Deadly Health

By Henry Harold Trevor Mottishaw

Bill Yates, CEO of Mission Heath Inurance Company, falls for his long time secretary, Millie Morgan, an attractive divorced woman. Bill's company is having financial problems and he tries a variety of ideas in an effort to make the company solvent. To complicate matters, a string of mysterious deaths of Mission Health's policy holders concerns Mable Simms, amateur sleuth, since two of her friends also died mysteriously. Romance, mystery, humor, true stories, and good food will keep your attention.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: May 23, 2011
• ISBN: 9781462014835

Henry Harold Trevor Mottishaw

Henry Harold Trevor Mottishaw's experince is well rounded from his personal experiences of over twenty years of intense medical care and twenty nine years as Director of the Amador County General Services Administrattion. After writing Dead As A Door Nail and Dolphin Point, and being a survivor of Takayasus Arteritis, he was inspired to write about his illness, a rare form of Vasculitis. Mottishaw feels strongly that more people need to be aware of this rare illness, including doctors and nurses. Mottishaw lives in rural Jackson, California in the heart of the Motherlode Gold Country in the Sierra Nevada foothills. He lives with his wife, Carla, of 49 years in a house overlooking the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys. Due to his illness, Mottishaw is currently retired from his position with Amador County where he oversaw several departments. He enjoys playing with his two granddaughters and hopes to continue that for many years to come.

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Table of Contents

PREFACE

1

THE HOT AIR BALLOON

2

LIFE AT THE TOP

3

A DIFFICULT TASK

4

A HOSPITAL STAY

5

A NEW REGIMEN

6

HALLUCINATIONS

7

A SOLUTION

8

DUMBER THAN DUMB

9

A FRESH IMAGE

10

BETTER TIMES AHEAD

11

PLANS

12

HEALTH CRISIS

13

GOOD NEWS

14

BILL’S LITTLE CABIN

15

WORK BEGINS

16

THE THOUGHTFUL HUSBAND

17

WORKING TOGETHER

18

HELP WANTED

19

PALMS SWAYING IN THE BREEZE

20

JIM’S BOUT WITH VCNS

21

SAILING ON THE BAY

22

SHERI’S BRUSHES WITH DEATH

23

NORMALCY IN COLD BROOK

24

MABLE’S INVESTIGATION

25

FRED’S FUNNY FEELINGS

26

BILL’S FLAWED PRESENTATION

27

SQUARE ONE

28

AN UNEXPECTED MEETING

29

A DREAM COMES TRUE

30

AN HONEST MISTAKE

31

THE SILENT PARTNERSHIP

32

BILL’S PROPOSAL

33

FINISHING TOUCHES

34

THE GRAND OPENING

35

THE FIRST ORDER

36

LIFE CONTINUES ON CEDAR RIDGE

37

QUESTIONS

EPILOGUE

RECIPES

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Mable Simms: Amateur sleuth

Fred Simms: Mable’s Husband

Bill Yates: CEO of Mission Health Insurance

Mellissa Millie Morgan: Bill Yates’ Secretary

Brad Morgan: Millie Morgan’s son

Phil Pusher: Pharmaceutical sales representative

Ben Morgan: Millie’s ex–husband

Sean Hunter: Owner of Hunter Limousine Service

Carol Clark: Sean Hunter’s Girlfriend

Mandy Bartleson: Sean Hunter’s Girlfriend

Bo Bartleson: Mandy’s Ex–husband

Dr. Robert Bob Heartbeat: Mable and Fred’s family doctor

Dr. Kaiser: Fred’s rheumatologist

Dr. Axle: Fred’s main cardiologist

Dr. Richards: One of Fred’s cardiologists

Dr. Lillith Chang: Fred’s neurologist

Karl Downey: Retired Sheriff

Laura Downey: Karl Downey’s wife

Sam Crocker: Retired bakery owner

Dolly Crocker: Sam Crocker’s wife

Frank O’Toole: Bakery owner

Dean and Martha Simpson: Bakery workers

Jason Jackson: Ranch owner

Sarah Jackson: Jason Jackson’s wife

Annie Lane: Gorgeous blond charity carwash girl

Tony Milano: Testing laboratory manager.

