When I was at the hospital with Dad I took a few trips to the cafeteria to buy Mom and I lunch. It drastically changed from the last time I visited the cafeteria. Many options and at a decent price.
During one of those trips I encountered two little girls that touched my heart.
As I came around a corner I saw two little girls. They were about 6-8 years old with milk chocolaty skin. Their hair was twisted in a bun. Their dresses were cute knee length over white stockings and Mary Jane shoes. They were loitering by the gift shower looking through the glass at the cute over priced dolls.
They started hopping and skipping in circles as I got closer to them. I thought OMG not more brats please! I was so sick of hearing and seeing kids act up in the hospital.
When I see kids hopping, skipping, running and jumping in public I focus on them because I know they are not paying attention. I know if they just bump me I can be down on the floor. I've had that happened more than once.
So anyway, the oldest one suddenly looks at me and I could tell she was checking me out. As I passed by she shy smiled and said, "HI."
Smiling back I said hello. She pulled the other little girl by the hand and started walking with me.
She asked me where I was going and I told her the cafeteria.
She then asked me why I was in the hospital. I told her my dad had an accident. She looked down sadly and mumbled, "OH!" I reassured her that he'll be okay.
I asked her who were they visiting. She looked up and her face lit up like a ray of sunshine. She said her Mother had their little brother. I commented that it was exciting. She giggled and agreed.
As she rambled about what he looked like, how much he weighed, she watched her little sister telling to move when she was going to be in someone's way. I thought she is a good big sister.
I always walk to the far side so people can just walk around me. I am fully aware that I walk slower than most.
My Hubby sometimes disagree with me doing that because he says I should not have do it. I am a person just like everyone else. People can either wait or go around me. My argument is that I hate people on my heels and I rather just get to the side when I can so they can go ahead of me. It's an ongoing discussion between he and I. I love him for that though. Its those discussions that remind me how lucky I am.
The littler girl kept looking at my legs. I was waiting for her to ask.
She then said, "I hope your dad is going to be okay.". Taken back, "Thank you sweetie." I mean c'mon how many kids are that sensitive to others nowadays?
When we got outside the cafeteria she said wait and I stopped.(awkwardly as usual) She opened the door and said, "I just wanted to hold the door for you." I looked at the child stunned as everybody was walking around us and said, "You are so sweet, thank you."
She watched me walk in and held the door for a few other people behind me. I stepped aside and asked her if she was also coming into the cafeteria. Smiling she said, "No, I just wanted to hold the door for you. I hope your dad gets better. Bye.! Before I could say anything she had ran off in the midst of the crowd going back to where we just came from.
I stepped further into the cafeteria watching everyone coming and going having NO clue how much one child touched my heart.
I looked for her the next two days but I never saw her again. I wish I could have hugged her and tell her she was someone special. I wish I could have seen her parents and tell them how special their daughter was.
Until next time..
Showing posts with label hospital. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hospital. Show all posts
Monday, September 21, 2015
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Day 2-4 Hospitalization--This and That!
Here's the continuation of my hospitalization story. It is real! It is MY true life!
Okay that was my LAME imitation of the cool voices of announcers! Did I make you smile?!
In my previous post I said my next post would be about the doctors. I've played with the subject and like everything else I write, I think too darn much. Here it is nevertheless.
First, I want to reiterate that every staff member was excellent from triage to discharge.
The only two complaints are: One it seemed it took forever in ER. Funny, There is a disclaimer on their site about waiting time. And two, what everyone complains about..their food!
The first night they served rice and gravy. It as just plain nasty! My mom even grimaced! So it was that bad. And three days later they served the gravy again.."GAG"
My Hospitality Doctor was Dr. King. He came initially around 7 pm the night I was admitted. He was a a nice distinguished fellow. I could tell right off that I would like him.
I have Googled his name and can't find any thing of substance except he works at that hospital, where he went to school and is an internist.
We discussed my extensive medical and surgical history along with the meds I take. He seemed relaxed and informed me the blood work and x-rays were normal. He was concerned about my blood sugar and blood pressure fluctuating. .He said I had a bad virus that entered my intestines and with my malnourishment/weight loss my good cells just weren't there to fight back.
Encouraging he said it would take a few days for the virus to move along and I would feel much better. I was not going to make a comment about the 'feel much better in a few days' HOWEVER, Mom said it, "He hasn't gotten to know YOU yet!" We had a chuckle!
During his visit, as he was interviewing me, he became the third person in the hospital since I was wheeled into the ER to ask, "Can you walk?" Why do people assume because you have CP means you can't walk?!
