As you all know, we have some wicked outlandish conversations at my house. Its pretty much the norm, as a matter of fact. Well, while Mike was in the hospital, Sean came to visit every day. As Mike slept a lot, I was glad of the company. While we were watching what passes for TV there, an advertisement for a documentary on the zombie phenomenon in pop culture came on. And this conversation ensued~
Me: I hope we're home by then, because I totally want to watch that.
Sean: Me too. Just to laugh at your generation's ideas about zombies.
Me: 'Scuse me?
Sean: You know, now that my generation has actual fact to support zombies. We were raised with enough knowledge of DNA, genomes and molecular mutation (I must admit that at this point all I heard was blah, blah, blah) that we understand how zombies could happen and why they aren't really dead.
Me: I'm not really sure what you just said, but I think you're full of sh*t.
Sean: I'm not full of sh*t. I'm just smarter than you.
Me: I'll give you that you have a higher IQ, but that means nothing when it comes to zombies, because I'm like a freakin expert here. And zombies are too dead. They're the walking dead. Duh. Everyone knows that. They travel in hordes.
Sean: No they aren't. Zombies are live people who blah blah blah.
Me: (Somehow, my brain has jumped the track and I'm off course) OMG. Do you think sharks could become zombies? I mean if dogs and cats can become zombies, then sharks could right? That's freakin scary. Or alligators! What's scarier than a freakin zombie alligator?!
Sean: Um. Sharks and alligators already attack people so I'm not sure they'd be any scarier as zombies than they already are.
Me: Oh. Well then let's pick something that doesn't already eat people. What about Giraffes? Pretty non-scary to begin with but all of a sudden, wham!! Scary!!
Sean: Giraffes are herbivores, they eat leaves and grass. So they'd just go around attacking trees. Not scary. Extremely goofy.
Me: It doesn't matter what you eat before you become a zombie. The mutation that causes zombiefication would cause a craving for flesh. Therefore, anything that became a zombie would eat flesh.
Sean: Their digestive systems couldn't handle flesh. They'd still eat leaves.
Me: They're dead! Do you think vegan zombies are going to go around eating beans? No! They're going to eat people.
Sean: But human digestive systems are equipped to eat meat. It's not a matter of evolution, its a matter of preference. Giraffes don't prefer leaves, they're genetically programmed to eat them.
Me: (jumping the track once more because its how I roll, peeps) Wait! Do you think if Giraffes "accidentally" ate flesh, they'd develop a craving for it? (I did do air quotes on the "accidentally")
Sean: Zombie giraffes or regular giraffes?
Me: Oh regular. Not zombie, live giraffes.
Sean: How is a giraffe going to "accidentally" ingest flesh?! I think you'd have to practically force feed it to them.
Me: Okay, so say a serial killer works at a zoo and he wants to dispose of a body so he cuts it up and mixes it with the giraffe's food.
Sean: I think if a serial killer worked at the zoo, there are far more likely animals to feed a body to. You know, like Lions or Tigers.
Me: Okay okay, so say he just accidentally gets some in the giraffe's food. Taste for flesh, or no?
Sean: I think it would get very sick, so no.
Me: Whatever. Man eating Giraffes. I think they're scary.
Sean: Nope. Just goofy.
Me: I hope it eats you while you're busy laughing at it.
I'm pretty sure there's a story in there somewhere. And you all might want to look a little closer next time you go to the zoo. Giraffes have really big teeth.
Happy Sunday,
♥Spot
Showing posts with label hospitals suck. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hospitals suck. Show all posts
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
The one where I get angry...
Yep. I'm angry today. I'm angry at my husband. Why? Because I love him, that's why. But he doesn't listen very well, so I'm writing him this letter. And I know he'll see it because he reads my blog.
Dear Mike,
I love you. Do you know that? You should after what we've been through the last year and a half, the good, the bad and the hideously ugly. I've been right by your side, through it all. Sometimes for days on end.
I can't possibly let you know exactly what it was like to sit by your bedside in the ICU after the accident and wait and worry and make deals with the Universe in my head for your survival. I can't tell you what it was like to try to stay awake, convinced that something bad would happen if I closed my eyes, if for a second, I lost my focus.
I can't tell you what it was like, even after you were doing better, to be afraid to leave the hospital, to leave your side. No one told you how I'd begin to shake if I was gone longer than a half an hour. How great the need to keep you in my sight was.
I can't tell you how hard it was for me to let you out of my sight once we were back home. How scared I was to let you drive anywhere by yourself. How I sat there, staring at my phone, waiting for the text saying that you made it safely.
But I did it. You pulled through and so did I. And gradually, I learned to let it go, that I didn't have to be constantly vigilant, that it was going to be OK.
Then you got really sick in February and we did the hospital thing again. Luckily, it was over quickly and you were better, nearly overnight. And you were cranky. But I stayed there with you and I put up with your crankiness, because I was still so grateful that you were alive. Ok. Little speed bump. No big deal.
Then last weekend you got sick again. At first, I wasn't really that worried. I hated that you were feeling so bad, but I figured a night in the hospital, IV fluids and antibiotics and you'd perk up. Just like February. But it didn't happen that way. You ran a high temp for 3 days. Your white count shot up. The doctor was stumped. I was petrified.
I can't tell you what it was like to be there, again. Doing the bedside vigil and wondering if you were going to kick this thing or if it was something much more serious. You were asleep more than you were awake and you weren't real clear when you were awake. But you never knew how scared I was, because I didn't show it. And when you began to worry, I'm the one who curled up in the bed beside you and gave you a pep talk.
And you pulled through again. And you began to get sarcastic and I knew you were getting better. We came home yesterday and you slept mostly. The kids remarked that when you were awake, you were grumpy. Tell me about it. And yet, I didn't hold it against you.
So why am I angry? Because after all of this, you still refuse to take care of yourself. The doctor said that you still have the pneumonia and you were supposed to go home and rest. I'm pretty sure that didn't mean going immediately back to work this morning. Remember last night when you got up, walked from the living room to the kitchen and had a coughing fit so bad, you doubled over? Remember how you had to sleep sitting up in the chair last night, because you couldn't breathe?
And yet, this morning, you were gone before I got up and didnt' come back in to take a break for four hours. Does that sound like resting to you? Really? And so I fussed at you. And you said you hadn't done anything physical except drive around in your truck and talk to people.
Well, driving isn't resting. And talking to people is what got you into this in the first place. People have a million germs and I know for a fact that you weren't wearing a mask like you should have been. I'm pretty sure you didn't have any hand sanitizer either. You're immune system is already in a seriously weakened state and yet you insist on pushing your luck. So we had words. And I told you that next week when you're in the hospital again, I'm not going to be there. Because its not fair. Its not fair to put me in that position when you can avoid it. I told you I'd hire a babysitter to sit with you. Its an idle threat because you know I wouldn't do that. You know I'll be there.
You insisted that you'd be fine. I wondered when you developed psychic powers and the ability to know the future and why you hadn't shared that with me before. Maybe you will be fine. I hope so.
But for now, as I sit in my office, listening to you cough up a lung in the living room, I'm a tad on the skeptical side. So I'm not speaking to you. Because its not fair to yourself, its not fair to your job, and its damn sure not fair to the people who love you, to take risks with your health. But you don't listen. So I'm saving my breath.
Love,
Me
Sorry for the rant peeps, but sometimes people need to know what you're really thinking.
♥Spot
Dear Mike,
I love you. Do you know that? You should after what we've been through the last year and a half, the good, the bad and the hideously ugly. I've been right by your side, through it all. Sometimes for days on end.
I can't possibly let you know exactly what it was like to sit by your bedside in the ICU after the accident and wait and worry and make deals with the Universe in my head for your survival. I can't tell you what it was like to try to stay awake, convinced that something bad would happen if I closed my eyes, if for a second, I lost my focus.
I can't tell you what it was like, even after you were doing better, to be afraid to leave the hospital, to leave your side. No one told you how I'd begin to shake if I was gone longer than a half an hour. How great the need to keep you in my sight was.
I can't tell you how hard it was for me to let you out of my sight once we were back home. How scared I was to let you drive anywhere by yourself. How I sat there, staring at my phone, waiting for the text saying that you made it safely.
But I did it. You pulled through and so did I. And gradually, I learned to let it go, that I didn't have to be constantly vigilant, that it was going to be OK.
Then you got really sick in February and we did the hospital thing again. Luckily, it was over quickly and you were better, nearly overnight. And you were cranky. But I stayed there with you and I put up with your crankiness, because I was still so grateful that you were alive. Ok. Little speed bump. No big deal.
Then last weekend you got sick again. At first, I wasn't really that worried. I hated that you were feeling so bad, but I figured a night in the hospital, IV fluids and antibiotics and you'd perk up. Just like February. But it didn't happen that way. You ran a high temp for 3 days. Your white count shot up. The doctor was stumped. I was petrified.
I can't tell you what it was like to be there, again. Doing the bedside vigil and wondering if you were going to kick this thing or if it was something much more serious. You were asleep more than you were awake and you weren't real clear when you were awake. But you never knew how scared I was, because I didn't show it. And when you began to worry, I'm the one who curled up in the bed beside you and gave you a pep talk.
And you pulled through again. And you began to get sarcastic and I knew you were getting better. We came home yesterday and you slept mostly. The kids remarked that when you were awake, you were grumpy. Tell me about it. And yet, I didn't hold it against you.