Harvey Mead: Director of the Willing Body Program

PREFACE

The author of this book, Henry Harold Trevor Mottishaw, was diagnosed with Vasculitis in 1992. His symptoms included weakness and numbness of the left arm and hand which were caused when inflammation of the artery created a blood clot that blocked blood circulation in the arm. Doctors have attempted to control this disease using a drug named prednisone, which is a steroid. Side effects of this drug include; weight gain, hair loss, moon face, mood swings, diabetes, muscle loss, glaucoma, and bone loss. Doctors often overlook Vasculitis as the diagnosis for a patient’s illness because it is a rare disease and many doctors are not aware of it. Doctors still do not know what causes Vasculitis and it is a disease that can go into remission then return again and again. Most of the health incidents and other events described in this book happening to Fred Simms were actual incidents and events in Mr. Mottishaw’s life. Chapter 17 describes James Bornac’s true story of his bout with CVNS. Chapter 22 is Sheri Schwar’s true story of her bout with Vasculitis.

You may remember Fred and Mable Simms from Mottishaw’s other books. Fred was a maintenance worker for the City of Cold Creek and Mable worked in a bakery, which she later inherited from the late Les Moore, and then Fred won $1,000,000.00 on a nickel progressive slot machine in Lake Tahoe. As always, Fred and Mable portray down to earth average people in this book.

During the era described in this book, health insurance premiums were on the rise across America due to the high cost of medical care, prescription drugs, and the fact that people were living much longer those days. Not too many years earlier doctors would not consider performing major surgery on elderly patients, however with the advances in modern medicine it didn’t seem to matter how old patients were, as long as they had good health insurance coverage. Costly research for new cures forced the price of prescription drugs to soar. Many people made periodic trips to Canada and Mexico to purchase the same drugs at much lower prices. Some even made it a point to schedule dental work during vacations in Mexico using the money saved to pay for their trips. A California based health insurance company, Mission Health Insurance, had grown rapidly during the previous ten years making a killing from their investments in the stock market, until the dot.com stocks took a nose dive.

1

THE HOT AIR BALLOON

THE FIRST OF THE month was a time to pay bills at the Simm’s house and most other households across the nation. The kitchen table where Mable sat was covered with paperwork consisting mainly of bills. There was nothing terribly unusual about the bills that day. Included among the piles of paper were bills from; electric company, oil company credit card, a request for a donation to the Sheriff’s Association, Mission Health Insurance premium, garbage, and several others not uncommon to the average family. Fred was pouring them each a cup of coffee. While carrying the cups to the table he noticed Mable using a damp sponge to moisten the flap of each envelope.

Wouldn’t it be easier to just lick them?

"Not really. I read in the Mission Health magazine that you should not lick them because the glue could contain germs."

That’s crazy. People have been licking envelopes since they were invented.

That’s true, but I’m not going to take any chances and I don’t like the taste of some of the glue anyway.

I don’t know about you and your little fetishes, honey.

What do you mean by that?

Not licking envelopes, disinfecting door knobs and toilet seats in motel rooms, making me clean my hands with hand sanitizer every time we get in the car…

Okay, okay, so I am extra cautious. I just like to make sure we don’t catch any of those germs floating around in those public places, Mable explained as she stirred two teaspoons of sugar into her coffee.

After Fred quit smoking a year ago he began gaining weight because of his increased craving for snacks. He resembled a small blimp when he was smoking, but now he was beginning to look more like a large hot air balloon with a head and limbs. He was uncomfortable with the additional pounds and he was having trouble breathing and walking any distance. He wore only slip–on shoes so he would not need to bend over to tie them. Mable was concerned for his health and suggested he see a doctor. He agreed, but procrastinated long enough for Mable to intervene and schedule the appointment for him. It had been three years since he had seen Dr. Heartbeat, and that was for a mandatory physical examination, which was required for a life insurance policy he was applying for while employed as a maintenance worker for the City of Cold Brook. He was referred to a cardiologist for a stress test. Following the test he was told he had suffered a mild stroke recently and should quit smoking.

I think we should look at new cars, stated Fred as he and Mable climbed into the Lincoln Town Car.

What’s wrong with this car?

Nothing’s wrong with it, but sure as heck little things will start going wrong soon.

Well then, if that happens you should be able to fix them yourself.

I don’t think so. These new cars are all computerized. They’re not like our old Nash Rambler. All I needed for that car was a few hand tools, some bailing wire and duct tape to keep her running.