That was a loaded question because YES I can walk but at that moment..NOT! I want to bang my head against the wall when people see me in the bed or on a chair, find out I have CP and then ask if I can walk.ESPECIALLY medical professionals!
The next day, the nurse must have called him numerous times about test results etc because he came around noon. He said that with the dextrose IV my blood sugar has stabilized but he didn't know if it was something wrong or the virus. He told me before I could go home, my blood pressure and blood sugars needed to stop being erratic and I had to eat a meal that stayed down. He also referred an endocrinologist to look at me.
My mom had gone home to bathe etc but on her way back she bought a Subway sandwich. It wasn't the type I would have chose but let me tell you I ate half of a half that sandwich. It was so good!
The late afternoon my endocrinologist, Dr.Stout visited. He said pretty much the same thing as Dr. King. He didn't know what the cause of the blood sugars fluctuating meant so he ordered two tests..A CRH stimulation test (That was an irritating test) and CBG tests to test my adrenal glands
The next morning he came with results in hand and said there was an abnormality of my adrenal gland. Which one? NO clue and never thought to ask. But for those who know my history and those who don't..a few years back during a test, it was found that my right kidney was is smaller than the left and only 25% functionally. It was on my chart. The urologist chalked it up to a birth abnormality. My question at the time was, "Why did any doctor ever see that with the many tests I've gone through in my life?" Still don't know the answer.
When the girl did an ultrasound of my tummy this hitch, she just blurted surprised, "Your kidney is so little!?" Remember when I wanted to hit my head on the wall? Repeat!
Dr. Stout wasn't sure if the abnormality is from my sickness or another underlying cause. He put me on Hydrocortisone until I see him in early November.
Dr King told me to follow up with my Family Doctor. He also promised that he had been sending reports to my GI, Family and Pulmonologist.
So there it is folks..my life LAST week. I also had my MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT. at the hospital in my entire life but debating whether I want to share it with anyone else. Maybe one person can learn from it. It is pretty gross..to me anyway...
Thanks for coming back and taking the time to read this craziness and sometimes respond. Appreciate all of you!
BLESS YOU!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
DAY 1: HOSPITALIZATION--ER VISIT
Disclaimer: If you are squeamish suggest you skip this post.
Tuesday 12:30 am: I vomited everything I ate. I was alone. MyLove was earning the big buckaroos. . Luckily I made it to the "Throne". I felt achy and generally awful.I crawled back into bed and half slept performing the deep breathe technique to soothe nausea my Pediatrician taught me eons ago.
1:30 AM to 4:30 AM- Repeat above. Except once, I didn't get up fast enough and as I was sprinting, half of it went into my hand and left a trail from bedroom to "Throne". It had changed to bile. After I finished, rinsed my mouth, took a wet towel. With brief breaks, I pushed a wet towel over the carpet to clean my mess. I guess I did a good job as MyLove told me he searched when he returned home and didn't find any remnants.
I thought throughout the night, I need to go to the emergency room but did not want to wake up Mom. I think I drifted in and out of sleep.
After my 4:30 am emesis, the dry heaves arrived. Everything that was coming out,finally ended. In my book, dry heaves are worse than vomiting. I felt, to put it bluntly, like SHIT. Again, I drifted in and out of sleep.
In the moments of wakefulness I contemplated if I could drive to New Iberia to see my Doc. I decided it was a bad idea as it is a 30 mile drive. I wondered if I should call MyLove but decided against that idea because I didn't want to worry him. Anyway, he was 2 hours away so he couldn't do anything. I thought of calling my daughter but again, didn't want to worry her and she only has a MOPED. I thought of calling my Cuz but again, didn't want to worry her. I did ponder about dialing 911 but didn't want the expense nor hurrah. I know that wasn't good but I am who I am. I wasn't ready to put down my pride.
I also decided when/if I call MOM, I wasn't going to make her drive all the way over here then drive all the way back.
At 6 AM I called my parents and my dad answered. I asked to speak to her because 1) He is very hard of hearing and would have kept saying, "What? I don't understand?" OR when he would have been translating to Mom, it would have been a chore for him as he forgets one minute to the next sometimes..
She gets on the phone. My mom has had practice for 49 years so she knows the drill. I started crying. She asked concerned but calm to actually calm ME as always, "What's wrong?"
Deep breath. "Can you take me to the hospital?"
She perked up and said, "I have to dress and brush my teeth. Do not move!"
But I did..I slipped some shorts under my gown then unlocked the door and plopped onto my chair to wait. . I was so very weak and dizzy. About 45 minutes later, mom arrived. We walked slowly to the car with only my emesis basin and purse .