So why am I angry? Because after all of this, you still refuse to take care of yourself. The doctor said that you still have the pneumonia and you were supposed to go home and rest. I'm pretty sure that didn't mean going immediately back to work this morning. Remember last night when you got up, walked from the living room to the kitchen and had a coughing fit so bad, you doubled over? Remember how you had to sleep sitting up in the chair last night, because you couldn't breathe?
And yet, this morning, you were gone before I got up and didnt' come back in to take a break for four hours. Does that sound like resting to you? Really? And so I fussed at you. And you said you hadn't done anything physical except drive around in your truck and talk to people.
Well, driving isn't resting. And talking to people is what got you into this in the first place. People have a million germs and I know for a fact that you weren't wearing a mask like you should have been. I'm pretty sure you didn't have any hand sanitizer either. You're immune system is already in a seriously weakened state and yet you insist on pushing your luck. So we had words. And I told you that next week when you're in the hospital again, I'm not going to be there. Because its not fair. Its not fair to put me in that position when you can avoid it. I told you I'd hire a babysitter to sit with you. Its an idle threat because you know I wouldn't do that. You know I'll be there.
You insisted that you'd be fine. I wondered when you developed psychic powers and the ability to know the future and why you hadn't shared that with me before. Maybe you will be fine. I hope so.
But for now, as I sit in my office, listening to you cough up a lung in the living room, I'm a tad on the skeptical side. So I'm not speaking to you. Because its not fair to yourself, its not fair to your job, and its damn sure not fair to the people who love you, to take risks with your health. But you don't listen. So I'm saving my breath.
Love,
Me
Sorry for the rant peeps, but sometimes people need to know what you're really thinking.
♥Spot
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
The one where things look up...
Thought I'd blog for those of you who aren't my Facebook friends. Mike has finally rounded the corner and is feeling better. His temp hasn't gone above 100 all day. He's still got a headache and he's still wiped out, but he's feeling better. The doctor has decided to switch him to oral antibiotics and let us go home tomorrow, provided the fever stays down tonight. Fingers crossed. We're both ready to head home.
The doctors still aren't sure exactly what Mike has, but they do know what it's not. It's not cancer. (whew!) His heart is good, no infection, no leaky valves, looks strong. It's not Lyme disease, Lupus, West Nile Virus, or meningitis. *sigh of relief* The best guess? He caught a virus sometime last week, then he was exposed to strep (most likely) last weekend. The two together were too much for his almost non-existent immune system, and quickly ran rampant through his body. While in the hospital, he also developed pneumonia. But after all of the antibiotics and antivirals, he's finally recovering. He won't be up to speed for another several days, (and if he tries to be- I will duct tape him to the couch- for real- I'm not playing around here) but at least he'll be home.
So here are a few funny episodes from our hospital stay:
After we finally get to our room, at 11pm Saturday night~
Me: Boy, the coyotes sure are...*trails off*
Mike: *stares at me*
Me: That's a siren, isn't it?
Mike: Yep.
The nurse asking Mike questions during admin~
Nurse: So how did all this start?
Mike: *mumbles*
Nurse: *looks at me*
Me: *translates* It's cool, I speak mumble.
And after too many days trapped in a tiny room together~
Mike: I'm just going to warn you, I'm feeling really grumpy and whiny today.
Me: And I'm just going to warn you, that if get too bad, they'll be picking linen fibers out of your nose at your autopsy.
Nurse: (who happened to walk in during conversation) *gasps*
Me: Just kidding. I don't get to collect the insurance money if I kill him.
Nurse: *still looking at me like I've lost my mind*
Please keep your collective fingers crossed that all goes well and we are home tomorrow! And thank you for the many good wishes and positive thoughts and prayers. I love you guys.
♥Spot
The doctors still aren't sure exactly what Mike has, but they do know what it's not. It's not cancer. (whew!) His heart is good, no infection, no leaky valves, looks strong. It's not Lyme disease, Lupus, West Nile Virus, or meningitis. *sigh of relief* The best guess? He caught a virus sometime last week, then he was exposed to strep (most likely) last weekend. The two together were too much for his almost non-existent immune system, and quickly ran rampant through his body. While in the hospital, he also developed pneumonia. But after all of the antibiotics and antivirals, he's finally recovering. He won't be up to speed for another several days, (and if he tries to be- I will duct tape him to the couch- for real- I'm not playing around here) but at least he'll be home.
So here are a few funny episodes from our hospital stay:
After we finally get to our room, at 11pm Saturday night~
Me: Boy, the coyotes sure are...*trails off*
Mike: *stares at me*
Me: That's a siren, isn't it?
Mike: Yep.
The nurse asking Mike questions during admin~
Nurse: So how did all this start?
Mike: *mumbles*
Nurse: *looks at me*
Me: *translates* It's cool, I speak mumble.
And after too many days trapped in a tiny room together~
Mike: I'm just going to warn you, I'm feeling really grumpy and whiny today.
Me: And I'm just going to warn you, that if get too bad, they'll be picking linen fibers out of your nose at your autopsy.
Nurse: (who happened to walk in during conversation) *gasps*
Me: Just kidding. I don't get to collect the insurance money if I kill him.
Nurse: *still looking at me like I've lost my mind*
Please keep your collective fingers crossed that all goes well and we are home tomorrow! And thank you for the many good wishes and positive thoughts and prayers. I love you guys.
♥Spot
Monday, October 17, 2011
The one where we're in the hospital again *sigh*
So we're in the hospital again. You'd think by now we'd have a wing of our own, or at least a room, or maybe just a special comfy chair for me. But no, no special treatment. Except that we have the best doctor- Dr. (House) Saeed, the adorable hero of this post.
It started Saturday. Mike had to get up super early, like butt-crack of dawn early, before the sun, at 4am. He says he felt fine when he got up. I wouldn't know because I was doing what all (mostly) sane people do at that time- sleeping. But by the time I woke up, at the much more reasonable time of 8, he had texted me to say he wasn't feeling well. I told him to come up to the house and get some Motrin. He did, I took his temp, no fever, but he said he was cold. Unfortunately, that is usually exactly how him getting very sick starts. In fact, he put on pants (instead of shorts, it really was a lovely day out) and grabbed a jacket. By 2 he was back inside for more Motrin and a stocking cap ( I kid you not). Still no fever. By 3:30, he was down for the count. He could barely make it to the couch and was shivering so bad his teeth were chattering. Fever of 101. I called the Dr. answering service and Dr. Saeed just happened to be the one on call. He said take him to the ER, he was admitting him. I was smart enough to pack a bag!
By the time we got to the ER, his fever was up to 102.9, his headache was killing him and he was miserable. His white count was double what it should be and we were, of course, staying. They finally got his fever to break about 4am, but it kept spiking back up. When the fever was gone, he felt some better, but mostly slept. Not knowing exactly what was wrong they started giving him massive doses of antibiotics. When those didn't seem to be doing it, they added antiviral meds. His white count continued to climb. Nothing seems to be working.
Today, he woke up with 101.9 fever and feeling horrible. They finally got the fever broken, but he's definitely feeling less than well. His white count had dropped a half number. The Dr. said he thought that was mild progress and the fact that his fever was a little less was a good sign. That was at 3pm.
At 4pm his fever spiked back to 102.9. They got it broken again, but still. After so many antibiotics and antivirals that I'm almost positive he's going to glow in the dark, he shouldn't be running such a high fever. They are running two more tests tonight, and I hope that we have some kind of results tomorrow. Today was nothing but waiting and hoping that something would start working.
I don't know how long we will be here. They can't let him go with the fever or the white count this high. We're both frustrated and he's feeling badly. (I know this because he's not complaining about being here. Normally he's begging to go home and stressing about work. He's still stressing a little about work, of course, but only when he's not feverish. Hopefully, tomorrow brings better news, or any news.
Keeping that bedside vigil,
♥Spot
It started Saturday. Mike had to get up super early, like butt-crack of dawn early, before the sun, at 4am. He says he felt fine when he got up. I wouldn't know because I was doing what all (mostly) sane people do at that time- sleeping. But by the time I woke up, at the much more reasonable time of 8, he had texted me to say he wasn't feeling well. I told him to come up to the house and get some Motrin. He did, I took his temp, no fever, but he said he was cold. Unfortunately, that is usually exactly how him getting very sick starts. In fact, he put on pants (instead of shorts, it really was a lovely day out) and grabbed a jacket. By 2 he was back inside for more Motrin and a stocking cap ( I kid you not). Still no fever. By 3:30, he was down for the count. He could barely make it to the couch and was shivering so bad his teeth were chattering. Fever of 101. I called the Dr. answering service and Dr. Saeed just happened to be the one on call. He said take him to the ER, he was admitting him. I was smart enough to pack a bag!
By the time we got to the ER, his fever was up to 102.9, his headache was killing him and he was miserable. His white count was double what it should be and we were, of course, staying. They finally got his fever to break about 4am, but it kept spiking back up. When the fever was gone, he felt some better, but mostly slept. Not knowing exactly what was wrong they started giving him massive doses of antibiotics. When those didn't seem to be doing it, they added antiviral meds. His white count continued to climb. Nothing seems to be working.
Today, he woke up with 101.9 fever and feeling horrible. They finally got the fever broken, but he's definitely feeling less than well. His white count had dropped a half number. The Dr. said he thought that was mild progress and the fact that his fever was a little less was a good sign. That was at 3pm.