Maybe we should look for an old Nash Rambler then, chuckled Mable.

You’re so funny. Seriously now, I was thinking of one of those SUVs. Maybe something like Laura’s, explained Fred as he drove toward Cold Brook on their way to Oak Hollow.

Dr. Robert Bob Heartbeat’s office was located in Oak Hollow across the street from the vacant site of the old Mission Health hospital in a medical office building complex consisting of several red brick two–story structures. Most of the doctors in the County were located in the complex. Mission Health had grown out of the old County–owned hospital that had been located on the now vacant site, so Mission Health constructed a new state–of–the–art hospital on the other side of the State highway. This made it less convenient for the doctors and patients, but the new hospital was still within walking distance from the medical office complex. Memories of the old hospital filled Mable’s head as she looked at the vacant lot.

Fred, look at that sign. It says they are going to build a County government center there.

Yeah, I know. I think they should’ve built the new courthouse there instead.

Why is that?

Because the Sheriff’s Jail and the District Attorney’s office are already located right next door to that vacant lot, but instead, they have decided to renovate the County Administration Center on the other side of town and move the courts into that.

That doesn’t make any sense at all.

I know, but the Board of Supervisors seems to know best…I guess. Well, here we are, said Fred as he parked the Town Car in a space near the entrance to the doctor’s office.

As they approached the entrance to the doctor’s office, Fred noticed the names of five doctors listed on a sign posted outside on the wall next to the door. Not anxious to go inside, Fred stopped and read the names out loud. "Robert Heartbeat, Dennis Dousaine, Rodney Woodard, Karl Kurr, and Gerald Kozinski.

Come on, Fred. You’re going to be late for your appointment.

The waiting room was almost full when they entered, but Mable spotted two empty chairs in the corner and told Fred to go up to the counter and check in.

Fred stood at the counter momentarily for the woman behind the glass to hang up the telephone. He noticed a poster taped to the window, WANT TO QUIT SMOKING? He smiled, knowing he had already quit just as the glass window slid open.

May I help you?

Yes, I am Fred Simms and I have an appointment to see Dr. Heartbeat.

Oh, yes, Mr. Simms. Have a seat and the doctor will be with you in a little bit.

Mable had placed an RV magazine on the chair next to her to reserve it for Fred. He picked it up before he sat down next to Mable. He opened the cover then licked his finger to turn the page.

Fred! Don’t lick your fingers after touching that dirty magazine. No telling who has touched it and what germs they were carrying.

Okay, okay, said Fred as he fumbled impatiently attempting to separate the pages with his dry fingers. Look at this rig. It even has a garage for a compact car.

I suppose you want to buy a new motor home now.

Maybe so. We could trade ours in and if we bought one of those we could get one of those little cars to go with it.

Fred, announced a female voice as she was opening the door and holding a manila file folder. She was dressed in white pants and a flowery blouse with a name tag that read Susan.

Fred followed the nurse into a hallway where she told him to step up on the scale.

Two hundred and fifty pounds, announced Susan.

This scale must need to be adjusted. I think I’ll call the County Weights and Measures office and report it, chuckled Fred. Susan stuck an electric thermometer in his mouth, and then announced, Ninety eight point seven. Follow me.

They walked a short distance to an exam room. Susan told him to take off his shirt as she tore the wrinkled paper off the exam table and pulled a fresh sheet of paper into place.

Have a seat and I will check your blood pressure, Susan said as she wrapped the blood pressure cuff around Fred’s left arm and began squeezing the little rubber bulb at the end of some tubing connected to the cuff. One ninety over ninety five, she announced. That’s pretty high. What is it normally?"

I don’t know. I haven’t been to the doctor for quite a while.

Everybody’s blood pressure seems to be higher when they are at the doctor’s office. Dr. Heartbeat will be in shortly. Please remove your shirt and put this gown on, said Susan as she left the room closing the door behind her.

Fred noted by his watch that it was 2:20 P.M. and his appointment was supposed to be at 2:00 P.M. The air conditioner vent was blowing cool air right on him as he sat there basically naked waiting for the doctor. He glanced at his watch again. It was 2:29 P.M.

Why do they always make you get undressed when they know the doctor won’t really be right in? Fred thought to himself as he rubbed his hands up and down his arms trying to warm himself up.

