I hate to post of my illness. Seems torrid. Yet, I'm stuck. Hopefully I'll be able to escape within a few days. Of course my escape is conditioned upon my agreement for home care. They insist on a vacuum pump, portable, a leash if you will.
Now, on my new follower 'thanks and welcome' post....please be patient. I am reduced to writing on this laptop. It's a nice one, but I hate it. It's sensitive, my fingers are too damn big...and well, I hate it...there. I promise, I will give proper thanks as soon as possible. I keep my promises. Maybe I'll surprise you, if I have the time today...never know...my photo library is stashed on my office computer, yet, maybe...either way, you will be thanked properly. There is a purple dragon on the wall, see him...drugs...suck.
Hospitals, a few tips.
Bring reading material, a couple of 'old fashioned' paperbacks, a Kindle if you have one. My Kindle is priceless. I've read, between all the bulls&*t, two novels.
Bring little salt, sweetener packets. These meals (chuckle) come with one tiny packet of salt. Example, yesterday there was a piece of chicken breast, a tiny pile of green beans, and a few pieces of limp pasta. Each required seasoning. And, there sat that tiny packet of salt.
You will not sleep. When the door to your room opens for any visit, scream and yell and insist the critter close it upon their exit. Hospitals are loud. Fight for your rights. Some here fear me. One lady noticed my holster (sans weapon) and made a remark that I probably enjoyed hurting people....I smiled at her, kinda toothy...she hasn't been back. When they respect and fear you, you just might get a few more moments of rest.
Park you dignity at the door. Granted there are some very lovely young nurses that in ordinary circumstances - well, you understand. But in here...with my Sweet Wife in residence...it's well, kinda not cool for my neither regions to shine. Even the head (bathroom) is open territory for rudeness. The suckers just walk the hell in and ask if they can stay a while....just hand over the toilet paper and ask if they'd like to help you wipe. Again, fight for your rights. If medical staff brag through the door, kick their butts out. Train them well. It works. Just yesterday the ASP remarked she thought I was 'just such a sweet man.' I'd yet to snap at her. She'll learn. (hey, really, I am a sweet kinda guy. Not my fault they give me drugs.)
Get the point....like that.
You will lose weight. I came in at 225. I now weight less, and at six foot one, anything less than two hundred pounds and I resemble a bean pole...just deal with it. Some of you, it might just help. I think of it as a tune-up for future battles...
They are close now, I've caught their scent. Wound care. Nice guys...they help me heal. They hurt too.
It'll be a few weeks before I can hold and hug my Little Bit. Received word she isn't happy by the fact her father is driving her to school. A couple of nights ago she was able to visit...at first the duty nurse said no way. Then Sweet Wife jumped into action. She explained to the nurse that she needed to see her Papa, and I wanted to see her. She said it's not good to keep these two separated. Little Bit did her part in the drama by giving over her big brown eyes, tears rolled down her face. The nurse melted. Little Bit was required to dress in protective garments. She was limited to the hallway of my room. The little girl jumped up and down and cried (yes, so did I) and fought her Nana and father in her attempts to run and jump on my bed.
Sweet Wife calmed her down and asked her to throw kisses. I caught 'em like a pro. She asked why...we explained. She said she didn't care if Papa had germs, she wanted them too. (whew) Rip out my soul, why don't 'ya. It hurts.
I want to again thank each and every one of you for all you kind thoughts and prayers. I promise to cease writing about this stuff as soon as possible...a clear mind would help too.
If I have missed any comments please let me know. I will, I promise, answer as soon as possible. Edit work isn't my thing....if I misspelled a word or two, please, over look 'em.
God bless.
Stephen
Geeze, man, don't overextend yourself. We'll understand if you can't get to everything for a while--no need to feel bad about not answering every comment!
ReplyDeleteI'll work in between the routines of this hospital. I have about an hour before the next series of 'stuff.' Thanks, bluesun...
Deleteawww stephen.. please get well soon. We are thinking of you guys and saying prayers... I called sweet wife and left a voice message, just to let her know I was here if she needed anything or to talk.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Honey...my poor girl has been a real trooper the last few days. She'll call when she has a few hours of rest. She's dealing with insurance at the moment.
DeleteStephen, you make me glad I'm allergic to opiates. So sorry you're so out of it, in a way, since you hate it so much--but I'm glad you're not feeling as much of the pain as you would otherwise.
ReplyDeleteOdysseus and I are praying for you, your wife, and your baby granddaughter. My family is praying, too. Keep working on getting better.
I understand. It's a weird feeling when they introduce the meds into my IV. After a while the pain diminishes, then the though processes begin to lag...then it's, 'oh, hell, what 'da *&^k....
