Seriously, I have never been through such a terrible ordeal in a long time. Things always seem to happen when you need to get things done. I started having digestive/tummy troubles around halloween. I don't think I realized how right the doctor probably was that I just had too much going on. I think this was probably a major part of it but when I started to slow down I guess it was just too late. Honestly, I wouldn't change any of it even if it did make me sick. I helped a lot of people and reached out to my community for good causes. It wasn't like I was out and on the go constantly doing things I did not have any business doing. So if it made me sick to make someone else's day or to save someone's life, I would not change anything!!! A person's life and a touched heart to bring hope is priceless...
I started to feel really bad on Monday aka Halloween. I had to miss taking my pooch to the Davenport Halloween Parade because I ended up going to the Emergency room right after work. Talk about the wrong time to go. I didn't have to wait, but this guy around my age showed up with his hand on ice where his finger was almost all the way off. They say "chainsaw accident". When I saw the blood and his hand I slunched down in the chair where they were getting information from me on my health history. I was like "ummmm, I might be here for two different reasons here in a sec." I felt awfully woosey...lol They told me they were going to take him first and I was totally fine with that. GET THAT KID OUT OF MY SITE!!! LOL!!! I don't know why I am like that about blood. I used to get nose bleeds as a kid and they were bad!! You would figure I would be used to it, but my mind and stomach have taken a totally different turn since I have gotten older.
I thought I was okay when I left the ER. Got a pain med and blood tests and x-rays of my stomach. The doc gave me a laxative along with a diet plan and told me I should be fine after that. UM NO... I get to work and I start not to feel good again on Wednesday morning. It was back to Trinity at around 10:30 am. Let's just say I probably ruined one nurses day, but I did feel slightly better. I was sent home with a pain med. Friday, discomfort again. By the time Friday night came I was totally uncomfortable. When I woke up Saturday I was in pain!!!! Something told me I was not come back home right away. I just want to say that 53rd street sucks when you are in pain. I drove myself, stiff as you don't know what holding on to my stomach with every bump and thud on that road. They want to repave and fix something? FIX THE ENTIRE 53RD STREET PLEASE!!!!
I come in with all the paperwork from my past 2 ER visits in moline and they take me back to a room. I was dehydrated from not eating because I was not feeling well enough to eat or drink. They take blood. I get shot up with pain meds and hooked up to an IV. I had never been so scared in my life. A main doc, a nurse, and the internest on call came in. My vitals were taken multiple times. No sounds were coming from my stomach. My blood pressure would not go down. All I could do was cry when the pain was so bad. I was good as long as I was on pain meds. Otherwise it was back to tears and another shot in the IV from the nurse. A resident doctor came in and wanted the full story. I was like OMG!!! The last I remember is the doc saying "well, what should we do with you? I could send you home with pain meds but...that does not solve the problem and in fact could make it worse." The next thing I know they are admitting me...
The things I have pulled away from this horrible experience. GoLytely is not your friend. It will make you very sick. It cleaned me out alright. Both ends. NOT COOL. The nursing staff was much nicer on the weekend that the weekly staff. These younger nurses need to learn some things from the older ladies who have been around for a while. They call it caring and compassion. The medical field is not for everyone. Don't do it just for the money but because you care about people and want to help them. The Gastro doc, really nice but I was not happy that he prepared me for a colonoscopy, decided not to do it and didn't tell anyone that he wasn't going to do it and so I was starving and dehydrated with no fluids for over 12 hours until he decided to show up late Monday after his clinic time. He tells me things to eat, that I have already been eating, I cut out the fast food, and yet I am sick. Nowhere are we saying what has caused this monstrosity of a sickness where I have basically wasted away 30 lbs in a very short amount of time. Communication between patients and medical providers is key. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE STARVING AND THE NURSE WON'T EVEN GIVE YOU ICE CHIPS AND TELLS YOU SHE CAN SWAB YOUR MOUTH AND NEVER SHOWS UP TO DO IT AND HAD THE DOC JUST SAID I AM NOT DOING THE PROCEDURE I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO GO THROUGH THAT IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!!
okay, I am doing better. I did get to see my mom whom I havn't seen since July, so I guess there is an upside to this ordeal and I did lose some weight so I will look a lil better for the pageant. But boy did that cost me! lol! I can laugh now, but at the time not so funny. You try chugging down what is a whole gallon of basically watered down salt water and see how you feel after almost 2-3 cups in. Never again, so I hope.
So later this afternoon I follow up with the Gastro doctor. I will have my questions ready. I still have not started eating dairy or hot/spicy food. I miss it so much. (pizza, hot sauce, cheese burgers, chili cheese fries) you know, all the stuff I was not eating before and now I am not allowed to have but craving. For now it is turkey, chicken, fish. No fried greasy beef. Maybe one weekend when I have no place to be I will indulge in a very small cheese burger and chili cheese fries and see what happens. lol Right now I am not willing to take the chance so close to the pageant.
SO much to do and so little time. I definitely lost prep time being in the hospital. Didn't get to make any extra money and lost time to actually sit down and prepare my packing list, get out and try to get more sponsorship money, etc. Only a few hundred more dollars away. like $400. But in the end, my health is the most important and that is what I need to realize. You can expect the worst and hope for the best. It could have been way worse of a situation than what it is. Nothing can replace your life. I am just thankful that I am well enough to compete for nationals.
So here goes nothing!!! Everyone wish me luck as I leave for Orlando next week!!! I can't wait. Thanks so much for all the thoughts, prayers, and concerns as I was going through so much being hospitalized. God answered and I am so thankful for every single person who is in my life that helped me and was there for me in my darkest hours...
