November 30, 2014
My friend came for lunch today. We had the last of the turkey I made for Thanksgiving and I sent the rest home with her.
I felt fine all day. I actually felt pretty good!
Later that night I was waiting for supper to finish cooking (hamburger) and noticed my stomach hurt a little. I figured I was hungry. So I ate!
The minute I finished, something happened. I was doubled over my desk; my head almost hit my computer. The pain hit that hard and I'd never felt anything like it ever! I couldn't move and I could barely breathe. And I wasn't quiet, the pain made me cry out over and over.
I knew I had to move so I slowly made it to the phone and dialed 911. It rang and rang and rang. I hung up and tried to call my sister all the while trying to move to the patio doors. I guess I was thinking I'd let someone through there. While I was trying to get my sister, 911 cut in and began helping me.
The operator stayed on the line with me and kept telling me to "hang on", someone was on the way. He stayed on until the Harrison Township Fire Department arrived. Oh my gosh the pain was immense!
It didn't take long. They knew I was in trouble, they put me on a stretcher and out I went. No coat. I had a thin tee shirt on because I'd been baking earlier in the day and the apartment was hot. Computer was left on as were every light. I think they turned the lights on.
I couldn't lie still the pain just rolled over me. After they did all the major vitals, I was given Fentanyl. The pain abated. I called my sister real quick to let her know what was happening.
We arrived at the hospital and I was taken straight back (thank you Father). By the time I got there, the pain began again. I had to lay there and let them do their thing while trying not to scream!
Finally, Fentanyl was given again. By this time my sister had arrived. I didn't think she would make it; I was surprised. The Fentanyl barely lasted twenty minutes before the pain pulled me in fetal position, crying and praying. If I counted correctly, I'd been given more than four doses.
Then - I opened my eyes. I looked around. The pain was pretty much gone. I looked for my sister and she smiled at me. "You had surgery!" I did? Yep, I did. I also had a tube down my nose. Great!
Perforated duodenal ulcer. Although someone told my I had a ruptured large intestine. I guess it could have been all that Fentanyl. But until that very night, I had no clue I had a stomach problem. No pain, no anything!
I was in ICU and it looked like I was going to be there for awhile until a room was ready. Jeri and I talked about going to check on the birds and feed them, turning the computer off, locking the place up properly and closing/locking the bedroom window. She promised she and Eric would get it done the next day. After that I told her to go home.
I had a wonderful nurse in emergency. Her name was Cheryl. She pretty much stayed with me. Even when they took me for tests. She went with me carrying a couple of syringes of Fentanyl knowing well I'd need it.
December 1, 2013 ICU
Dr. Dang (spelling) - Surgical staff ICU
Dr. Ekeh - my surgeon
Kim - morning nurse
Joy - afternoon nurse
Respiratory therapy for morning was a Sarah. Afternoon Respiratory was also a Sarah.
About 5:30 pm I finally moved to my room 6533. When I got on my floor, my room number had changed 6525 A.
I'm waiting to meet my nurse and this woman walks in, barely acknowledges me as she walks around the bed. She seems to be worried about part of the bed that I can't see. She says "she needs to get a new bed".
What? Then - Then - she picks up a can a pop, a cup of ice and LEAVES!
I wait. And wait and wait some more. Finally the PCT, Denise comes in and she sees I'm upset and I tell her I am and why. About this time, that nurse comes in and I tell her I want to talk to her supervisor.
Tanya comes in, I tell her what happened (through frustrated tears) and Tanya begins doing what needed to be done. Vitals, checks incision, checks me over, shows me how to use my pain pump, explains what I should and shouldn't do. I'm allowed ice chips and that's it. She makes me feel comfortable and better then apologizes for what happened.
That nurse would not be my nurse again.
New nurse - Judi
I've dozed in and out of sleep since. I'm aware there is another patient in the room. Later I call Jeri and tell her the new room number. Then ask her to bring me some things, including my wheelchair as Judi says it would be beneficial to me.
Shift change-2 nurses (one training) Christine and Barbara, both lovely people. PCT is Cathy another nice person
I'm uncomfortable. Nose tube actually hurts a little as does my wound. Fentanyl only does so much (honest) It keeps the worst of the pain at bay but surface stuff it doesn't touch. I ask for Tylenol and got an IV drip. Much better. It worked like I knew it would.
December 2, 2014
Dr. Campbell of Ekeh's surgical team came in to see me.
-nose tube may come out - pray - dozed off and suddenly woke up. I was passing gas! I know, I know, gross, but this is exactly what they want me to do! I was so excited!
Shift change: Jessica - nurse (an awesome nurse)
Denise - PCT (again) very nice
Requested more Tylenol and got it.
Respiratory came in and was extremely concerned about what he was hearing in my lungs. I wasn't getting any of my regular meds and my lungs were getting noisy. I was scared of pneumonia again. He started me on a different type of treatment plus regular Albuterol treatment plus antibiotics (that came later but it was a necessity).
Jeri came in about 11:30 with my wheelchair among other things.
I called my pulmanologist and canceled an appointment I had
By 12:30 nose tube came out! What a relief! Not long after Dr. Ekeh came in and told me I still would not be allowed to eat until the following morning. I understood and didn't argue. I was allowed all the ice chips I wanted and I took advantage of that the rest of the day and even during the night.