DeleteI'm glad you have books to read. Just remember, this too shall pass. I know I don't have to tell you this because you're such a good guy, but just it's hard on your wife, too. My husband had two abdominal surgeries, back to back, a year ago. He was lucky to come away from his surgeries without being punched by me, but he just barely squeaked by. One more arranging of his 9 pillows just so would have sent me over the edge. And on the day he checked out of the hospital the second time, they informed him they gave him a little gift of MRSA. Nice parting gift. We've since heard that no one manages to escape that particular hospital without it. My twins were in a NICU for 3 months and never got it. I guess that's the difference between Duke Univ Hospital and PoDunk, NC Hospital. But I digress....get better soon!
ReplyDeleteTrust me, I make her take breaks. I even beg her to drive home for a few hours. I ask her to take naps (she did last night...slept for about six hours) and encourage her to run outside for lunch...she often takes these little breaks.
DeleteSorry to hear of your husbands illness. Doc here said home is always safer than hospitals...I believe him. Thanks.
Sounds to me like you have "them" under control. Good to see the humor is still there, even with the drugs. You are in our prayers daily. Little Bit and Sweet Wife also. God Bless, my friend. "Keep on keepin' on."
ReplyDeleteHumor, John, is all I have...it keeps me sane. God bless you guys too.
DeleteWhen my Mom had a terrible car accident and was on heavy pain killers in ICU she had long talks with people that the rest of us couldn't see. And ants on the ceiling. We teased her a lot afterward. I'm of mixed feelings as to whether I'm glad or not that I'm allergic to morphine and a lot of other pain killers.
ReplyDeleteHospitals are not good places to be sick in - not the least restful. A friend hospitalized for pneumonia lasted one night, then announced that he had to go to the bathroom, pulled out the IVs, and grabbed his pants. Nurse asked him what the heck he was doing. His response was "Going to the bathroom in my own damn house!" and went home.
Hang in there. Lots of prayers going out for you.
She and I have much in common. The dude that went home to poop...yeah, I see his point and understand completely. Good for him. Thank you for your prayers.
DeleteSo nice to see you two connect!
ReplyDeleteKeep taking care of yourself. We'll wait.
Thanks, North. I'll try.
DeleteGlad you are kicking and squirming, a sure sign you are getting better! If you do manage to escape, make sure you go home with everything they want you to do. You want to get better. And so does Sweet Wife and Little Bit, your family and friends and all of your followers! As long as the purple dragon doesn't sing to you, you should be alright! I know you are enjoying your Kindle and you are still reading -- another good sign. Soon Little Bit and Sweet Wife will be in your arms again. Be a good boy and rest as much as you can. The drugs are meant to keep you down so you can Heal. Otherwise they have to hog-tie you! Hope you are laughing on that one! :-) You & your loved ones are In My Prayers. The food will be good soon, hang in there it is worth the wait!<3 get well soon :-P
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pretty Girl...the dragon did sing. He wore jockey shorts too.
DeleteStephen, dear friend, you tell us when you can no longer handle it and we'll all come down and bust you out! try your best to keep getting better. i am so glad for these updates. you've all been our prayers and will stay there. i am so glad that so many are praying for you. you have some good friends here. we all do.
ReplyDeleteyour friend,
kymber
I swiped a can of black shoe polish this morning...I shall apply war paint tonight. My window has been popped lose, sheets tied into rope and coiled and ready. The river is just beneath...have the boat here at 0200, that's needle time, and I'll be ready to roll.
DeleteGod bless, and thank you both so much...
dang nabbit buddy...i missed your response! we'll have the boat ready tomorrow night at 0200. can you make it until then?
Deletelove you dear friend. and sending you bunches of love! and sending love to Sweet Wife and Little Bit!
your friend,
kymber
Nice grenade. ;) You are a domesticated terrorist. Get well soon. Semper Fi.
ReplyDeleteAmen on all accounts...thanks, Zoomie.
DeleteGet well!!!! THe whole world is praying for ya. If ya need bustin' out.....I got resources in the area, say the word.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, get the rest you need and hurry home.
Contact kymber...standing by. Will do on the rest. I hope.
DeleteDo you have access to a wireless keyboard that you can plug into the laptop? Might make it easier to type.
ReplyDeleteBUT!!! Don't overextend yourself! You need rest - you don't need to worry about us or the blog. Your body's busy with other stuff right now.
I know it's hard in a hospital to get any sleep. What about a blindfold and ear plugs? Or a white noise machine?
Sweet One, no I do not...I balance this machine on my lap (get it, lap, chuckle) and do my best. I did ask about a noise machine...they moved away and whispered, then an hour later had a psych consult scheduled for the next morning...buttholes.
DeleteMaybe they thought that was the white noise you were talking about...Lord knows that's all most psychologists are capable of.
Deletehope you are out of there soon! I don't make a good sick person either. lol did I miss what happened to you? I can see you are 1)on drugs 2) sick or recoverying from surgury 3)"have germs", so I guess it doesn't matter, just wondering.
ReplyDeleteGET WELL SOON!!!
Herbal, it's a long story, but, short version....thorn puncture, infection set in, gangrene. Not good. Thank you so much.