At 4pm his fever spiked back to 102.9. They got it broken again, but still. After so many antibiotics and antivirals that I'm almost positive he's going to glow in the dark, he shouldn't be running such a high fever. They are running two more tests tonight, and I hope that we have some kind of results tomorrow. Today was nothing but waiting and hoping that something would start working.
I don't know how long we will be here. They can't let him go with the fever or the white count this high. We're both frustrated and he's feeling badly. (I know this because he's not complaining about being here. Normally he's begging to go home and stressing about work. He's still stressing a little about work, of course, but only when he's not feverish. Hopefully, tomorrow brings better news, or any news.
Keeping that bedside vigil,
♥Spot
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Don't drink and Wii...
I have so many posts running through my head that it's not even funny. But I'm going to do this one while it's fresh in my brain because we all know that things get lost inside my head sometimes, never to see the light of day. As many of you know from facebook or twitter or this post, I hurt my knee the week before Easter. Playing with my Wii. Okay, competing heavily with my younger, firmer, thinner, more able bodied children. And boom! There goes my knee. Not much of a surprise, my knees hurt alot of times and make that horrible grinding popping sound anytime they're used much. (As Lu pointed out when we were playing Wii, in the form of "Eeewww...Mom! Your knees sound so gross!") Thank you very much Lu.
Well, with my Grandmother's last days, the details, the visitation, the funeral, ect. I didn't exactly have time to go to the doctor. I slapped a knee brace on it and called it good. I figured it would pass in a couple of days. Well it kept swelling so bad that the knee brace would cut off circulation and I'd have to remove it. So I figured once things settled down and I was off of it for a few days it would go back to normal. So life settled down again and we went back to what passes for normal in our house. I was spending alot of time at my computer desk or watching movies with the kids, trying to stay off the knee. Funny thing...it kept getting worse. It was now to the point where it ached and throbbed and had sharp shooting pains when I'm sitting down. Not to mention the pain of walking and heaven forbid I decide to squat, kneel or do the stairs. So my family starts getting on my butt about seeing a doctor. Yesterday I had to go to town so everyone joined forces and pleaded with me to see someone about my knee. I refused to commit.
Well, I spent the afternoon at my Grandma's (now my Uncle's) house going through some of her things with my folks. This was not fun and rates it's own post down the line. After several hours (in which I went up and down her horribly steep stairs), I was tired, sweaty (no air conditioning!), grimy (years of dust), sneezy and in no mood to do anything other than pick up fast food, go home, put on jammies and swallow some Motrin. I made the mistake of calling my hubby. He urged me to go ahead and go to the doctor since I was already in town. So I went to the treat & release at the hospital.
6 pm and the parking lot is so packed I have to park a half a block away and hobble to the building. Off to a good start. Walk in, wait in line. Get signed in and joke with the nurse about how their new "fast care" branch in a local store was supposed to alleviate some of this. But alas, no xrays at the fast care and with warm weather most are injuries requiring xrays, like me. Take a seat in the waiting area where I am accosted by a bored (and kind of grubby) four year old.
4 yr old: What's your name?
Me: Mommy. What's yours?
She stared at me in confusion.
Me: *sigh* Stacey. What's yours?
her: Hailey.
Me: that's a very pretty name. (me wondering why her mother is letting her wander around a hospital waiting room talking to strangers who are possibly ill with something contagious?) Are you sick?
Hailey: yep. I frowed up.
*sigh* I try edging farther from her and finally her mother looks up from her cell phone and calls her back to her seat. The triage nurse calls me and I limp in as a man limps out.
Me: guess you got all the gimps today.
Nurse: I know! Lots of injuries. Did you injure your knee?
Me: I guess.
Nurse: When did this happen?
Me: about two weeks ago.
Nurse: And you're just now coming in??
Me: Um. I've been busy...
Nurse: so how did it happen?
Me: I was playing Wii...
Nurse: I haven't tried it yet. Is it fun?
Me: Well it was until I hurt myself.
She takes my blood pressure, temp and oxygen sats. Really? For a knee injury? Then she says she'll order an xray and there are five people in front of me, I can go have a seat. I limp to the other waiting room and sit down. Oh yay! The Disney channel is on. Whew! NOT. After 5 minutes of some ridiculous show called "Good Luck Charlie", I whip out the novel I was smart enough to throw in my purse. Then the xray tech calls me. I limp along behind her.
I climb awkwardly on to the table and lay down. She starts shoving my jean capris up over my knee and then says~
xray barbie: I'm going to roll your jeans up. Is that okay?
me: (since she's already doing it (none too gently) do I really have a choice? I'm temped to yell "DON'T TOUCH ME!" but I resist) um. sure.
xray barbie: so how did you hurt your knee?
me: playing Wii with my kids
xray barbie: *blank incredulous stare*
me: um. you know the Wii fit?
xray barbie: *looks me up and down* oh.
I think don't you judge me you skinny little bleached blonde, fake nailed barbie doll! But I just smile. Because I know I have more personality in my little finger than she does in her whole perfect body. So there!
After the xray, I limp back to my chair in the waiting room. It's a long wait, they are super busy. Finally a nurse calls my name. Again, she asks how I hurt my knee. Don't they write this stuff down? Or are they wondering if my hubby beats me? I repeat that I hurt it playing Wii. She nods sagely.
Nurse: My son-in-law broke two fingers playing Wii.
Me: Oh my gosh!
Nurse: He was playing tennis and didn't have enough room around him...he hit his fingers on a weight bench with a backswing.
Me: Ouch!! I can totally see that happening. The tennis is intense.
Nurse: My daughter was out of town. I think there was alcohol involved.
Me: Maybe there should be a rule. No Wii-ing under the influence. *me giggling hysterically at my potty humor*
Nurse: *looks at me strangely*
So then I sit in the exam room for forever. Okay, it was only an hour, but it felt like forever. Then a new nurse comes in and asks more questions about how I hurt my knee.
Me: playing Wii.
Nurse: We've seen a few of those.
Me: well, if my kids weren't so competitive...
Off she goes. More waiting. I'm really ready to curl up on the gurney and go to sleep. Instead I read a Better Homes & Gardens. The whole thing. Finally the doctor comes in. It's Dr. S. I've seen her before and I really like her. She tells me it's a problem with my knee cap sliding sideways and the cartilage getting messed up and it's swollen with blood and other fluid. Gross. I'm wincing at the ookiness of her descriptions (which are very good by the way). She shows me some strengthening exercises I'm going to have to start doing. She says she has the same problem and that if I don't do them I'll be looking at knee replacement surgery in about 10 years. She warns me it may be months before my knee is back to what's normal for me. I'm supposed to stay off of it as much as possible, keep it elevated when sitting, absolutely no stairs, no kneeling, bending or squatting. And no Wii. See my doctor in two weeks and he may send me to physical therapy. She prescribes anti-inflammatory and pain meds. Hello Vicodin! I'm kind of surprised at the painkillers, I mean, I've been handling it without for two weeks. But I'm not going to say no. Then she says~
Dr S: I'm carrying some extra weight around and I know that makes it worse. So losing weight would probably help your knees feel better too.
I'm pretty sure that's the nicest way someone's ever told me I need to lose weight.
Me: Um. Yeah. That's what I was trying to do with the Wii.
She nodded sagely and left. And I sat there wondering how exactly I'm supposed to lose weight when she's just grounded me from all physical activity??! Starvation?? Not happening. Magic pills?? I take enough pills thank you very much. A bad case of stomach flu?? Thanks to Hailey in the waiting room, that may be an option. We'll see...
The nurse comes in and gives me my prescriptions. I head to the pharmacy drive thru and wait. And wait. Seriously?! I'm the only one in the drive thru. It's 8:35 pm. I wait for like ten minutes. I seriously consider getting out and knocking on the window. WTH?! I'm not going away peeps. You better come answer the window. Finally a tech comes to the window. I hand her my prescriptions.
P tech: Have you gotten scripts here before?
Me: only about a bazillion.
P tech: is your address and insurance correct in the computer?
Me: hasn't changed in 8 years.
P tech: when do you want these?
Me: before you close? I live out of town.
P tech: *looks grumpy* we'll try.
Seriously? How hard can counting out pills be? How long can it take? There's no one else in line!! So I drive around for 10 minutes, talking to Hildi on the phone. I get back to the drive thru at 5 minutes til and the shades are down and the lights off!!! They closed early to avoid me!! I park and hobble into the store. The pharmacy lights are off, bars pulled down, empty. Sh*t!!
I call hubby. Ask if he and Sean have eaten. No. Apparently they really are incapable of feeding themselves. I offer to get Taco Bell. I go through the drive thru and get food and an extra large fountain cola. Because after all this, I deserve it. Thankfully, Lu works today so she's picking up my meds. But I'm still angry with the pharmacy. I might have to break up with them like I did Blockbuster.
Stay off the Wii if you've been drinking,
♥Spot
Well, with my Grandmother's last days, the details, the visitation, the funeral, ect. I didn't exactly have time to go to the doctor. I slapped a knee brace on it and called it good. I figured it would pass in a couple of days. Well it kept swelling so bad that the knee brace would cut off circulation and I'd have to remove it. So I figured once things settled down and I was off of it for a few days it would go back to normal. So life settled down again and we went back to what passes for normal in our house. I was spending alot of time at my computer desk or watching movies with the kids, trying to stay off the knee. Funny thing...it kept getting worse. It was now to the point where it ached and throbbed and had sharp shooting pains when I'm sitting down. Not to mention the pain of walking and heaven forbid I decide to squat, kneel or do the stairs. So my family starts getting on my butt about seeing a doctor. Yesterday I had to go to town so everyone joined forces and pleaded with me to see someone about my knee. I refused to commit.
