Thanks for the yell. As it happens, Bob's shortness of breath got worse, so we made another call. The nurse who called us back asked the usual questions. Then she started to say, "go to the ER" and both of us yelled out "NO!" Bob said the last time he'd been there for 8 hours before being seen, and went on to say he wanted to speak with an internist. Now. The nurse said she'd send an urgent message to Bob's GP (presumably something she could have done at any time, but has been told by TPTB to do only under pressure). The GP called half an hour later, and promptly prescribed an inhaler and an antibiotic. Achievement unlocked!