Call, Don't Fall: Autumnal Equinox 2022

Summer ended and autumn made its entrance on an unseasonably cold Thursday.

 I had no recollection of what the weather was like on the first part of the day because I was residing in a cramped, windowless hospital room in a hopping Emergency Room (ER). Although officially admitted on Thursday morning due to severe stomach pains (more gall bladder removal post-op nonsense), there was no room at the inn.  It was a busy night at Memorial Hospital in South Bend with several ambulances bringing in patients. 

I didn't secure a regular hospital room until late Thursday morning and so grateful to have Steve next to me. The dear sweet man drove us to the ER at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday night. With the exception of restroom breaks, Steve never left my side. I was officially admitted at 2:00 a.m. and could finally send my sweet husband home to sleep. He later brought back a stuffed Baby Yoda for me to cuddle. (Don't judge-- hospitals are scary when you're sick and my inner child was afraid.) 

I was grateful to have one of those last ER rooms. As a staff member wheeled my gurney from the lower level to the 3rd floor, I noticed at least two poor souls camped out in gurneys the hallway waiting for private spaces to convalesce. My heart went out to them and hoped they would soon have proper spaces to heal. No one should be suffering in an ER hallway, but oftentimes that is the reality. 

On the first day of autumn, the medical team was waiting for the GI specialist to decide if I was going to have an ERCP procedure which determines the cause of my Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction. About 17 hours later, it was decided that I was too sick to undergo the procedure and that it was too risky. After the word was given, the nurse gave me ice water and a menu to order sustenance.

Between blood draws, dehydration, an IV, a migraine, nausea, starving, and vomiting, the first day of autumn seemed to stretch forever. I recited the Serenity Prayer almost constantly, and that gave me some peace. Family visited briefly, and I felt bad that I wasn't a better hostess. (Under the circumstances, they understood.) 

During that challenging stay, I was grateful for the amazing medical team at Memorial Hospital. Even in a daze of medicine and pain, I notice that their workload is doubled. Nurses are whisking away food trays, and doctors are adjusting my bed and pillows.  They laughed at my offbeat, quirky humor and one 4th year resident and I exchanged puns. Young enough to be my son, he even visited me after his shift was over because I had such a rough day. Those few extra shared minutes meant so much to both of us. He is going to be an amazing physician. 

On Friday, when I was healthy enough to be sprung from the confines of the hospital, the nurse wheeled me downstairs instead of having Steve to go through the trouble of parking the car and fetching me. I told her she was one of my favorite nurses and she told me I was one of her sweetest patients. 

I was grateful to be treated with care, love, and respect, even though it was a human zoo and not all of the sick and wounded animals were decent. I didn't understand why you would mistreat someone who is trying to help. I don't think I'll ever completely understand. 

I left the hospital grateful, because I was happy to be able to be home.  I had to purchase a larger pillbox to accommodate the new medications needed to hopefully get this issue under control and to avoid surgery.  I will be visiting Indiana University this fall to consult with a team about next steps. 

I am grateful to have more time. I leave you with a fitting phrase that I noticed on the ceiling in the hospital room:  Call Don't Fall. 





Comments

tchristensen said…
Lohri,
I can relate.Too many aen't grateful for the service provide.
I feel for you having in the hospital too many times this year

IU Medical is very good. I wish you well my friend.
Tell Steve he's a keeper.
tchristensen said…
Lohri,
I can relateToo many aren't grateful for the service provided.
I feel for you having been in the hospital too many times this year

IU Medical is very good. I wish you well my friend.
Tell Steve he's a keeper.
marimba50 said…
Thank you, Tom! That means a lot.

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