Well, I spent the afternoon at my Grandma's (now my Uncle's) house going through some of her things with my folks. This was not fun and rates it's own post down the line. After several hours (in which I went up and down her horribly steep stairs), I was tired, sweaty (no air conditioning!), grimy (years of dust), sneezy and in no mood to do anything other than pick up fast food, go home, put on jammies and swallow some Motrin. I made the mistake of calling my hubby. He urged me to go ahead and go to the doctor since I was already in town. So I went to the treat & release at the hospital.
6 pm and the parking lot is so packed I have to park a half a block away and hobble to the building. Off to a good start. Walk in, wait in line. Get signed in and joke with the nurse about how their new "fast care" branch in a local store was supposed to alleviate some of this. But alas, no xrays at the fast care and with warm weather most are injuries requiring xrays, like me. Take a seat in the waiting area where I am accosted by a bored (and kind of grubby) four year old.
4 yr old: What's your name?
Me: Mommy. What's yours?
She stared at me in confusion.
Me: *sigh* Stacey. What's yours?
her: Hailey.
Me: that's a very pretty name. (me wondering why her mother is letting her wander around a hospital waiting room talking to strangers who are possibly ill with something contagious?) Are you sick?
Hailey: yep. I frowed up.
*sigh* I try edging farther from her and finally her mother looks up from her cell phone and calls her back to her seat. The triage nurse calls me and I limp in as a man limps out.
Me: guess you got all the gimps today.
Nurse: I know! Lots of injuries. Did you injure your knee?
Me: I guess.
Nurse: When did this happen?
Me: about two weeks ago.
Nurse: And you're just now coming in??
Me: Um. I've been busy...
Nurse: so how did it happen?
Me: I was playing Wii...
Nurse: I haven't tried it yet. Is it fun?
Me: Well it was until I hurt myself.
She takes my blood pressure, temp and oxygen sats. Really? For a knee injury? Then she says she'll order an xray and there are five people in front of me, I can go have a seat. I limp to the other waiting room and sit down. Oh yay! The Disney channel is on. Whew! NOT. After 5 minutes of some ridiculous show called "Good Luck Charlie", I whip out the novel I was smart enough to throw in my purse. Then the xray tech calls me. I limp along behind her.
I climb awkwardly on to the table and lay down. She starts shoving my jean capris up over my knee and then says~
xray barbie: I'm going to roll your jeans up. Is that okay?
me: (since she's already doing it (none too gently) do I really have a choice? I'm temped to yell "DON'T TOUCH ME!" but I resist) um. sure.
xray barbie: so how did you hurt your knee?
me: playing Wii with my kids
xray barbie: *blank incredulous stare*
me: um. you know the Wii fit?
xray barbie: *looks me up and down* oh.
I think don't you judge me you skinny little bleached blonde, fake nailed barbie doll! But I just smile. Because I know I have more personality in my little finger than she does in her whole perfect body. So there!
After the xray, I limp back to my chair in the waiting room. It's a long wait, they are super busy. Finally a nurse calls my name. Again, she asks how I hurt my knee. Don't they write this stuff down? Or are they wondering if my hubby beats me? I repeat that I hurt it playing Wii. She nods sagely.
Nurse: My son-in-law broke two fingers playing Wii.
Me: Oh my gosh!
Nurse: He was playing tennis and didn't have enough room around him...he hit his fingers on a weight bench with a backswing.
Me: Ouch!! I can totally see that happening. The tennis is intense.
Nurse: My daughter was out of town. I think there was alcohol involved.
Me: Maybe there should be a rule. No Wii-ing under the influence. *me giggling hysterically at my potty humor*
Nurse: *looks at me strangely*
So then I sit in the exam room for forever. Okay, it was only an hour, but it felt like forever. Then a new nurse comes in and asks more questions about how I hurt my knee.
Me: playing Wii.
Nurse: We've seen a few of those.
Me: well, if my kids weren't so competitive...
Off she goes. More waiting. I'm really ready to curl up on the gurney and go to sleep. Instead I read a Better Homes & Gardens. The whole thing. Finally the doctor comes in. It's Dr. S. I've seen her before and I really like her. She tells me it's a problem with my knee cap sliding sideways and the cartilage getting messed up and it's swollen with blood and other fluid. Gross. I'm wincing at the ookiness of her descriptions (which are very good by the way). She shows me some strengthening exercises I'm going to have to start doing. She says she has the same problem and that if I don't do them I'll be looking at knee replacement surgery in about 10 years. She warns me it may be months before my knee is back to what's normal for me. I'm supposed to stay off of it as much as possible, keep it elevated when sitting, absolutely no stairs, no kneeling, bending or squatting. And no Wii. See my doctor in two weeks and he may send me to physical therapy. She prescribes anti-inflammatory and pain meds. Hello Vicodin! I'm kind of surprised at the painkillers, I mean, I've been handling it without for two weeks. But I'm not going to say no. Then she says~
Dr S: I'm carrying some extra weight around and I know that makes it worse. So losing weight would probably help your knees feel better too.
I'm pretty sure that's the nicest way someone's ever told me I need to lose weight.
Me: Um. Yeah. That's what I was trying to do with the Wii.
She nodded sagely and left. And I sat there wondering how exactly I'm supposed to lose weight when she's just grounded me from all physical activity??! Starvation?? Not happening. Magic pills?? I take enough pills thank you very much. A bad case of stomach flu?? Thanks to Hailey in the waiting room, that may be an option. We'll see...
The nurse comes in and gives me my prescriptions. I head to the pharmacy drive thru and wait. And wait. Seriously?! I'm the only one in the drive thru. It's 8:35 pm. I wait for like ten minutes. I seriously consider getting out and knocking on the window. WTH?! I'm not going away peeps. You better come answer the window. Finally a tech comes to the window. I hand her my prescriptions.
P tech: Have you gotten scripts here before?
Me: only about a bazillion.
P tech: is your address and insurance correct in the computer?
Me: hasn't changed in 8 years.
P tech: when do you want these?
Me: before you close? I live out of town.
P tech: *looks grumpy* we'll try.
Seriously? How hard can counting out pills be? How long can it take? There's no one else in line!! So I drive around for 10 minutes, talking to Hildi on the phone. I get back to the drive thru at 5 minutes til and the shades are down and the lights off!!! They closed early to avoid me!! I park and hobble into the store. The pharmacy lights are off, bars pulled down, empty. Sh*t!!
I call hubby. Ask if he and Sean have eaten. No. Apparently they really are incapable of feeding themselves. I offer to get Taco Bell. I go through the drive thru and get food and an extra large fountain cola. Because after all this, I deserve it. Thankfully, Lu works today so she's picking up my meds. But I'm still angry with the pharmacy. I might have to break up with them like I did Blockbuster.
Stay off the Wii if you've been drinking,
♥Spot
Friday, March 5, 2010
A trip to St. Louie....
So yesterday was the big day. Lu and I drove the two and a half hours to St. Louis for her appointment at Children's Hospital. We had to get up early and get ready and leave. Neither of us is good with early. Oh yeah, there was an emergency stop at Starbucks in our future. Because just in the half hour drive to the nearest town? I found myself creatively naming the other drivers and resisting the obscene urge to flip off absolutely everyone I happened to see. Convo~
Me: WTH?! Is today national drive-for-shit day and I missed the memo?
Lu: You didn't get that email?
Me: Damn spam filters! I miss all the good stuff.
But after fortifying myself with a Venti Caramel Frappachino, I was feeling a bit better. Oh, other people were still driving for shit, especially as we got into the city, but I was coping better. And then I was forced to whip out in front of a truck. Truly sorry, I hollered my apology~
Me: Sorry Mr. Truck Driver. It's national drive-for-shit day! Just doing my part!
I doubt he heard me. But thankfully he did not run us over.
We got to the hospital on time, found a spot in the parking garage and headed to the lab. We were done in minutes and Lu only squinched up her face a little bit when they took her blood. Then we proceeded to the ninth floor where her appointment was. Apparently every hospital pairs hematology with oncology. Because there was a waiting room full of kids waiting for chemo treatments. Yeah, I said kids.
We've gotten used to the waiting room at our cancer center, but it's very rare to see kids there. Sitting in a waiting room with children with cancer sucks the joy right out of your soul. As always, I look around feeling equal parts blessed (because my own children are cancer free) and guilty (because my own children are cancer free). And while Lu's disorder is serious enough, she's not dying. And she's not going through chemo. And she's getting to live her life, pretty much without restrictions. And it doesn't seem fair. And I know that life is rarely fair. But there just seems something cosmically wrong about small bald children in surgical masks stoically awaiting chemo. And while Lu sat with her nose stuck in her book (denial is that girl's best friend), I sat silently offering my many thanks to the powers that be that we are indeed fortunate and blessed in our daily life.
I know that one of the comments I received on my post about Lu's ITP said that they liked how I never seemed to ask "why us?". Well the credit for that has to go to Hubby. When we got CJ's autism diagnosis 17 years ago we were both still very young ourselves (22 & 20). And during one of my crying jags and our discussions I said exactly that. "Why US??! I did everything right for my pregnancy. I did everything I could to ensure a healthy baby! Why us?". My husband looked me right in the eye and said~
Husband: Baby, don't you think everyone who has something bad happen asks that same question? Do you think someone who's in an accident and is paralyzed looks up and says "well thanks God. I totally deserved that." Do you think parents of children who die think "you're right God. I needed to be taken down a peg or two." No, honey, they don't. It's not fair. Life isn't fair. But there's no use in asking "why?" because the only answer is "because". The question is "what are we going to do about it?". Because really that's all we can control.