We make it to the hospital and they triaged me. A bulky RN who reminded me of a big giant teddy bear like was kind and gentle. I wish we would have written these RN and ER docs names.
My blood pressure was way up there, temp was 103.5 and I was shivering with teeth chattering. I couldn't walk because when I stood, I dry heaved. They wheeled me in the wheelchair to the waiting room but called my name within a few minutes.
They put me in a cold room that felt like a freezer.. I kept saying "F--K its cold!"
In response, my devout Christian Mom kept shushing me and reprimanding me. Bulky put 3 blankets with one warm against my skin. I kept telling him he was an ANGEL.
He left and came back. Evidently he had gone to talk to the busy ER Doctor. He returned and explained he was going to start an IV and give fluids, the Vampires and Radiologist. He started my IV, doing a wonderful job and I did tell him so.
The vampires came draw 5 vials of blood. I asked if they were going to leave me any blood. The Tech just laughed and said, "Sorry! Yea, really huh?"
Later, the Radiologist came get me and wheeled me in the bed to X-ray. All of this took place in about an hour or two.
Another RN, a cute little man (I'll name him Ben as he looked like a Ben ) entered and talked to me about my history, Meds, etc. He told me the ER doctor was going to be coming.
Then we waited and waited. Bulky and Benjamin came in periodically to check on me and Mom. Bulky ended up giving me 2 more blankets. And I still shivered and was miserably cold.
Finally, the ER doctor,(Lets call him Doc) arrived and said my glucose was way low like 59. My weight was 79.5. I really cried when he told me my weight because I've been struggling. He told me he thought it was a virus that went into my intestine. With my immune system and malnourishment I couldn't fight it as well. I informed him the low immune system is my life story. He gave me this long explanation I understood then but can't explain. He ordered a dose of Zofran IV for my nausea, glucose by IV, wait an hour and go from there.
Shortly after Doc departed, Ben returned with the Zofran and orange juice with a packet of sugar. I dislike OJ because its so tart, but add sugar..it made me gag but like an obedient patient I drank it. YUCKITY YUCK!
Waiting game began again. Same people checked in regularly informing the ER doc was coming back. Once, Bulky did my blood pressure when I was laying down, then he helped me stand up and checked blood pressure, my BP went erratic. I laid back down.
About 2 hours later and 2 glucose sticks (I hated that little sticker!) later Ben walked in and put up a little bag and attached it to my already big hanging bag. We watched it as it dripped. I slept off and on. Doc walked in while it dripped and said we were going to wait and see how I felt. He said he was concerned about my blood sugar fluctuating and unstable blood pressure. He gave me the option to go home with nausea meds and I could follow-up with my doctor OR he had no problems admitting me and having me followed by the Hospitality Doctor with IV fluids etc. He told me to think about it.
More waiting ensued ...My mom and I discussed my options. She said she wasn't bringing me to my apartment.She was bringing me home since MyLove was out of tow.n. She was in her take charge motherly mode. I see it as caring and it is automatic to her as she has had to take charge many times.
I somehow slid to the foot of the bed a few times and the two Angels would come and pull me up with the sheet. The first time Bulky laughingly said, "You're less than the wind outside." We all laughed.
I thought about my options. I was scared myself. I finally declared "Defeated". So when Doc came in I told him I was game for admittance.
Two hours later, after 9 hours in ER I was wheeled to my room on 5th floor!
If your stomach is still intact or just plain interested. Stay Tuned :)
Tuesday 12:30 am: I vomited everything I ate. I was alone. MyLove was earning the big buckaroos. . Luckily I made it to the "Throne". I felt achy and generally awful.I crawled back into bed and half slept performing the deep breathe technique to soothe nausea my Pediatrician taught me eons ago.
1:30 AM to 4:30 AM- Repeat above. Except once, I didn't get up fast enough and as I was sprinting, half of it went into my hand and left a trail from bedroom to "Throne". It had changed to bile. After I finished, rinsed my mouth, took a wet towel. With brief breaks, I pushed a wet towel over the carpet to clean my mess. I guess I did a good job as MyLove told me he searched when he returned home and didn't find any remnants.
I thought throughout the night, I need to go to the emergency room but did not want to wake up Mom. I think I drifted in and out of sleep.
After my 4:30 am emesis, the dry heaves arrived. Everything that was coming out,finally ended. In my book, dry heaves are worse than vomiting. I felt, to put it bluntly, like SHIT. Again, I drifted in and out of sleep.
