Patrisha

October 20, 2011

More Fun in the ER!

First of all, I want to thank you for your lovely notes. They made me feel much better.

I will begin with the good news. I called Fred last night and he sounded upbeat and very positive about the rehab. He even commented that the food was good!

And, why, you may be asking, did I call him rather than seeing him? Well, *I* spent yesterday in the emergency room! This time, it was only 12 hours rather than the 15 hours I spent in the ER with Fred. The day before yesterday, when I was visiting Fred before he left the hospital. I felt a small disturbance in my abdomen all day. And that night, I had very severe cramping pains which kept waking me up. Looking back now, I can see I over-reacted but I called 911. I was frightened because I realized I was alone and really didn’t know what to do. Anyway, I did apologize to the very nice {and very young} EMTs who were actually the same crew who took Fred in and they were very kind to me and told me that I was doing the right thing in calling them. And as an aside, the person who figures out another way to locate a pain besides prodding and asking "Does this hurt?" will make a fortune!

I had to drink that nasty pink contrast stuff because I was was going to have a CT scan and actually, as it turned out, I had two. After the first one had been looked at, the radiologist wanted another because the tube that connects my one kidney to whatever it is that kidneys are connected to, seemed to be swollen! {Fortunately, I didn’t have to drink more contrast.} You can imagine how worried I was to hear this about the only kidney I have left! Well, the doctor came in later and told me not to worry because a previous scan I had three years before showed exactly the same so it wasn’t something new and since I had lived with it for three years with no problems, it wasn’t anything that was causing a new problem! Well, the bottom line seems to be that I had eaten something that disagreed with me and it wasn’t passing through me comfortably! BUT! apparently I also had a UTI! Now, it was only in the beginning stages since there were none of the symptoms that I well know, having had these things before. Oh, and I was dehydrated, too. I felt so much better once one of those bags of fluid had dripped into me. And, I was able to give a urine sample which, since I was unable to do when I was admitted, also made me realize how dehydrated I was! I also learned that one of the things that pink contrast does is to produce diarrhoea, which, although unpleasant, was, it seems, exactly what I need to get whatever my body didn’t like out of me!

Anyway, I got a cab home from the hospital after a 45 minute wait because it was rush hour, apparently, and I was so tired, I went to bed and to sleep at 7 pm and slept 8 hours which means I woke up at 4 am! I have had some toast and Marmite which seems to be staying where it should. When I called Fred, I told him I felt that I would be better not visiting him today and just letting this stuff make its way through my system! So, when it is a more normal hour for calls, I will call his daughter and ask her to stop in and pick up some clothes for Fred since I know she is going to see him. I have confidence that resting and drinking lots of water {and, of course getting the prescription filled and taking the pills } will have me back to normal by tomorrow.

Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks,

breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.

— Mary Lou Cook

"We are taught you must blame your father, your sisters, your brothers, the school, the teachers – but never blame yourself. It’s never your fault. But it’s always your fault, because if you wanted to change you’re the one who has got to change." — Katherine Hepburn

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.

You’re on your own. And you know what you know.

You are the guy who’ll decide where to go. ~ Dr. Seuss

ThomaS

October 21, 2011

My daughter graduated from St Michael’s College. I love your area

gray tabby

how scary for you…. being at home all alone and hurting like that. good thing you went in to the er cause they found a uti and now that can be fixed and you’ll get better. i have to keep after my daughter to make sure she drinks enough water during the day. glad you’re home and doing better. sounds like fred is doing okay. one less thing for you to worry about. take care,

TruNorth

That must have been a frightening experience. Glad it is resolving satisfactorily. Hope that both of you regain your health soon.

Mezzo

It never hurts to err on the side of caution. I’m glad you called 911. Glad to hear too that Fred seems to be rallying. Send him my love, and take good care of you. Love ya~ ~M

🙂 Thank goodness for Marmite. I didn’t know you could get it over there – perhaps I’m being innocent. I’m glad you called 911. You did the right thing. You were alone and you didn’t know what it was. I’m glad it turns out that it wasn’t too bad and that they were kind and thorough. Have a good rest today…and a good drink.

Thankfully it wasn’t anything more serious. And I agree with the EMTs – you were wise to call! Get some rest today. (((HUGS)))

Ginger Rogers

Sorry to hear you were in ER. I think being alone and sick is indeed scary. Glad you’re ok.

TheWoodsprite

Whew! I’m glad you’re ok and that’s “all” it was! Considering how certain VERY serious things can masquerade as not-so-serious things, I can see how it’d be scary enough to go to the ER. I never knew that a heart attack could feel like indigestion ’til my Dad died of what he thought was a stomachache! Luckily I rarely get a stomachache, but when I do, now, I think “hmmmm….?????” I hope you havea nice restful day today. And I’m soooo glad to hear Fred’s feeling a lot more chipper! hugs, Nicky

ryn: 🙂 good thinking! What does Fred think of it? Sean knows if I’ve left the lid off the pot as soon as he walks into the kitchen. He hates it.

MargUK

Gosh never rains but it pours eh? You totally did the right thing though – different story having something like that when you’re on your own and far better to have it checked out even if just for peace of mind. And glad to hear Fred is doing better too!

raeven

Oh how scary!.. I’m glad you’re OK.. and I’m really glad you called 911…*hugs*.. give Fred my love!

FRIDAY'S CHILD

I’m glad nothing was seriously wrong and I’m glad that you’re feeling better now. Better to have called than to take a chance, especially if you are at home alone!!!

Violet

That must have been the pits. I’m glad that it wasn’t anything more serious, though. That dehydration can be nasty stuff, too. It’s actually fortuitous that you went in for the cramping because it caught the UTI before it had a chance to become a problem. What a blessing! And yay for Fred having a positive attitude about his situation and wanting to work on it!

It’s a screy thing though when you have a pain you haven’t had before and it doesn’t go away. I think you did the right thing by calling 911. I remember having a “different” pain and calling my docs office at midnight.The doc on call said to take some milk of mag. which I did and was still in pain. Went to see my doc the next morning and got put right into the hospital with pancreatitis.

So, yeah you did the right thing. Glad to hear that Fred seems to be doing better. I was/am really worried about the guy. Send him my get well wishes , will you? Here’s hoping you feel much better as the day goes on. Huge hugs,M

darlingnikki

That doesn’t sound at all fun. I’m glad they caught your UTI before it became really unpleasant. Also glad to hear that Fred is feeling upbeat about the rehab.

Flyte

Wow, when it rains it pours huh? I am sorry you are going through so much. The rehab might just be what Fred needs to get his strength back. They sure wont let him just sit around, that’s for sure! Take care of yourself!!!!

Oh that had to be frightening – I’m glad you called 911 and that you’re feeling better now! (Formerly known as Leisah)

Oh, my goodness. I had no idea all this was going on! For whatever reason, there were several days when my favorites list showed you had updated, but I was directed to the “this diary is set at private…ya-da-ya-da-ya-da” message. I hope you are feeling better, and that Fred’s transition into the after-care facility goes smoothly. Please know I am praying for both of you.

I am sorry to learn that Fred is unwell and that you’ve had quite a scare yourself. Do take care.

Tornado

As a retired 911 operator I am soo glad you called 911. That was the correct thing to do. That’s what they are there for!! I’m also glad you are doing better!

GrammaDode

I’m so glad you took care of yourself….that was certainly the right thing to do. Fred sounds more like himself too….I’m sending good vibes to both of you!

ILuvCats

UTI’s can be nasty! Take care of yourself. Glad Fred is feeling better.