That he had that attitude at 20 never ceases to amaze me. It was the last time I ever questioned why something happened. You get dealt your hand in life and the only thing you can control is how you play it.
As for Lu's appointment, they sure do things different in the world of pediatrics than they do in adult medicine. We had a female doctor come in, take the case history, and talk to us. She said they really don't treat kids unless their counts drop to 10,000. The hell? That seems scary to me. What if you need an emergency appendectomy? They won't even operate unless your count is 70,000. We discussed Lu's age at onset, the fact that she's moving in 6 months, and the fact that she is in those childbearing years. That Doctor left and brought in the head doctor (who I refer to now as Dr. McHottie. Because, well, wow.). He discussed some options and really made sure Lu understood the basics of her disease. The game plan? They are going to monitor her platelet counts for the next four months. If they stay above 100,000 and level off on their own it's okay to not treat. If they continue to drop or crash and get below 50,000 then we will look into a treatment called Rituxin. It would mean a weekly trip to St. Louis for a several hour infusion for four weeks. After that, she may be susceptible to colds and viruses for another 9 months, but then? Immune system back to normal, possibly cured for life!! Very few side effects. Me? I was like why can't we just do that, if it might cure it? Apparently the drug is not FDA approved for the treatment of ITP even though it's also used for that purpose. So most insurances don't cover it and it's very very expensive. Apparently, they don't understand that I will do whatever it takes (sell a kidney, sleep with a millionaire, humiliate myself in public, anything) to get her a cure. But for now, we wait.
So three hours later, we left the hospital. And then we hit the Galleria Mall. Three stories of shopping bliss, because why waste a trip to St. Louis? And the best part? She didn't even make me go into Aeropostle or Hollister. We did hit some awesome stores though. Victoria's Secret, Hot Topic and a funky little boutique called Francesca's. She also took me into Heritage 1981/Forever 21. Because somehow she ended up with a gift card to there. And this was the conversation:
Lu: C'mon let's go into Heritage 1981 and you can look at all the clothes you wish I'd wear.
Me: Huh?
Lu: You'll see. *she pulled me in and we started perusing the racks. finally she found me again* Did you find anything I might wear?
Me: No. But I found loads of stuff I'd wear if I was thinner. Look at these combat boots and this awesome skirt!!
Lu: Did you pull that out of your closet circa 1986?
Me: Yeah. I used my "hot tub time machine" to go back and get it.
She did end up with a dress, a shirt, a jacket and we both got necklaces. I only hope she has the guts to wear the dress because she looked amazing. =]
Have a wild & wonderful weekend,
♥Spot
Me: WTH?! Is today national drive-for-shit day and I missed the memo?
Lu: You didn't get that email?
Me: Damn spam filters! I miss all the good stuff.
But after fortifying myself with a Venti Caramel Frappachino, I was feeling a bit better. Oh, other people were still driving for shit, especially as we got into the city, but I was coping better. And then I was forced to whip out in front of a truck. Truly sorry, I hollered my apology~
Me: Sorry Mr. Truck Driver. It's national drive-for-shit day! Just doing my part!
I doubt he heard me. But thankfully he did not run us over.
We got to the hospital on time, found a spot in the parking garage and headed to the lab. We were done in minutes and Lu only squinched up her face a little bit when they took her blood. Then we proceeded to the ninth floor where her appointment was. Apparently every hospital pairs hematology with oncology. Because there was a waiting room full of kids waiting for chemo treatments. Yeah, I said kids.
We've gotten used to the waiting room at our cancer center, but it's very rare to see kids there. Sitting in a waiting room with children with cancer sucks the joy right out of your soul. As always, I look around feeling equal parts blessed (because my own children are cancer free) and guilty (because my own children are cancer free). And while Lu's disorder is serious enough, she's not dying. And she's not going through chemo. And she's getting to live her life, pretty much without restrictions. And it doesn't seem fair. And I know that life is rarely fair. But there just seems something cosmically wrong about small bald children in surgical masks stoically awaiting chemo. And while Lu sat with her nose stuck in her book (denial is that girl's best friend), I sat silently offering my many thanks to the powers that be that we are indeed fortunate and blessed in our daily life.
I know that one of the comments I received on my post about Lu's ITP said that they liked how I never seemed to ask "why us?". Well the credit for that has to go to Hubby. When we got CJ's autism diagnosis 17 years ago we were both still very young ourselves (22 & 20). And during one of my crying jags and our discussions I said exactly that. "Why US??! I did everything right for my pregnancy. I did everything I could to ensure a healthy baby! Why us?". My husband looked me right in the eye and said~
Husband: Baby, don't you think everyone who has something bad happen asks that same question? Do you think someone who's in an accident and is paralyzed looks up and says "well thanks God. I totally deserved that." Do you think parents of children who die think "you're right God. I needed to be taken down a peg or two." No, honey, they don't. It's not fair. Life isn't fair. But there's no use in asking "why?" because the only answer is "because". The question is "what are we going to do about it?". Because really that's all we can control.
That he had that attitude at 20 never ceases to amaze me. It was the last time I ever questioned why something happened. You get dealt your hand in life and the only thing you can control is how you play it.
As for Lu's appointment, they sure do things different in the world of pediatrics than they do in adult medicine. We had a female doctor come in, take the case history, and talk to us. She said they really don't treat kids unless their counts drop to 10,000. The hell? That seems scary to me. What if you need an emergency appendectomy? They won't even operate unless your count is 70,000. We discussed Lu's age at onset, the fact that she's moving in 6 months, and the fact that she is in those childbearing years. That Doctor left and brought in the head doctor (who I refer to now as Dr. McHottie. Because, well, wow.). He discussed some options and really made sure Lu understood the basics of her disease. The game plan? They are going to monitor her platelet counts for the next four months. If they stay above 100,000 and level off on their own it's okay to not treat. If they continue to drop or crash and get below 50,000 then we will look into a treatment called Rituxin. It would mean a weekly trip to St. Louis for a several hour infusion for four weeks. After that, she may be susceptible to colds and viruses for another 9 months, but then? Immune system back to normal, possibly cured for life!! Very few side effects. Me? I was like why can't we just do that, if it might cure it? Apparently the drug is not FDA approved for the treatment of ITP even though it's also used for that purpose. So most insurances don't cover it and it's very very expensive. Apparently, they don't understand that I will do whatever it takes (sell a kidney, sleep with a millionaire, humiliate myself in public, anything) to get her a cure. But for now, we wait.
So three hours later, we left the hospital. And then we hit the Galleria Mall. Three stories of shopping bliss, because why waste a trip to St. Louis? And the best part? She didn't even make me go into Aeropostle or Hollister. We did hit some awesome stores though. Victoria's Secret, Hot Topic and a funky little boutique called Francesca's. She also took me into Heritage 1981/Forever 21. Because somehow she ended up with a gift card to there. And this was the conversation:
Lu: C'mon let's go into Heritage 1981 and you can look at all the clothes you wish I'd wear.
Me: Huh?
Lu: You'll see. *she pulled me in and we started perusing the racks. finally she found me again* Did you find anything I might wear?
Me: No. But I found loads of stuff I'd wear if I was thinner. Look at these combat boots and this awesome skirt!!
Lu: Did you pull that out of your closet circa 1986?
Me: Yeah. I used my "hot tub time machine" to go back and get it.
She did end up with a dress, a shirt, a jacket and we both got necklaces. I only hope she has the guts to wear the dress because she looked amazing. =]
Have a wild & wonderful weekend,
♥Spot
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
So I'm pretty sure aliens stole my gallbladder...
The week before I went on vacation I had two tests done...a brain MRI for the headaches I was having. My doctor said it might be an aneurysm. Really? Who picks that as the first choice?? Give him a choice between a horse and a zebra and this doctor always picks the zebra. But he has been right a majority of the time so I go along.
The other test was a gallbladder ultrasound. I've been having some stomach trouble for a couple of months now and he's convinced it's my gallbladder. I don't care anymore, I just want it to stop. I really really like to cook and eat and I don't like feeling horrible after I do. He said if the ultrasound came back negative, he wanted to do a fluoroscopy. Mmmmk. So I had my tests and I went on vacation. And I forgot to call and get the results. I figured if it was anything serious, they'd call me. So last week, after getting back and settling in I called the Doctor's office. And it went like this~
Me~ Hi *nurse*, it's *me*, I had a brain MRI and a gallbladder ultrasound two weeks ago and I was just calling for the results because I haven't heard anything.
Nurse~ um. OK. when did you have those?
Me~ February 4th.
Nurse~ okay. Let me see here. Give me a minute. Can you hold?
Me~ sure. (I'm smart enough to use the 800 number when I call so it's free.) Lalalalalala. (insert some humming, some talking to Sean)
Nurse~ okay. I have them. I'm looking at the MRI. Did you have an appointment to discuss these results with him?
Me~ um. no. that's why I'm calling to get them. (Duh?)
Nurse~ oh. well. I'm going to have to call you back.
Me~ um. ok.
I hang up and pretty much begin freaking out. Why does she have to call me back. What's up with that MRI. Do I really have an aneurysm?? Have I been walking around with a ticking time bomb in my head for two weeks??! Why didn't they call me?!
