A Tale of a Hospital Stay

Well, what a week this shaped up to be.

Just when you think you have the world

by the tail and all is well, leave it to

your health to step in and take things

in a totally different direction.

In all honesty I haven't felt well for

quite a while. Here is hoping that the

last couple of days are the resolution to

that.

Over the past couple of weeks we have

started a journey of a change of diet

and weight loss. Chelsea is our coach.

She loves all things to do with nutrition

and food and has lost a lot of weight over

this past year...in fact too much....but we

are addressing that, as well. Our goal as

a family is to be healthy, whether that is

losing or gaining weight, as needed.

Anyway, I had promised Jonathan and Chelsea

breakfast at our local family restaurant on

Monday. Even though I felt terrible I wanted

to follow through. I forced myself to order a

bagel, even though I had absolutely no appetite.

As I ate it I felt terrible. Pressure and pain

crushing my chest, nausea and sweating with a

very odd sensation in my head. I looked for

a waitress to get them to call 911. However,

I did not want to leave the kids there and have

all of that chaos for the other diners. Breathing

deeply I waited for the sensation to pass, quickly

paid the bill and we left. I decided to go directly

to the doctor's office. As we went the pain went from

my chest to my shoulder and up under my chin. 

I prayed that I would make it the 

couple of blocks to the doctor.

We did. The kids headed home on foot. 

It is nice that we are close enough 

that they could do that.
In their defense, I had not
let on to them exactly how badly
I was feeling.

As soon as they left the tears began
streaming down my face.
(Isn't it funny how you can hold
things in for the sake of those you love?)

I told the woman at the

front desk that I had chest pain. 

She called the nurse and very quickly 

things were underway. 

The E.K.G. showed

changes and nitroglycerin was 

given while the ambulance

was called. 

I tend to withdraw when in pain so I didn't

really enjoy chatting with the EMT's 

as they took me

north to Lancaster General Hospital. 

Several attempts

to start an IV were unsuccessful.

I do recall getting

angry with the one student EMT as he 

poked and prodded with

the needle in at least two places. 

Finally his buddy gave it a

try on the other arm...no success. 

At the hospital it

took at least two tries, as well.

Nitroglycerin gives me a nasty headache. 

If you've ever

used this you'll likely know what I mean.

But, it did seem

to ease the chest pain. 

So, it was a catch 22. 

My blood

pressure was 164/100+ 

and my heart felt like it was working

so hard at 123 beats per minute. 

Later, the Cardiologist

would ask me if I was 

a nurse because I was repeating the

numbers as I retold the story to him. 

I laughed and asked why?

He said because I knew all of the numbers. 

I didn't tell him that as a 

financial analyst numbers 

are my business

too.

Long story, shorter....

They decided to keep me in the 

Outpatient Observation Unit. 

A stress test was abnormal with reduced

blood flow to the front of my heart. 

My echo technician was very thorough and

very concerned.  

I felt that if there was something to see

he would find it.

In fact he added contrast halfway 

through the test because he said he

didn't want them to miss something he saw.

It was interesting to see

how the different nurses handled my pain. 

Most were very fast

to offer nitroglycerin 

but one, a guy named Chris, was not.

I liked him. 

I do dislike those headaches. 

He would wait the

pain out and always said that if it got worse 

he would give me

the nitro.

Every doctor and nurse 

I met were fabulous. 

I cannot say enough

good things about the treatment I received.

But, now to the mystery.

My heart cath came back just fine.

Weird.

My mother-in-law, an RN, is not very

satisfied with my release without additional

investigation. But, I figure I will try the

treatments offered and will see if they help.

They have added an additional blood pressure

med as the Cardiologist said that there is a

lot of pressure in my heart. They are also

starting me back on meds for acid reflux.

A known issue with me. 

I wouldn't know why a busy person with three

teenagers would ever have stress, (lol) but I seem

to thrive on it...until it eats holes in my

digestive track. We will see if this is part

of my problem this time.

I'll be seeing doctors over the next month

for follow up and will be taking it easy

for a while. Got to get better before candle

season kicks in this September. I am so excited

for this year's orders to begin coming in!!!

I've been planning and working on the website.

I ordered postcards to send out to non-profit

groups. It will be so much fun!!!

Got to be better!!!

Also, Chelsea and I have so many plans for

this school year. So much to do.

I want to be better.

So, I will continue with the healthy eating

plan, take the meds as prescribed and follow

up with the doctors. I might take Georgia with me

to ask the right questions as I tend to just

accept whatever they say...if I am the patient.

I am a great advocate for others, though.

Need someone to go along with you?

I'm there.

I'm a shark!

But for me?

Not so much.

So....now you know more than you

ever wanted to know.

Your prayers and comments were the

highlight of my morning as Warren would

bring in the laptop.

I didn't have the energy to comment back

or read many blogs but I knew you cared.

Many hugs to you.................

Tomorrow back to regular stuff.

Hope you got your fill of 

hospital stuff...because unless something

unexpected happens we will be back

to subjects like

Chelsea's gorgeous brownie biscotti!

With raspberry drizzle!!!!  Oh my!!!

It is amazing!!!

You'll see it tomorrow....

So, if you haven't fainted and are still

reading you have a treat to look forward to.

Consider it a reward, of sorts.

Becky K.