Tomorrow is December 3rd and I need to pay rent and bills. Jeri tells me she'll go to the apartment and get what I need so I tell her where everything is. She's so sweet and good to me. I don't know what I'd do without her help right now.
-Asked for Tylenol again and got it
-Sitting up in bed pretty good. Some pain but not bad and I think most of it is because I'm so swollen from the surgery.
-Once the nose tube came out my lungs took on a "happier" attitude. It was easier for me cough up a lot of stuff.
-My cousin called me, not knowing I was in the hospital. She was calling me because I had emailed her before I landed in the hospital. I explained why I was here and I think she thought she was bothering me because she cut the conversation short.
-Started pill form of neuronton and my singulair
-Fallen asleep on and off during the late afternoon
-Christine and Barbara - nurses (again- yay!)
-Cathy pct
December 3, 2014
Slept a little better last night even though everyone kept waking me for breathing treatments and vitals. I really didn't mind. I kept thinking it only meant that morning was coming and I'd finally get a cup of coffee!
Missed seeing my doctor but orders are COFFEE!!!! LIQUID Breakfast!!!! Yay!!!!
Tara of Ekeh's surgical team comes in and talks to me. She's so pleased with how I'm progressing.
-Liquid breakfast
-If that goes well, I'll have a regular cardio lunch.
-getting rid of all the iv's
-Fentanyl pump will change to Norco and Tylenol
-my incision looks really good. She was really pleased with this. No redness, no bleeding or seeping. Staples will stay in for ten days.
-I MAY GO HOME LATER TODAY!
Tara wants to make sure food is staying down, no nausea, dizziness etc. She'll be back after lunch.
I am so happy!
My nurse Jessica told me the day before that she had never heard of anyone going home after a surgery like mine in less than four days. She told me she was sure I'd be here until Friday.
Breakfast was yummy Jello (honest, it was yummy), coffee and apple juice. I can't drink apple juice. It didn't matter, I was so empty that the Jello and coffee kind of filled me up.
Jessica came in not long after and told me I would be able to order a Cardio lunch.
By the way, MVH has good food. They really do. They have an excellent menu to order from with ample foods to choose from.
My sister came in around 10:30 ish and I told her everything that happened. She was pleased for me and for her. She had been worrying about her and Eric's schedule. (she never mentioned it to me until now). Basically, if I'm able to go home today, it would be easier on them. They have several things they have to do this week.
She and I sit and talk, then I order my lunch which will be here a little after one. She decides to go get her own lunch. While she's gone my PCT helps me get my bath stuff together and I bathe while she changes my bed. I feel human again and by the time I'm done and my table is clean, my tray arrives. So does my sister, she enjoys a little unknown pizza place downstairs.
My tray consists of roasted turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, corn and for desert something called Luigi's cherry ice. It was the best meal! Oh, the cherry ice, was wonderful!
By two thirty o'clock, Tara was back with Ekeh. I'm going home! I almost cry. Ekeh, leaves, Tara stays, runs through what to do, what not to do, the drugs she's sending me home with etc.
Relief. Jessica walks in and I tell her to come here that I need to rub her nose in what I just heard. She couldn't believe they were letting me go home. Then she had to leave so she could get my instructions.
So, leaving a hospital is never a smooth, easy thing to do. My sister and I began guessing exactly what time we would actually be leaving. We both figure five o'clock.
Jessica wants to give me my "due" drugs. Some of which are through my iv. No problem. I'll have one more dose of antibiotics too. It would take about an hour for all of it. She has a very ill patient also.
I decide to get up and get as dressed as I can. I leave my gown on and I'm glad I did. I look down after putting my underwear on and see this pinkish spots all over the gown. I also see in on my underwear. Here, it is slightly damp. What the heck is that? I have my sister look at it and we start looking at me. We don't see anything anywhere. I push the call button because I'm starting to panic. (I'm going home)
Another nurse comes in because Jessica is with a patient. She checks me over but doesn't see anything.
Okay. I leave it alone but when I check later, I have new spots.
Jessica comes in and we start looking all over, then I see it. Jessica had given me a shot in my stomach earlier. I point where I see it so she can see it. She called it something but I don't remember. It comes out clear but there's little bloody spot in the middle of it.
Okay. She cleans it then puts a band-aid on it. I soon realize she missed. Fresh spots on my underwear is making me frantic. IV's gone. Jessica has to do the paperwork.
I'm going home.
My sister had to go to the bathroom. While she's gone, I do the same. The bedside is still there. I check where the wound or whatever you want to call it is and see it seeping. I slap tissue over it. I'm going home!
Five o'clock is coming. I get rid of my gown, put on my thin tee shirt. PCT says I can use the blanket on the bed to wrap up in because I don't have a coat.
Finally, paperwork, instructions, prescriptions. My sister's husband will meet us at my apartment to help unload me and my stuff.
Jessica tells me I was a favorite patient. I tell her she was my favorite nurse. And she was. She was exceptional.
PCT takes me downstairs, found my sister and load me in. Believe me, unless the blanket is insulated, it doesn't double as a coat. It was freezing out!
Even though it is almost five thirty, the sky is amazing to see and still has a little light to it. We drive Main all the way. My brother-in-law is waiting.
I'm home. Thank you Father.
No comments:
Post a Comment