The nurse calls back~
Nurse~ Okay, I talked to the doctor and the results of both the brain MRI and the gallbladder ultrasound are normal.
Me~ (WTF?!! You had to talk to the doctor to tell me that?! I worried for 20 minutes that my head might explode because you couldn't tell me it was fine??!) Um. Ok.
Nurse~ So is there anything else?
Me~ Well he said if the gallbladder thing was normal he wanted to do some radioactive xray.
Nurse~ huh. Well I'll have to talk to him and call you back.
Me~ Of course you will. Ok.
I'm a little perturbed. Really? Is it that hard to get all your eggs in one basket before you call the patient? Aren't all my records on the computer anyway? And why didn't they send me the "your tests were all normal" letter in the first place?? She calls back~
Nurse~ Okay. I have to call the hospital to set this up, can you hold while I have them on the other line?
Me~ sure. (She clicks over. I stare at the walls.)
Nurse~ oh hey, do you still have your gallbladder?
Me~ (omigod. Did she just for real ask me that?? Seriously? She just gave me the results of my gallbladder ultrasound ten minutes ago. This whole test is for your gallbladder. WTF?) um. pretty sure that's why we're doing this test...
Nurse~ okay. (she clicks back over)
Me~ (to Sean) Dude!! She for real just asked if I still had my gallbladder!
Sean~ No way! She just gave you the results of your gallbladder test!
Me~ I know right??! This is not instilling confidence in me.
Nurse~ Okay, so we set it up for next Tuesday morning at 8am. I'm going to give you the list of instructions, so write it down.
Me~ okay. (I'm so not writing this down)
Nurse~ you can't have anything to eat or drink 6 hours before.
Me~ no snacks after 2am. got it.
Nurse~ bring a list of all your current meds.
Me~ uh huh.
Nurse~ you can't have any retained barium...
Me~ (the hell is that?? waiting for her to continue. Long silence...) Are you still there?
Nurse~ yes. I was waiting for you to say okay.
Me~ I don't even know what that is.
Nurse~ Like if you'd had a barium xray the day before or anything.
Me~ (wouldn't you have been the one to schedule that?? Is that even an issue??) Mmmm...okay. No barium for breakfast. Got it.
Nurse~ No Demerol, nubain, or morphine for five hours before. I don't think you're on any of that...
Me~ um no. Pretty sure those are mostly pain shots given at the hospital...
Then she makes me repeat the list back to her. Which I can do perfectly because it's sooo bizarre!! The whole conversation has been bizarre. I'm wondering if she's on medication.
So today was the fluoroscopy. I got there at 8am. They called me back and I hopped up on one of those flat metal xray tables. The tech started and IV and explained that they would be giving me an injection of radioactive isotopes. These would show up on the camera. First they'd highlight my liver, then drain into the gallbladder and small bowel. There were a series of pictures every five minutes for the first hour. Then they would start an IV of meds that would cause the gallbladder to contract and empty the isotopes completely into the small bowel. That would take continuous pictures for thirty minutes. I began to wonder what I got myself into.
She gave me the injection and I felt nothing. I watched the lights coalesce on the screen. She pointed out my liver. Then she pointed out the small bowel. The gallbladder was taking it's time getting to the party. After about twenty minutes she asked~
Tech~ Do you still have your gallbladder?
Me~ (omg. for real?? Did another person just ask me that??! Why the hell would I be here if I didn't?!) Um. Yeah. Unless the aliens stole it.
She looked at me like I'd lost my mind. But seriously, if one more person asks me that, somebody's getting decked. I just have to wonder if there are actually people who've scheduled this test and didn't have a gallbladder??! Finally my uncooperative gallbladder showed up to the party. But not as well as they wanted so I had to roll on my right side so hopefully the isotopes would drain into it. She left for fifteen minutes. I dozed off. She scared the shit out of me when she woke me up.
At last we got to the second part. She warned me that some people said the meds made their gallbladder hurt. Just to try to lay still. By this time, I couldn't move anyway. My hip joints and back don't take kindly to two hours on a metal table. It didn't hurt, but it did make me pretty nauseous. My gallbladder continued to glow. Now that it had the stuff, it seemed reluctant to give it up. Way to go gallbladder. You keep the glowing stuff all to yourself. Selfish bastard.
Finally we were done. Apparently my doctor's office will call me with the results. Yeah, right. I'll hold my breath. My body protested the journey off the table. I was stiff and sore, I'm sure I looked like a little old lady hobbling along. The tech took the IV port out and had some trouble with the bleeding. Apparently, my blood was thin today. She bandaged it and let me put my sweatshirt back on and leave. As I walked out, I could feel blood dribbling down my arm so I hightailed it to the nearest bathroom. Sure enough it was a mess. Quite possibly that sweatshirt is ruined forever. I got it stopped, got cleaned up and hit the grocery store before heading home. Guess we'll see what the results are. I'd like it to be something simple like the gallbladder. But remember my intense fear of surgery. ANY surgery. And how I never heal right?? Maybe, I can just stop eating. Then I'd lose weight. That's a win/win right? So, just to prove all this really happened...here's a photo of the amazing bruise the IV left on my arm. I'm sure tomorrow the colors will be even better. Lol.
And thank you to everyone for the amazing outpouring of support and friendship and love yesterday. You have no idea how much it means to me. I feel so blessed. I wasn't feeling so hot after the test today so Sean and I are going up to get CJ tomorrow. I can't wait.
♥Spot
The other test was a gallbladder ultrasound. I've been having some stomach trouble for a couple of months now and he's convinced it's my gallbladder. I don't care anymore, I just want it to stop. I really really like to cook and eat and I don't like feeling horrible after I do. He said if the ultrasound came back negative, he wanted to do a fluoroscopy. Mmmmk. So I had my tests and I went on vacation. And I forgot to call and get the results. I figured if it was anything serious, they'd call me. So last week, after getting back and settling in I called the Doctor's office. And it went like this~
Me~ Hi *nurse*, it's *me*, I had a brain MRI and a gallbladder ultrasound two weeks ago and I was just calling for the results because I haven't heard anything.
Nurse~ um. OK. when did you have those?
Me~ February 4th.
Nurse~ okay. Let me see here. Give me a minute. Can you hold?
Me~ sure. (I'm smart enough to use the 800 number when I call so it's free.) Lalalalalala. (insert some humming, some talking to Sean)
Nurse~ okay. I have them. I'm looking at the MRI. Did you have an appointment to discuss these results with him?
Me~ um. no. that's why I'm calling to get them. (Duh?)
Nurse~ oh. well. I'm going to have to call you back.
Me~ um. ok.
I hang up and pretty much begin freaking out. Why does she have to call me back. What's up with that MRI. Do I really have an aneurysm?? Have I been walking around with a ticking time bomb in my head for two weeks??! Why didn't they call me?!
The nurse calls back~
Nurse~ Okay, I talked to the doctor and the results of both the brain MRI and the gallbladder ultrasound are normal.
Me~ (WTF?!! You had to talk to the doctor to tell me that?! I worried for 20 minutes that my head might explode because you couldn't tell me it was fine??!) Um. Ok.
Nurse~ So is there anything else?
Me~ Well he said if the gallbladder thing was normal he wanted to do some radioactive xray.
Nurse~ huh. Well I'll have to talk to him and call you back.
Me~ Of course you will. Ok.
I'm a little perturbed. Really? Is it that hard to get all your eggs in one basket before you call the patient? Aren't all my records on the computer anyway? And why didn't they send me the "your tests were all normal" letter in the first place?? She calls back~
Nurse~ Okay. I have to call the hospital to set this up, can you hold while I have them on the other line?
Me~ sure. (She clicks over. I stare at the walls.)
Nurse~ oh hey, do you still have your gallbladder?
Me~ (omigod. Did she just for real ask me that?? Seriously? She just gave me the results of my gallbladder ultrasound ten minutes ago. This whole test is for your gallbladder. WTF?) um. pretty sure that's why we're doing this test...
Nurse~ okay. (she clicks back over)
Me~ (to Sean) Dude!! She for real just asked if I still had my gallbladder!
Sean~ No way! She just gave you the results of your gallbladder test!
Me~ I know right??! This is not instilling confidence in me.
Nurse~ Okay, so we set it up for next Tuesday morning at 8am. I'm going to give you the list of instructions, so write it down.
Me~ okay. (I'm so not writing this down)
Nurse~ you can't have anything to eat or drink 6 hours before.
Me~ no snacks after 2am. got it.
Nurse~ bring a list of all your current meds.
Me~ uh huh.
Nurse~ you can't have any retained barium...
Me~ (the hell is that?? waiting for her to continue. Long silence...) Are you still there?
Nurse~ yes. I was waiting for you to say okay.
Me~ I don't even know what that is.
Nurse~ Like if you'd had a barium xray the day before or anything.
Me~ (wouldn't you have been the one to schedule that?? Is that even an issue??) Mmmm...okay. No barium for breakfast. Got it.
Nurse~ No Demerol, nubain, or morphine for five hours before. I don't think you're on any of that...
Me~ um no. Pretty sure those are mostly pain shots given at the hospital...
Then she makes me repeat the list back to her. Which I can do perfectly because it's sooo bizarre!! The whole conversation has been bizarre. I'm wondering if she's on medication.
