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If You're Going Through Hell


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I worked in a teaching hospital for many years.  My office was next to the ER and had occasion to speak to many nurses and physicians.  Back in the "early days" it was common for party goers to bring their elderly, that they kept  at home, off and drop them in the ER while they went to party.  It was just common for the workers to know what they were doing.  Holidays are/ were crowded in the ER.  Remember the old time wheelchairs with the high wooden back.  I kept seeing the same gentleman every time I had to go through, wheelchair was not moved.  He looked comfortable.  Guess he was, don't know how long he had been dead.  He was not causing any problems, so his health was not noticed.  I can still see him in his overalls, asleep, and it has been about 50 years ago.  

It was what was called, at one time, a charity hospital.  My dad had his tonsils removed there probably in about 1927 and they put him on one end of the bed and someone else was at the other end.  

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5 hours ago, Kieron said:

Sorry for that ordeal, Gwen.  Maybe I'm a starry-eyed optimist, but I would think that place would have a patient advocate that you can go to to lodge a complaint about that "doctor" (who doesn't sound like he deserves that honorific).  I'm not sure what state you reside in, but there's also the various state boards overseeing licensure and such.  At any rate, sounds like he ought to remember that old admonition,  "Physician, heal thyself"!  He's doing more harm than good, even if only in a subtle manner.  How sad for everyone involved. 

If only I had the energy, Kieron.  I don’t.  You can’t really police bedside manner, and he was within rights to turn down a blood test request I made on my intake from.  Trust me, I am not meaning to defend him, I just know how something like this would play out especially since he has the backing of a super busy ER behind him.  One nurse said he could be gruff.  I also think unless there was a serious problem from his treatment it wouldn’t do anything.  I have significantly more pain but that is from the tests and moving in ways my body didn’t like but had to do for them.  If this were a private practice doctor it would indeed be a good solution to persue.  The frustration of yet another 'plea' for help and no answers plus finding 2 other things wrong are what has me so seriously down.  Supposed to volunteer today and I can barely walk.   But I’ll try.  On top of It all I’m getting a sore throat and maybe shouldn’t, but I glove up and am desperate for human contact with people I know and the caring goes both ways.

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Oh no, not a sore throat on top of everything!  Good grief!  Likely the stress contributed.  I hope it doesn't become full fledged...maybe some tea, lemon, honey?

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I tried having some decaf tea at the nursing home, but I am purely a water drinker.  Yeah, I’m really bummed about this.  Crossing my fingers, but it feels like the real deal.  I’m absolutely astounded at how many things have gone wrong this holiday.  It was always bad emotionally but this i couldn’t have imagined all that this would happen.  I’m really dreading waking up tomorrow.  Will I be sick AND unable to walk less?  I’m at wits end.  Truly.  As usual I just want to pull the covers over my head for a few years.  

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I just read a doctor's column that said chicken broth really is helpful for colds, maybe make some chicken bouillon?  I get the wanting to pull the covers over your head.  I'm fighting depression, probably brought on by winter setting in.

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Kay, getting by with water.  Not a warm beverage gal.  I’m in so much back and leg pain, now this cold.  It’s 3:30 in the afternoon and darkness is setting in with drizzle.  Yesterday my dog had diarrhea in the car so I am hesitant to take her with me for my 'have to get out of the house' sanity drives.  Need to get her some fancy kidney food as hers are failing slowly.  Spent hours on the phone updating my credit card expiration date.  I should go to bed and sleep, but I’m OCD about routine and it sounds like something I could be seduced to do even when I get better.  The kicker was having to clean up the car and do laundry just made things worse physically.  I know the universe isn’t out to get me, but it sure feels like it.  At least my counselor said I could come in tomorrow with my cold.  He’s a brave one.  If I feel worse we’ll do it by phone.  I really need the contact face to face tho.  Thrill to do thing tonight is clean the bathroom.  This is what it comes down to?  Sheesh.  I’ve heard so many happy New Years greetings it’s driving me bonkers.  Just have to smile and say....you too.

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I'm not a tea drinker but when I have a cold I find it helps.  Water is always good but the lemon and honey seem to sooth a sore throat.  And chicken broth is always good when you're sick.

Yeah, NYE is upon us.  I have to go to town to four places so will be hard to get back by dark but I must.  That means Kodie will be in his pen all day so I don't want to turn around and leave him again tonight, he doesn't like being alone all day.  My son says take him with me but stores won't let him in and I'm hesitant to leave him in the car before he's housebroke for the reason you just went through, hard to clean up a car than in the house imo.  Plus a confined place with the smells.

Snow coming next week, thwarting my efforts to get the church books done...was going to work on them tomorrow but the printer isn't working right so will wait until that's fixed as I have a ton of copies/reports to make when I do the books.  Last month the internet was out of commission, making my efforts difficult.  

I'm glad you can get in to your counselor today, Gwen.  You had to remind me...I need to clean my bathroom too. ;)

 

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I guess I'm a rule-complier...and I wondered where my son got it?!  LOL

 

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He is, he's maybe doubled in three weeks.  He's 12 weeks 2 days old.  As soon as the holidays/snow are behind us, I have to get him in for some vaccinations, will get his weight then.

