Well… last night was restful. I went to bed at midnight, and slept calmly. Until 3am, at least. That’s when my bedside neighbor arrived. A poor old fogie, with tubes and pipes coming out of him from almost every opening he has.
For me, this meant my sleep ended. The old man was obviously in much worse shape than me, and his nurse checked in on him every half or whole hour throughout the night. Each time she came in, lights came on full blast, and she spoke loudly. The old man may be hard of hearing. That, or the nurse assumed since he was tube-filled, she would speak to him as though he was an idiot (loudly and slowly). It’s hard to tell.
Yesterday, they had me on a clear liquid diet, since I had come into the ER after vomiting a bunch. I had clear chicken broth, jello, and an italian ice. Hardly much of anything.
This morning, I was hungry for REAL, solid food. Thankfully, I made my request and it was granted. I had eggs and french toast. Even though they were hospital cafeteria quality, they tasted good and satisfying.
The doc saw me shortly after breakfast, and cleared me to be discharged. Now I’m waiting for one last dose of IV antibiotics and I will be outta here!
I tell you, the longest wait EVER for me as a patient, are those minutes (or hours) when you know you can go home, but have to wait for paperwork and the nurse to come around and pull the IV out.
Tick, tock, tick, tock…
I’ll be leaving soon enough, with an antibiotic pill prescription to take over the next seven days. My diagnosis IS pneumonia, officially. The doc today also asked if I’ve ever had a pneumonia vaccine.
“Pneumonia vaccine? I didn’t even know that existed!” I said.
He said it does exist, and recommended for high-risk patients, mostly the elderly. But since I have gastroparesis, and that has led to inhalations of my stomach acid/contents, I AM high risk. I can inhale the reflux crap, then that gets stuck in my lungs, and can become infected and become pneumonia.
After I finish this new course of antibiotics, I will ask my primary care doctor for this vaccine. I’m glad to know it’s out there.
Lesson learned: STOP being so damn prideful and macho, CHRIS. Get to a doctor as soon as I feel sick. I waited weeks hoping the “cold” would go away, and look what happened.
Live and learn. Now onto recovery…
Glad to hear that you’re discharged and on the road to recovery. You are right, waiting to be discharged feels like an eternity. Take care, Chris
Thanks, Marie! You take care, also!
As last night was a very emotional night, I am now in a different place in my understanding of life and how much it is valued. Please listen to me when I tell you to never wait until it IS too late. Go and get that vaccine asap (hopefully within 2 weeks when you’ve kicked the pneumo)! Together, this battle will continue but we are going to defeat it together. I honor you as my husband and you will be placed in the highest regard. I will never take anything for granted again. I luv u sooooooooo much and our trio will fight together!!!!!
Love you, honey. Thanks for keeping Lexi and Cosmo safe. That, and every other thing you do for me!
Oh and to Jerrrry, I cannot tell you enough, how grateful I was that day that you were there to help out and be of support. I really need you to stick around here as a nurse, though I know you really wanna get back to the City. You inspire me in so many ways and I look up to you as I’ve received a piece of what you know through schooling. I luv you like my own sista. Thank u, thank u, thank u!!!!
Awww just read this and Telly I love you too!!! So blessed to have you in our lives!!! God has blessed me with not 2 sistas but with 3!!! I marvel at your wonderful compassion and immense heart. Thank you for being who you are. Luv u sista oh and …bruddha too hahaha