So today was the fluoroscopy. I got there at 8am. They called me back and I hopped up on one of those flat metal xray tables. The tech started and IV and explained that they would be giving me an injection of radioactive isotopes. These would show up on the camera. First they'd highlight my liver, then drain into the gallbladder and small bowel. There were a series of pictures every five minutes for the first hour. Then they would start an IV of meds that would cause the gallbladder to contract and empty the isotopes completely into the small bowel. That would take continuous pictures for thirty minutes. I began to wonder what I got myself into.
She gave me the injection and I felt nothing. I watched the lights coalesce on the screen. She pointed out my liver. Then she pointed out the small bowel. The gallbladder was taking it's time getting to the party. After about twenty minutes she asked~
Tech~ Do you still have your gallbladder?
Me~ (omg. for real?? Did another person just ask me that??! Why the hell would I be here if I didn't?!) Um. Yeah. Unless the aliens stole it.
She looked at me like I'd lost my mind. But seriously, if one more person asks me that, somebody's getting decked. I just have to wonder if there are actually people who've scheduled this test and didn't have a gallbladder??! Finally my uncooperative gallbladder showed up to the party. But not as well as they wanted so I had to roll on my right side so hopefully the isotopes would drain into it. She left for fifteen minutes. I dozed off. She scared the shit out of me when she woke me up.
At last we got to the second part. She warned me that some people said the meds made their gallbladder hurt. Just to try to lay still. By this time, I couldn't move anyway. My hip joints and back don't take kindly to two hours on a metal table. It didn't hurt, but it did make me pretty nauseous. My gallbladder continued to glow. Now that it had the stuff, it seemed reluctant to give it up. Way to go gallbladder. You keep the glowing stuff all to yourself. Selfish bastard.
Finally we were done. Apparently my doctor's office will call me with the results. Yeah, right. I'll hold my breath. My body protested the journey off the table. I was stiff and sore, I'm sure I looked like a little old lady hobbling along. The tech took the IV port out and had some trouble with the bleeding. Apparently, my blood was thin today. She bandaged it and let me put my sweatshirt back on and leave. As I walked out, I could feel blood dribbling down my arm so I hightailed it to the nearest bathroom. Sure enough it was a mess. Quite possibly that sweatshirt is ruined forever. I got it stopped, got cleaned up and hit the grocery store before heading home. Guess we'll see what the results are. I'd like it to be something simple like the gallbladder. But remember my intense fear of surgery. ANY surgery. And how I never heal right?? Maybe, I can just stop eating. Then I'd lose weight. That's a win/win right? So, just to prove all this really happened...here's a photo of the amazing bruise the IV left on my arm. I'm sure tomorrow the colors will be even better. Lol.
And thank you to everyone for the amazing outpouring of support and friendship and love yesterday. You have no idea how much it means to me. I feel so blessed. I wasn't feeling so hot after the test today so Sean and I are going up to get CJ tomorrow. I can't wait.
♥Spot
Friday, November 20, 2009
Please return to owner...
OMG!!! Where has my mind been lately?? Has anyone seen it? Maybe I should make posters~ Lost. One sort of used, slightly crazy, much bemuddled mind. Slightly higher IQ than average. Very imaginative. Runs good fair. If found please return to frazzled woman running around like a chicken with her head cut off. K? Thanks!
Can you believe that I forgot yesterday was "spread the word thursday"?? I mean, I made up the day people! And I still forgot it. Honestly, I think I'd lose my patootie if it wasn't fastened on tight. I'm really not sure I'm going to survive November. And even if I do there's December to get through. December, with all it's christmasey, present giving, cookie baking goodness. And my (gasp) 40th bday. You know, the birthday by which I thought I would have gotten something accomplished? You know back in high school when you peer forward into the future and you imagine your life at the ripe old age of 40? And you think Oh! All the things I will have done by then! I'm looking around now going 'what things??? what have I done?'. And so far, peeps, there's not a lot staring back at me from that list. I shall have to ponder this more closely in the coming month...
But as for the present day, the here and now, I'm feeling better. Although judging by the cough I have today, it may be short lived. I wonder if I can convince my doc to just give me a bag of IV antibiotics now in a pre-emptive strike against my lungs and their patheticness?? Probably not. I think he likes it when he has to stick my butt in the hospital. Not only does he make money but he gets to see me everyday. No, I'm not being vain. I just happen to know that I'm one of the few people who can make him laugh. Yeah, his bedside manner lacks a little. But he laughs at me. Mostly because he thinks I'm crazy but I'm totally cool with that. I'm sure he's not the only one who thinks that. In fact, there's probably like a club or something. My hubby may or may not be the president.
So yesterday I was feeling well enough to get out of bed and hang out in the family room. And my family stopped acting like I had Ebola and started getting near me again. So this is the conversation in the kitchen while I'm making Sean and I some soup for lunch (yes, I'm back to being the housebitch, I mean domestic goddess).
Sean- so will you watch Master and Commander with me?
Me- I don't know if I'm in the mood.
Sean- you always say that! And you're going to love it. Promise. It's boats and sailing. Probably one of the best sailing movies ever made. (Technically, it's not really about sailing, but he's obsessed with sailing).
Me- what about Pirates of the Carribean? That's the best boat movie ever made. And I do love me some Cap'n Jack.
Sean- Captain Joseph would make you Captain Jack cry like a schoolgirl.
Me- *whirling around to stare in open-mouthed awe* What??!! Did.you.just.say? Oh the blashpemy! I cannot believe that one of my offspring would ever utter such a blatantly false and reprehensible thing about their future stepfather in my prescence!! (Because one day Johnny Depp is totally going to come to his senses and whisk me away from all of this. It's a well known fact at our house.)
Sean- It's true.
Me- that's fine. Whatever. Now Daddy Johnny is for sure not buying you a sailboat of your very own.
Sean- So will you watch it?
Me- yes. ok. but don't blame me if I fall asleep. Isn't it like ten hours long or something.
Sean- No. It's not quite that long. And you're going to love it.
Guess what?? I did love it! Now Russell Crowe's no Johnny but he's a damn fine actor. And you had the added attraction of Paul Bettany. It was really well done and I highly recommend it if you haven't seen it. Do be prepared for some violence and blood though, I mean it is set during the war between France and England after all. (Which one you say? I know because there have been like a million! But the Bonaparte one. You know, short dude all right hand tucked inside his vest like he's got a really bad case of heartburn? Totally in love with Josephine. Yeah, that one. And oh look! I totally turned this into a history lesson. You can thank me later.)
So then I tell Sean that the movie was actually based on a series of books written by Patrick O'Brian. So we go to Amazon.com and there are 20 books in the series!! That would take Sean, my reluctant reader, roughly 5 years to read. But we put them on the christmas list anyway. (Take note Santa)
Have a great weekend!
♥Spot
Can you believe that I forgot yesterday was "spread the word thursday"?? I mean, I made up the day people! And I still forgot it. Honestly, I think I'd lose my patootie if it wasn't fastened on tight. I'm really not sure I'm going to survive November. And even if I do there's December to get through. December, with all it's christmasey, present giving, cookie baking goodness. And my (gasp) 40th bday. You know, the birthday by which I thought I would have gotten something accomplished? You know back in high school when you peer forward into the future and you imagine your life at the ripe old age of 40? And you think Oh! All the things I will have done by then! I'm looking around now going 'what things??? what have I done?'. And so far, peeps, there's not a lot staring back at me from that list. I shall have to ponder this more closely in the coming month...
But as for the present day, the here and now, I'm feeling better. Although judging by the cough I have today, it may be short lived. I wonder if I can convince my doc to just give me a bag of IV antibiotics now in a pre-emptive strike against my lungs and their patheticness?? Probably not. I think he likes it when he has to stick my butt in the hospital. Not only does he make money but he gets to see me everyday. No, I'm not being vain. I just happen to know that I'm one of the few people who can make him laugh. Yeah, his bedside manner lacks a little. But he laughs at me. Mostly because he thinks I'm crazy but I'm totally cool with that. I'm sure he's not the only one who thinks that. In fact, there's probably like a club or something. My hubby may or may not be the president.
So yesterday I was feeling well enough to get out of bed and hang out in the family room. And my family stopped acting like I had Ebola and started getting near me again. So this is the conversation in the kitchen while I'm making Sean and I some soup for lunch (yes, I'm back to being the house
Sean- so will you watch Master and Commander with me?
Me- I don't know if I'm in the mood.
Sean- you always say that! And you're going to love it. Promise. It's boats and sailing. Probably one of the best sailing movies ever made. (Technically, it's not really about sailing, but he's obsessed with sailing).
Me- what about Pirates of the Carribean? That's the best boat movie ever made. And I do love me some Cap'n Jack.
Sean- Captain Joseph would make you Captain Jack cry like a schoolgirl.
Me- *whirling around to stare in open-mouthed awe* What??!! Did.you.just.say? Oh the blashpemy! I cannot believe that one of my offspring would ever utter such a blatantly false and reprehensible thing about their future stepfather in my prescence!! (Because one day Johnny Depp is totally going to come to his senses and whisk me away from all of this. It's a well known fact at our house.)
Sean- It's true.
Me- that's fine. Whatever. Now Daddy Johnny is for sure not buying you a sailboat of your very own.
Sean- So will you watch it?
Me- yes. ok. but don't blame me if I fall asleep. Isn't it like ten hours long or something.
Sean- No. It's not quite that long. And you're going to love it.
