Tuesday I woke up dizzy and super tired. I rested most of the day and went to sleep early. That night I thought for sure I had food poisoning and was camped in the bathroom. Funny that my mom happens to have a little chair in there that I just sat in. The next day, my temperature was 103. So off to the emergency we went. All I could think about was how I didn't want to leave NJ, how I hadn't showered, how I wish we were home because I could just grab the hospital bag I always have ready. We had our usual debate about where to go. The local hospital or straight to UCLA. Even though it's further, going to where they know me, my history, and what to do with me made sense. It annoys me when no one knows what's going on. I was in the ER for more than twenty four hours. From about 1:00 pm Wednesday until about 9:00 pm Thursday. My poor husband sat in just a regular upright chair with barely any padding the whole first day. The next morning, someone brought in this padded recliner for him. I don't know how he could sit so uncomfortably for so long. He didn't complain and kept telling me he was fine when I asked. I know he was just worried about me. The whole time I was in the ER, there were five patients next to me that had come and gone. It took a while for space to open up on my floor. I call it my floor because that's where I always go. And I'm happy to go, they almost all know me or recognize me somehow. It's like another home even though it sounds weird. The nurses, doctors, and staff are incredible.
Finally Friday morning and I'm eating my first meal since Tuesday? They kept bringing me meals in the ER, but I didn't even touch them. I was so nauseous and the smell of it made it worse. I still couldn't keep anything down. Now to give it a try. I had my usual, haha. I know the menu backwards and forwards and have had almost everything on there.
My exciting view. I rarely watch tv unless someone is with me. It starts giving me a headache or neck ache. I rest with the door open and people watch. Actually, I enjoyed listening to praise music and messages on my phone. I went back to older ones at our church and another church's. That was really relaxing and soothing so that I wouldn't feel too lonely. In between I'd be answering texts from concerned friends. So sweet. It all keeps me sane.
My huge window view.
My room.
So far the plan is working. No fever, I've been out of bed, in a chair, and walked the hallways. Making a round was the highlight of my day, but made me tired.
I got this straw with one of my meals. I thought it was the funniest thing...
The end was sealed.
And the other end was jagged. How can you give this to patients? Put your mouth on this jagged edge and good luck trying to drink anything. I showed the nurse and we laughed about it. She took pictures of it too and said that there's been quite a few strange straws lately. Hopefully whoever orders straws for the hospital figures it out and orders from some place else or something. Maybe I thought way too much about it, but I had nothing better to do at the time.
I couldn't believe it, I got a regular menu! I was in disbelief and the nurse thought I was crazy when he handed it to me. This is very significant to me because I never get a regular diet! It's always low sugar, low salt, low carb. Which is like nothing good. Usually in the hospital my sugar goes crazy high, my liver goes nuts, and my kidneys too. This is quite amazing, I'm in the hospital, being treated for what I came for and that's it. No roller coaster of surprises with each morning's blood test. We can't let you go yet until... Fill in the blank with an off level of something. Liver, kidney, platelets, white blood count... who knows! Thank you God, for my healing body!
By Saturday morning, the doctors let me go. Woohoo, I'm going home! I'm so happy I had such a drama free visit, it's a first! That I can remember anyway. It was really great to see some of my old doctors and nurses that I haven't seen in over a year or so. It's so sweet how they look at me and recognize me. Some of them even remember my full name, husband and son's name and remember my mom. Sometimes we end up having long conversations about how life has been since the transplant. They ask me what I've done since getting better. I always say nothing big, just especially happy to have my life back and that I really can't complain. Can't beat the kindness and care of the staff here, I do love them. I'm thankful they know me and care for me so well.
