# 180: Reflections From My Surprise ER Visit

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-better-man-podcast-5344990/180-reflections-from-my-surprise-er-visit
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-better-man-podcast-5344990/180-reflections-from-my-surprise-er-visit.md
Podcast: [The Better Man Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-better-man-podcast-5344990)
Published: 2026-07-24T10:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://f6d0de76-c646-4c1b-a139-27635e6276b3.libsyn.com/180-reflections-from-my-surprise-er-visit
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/f6d0de76-c646-4c1b-a139-27635e6276b3/Ep._180_-_Dean_ER_Solo_-_The_Better_Man_Podcast.mp3?dest-id=3345071
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-better-man-podcast-5344990/episodes/180-reflections-from-my-surprise-er-visit
Duration seconds: 1445

## Resource

I ended up in the ER last week after my wife and mom had to threaten me with an ambulance because they thought I was having a stroke. (I didn't have a stroke, but I am dealing with, and on medication for, a case of stress-induced Bell's Palsy.) This surprise visit to the ER was a wake-up call for me on several fronts: Not only did I need to be threatened with an ambulance to go to the ER (I didn't think I was tough or anything… I just thought I'd be fine), but I was also surprised by just how many difficult emotions came up for me while getting an MRI and learning about my Bell's Palsy. Anyway, I promised myself I wouldn't make a podcast about this if it felt like work. But I think it can help you - whether you're going through something similar, battling your own kind of health problem, or just dealing with the harsh realization that you can't have full control over your future. Here's what I share in this episode: Why being in "great" physical health doesn't grant you full control over your health The most important things I learned about myself and my emotions from this surprise ER visit Why the cost of your health is a lot less than whatever the doctor's visit or ER trip will cost you Other highlights include: How my brain thought I was just fatigued when my eye started twitching and my face started looking asymmetrical (my wife and mom had to threaten me with an ambulance!) (1:07) Why I was surprised to go through such a wide range of emotions when I was getting an MRI (I mistakenly thought mindfulness would help me counteract the shocking sense of panic) (5:44) Did you know 5 out of 10 people who get an MRI have to hit the "tap out" button? Here's how I managed to get through it… (7:06) How I learned the hard way that I need to take my stress management more seri…

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