DeleteStephen, do we need to make some seasoning care packages?(you could probably hide the MRE sized Tabasco sauce bottles)
ReplyDeleteSweet Wife is all over it...she's my angel. Thanks, Bubba.
DeleteStephen,
ReplyDeleteYou're so right. Medical staff forget that your door is the only barrier of privacy that you have when you're there.
They forget that when they do things for you, that you can do for yourself, that they are enabling you.
They also forget that just because they work there, that you still have the right to refuse unnecessary all through the night every 2 hour wake ups for vital signs if they have been normal. Request them to be changed to Q8 hrs when they administer your antibiotics.
Ask them to peek in on you and your gear, with a penlight, instead of switching on the overheads.
Remind them, that your tissues will not heal, without RESTFUL sleep.
And, last but not least, Order double or even triple green veggies and meat proteins, because opioid's are terribly constipating. Same for the antibiotics.
And you will heal faster with the extra protein supplements.
God Speed to your healing and recovery!
Your Guardian Angel
What great advice...thank you very much...hang around, I need every guardian angel I can get...bless you.
DeleteYou need an MP3 player it helps block out the noise. I used one in my college dorm so i could sleep. Your phone mite have one already. Hope ypu get better soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Corey. God bless.
Deletehttp://gravyandbiscuits.blogspot.com/2012/01/humor-for-our-sick-friend-stephen.html
ReplyDeleteGet well, buddy.
Thanks, my friend...it's much appreciated.
DeleteMay fair winds and following seas speed your voyage to recovery, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, my friend. God bless.
DeleteStephen we have another thing in common besides prepping. I too had a hospital stay twice due to an OJI. I crushed my Right foot on a catering truck. Anyway long story short I had 2 1/2 toes removed and I had to go to a wound clinic at a different hospital after my operation.
ReplyDeleteI too had to go through the pain of dealing with W.C Staff. Went 2 times a week afterwards. I found the W.C. folks very gentle. I had to change my dressings myself twice a day. My wife would not even look at the wound.
Its a shame nobody cares about you. Next time you get hurt, there will be hell to pay as we all will track you down. Take care. Rob
Oh, I'm so worried about you, Sweet Wife, and Little Bit. I hope God sends flights of angels to protect and heal you, and to lift y'all's spirits.
DeleteRob, thanks, you are a good friend...
DeleteKitchen Witch, Don't worry. It's just a speed bump in life...thank you very much.
Glad to hear from you. Get better, kick arse, and don't bother with the names!
ReplyDeleteI will certainly do my best, Craig. Thank you very much.
DeleteKeep up the fight. There's a lot of people out here praying for your family. (and we have coffee when you're ready!)
ReplyDeleteCoffee would be good at this moment, Brigid. Thank you for your prayers. I know my wife needs it more than I.
DeleteProbiotics. Start taking them. The antibiotics in your system has killed off all the good bacteria in your system as well as the bad. You need to replenish the good to restore your system and finish quickly healing. I use dr David Williams probiotic advantage. All different kinds of good gut bacteria. Coated to pass throught the acid in the stomach to get to your intestines, where you need them. I swear by them. I get nothing from recommending them to you. They do work!
ReplyDeleteKen Lowder
Sound advice, Ken, I'll do 'er. Thank you, my friend.
Deleteprobiotics and have someone hang a sign on the door requesting not to be disturbed at night. Not many people know you can do that... feel better soon...
ReplyDeleteI was thinking a booby trap...trip wire, cherry bomb. Then again...thanks.
DeleteGod bless you too. Your "reunion" with Little Bit brought tears to my eyes. Best wishes on a fast recovery. Prayers are coming...in the name of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteThose prayers make all the difference. I'm in for a very long day today. They will install a wound vac later this morning. Should be loads of fun. God bless you.
DeleteKeep getting better.
ReplyDeleteI will Larry, or at least try...thanks.
DeleteYeah, you're being a champ. It would take every ounce of my being to be separated from my girls for that long. Get well for LB and yourself. Stay strong, my friend.
ReplyDeleteIt sure hurts. Bad part is I'm not sure when I'll see her again. Thank you my friend.
DeleteAll the best from my end. I can only surmise that you're a fighter so I know the worst part of this whole ordeal is the sitting in bed and feeling useless part.
ReplyDeleteIf it helps, I'll ritually sacrifice a Koala (aka "Drop Bear") in your honour. It might help. It might not. All I know is we've got to damn many Drop Bears and any excuse is a good one.
Funny - Drop Bear...must be fun. Thank you my friend, I needed that little laugh. Take care.
DeleteRight now I don't think a single one of us cares if you miss replying to us. We are just glad to see that you are healing. I had missed the gangrene part, but caught it in comments, and that takes time and a lot of would care to get passed. And when you get home with that mini shop vac they will send with you, take well care of it. Those things can be a pain.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pretty Girl.
DeleteI was on Codeen and had a smurf dancing on my bed. Just wanted to share
ReplyDelete