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This seems the most appropriate topic.  I don’t know where I posted being in the ER last week, the trip from hell getting a hallway bed, a doctor of ice and no privacy.  Woke up this morning with stabbing chest pain in my lower lungs.  This is always scary to me because of my lung condition. Since this is a breathing issue I got a room.  A CT was done so I  am just waiting.  This is always the hard part.  Will I get to go home?  Will they find even more complications?  Will I get thu another day and it be worse tomorrow?  I have an appointment with my doctor Friday and hope I can make it.  Laying this long will create more back pain.This makes me yearn for the little things.  I want to wash my hair.  It would feel so good.  Never thought it would become a project like raking the yard!   I never thought I would wish for the mundane isolation I normally live in.  How that could be better than these health frights on my own.   As I smile at all the staff here I know, it’s a depressing testament for how often I am here.  Was just 7 days ago.  At least once a month since last summer.  

I guess I’ll just post this.  This is taking longer than I expected since the CT.  Thanks for letting me ramble.  It keeps me semi sane to know I can 'talk' to you.  This world is just to big and cold when you’re lost and afraid.  My poor dogs have been stuck inside for hours.  Just found out no info on the CT and they said an hour most.  Now is when I start to  lose it.  

 

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I'm so sorry, Gwen :(  I think your ER should name one of their rooms after you ~ or at least place a plaque on the wall to honor you as one of their most frequent and loyal visitors ;) 

Feel better soon and know that we are pulling for you! ❤️

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Thanks Marty.  Think I’ll pass on the plaque.  Bad omen of the future.  🤫 I am home now.  Fortunately not an embolism.  Pleurisy and have to wait it out.  Amazingly the doc gave me real pain pills.  I’ll have to miss volunteering Thursday (still have the cold) and put all my energy into taking a shower.  Then my doc Friday about my thyroid.  I want to blow it off but I don’t want to pass up the opportunity to tell him how much worse I feel even tho the tests say I am so much better.  The forecast here is for rain and wind for a long time.  Hard with the kids. In and out, in and out and I’m running out of towels!  Hope all of you had better first new day of the new year.  🌹

Keeping your head above water, Dee?

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Oh Gwen, I'm so sorry!  I hope by now you have an update and are home with your dogs.  Do you have someone to call to feed them and let them out?  That's something I need to think about now that I have Kodie and I'm "this age."  

I hope the lung issue is quickly addressed and you can get some relief SOON!

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I am home.  I feel sicker than I did yesterday and in more pain for all the gymnastics for several tests.  I wrote my doctor I may too sick to come in tomorrow!  It’s very hard trying to use oxygen when your so stuffed up.  I’m lightheaded, have bad headaches and tremors.  My heart rate at rest is over a 100 which is not good.  If I hadn’t been to the ER yesterday, I’d be heading there today.  I’ve never been so compromised by a cold.  I need to get out and get special dog food for Ally’s kidneys.  If it didn’t hurt so much to lay down I’d considers nap.  I am currently on hold with my insurance as to where my new card is as the old one is cancelled wth changing plans. I need to call my doc as he called in the wrong prescription and the online site is inaccessible.  I’m so frustrated and that raises my anxiety and emotional stability.  What I wouldn’t give for Steve to be here so I could rest or he could at least drive me.  My housekeeper comes tomorrow and I hope I can handle it.  The place needs it from all the storm debris.  The unwise thing I did last night was to take a shower further twisting muscles.  I wanted it of the way in case I felt too bad to do it today.  The ER doc gave me some Vicodin so I want to get that filled and find out spacing with the anx meds to not compromise breathing even more.  My whine for the day.  Everwant somone to just put you out of your misery?  😪. Well, as usual I’ve been on hold almost half an hour.  Daylight is fading and I’ve got to get my tasks done.  I’d let them go, but I want Ally on better food and the pain meds cause Tylenol ain’t cutting it.  

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Gwen, I wish I were there to run your errands for you.  We all need a spouse, dang it!  I'm glad you're home, if we have to be miserable, at least do it at home.

Try not to worry about anything that can be put off.  Is there a neighbor could go fore Ally's food?

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My son made it through surgery, now hopefully the polyps will be benign, will have to wait for results...

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Definitely wishing the best on your sons test results.  It’s the waiting that is so hard.  Dud they give you a time frame?

nope, I don’t have a neighbor to help me.  I am literally alone on all this stuff.  There is one woman I know, but it’s emotionally costly asking for her help.  I got things done, just hoping I wake up a little better tomorrow as I want to rant at my doctor about a few things.  

Oh, I don’t know if any of you have heard about the new apples on the market called Cosmic Crisp.  They are the best apples I have ever tasted.  Costly, but soooooo worth it.  I have galas and fugis to go thru, but feeling so bad today I bought another one and one for my housekeeper.  My poor counselor can’t have apples for her IBS so I’ve been taunting her for amusement.  😁 I buy so little now without Steve, it’s a treat to actually find something new.  

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23 hours ago, Gwenivere said:

Keeping your head above water, Dee?

Gwen:  Oh my goodness, somehow I missed your recent ER visit yesterday.  Sorry, my spacey head has been in other places.   Good to hear you are now home even though Friday means another doctor's appointment, and yes the weather is just miserable.  

I had a retina specialist today, but I didn't have to drive, I hire someone to take me so she just dumps me in my driveway.  LOL

Take care out there - people are driving crazier - always in a rush.  Dee

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1 hour ago, Gwenivere said:

Oh, I don’t know if any of you have heard about the new apples on the market called Cosmic Crisp.  They are the best apples I have ever tasted.  Costly, but soooooo worth it.  I have galas and fugis to go thru, but feeling so bad today I bought another one and one for my housekeeper.  

Gwen:  Yes, I tried the Cosmic Crisp.  My son had bought some up in Lynden, WA and I pleaded for just one.  Very good, so similar to Honeycrisp.  Difficult for me to find them anywhere close to me.  You are so sweet to share with your housekeeper, and we need to treat ourselves once in awhile costly or not.  Dee

 

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