Fred checked his watch again and noticed only one minute had passed. He heard a rustling noise just outside the door and then the door opened.

Hello, Fred, said Dr. Heartbeat. He was wearing a red and blue plaid shirt with a blue necktie and stethoscope around his neck as he held out his hand to shake with Fred’s.

Hi, Dr. Heartbeat, answered Fred as they shook hands.

My notes tell me that you have been experiencing problems with your breathing and walking.

Yeah, I think it’s all this extra weight I put on since I quit smoking.

The doctor glanced through the thick lens of his glasses inside the manila folder then looked back at Fred.

According to my records, you weighed sixty pounds less the last time you were in to see me.

That sounds about right, but I was still smoking back then.

Dr. Heartbeat gave Fred a thorough examination then told him he needed to have some blood tests done.

I want to see you back here in one week.

Why so soon? asked Fred while putting his shirt back on.

I want to see the results of your blood tests and then I can decide what to do next.

Do you think something is wrong with me?

I don’t think so, but you do need to lose some of that weight. That’s probably why you are having problems breathing and walking. Here’s your paperwork. Go see the receptionist and she will make an appointment for you for next week. Good to see you again, Fred, said the doctor as he turned and left the room.

Fred stopped at the receptionist station where he paid a twenty dollar co–pay and scheduled next week’s appointment before he returned to the waiting room where Mable was still waiting for him.

He wants to see me again next week after I have had all these tests, explained Fred.

Maybe we should go downstairs to the blood draw station and you can get the tests over with now so we don’t have to drive all the way to Oak Hollow again before next week.

I guess you’re right. Let’s go downstairs.

The draw station was located in an office with Oak Hollow Physical Therapy. Nobody was seated in the waiting room when they entered. A sign, Draw Station, pointed Fred in the right direction through a doorway to a counter with a young woman in a flowery blouse sitting at a computer.

Good afternoon. Are you here for a blood draw?

Yes I am, said Fred as he handed the paperwork to her.

Okay, I will need your health insurance card and print and sign your name on the bottom of this form and have a seat in the waiting room. There is just one person ahead of you, so it will be just a few minutes. We will call your name when we are ready.

Fred sat in a chair next to the magazine rack and found the same issue of the RV magazine he had been reading at Dr. Heartbeat’s office earlier. Even though Mable wasn’t there with him, he remembered not to lick his finger when turning the pages. He had just found the page featuring his dream motor home when a voice called his name. He walked back through the doorway where another young woman greeted him.

Hello, Mr. Simms, my name is Kathryn and I will be drawing your blood. Please read and sign these forms.

What are these for?

They are HIPAA forms. The law requires we have you sign them to protect your privacy.

Oh, yeah, I’ve heard of HIPAA. Do you know what that stands for?

Uh…I don’t really remember. I think it is Health Insurance Privacy something or another.

No, it stands for Helping Increase Paper Among Americans, chuckled Fred.

That’s a good one. I’ll have to remember that. It sure has increased paperwork in our office, Kathryn replied with a smile. Your paperwork says you need to fast for these tests. Did you eat or drink anything since you woke up this morning.

Yes, I ate a big breakfast and just had a great lunch at a diner down the street.

I am afraid we won’t be able to draw your blood today. You will need to come back another day. We open at 7:00 A.M. every weekday.

I guess I better come back tomorrow morning then.

I am sorry. I hope you understand.

No problem. I will see you in the morning and then I can go to that great little diner again after the blood draw.

Good, so I will see you in the morning.

The next morning Fred got an early start with no coffee or breakfast and arrived in Oak Hollow at the blood draw station. He was the first patient to arrive and was taken right in.

Good morning, Mr. Simms, said Kathryn with a smile. Are you fasting this morning? she asked.

I sure am and I can’t wait to get to that little diner for some coffee and breakfast.

Kathryn found a good vein and cleaned the area around it and wrapped a rubber strap around his upper arm and picked up a needle. Fred could not bear to watch and cringed in fear of the soon to come sharp pain, but he didn’t even feel the needle poke him. Before he knew it she was placing a piece of gauze and bandage over his arm and sending him on his way.

I didn’t feel a thing.

That’s good. Now you can go enjoy your breakfast.

One week later they were back in Oak Hollow at Dr. Heartbeat’s office. Fred was having difficulty just climbing out of the car and found himself out of breath and his legs cramping