Guess what?? I did love it! Now Russell Crowe's no Johnny but he's a damn fine actor. And you had the added attraction of Paul Bettany. It was really well done and I highly recommend it if you haven't seen it. Do be prepared for some violence and blood though, I mean it is set during the war between France and England after all. (Which one you say? I know because there have been like a million! But the Bonaparte one. You know, short dude all right hand tucked inside his vest like he's got a really bad case of heartburn? Totally in love with Josephine. Yeah, that one. And oh look! I totally turned this into a history lesson. You can thank me later.)
So then I tell Sean that the movie was actually based on a series of books written by Patrick O'Brian. So we go to Amazon.com and there are 20 books in the series!! That would take Sean, my reluctant reader, roughly 5 years to read. But we put them on the christmas list anyway. (Take note Santa)
Have a great weekend!
♥Spot
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Life in Limboland...or Saturday morning
Aaaaarrrrgggghhhh! That's the sound I want to make this morning. Loudly. I have refrained however. Mostly because there are still some people in this house who are sleeping. And I hate it when people make a lot of noise when you're sleeping. Even though almost everyone in my house does it to me.
You know how you just start to think that things are okay and your life just might get back to normal? And then um...they don't? Yeah, that's pretty much the story of my life this week. So if you've been reading my blogs this week you know that my daughter Mo (short for Molly but you can call her Lulu if you want) has been ill. Really ill. Like lets go to the ER and spend the entire day there ill. Well, as of yesterday she was feeling better. Fever free, no bladder symptoms, no nausea and her kidney pain was less. Don't get me wrong she still spent the entire day in bed but she wasn't looking like she wanted to die. So her doctor calls, I report the good news and we both think that she's on the road to recovery. Her boyfriend arrived last night and took over the "let's try to keep Mo entertained" duties. And I was muy (that's Spanish for very) grateful because I felt like crap. Went to bed early and woke up several times in the night convinced I was dying or coming down with the flu. Luckily the fever broke in the night and this morning I just feel slightly icky.
Mike and Sean had a meeting in town. Bobby, Mo and Luke (the boyfriend) are all still sleeping so of course I boot up the computer to enter blogland. Half hour later, Mo wakes up and comes into my office (which is also the family room). She's back to feeling like crap. Both kidneys are hurting again. It hurts to pee. She's got a major headache. And she's nauseous again. THE HELL?! Noooo...it's my day to feel bad and lay on the couch!!! But, I remind myself (quite loudly in my head) I'm the mommy. I signed the contract (someone totally should have pointed out that fine print!). So I get her situated on the couch (casting a longing glance at said couch), meds, juice, movie in the DVD player. Then I call the doctors office. But her doctor is not there today. (And even though she calls me from home...I would feel weird calling her at home) So the nurse for the doctor that is there tells me we need to go back to the ER. For real?? Back to purgatory?? Back to swine flu exposure and waiting for hours in the waiting room?? Mo looks at me and says "um. no. I don't want to." Guess what kiddo? Me either!! (Although thanks to Kathryn, I have a whole Hershey bar in my purse and a new book, so I'm prepared!)
I'm really up in the air about this though. I mean, I'd be rushing her back to the ER if she was running a fever again. Or throwing up. Or even if the pain was bad enough to make her cry. But while she's clearly in discomfort, she's not in distress. So do I wait to take her in, and see if her doctor calls? Or do I follow the nurses advice and take her right in? Why does nobody warn you that you'll have to make these kind of judgement calls as a mommy? Why isn't there a manual? You know...an "if this...then this" kind of dealio?? That would be sooo helpful. But no, lets just leave it all on the shoulders of the mom. *sigh*
Hope the rest of you are having a better weekend,
♥Spot
You know how you just start to think that things are okay and your life just might get back to normal? And then um...they don't? Yeah, that's pretty much the story of my life this week. So if you've been reading my blogs this week you know that my daughter Mo (short for Molly but you can call her Lulu if you want) has been ill. Really ill. Like lets go to the ER and spend the entire day there ill. Well, as of yesterday she was feeling better. Fever free, no bladder symptoms, no nausea and her kidney pain was less. Don't get me wrong she still spent the entire day in bed but she wasn't looking like she wanted to die. So her doctor calls, I report the good news and we both think that she's on the road to recovery. Her boyfriend arrived last night and took over the "let's try to keep Mo entertained" duties. And I was muy (that's Spanish for very) grateful because I felt like crap. Went to bed early and woke up several times in the night convinced I was dying or coming down with the flu. Luckily the fever broke in the night and this morning I just feel slightly icky.
Mike and Sean had a meeting in town. Bobby, Mo and Luke (the boyfriend) are all still sleeping so of course I boot up the computer to enter blogland. Half hour later, Mo wakes up and comes into my office (which is also the family room). She's back to feeling like crap. Both kidneys are hurting again. It hurts to pee. She's got a major headache. And she's nauseous again. THE HELL?! Noooo...it's my day to feel bad and lay on the couch!!! But, I remind myself (quite loudly in my head) I'm the mommy. I signed the contract (someone totally should have pointed out that fine print!). So I get her situated on the couch (casting a longing glance at said couch), meds, juice, movie in the DVD player. Then I call the doctors office. But her doctor is not there today. (And even though she calls me from home...I would feel weird calling her at home) So the nurse for the doctor that is there tells me we need to go back to the ER. For real?? Back to purgatory?? Back to swine flu exposure and waiting for hours in the waiting room?? Mo looks at me and says "um. no. I don't want to." Guess what kiddo? Me either!! (Although thanks to Kathryn, I have a whole Hershey bar in my purse and a new book, so I'm prepared!)
I'm really up in the air about this though. I mean, I'd be rushing her back to the ER if she was running a fever again. Or throwing up. Or even if the pain was bad enough to make her cry. But while she's clearly in discomfort, she's not in distress. So do I wait to take her in, and see if her doctor calls? Or do I follow the nurses advice and take her right in? Why does nobody warn you that you'll have to make these kind of judgement calls as a mommy? Why isn't there a manual? You know...an "if this...then this" kind of dealio?? That would be sooo helpful. But no, lets just leave it all on the shoulders of the mom. *sigh*
Hope the rest of you are having a better weekend,
♥Spot
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The stairway to real life...shouldn't there be an elevator?
Ah, another day has come to a close. And I couldn't be happier to see this one go. If yesterday was purgatory, today was the stairway back to the real world. Mo's cat, Sparkplug (don't ask), woke me up by attacking the screen in my window. Apparently there was a grasshopper trapped between the screen (we have the kind of windows where the screen is on the inside) and the outer window. And even more apparently, it was taunting him. Apparent to him, that is. I hauled my sorry oh so tired butt from the bed and pulled him from the window with a stern admonishment "bad kitty! go away". I guess he doesn't speak early morning yawn talk because he jumped right back into the window and I knew that any further attempt at sleep was futile. Grr.
I got online did some email stuff, commented some blogs, got the link to my blog on Amazon.com. Did a little dance when I saw it! Here is the link to it~ me on Amazon.com if anyone would like to leave a review, it would be much appreciated. =]
Then I woke Mo up to check on her. She had slept mostly through the night. But woke up still in pain and still running a 101.5 degree fever. This is not good. I got her painkillers, antibiotic and juice. Then I called her regular doctor. She got all the ER results and notes. Then called me back. She wanted us to come in for an ultrasound of the bladder and kidneys. Mo was not happy about this, just in case you're wondering. So we did that. Then I ran a couple of errands while she waited in the car. Came home, made dinner, talked to the doctor. Ultrasound was fine. No stones, deformities or tumors! So just a really bad infection and we have to wait on culture sensitivities (which should be available tomorrow) before making any more treatment decisions. But her fever is down tonight and she is much more comfortable, so fingers crossed for a better tomorrow!
Did I mention that I have stumbled through my day today on four hours of sleep? Mmmmhmm. All my own fault. After blogging last night, sometime around midnight, I went to Facebook. I had to work in the sweets factory on yoville! And then I made the huge, I mean ginormous, mistake of clicking on the play Bejeweled Blast button. NO!!! I was too stressed for bed yet, so I figured I'd wind down. 100 freakin games later I realize the time and defeat the urge to play just one more game!!!
thank you for your concern for Mo,
♥Spot
I got online did some email stuff, commented some blogs, got the link to my blog on Amazon.com. Did a little dance when I saw it! Here is the link to it~ me on Amazon.com if anyone would like to leave a review, it would be much appreciated. =]
Then I woke Mo up to check on her. She had slept mostly through the night. But woke up still in pain and still running a 101.5 degree fever. This is not good. I got her painkillers, antibiotic and juice. Then I called her regular doctor. She got all the ER results and notes. Then called me back. She wanted us to come in for an ultrasound of the bladder and kidneys. Mo was not happy about this, just in case you're wondering. So we did that. Then I ran a couple of errands while she waited in the car. Came home, made dinner, talked to the doctor. Ultrasound was fine. No stones, deformities or tumors! So just a really bad infection and we have to wait on culture sensitivities (which should be available tomorrow) before making any more treatment decisions. But her fever is down tonight and she is much more comfortable, so fingers crossed for a better tomorrow!
Did I mention that I have stumbled through my day today on four hours of sleep? Mmmmhmm. All my own fault. After blogging last night, sometime around midnight, I went to Facebook. I had to work in the sweets factory on yoville! And then I made the huge, I mean ginormous, mistake of clicking on the play Bejeweled Blast button. NO!!! I was too stressed for bed yet, so I figured I'd wind down. 100 freakin games later I realize the time and defeat the urge to play just one more game!!!
thank you for your concern for Mo,
♥Spot
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