or eight feet between the deck and the kitchen.  Suspect the blood pooled in his legs and wasn't getting pumped around his body, much less to his brain.

Spoke to him this morning and he sounds okay.  I've got his hearing aid and he hasn't had his Parky medication so a bit muzzy.

Just got off the phone from Anthony.  He's going to the hospital to sit with him and hopefully bring him home to his house.  I'm going to head off about 10 and pick Richard up - all being well.  Should be no reason why they need to keep him in another night.

At least we can guard against this happening in the future.  Trips to the hospital and tests and all that muck is not going to be our new reality.  Except for the parky meds and panadol for his back, Richard is on no medication which is pretty good for his age.  He walks 3km 7 days a week, goes to the gym 3 days a week and eats extremely well, a mostly vegetarian diet save for a daily serving of fish.  His attitude is good, he loves and is loved, oh how he is loved.

So, although I am thankful we live in a world where he can be taken to the hospital and examined by competent and caring staff, it's a perk I would rather not have to enjoy.