A trip to the Emergency Room.

   

     Now here is some culpability on my end.  Really hope that is the correct word.  Since this was set up I bought her a pack of smokes.  There was a smoking program at the rehab center.  Had to make apologies for that when I called her a liar.

     There is almost nothing creepier than an empty E.R.  To me at least.  We got there.  They did the usual.  I brought her stuff in and left her ensconced there.  She was to call me to let me know when she got to the rehab.

     Long story shortened.  She was in Congested Heart Failure.  There is enough out there for you all to look it up.  This was news.  So she would be there for a few days. Things did not go well and I don't mean health wise.

     B.I.L went up.  There was a fuss about her going for a smoke.  Apparently they no longer let you smoke in front of this hospital anymore.  But that wasn't even the issue.  A wheel chair was never brought up.  Okay the next night was mine.

     She was in her bitchy mood. We were going to the lounge.  It was on the same floor.  I saw no real reason to deny this request.  Wheel chair was brought forth.  Nurse offered to help.  Sister wanted to wait.  Well I didn't notice but the nurse did.  She'd dropped a smoke and a book of matches.

     There was a bit of a row.  She demanded to be let out front to smoke.  They said no.  Things began to get loud.  They said she couldn't go out with the heart thing.  So she took it off.  This brought nurses in thinking a problem.  Then she said fine.  She was going to go to the bathroom.  She did.  And they smelled it.

     Yup, in a hospital room, with oxygen on, she was smoking in the bathroom.  They busted the door made her flush it. And that was that.

     At some point she came to her senses and when it was she an I in there she asked if they were going to ask her to leave.  I went out and told the nurses she was ready to apologize.  

     Upon returning home I related the tale to the B.I.L., who had a few choice words to say.  Then as I finished she called begging me not to tell him.  To his credit he never did.  Another tale.

     At some point there'd been a room change.  I'm actually not sure what transpired.  I think a nurse had been mean or something.  The phone rang at about 2 in the morning.  I woke up B.I.L. shaking me, saying the typical "I can't do this anymore you talk to her" handed me the phone and walked away.  Lovely way to be woken up.


"Morning."
"You have to come and get me right now.  I am not staying here another minute." there was probably a rather lengthy explanation that time woven away.

     I explained that they did not release people out of the hospital at 2 in the morning.  I also explained I was most likely not getting past security in the E.R.  As most hospitals, this one closes the main entrance and  you go in through the E.R.

     There was some more unpleasantness and she hung up on me.  B.I.L. was standing looking utterly disheveled.  I told him to go back to bed, I'd take the next couple of calls.  Phone rang.

"Well are you coming to get me!?"

"No I'm not.  Sorry."

"Fine then I'll call a cab!."

"I'll leave the porch light on and unlock the front door."

     If a cell phone could have a receiver to slam down, that would be what happened next.  But in this age of technology she just hung up on me.  She called back about 30 min. later and apologized.  She also said she was going to stay the night.  

     Part of me wishes this was all in order in my memory.  But it just isn't anymore.  This is the best I can offer.  If there are any repeats or such, just blame the authors memory.

     As I recalled we got a call from the hospital, another 2 in the morn call. There had been a cardiac event and she'd stopped breathing for a length of time.  She called later and cleared it up.  And this goes by what I've said before in these entries, Stay Alert!

     Long story short.  They knew about the C.H.F.  They knew she needed a CPAP machine.  They just didn't provide one.  That was what happened.  All was fine.  She was back in rehab 2 days later.

Another #$*%&@* hospital trip.

     So I just figured I'd go to the E.R.  I mean they always have cautions for people with heart issues and such.  I decided to go to the one 50 some odd miles away.  I felt comfortable there.

     Went dressed far to warmly.  The chills were now full body.  Shivered as the heater from my car pumped in tons of hot air.  Finally got there.  Had to park on the lowest level of the garage.  It was however just opposite the elevator so I was pleased.  To the E.R.

     Long story shortened I had a temp of about 102.  So they took me in.  I was bundled down in blankets like a freaking mummy.  Still the chills came and went.  Had an elderly lady next to me.  No never saw her.  Did hear her and her family though.  Apparently she'd tripped on the pavement and slammed her head.  They feared a concussion.

     No idea about the person next to me.  They came and drew blood, even gave me some kind of flu detection test.  Time passed and I passed in and out.  Hit about 103.  Awoke.

    I was no longer flanked by the 2 people opposite me.  Someone came and asked if I'd been told I had the flu.  They then put a mask on me.  I'm guessing because I was coughing.  Shipped off to a private room in the E.R.  Hell it even had a private bathroom.

     There I languished and cancelled plans for dinner.  Called relations.  Informed work I would not be in Friday.  Was given food and med called Tamiflu.  Which I did hear about.  Oh and this room had a T.V.

     Basically when the Temp stabilized at about 100 they decided I didn't need to be admitted.  I was released some time Friday night.  Near rush hour.  Just felt damned stupid that I'd caught the flu and had to go to the hospital.  Made my way home.

     Got meds from pharmacy and a brand new digital thermometer for me.  Whoopee.  Sister told me she didn't expect to see me that weekend.  Gee thanks.

t.b.c.