In the moments of wakefulness I contemplated if I could drive to New Iberia to see my Doc. I decided it was a bad idea as it is a 30 mile drive. I wondered if I should call MyLove but decided against that idea because I didn't want to worry him. Anyway, he was 2 hours away so he couldn't do anything. I thought of calling my daughter but again, didn't want to worry her and she only has a MOPED. I thought of calling my Cuz but again, didn't want to worry her. I did ponder about dialing 911 but didn't want the expense nor hurrah. I know that wasn't good but I am who I am. I wasn't ready to put down my pride.
I also decided when/if I call MOM, I wasn't going to make her drive all the way over here then drive all the way back.
At 6 AM I called my parents and my dad answered. I asked to speak to her because 1) He is very hard of hearing and would have kept saying, "What? I don't understand?" OR when he would have been translating to Mom, it would have been a chore for him as he forgets one minute to the next sometimes..
She gets on the phone. My mom has had practice for 49 years so she knows the drill. I started crying. She asked concerned but calm to actually calm ME as always, "What's wrong?"
Deep breath. "Can you take me to the hospital?"
She perked up and said, "I have to dress and brush my teeth. Do not move!"
But I did..I slipped some shorts under my gown then unlocked the door and plopped onto my chair to wait. . I was so very weak and dizzy. About 45 minutes later, mom arrived. We walked slowly to the car with only my emesis basin and purse .
We make it to the hospital and they triaged me. A bulky RN who reminded me of a big giant teddy bear like was kind and gentle. I wish we would have written these RN and ER docs names.
My blood pressure was way up there, temp was 103.5 and I was shivering with teeth chattering. I couldn't walk because when I stood, I dry heaved. They wheeled me in the wheelchair to the waiting room but called my name within a few minutes.
They put me in a cold room that felt like a freezer.. I kept saying "F--K its cold!"
In response, my devout Christian Mom kept shushing me and reprimanding me. Bulky put 3 blankets with one warm against my skin. I kept telling him he was an ANGEL.
He left and came back. Evidently he had gone to talk to the busy ER Doctor. He returned and explained he was going to start an IV and give fluids, the Vampires and Radiologist. He started my IV, doing a wonderful job and I did tell him so.
The vampires came draw 5 vials of blood. I asked if they were going to leave me any blood. The Tech just laughed and said, "Sorry! Yea, really huh?"
Later, the Radiologist came get me and wheeled me in the bed to X-ray. All of this took place in about an hour or two.
Another RN, a cute little man (I'll name him Ben as he looked like a Ben ) entered and talked to me about my history, Meds, etc. He told me the ER doctor was going to be coming.
Then we waited and waited. Bulky and Benjamin came in periodically to check on me and Mom. Bulky ended up giving me 2 more blankets. And I still shivered and was miserably cold.
Finally, the ER doctor,(Lets call him Doc) arrived and said my glucose was way low like 59. My weight was 79.5. I really cried when he told me my weight because I've been struggling. He told me he thought it was a virus that went into my intestine. With my immune system and malnourishment I couldn't fight it as well. I informed him the low immune system is my life story. He gave me this long explanation I understood then but can't explain. He ordered a dose of Zofran IV for my nausea, glucose by IV, wait an hour and go from there.
Shortly after Doc departed, Ben returned with the Zofran and orange juice with a packet of sugar. I dislike OJ because its so tart, but add sugar..it made me gag but like an obedient patient I drank it. YUCKITY YUCK!
Waiting game began again. Same people checked in regularly informing the ER doc was coming back. Once, Bulky did my blood pressure when I was laying down, then he helped me stand up and checked blood pressure, my BP went erratic. I laid back down.
About 2 hours later and 2 glucose sticks (I hated that little sticker!) later Ben walked in and put up a little bag and attached it to my already big hanging bag. We watched it as it dripped. I slept off and on. Doc walked in while it dripped and said we were going to wait and see how I felt. He said he was concerned about my blood sugar fluctuating and unstable blood pressure. He gave me the option to go home with nausea meds and I could follow-up with my doctor OR he had no problems admitting me and having me followed by the Hospitality Doctor with IV fluids etc. He told me to think about it.
More waiting ensued ...My mom and I discussed my options. She said she wasn't bringing me to my apartment.She was bringing me home since MyLove was out of tow.n. She was in her take charge motherly mode. I see it as caring and it is automatic to her as she has had to take charge many times.
I somehow slid to the foot of the bed a few times and the two Angels would come and pull me up with the sheet. The first time Bulky laughingly said, "You're less than the wind outside." We all laughed.
