As I woke this day, I thought of the freedom we have, because so many have fought and defended that freedom in this country. Some giving the ultimate sacrifice. No matter how much we thank those choosing to serve this great country, it seems inadequate in comparison. On this day, there were many ways of honoring our fallen countrymen...many, including me, bowing with a humble and grateful heart.
I was taking it easy as I had a flare up of my diverticulitis, and also was dealing with perhaps a kidney stone. Much rest was needed. As I followed the directions of the two medications I had been prescribed, taken for 3 days by this time, I felt a ting of pain in my stomach. I figured it was probably the medications and ignored it. As the morning progressed it became a little worse and I ate something hoping that would settle my stomach. Then it was time to take more meds and again, I ate something to combat the side effects. Only minutes later my stomach began to really hurt and then to the point that I had to lay down. I called the Nurse Call Center to see if it would be okay to take Pepto to calm the fire in my stomach only to go through a battery of questions by her. Near the end the nurse urged me to get to the hospital because the pain sounded like it could be my heart since it was hurting all the way through to my back. I said, with a dumbfounded (and in much denial) reply, "the reason why I called was, I wanted to know if I could take Pepto with the meds I'm taking." She didn't answer my question and only urged me to get to ER immediately. She instructed me that if things got worse on our way to ER, to call 911 and wait for the ambulance. I was in shock! All I wanted to know was if I could take Pepto and now I may be having heart issues?? Of course I finally climbed out of my hole of denial and urged Cliff to get me to ER. On the way, my stomach continued to hurt while I lay back in the seat and with each breath it would burn.
We arrived (2:30 p.m. or so) and I was able to walk myself in. I began the admission paperwork at the window and was asked to be seated after. Then I was called to the back only to sit and answer more question, and while sitting I began to shake and my body twitched. Cliff voiced loud enough for the nurse asking questions, to hear, "Why are you shaking??" He asked. I answered, "I don't know!" The nurse continued to ask questions. Her task was to get her paper work done and my twitching body had no affect on her. We were sent back out to the waiting room, but not long before I was called back in for an EKG, blood work and urine specimen. While sitting with the nurse placing the EKG probes in strategic areas, I told her I was actually feeling a little better and asked if that was normal (meaning was that normal if I was having heart issues) and her reply, "Uh huh!" Oooookaaaay!!! =o/ Once the EKG, blood taken, etc. I was sent back into the waiting room...in uncomfortable chairs. Uncomfortable for someone that is having lower abdomen, lower back and now stomach pain, to sit in. I'd shift my body around and would get up and change chairs, and all the while people coming and going with more extreme issues than mine. I began to question in my mind, "if the EKG was alarming, wouldn't they have gotten me to a room by now?" Time continued...more people to care for (triage) while we sat.
Then the Children's Hospital Helicopter began to rear it's engines and the blades began to turn. Silently praying for the child being transported, it brought things into perspective. I was getting better. That child was getting worse, but we knew Children's was the best possible place for the best possible care for him or her. The child's parents were standing on the deck below waving and taking pics/video with their cell phones. While they used their cell phone to mark the event of the day, so did I. The monitor on the wall shows what day and what time it was while Cliff and I watched.
The Helicopter began to rise off the ground and the family continued watching and recording.
And before long, it was heading south to Madera/Fresno area.
I sat back down, after watching people coming and going and the child being life flighted out of here. I really was feeling a whole lot better. In fact, I leaned over and whispered in Cliff's ear, "I feel embarrassed. My stomach doesn't hurt any longer." I decided that I would go to the admissions desk and tell them I was fine. After several "Wait a minutes," from different people, I was called in the back where the nurse had my EKG, blood work and urine results in her hand. I told her I was fine and didn't know if I would be allowed to just leave. My fear was that my insurance company wouldn't pay for the ER visit if I did leave without seeing a doctor. I asked her, "Are there any red flags in my test results?" She thumbed through it, and without saying, she nodded "no". I told her I was sure it was the "M" medication that sent me into a fiery stomach tail spin, not the Cipro as I have never had reactions to that one. She cupped her hand over her mouth and whispered, "That one (M) is bad stuff!!" Referring to the side effects. She had me sit and it wasn't long before they got me in to see a PA and she went over my test results and there was nothing alarming. I again told her that my stomach was fine. I told her I wouldn't take any more meds until I saw my doctor the next day. All the paper work was completed and Cliff and I were on our way home (after 3 plus hours). "Good-bye, Mercy Medical Center!"
I sat back down, after watching people coming and going and the child being life flighted out of here. I really was feeling a whole lot better. In fact, I leaned over and whispered in Cliff's ear, "I feel embarrassed. My stomach doesn't hurt any longer." I decided that I would go to the admissions desk and tell them I was fine. After several "Wait a minutes," from different people, I was called in the back where the nurse had my EKG, blood work and urine results in her hand. I told her I was fine and didn't know if I would be allowed to just leave. My fear was that my insurance company wouldn't pay for the ER visit if I did leave without seeing a doctor. I asked her, "Are there any red flags in my test results?" She thumbed through it, and without saying, she nodded "no". I told her I was sure it was the "M" medication that sent me into a fiery stomach tail spin, not the Cipro as I have never had reactions to that one. She cupped her hand over her mouth and whispered, "That one (M) is bad stuff!!" Referring to the side effects. She had me sit and it wasn't long before they got me in to see a PA and she went over my test results and there was nothing alarming. I again told her that my stomach was fine. I told her I wouldn't take any more meds until I saw my doctor the next day. All the paper work was completed and Cliff and I were on our way home (after 3 plus hours). "Good-bye, Mercy Medical Center!"
We arrived home within 10-15 minutes driving the country way home. I was much more relaxed and thanked God for the miracle. Yes, I believe it was a miracle as I know how much pain I was in and now I wasn't! AND it wasn't my heart!!! Part of the story I didn't tell you about was that I called my girls and I called my pastor to pray for me on our way to ER. I want to give God the glory...and again, so very thankful!
I was taken off the "M" medication and continuing the Cipro as prescribed. I will have a follow-up with my doc Tuesday. I am very thankful for our medical community, and very thankful for family and friends that take prayer seriously...
I was taken off the "M" medication and continuing the Cipro as prescribed. I will have a follow-up with my doc Tuesday. I am very thankful for our medical community, and very thankful for family and friends that take prayer seriously...
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