I walked out the back door of my office this afternoon and felt physically lighter now that this week is finally over. It was a challenging one, physically and emotionally and I’m grateful to have the rest of Saturday and all of Sunday to spend with my family. I’m hopeful a source of stress for many months is finally behind me.

Even my football-indifferent heart has been softened by the local Steelers fervor as tomorrow’s playoff game grows nigh. My baby has Steeler duds, but I do not. Luckily, my alma mater’s colors are blue and gold so I do own a gold sweatshirt that allows me to mingle undetected among the locals. And only the most ardent fan would know that Mike Shanahan used to be a coach at Northern Arizona University, so I think I’m safe.

You may have heard the story of this Yinzer who almost didn’t survive last week’s game. Yesterday I struggled with whether or not to admit a patient with known cardiac disease that had been having chest tightness and palpitations a few days prior to seeing me. He was symptom-free and reluctant to go to the hospital, until I pointed out that if he stayed Friday night he could have a stress test Saturday morning, thereby ensuring release with a clean bill of health before Sunday’s game. Any other day I probably would have set him up with an outpatient test and make him promise to go to the ER if symptoms recurred, but I couldn’t help thinking out loud that there was a chance that a Steeler defeat could kill him. "That’s a good point, doc" he said very seriously. "Can I use your phone to call my wife and let her know that I’m going to be admitted?" Take that, Football Reaper. Yinzer hearts are safe on my watch.