I thought about my options. I was scared myself. I finally declared "Defeated". So when Doc came in I told him I was game for admittance.
Two hours later, after 9 hours in ER I was wheeled to my room on 5th floor!
If your stomach is still intact or just plain interested. Stay Tuned :)
Saturday, October 8, 2011
FOUR DAY HIATUS
The day after my birthday (Which I had a post scheduled so that's why it was posted with me actually not being here) I went on an impromptu hiatus. It was indeed not a pleasant one!
I had to visit the emergency room and in turn, was admitted. I gave no arguments with the ER doctor. I felt that sick!
My hiatus will be written in several posts, not necessarily in any order or even consecutively.
I am home now, still weak and don't feel up to par. But after I'm knocked down like that, it takes me a while to get back to my own "normalcy".
I had written in my last post that I felt like I was getting sick. I had NO idea!
BEWARE: I will try not to be graphic but know how some people have weak stomachs and wouldn't want to give you that kind of effect.
I will summarize in this post and cut it to the diagnoses.
First, the staff at Regional Medical Center of Acadiana gave excellent care. From the triage nurse to the discharge nurse and everyone in between was awesome! And the hospital didn't seem to smell medicine and it wasn't drab. The bed could have held two of me LOL!
I was referred an Hospitalist Doctor since I have no doctor here in Lafayette because I tried a few specialists in this city and BOMBED big time. I kept my New Iberia Doctors.
Anyway after a slew of blood tests, x-rays and ultrasounds the results were that I had the virus that went to my intestines. In triage I had high blood pressure and a temp of 103.5! The HBP was due to my achiness, fever and hours of vomiting, we assume. I felt guilty for a second because of the patients who were probably there way before me and I just got swooped into the back.
Also, my blood sugars was way down..59. It kept going up and down throughout my stay.
I want to tell you if you have to stick yourself every day to check your glucose. I AM SO SORRY. That crap HURTS. The first time they did it, unexpectedly. I shouted, "SHITTT". I'm not one to be afraid of needles but I was PISSED.
Wednesday, mom asked him his estimation of my stay and he said as soon as they get my blood sugars stable and able to eat a meal and keep it down. Has anyone tasted their nasty gravy??
So obviously I reached his goals and I am home. I feel better but not well. This hit me like a load of bricks! I have to pace myself even more. I feel like I have 10 lb weights on my ankles. And now that everything is over, sorta..I'm in a wanna cry mode. Just waiting for the culprit to hit me.
So that is what was wrong who asked.
I had to visit the emergency room and in turn, was admitted. I gave no arguments with the ER doctor. I felt that sick!
My hiatus will be written in several posts, not necessarily in any order or even consecutively.
I am home now, still weak and don't feel up to par. But after I'm knocked down like that, it takes me a while to get back to my own "normalcy".
I had written in my last post that I felt like I was getting sick. I had NO idea!
BEWARE: I will try not to be graphic but know how some people have weak stomachs and wouldn't want to give you that kind of effect.
I will summarize in this post and cut it to the diagnoses.
First, the staff at Regional Medical Center of Acadiana gave excellent care. From the triage nurse to the discharge nurse and everyone in between was awesome! And the hospital didn't seem to smell medicine and it wasn't drab. The bed could have held two of me LOL!
I was referred an Hospitalist Doctor since I have no doctor here in Lafayette because I tried a few specialists in this city and BOMBED big time. I kept my New Iberia Doctors.
Anyway after a slew of blood tests, x-rays and ultrasounds the results were that I had the virus that went to my intestines. In triage I had high blood pressure and a temp of 103.5! The HBP was due to my achiness, fever and hours of vomiting, we assume. I felt guilty for a second because of the patients who were probably there way before me and I just got swooped into the back.
Also, my blood sugars was way down..59. It kept going up and down throughout my stay.
I want to tell you if you have to stick yourself every day to check your glucose. I AM SO SORRY. That crap HURTS. The first time they did it, unexpectedly. I shouted, "SHITTT". I'm not one to be afraid of needles but I was PISSED.
Wednesday, mom asked him his estimation of my stay and he said as soon as they get my blood sugars stable and able to eat a meal and keep it down. Has anyone tasted their nasty gravy??
So obviously I reached his goals and I am home. I feel better but not well. This hit me like a load of bricks! I have to pace myself even more. I feel like I have 10 lb weights on my ankles. And now that everything is over, sorta..I'm in a wanna cry mode. Just waiting for the culprit to hit me.
So that is what was wrong who asked.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)