Warning, this will probably be a long post. DH was admitted to the hospital this morning at 7:00. Here's the story....
DH came home from work last night complaining of a stomach ache which he thought was due to eating an apple (he has Crohn's disease and fresh fruit can irritate his stomach sometimes). After being miserable for an hour with painful cramps and bloating, he finally threw up...then continued to throw up for the next 3 hours. We were starting to think maybe a stomach virus, but just to be sure we went to the emergency room around midnight. (Besides having Crohn's disease, he also has a recalled hernia patch which is going to be replaced in Dec, but severe vomiting and stomach cramps are symptoms of both.)
They hooked him up to an IV for fluids (which we expected), took blood and gave him demerol for the cramps, and something for nausa...of course it took an hour to get that and he threw up again while we were waiting. At that point, it was after 1:00, and I had to work this morning. So did he, but his boss is much more forgiving about taking days off. If I called off, I would have gotten fired, so he demanded I go home. We both thought he would get the IV fluids, they would give him something and send him home. He said he would take a cab.
So, I felt so bad, but I was so tired and he was basically falling asleep from the demerol, so I drove myself home. Of course, I couldn't sleep (I did try!). I figured he would be there for a few more hours, and when I hadn't heard from him by 3:00am, I called the emergency room. The nurse that answered the phone was very nasty, and said the only thing she could tell me was that he was still here. After I repeated I was his wife, she said "I can't verify that you are who you say you are". I offered to verify my date of birth and my ssn (since I had to verify when we were in admissions, and I AM listed on his medical records as next of kin) and she just got nastier with me.
So, I tried to go back to sleep and of course I couldn't. I kept waiting for him to come in the door. When he wasn't there by 4:00 I called again just to see if he was on his way. Same nurse answered, but this time she said he was there and just went down for a cat scan. Why???? She couldn't tell me why, which I can understand I guess. The doctors order them but don't put a reason.
Well, at that point I felt so guilty about not staying with him, I was determinded to go back to the hospital. I got in the shower with every intention to drive back up. Has anyone actually fallen asleep in the shower? It isn't a good thing. So, I decided the best thing was to get some sleep.
I got a little over 2 hours sleep when DH called around 7:00am letting me know they admitted him for 2 days! Why??? Because his blood work shows that he has an infection, but they have no idea where it is. And, at this point he has "slow bowels" (TMI, I know, but for someone with Crohn's disease that is not a good thing).
He is feeling MUCH better tonight and was able to keep down a solid dinner. But, honestly, I panic if someone I love is admitted to the hospital. I think it comes from the fact I was their when my mom and dad died in the hospital. To me, the only good thing that comes from being admitted is if someone is having a baby. To me, being admitted is close to a death sentence. In my mind, I know that is stupid, but my imagination starts going and I can't stop it, especially if I can't get any info (ok, example...."All I can tell you is that he is still here". My immediate thought process was, "Ok, is he still there sleeping off the demerol? Is he in emergency surgery or is he in the morgue??)
I guess I just needed to get this out. Sorry this is so long. It's just be a frustrating day.
DH came home from work last night complaining of a stomach ache which he thought was due to eating an apple (he has Crohn's disease and fresh fruit can irritate his stomach sometimes). After being miserable for an hour with painful cramps and bloating, he finally threw up...then continued to throw up for the next 3 hours. We were starting to think maybe a stomach virus, but just to be sure we went to the emergency room around midnight. (Besides having Crohn's disease, he also has a recalled hernia patch which is going to be replaced in Dec, but severe vomiting and stomach cramps are symptoms of both.)
They hooked him up to an IV for fluids (which we expected), took blood and gave him demerol for the cramps, and something for nausa...of course it took an hour to get that and he threw up again while we were waiting. At that point, it was after 1:00, and I had to work this morning. So did he, but his boss is much more forgiving about taking days off. If I called off, I would have gotten fired, so he demanded I go home. We both thought he would get the IV fluids, they would give him something and send him home. He said he would take a cab.
So, I felt so bad, but I was so tired and he was basically falling asleep from the demerol, so I drove myself home. Of course, I couldn't sleep (I did try!). I figured he would be there for a few more hours, and when I hadn't heard from him by 3:00am, I called the emergency room. The nurse that answered the phone was very nasty, and said the only thing she could tell me was that he was still here. After I repeated I was his wife, she said "I can't verify that you are who you say you are". I offered to verify my date of birth and my ssn (since I had to verify when we were in admissions, and I AM listed on his medical records as next of kin) and she just got nastier with me.
So, I tried to go back to sleep and of course I couldn't. I kept waiting for him to come in the door. When he wasn't there by 4:00 I called again just to see if he was on his way. Same nurse answered, but this time she said he was there and just went down for a cat scan. Why???? She couldn't tell me why, which I can understand I guess. The doctors order them but don't put a reason.
Well, at that point I felt so guilty about not staying with him, I was determinded to go back to the hospital. I got in the shower with every intention to drive back up. Has anyone actually fallen asleep in the shower? It isn't a good thing. So, I decided the best thing was to get some sleep.
I got a little over 2 hours sleep when DH called around 7:00am letting me know they admitted him for 2 days! Why??? Because his blood work shows that he has an infection, but they have no idea where it is. And, at this point he has "slow bowels" (TMI, I know, but for someone with Crohn's disease that is not a good thing).
He is feeling MUCH better tonight and was able to keep down a solid dinner. But, honestly, I panic if someone I love is admitted to the hospital. I think it comes from the fact I was their when my mom and dad died in the hospital. To me, the only good thing that comes from being admitted is if someone is having a baby. To me, being admitted is close to a death sentence. In my mind, I know that is stupid, but my imagination starts going and I can't stop it, especially if I can't get any info (ok, example...."All I can tell you is that he is still here". My immediate thought process was, "Ok, is he still there sleeping off the demerol? Is he in emergency surgery or is he in the morgue??)
I guess I just needed to get this out. Sorry this is so long. It's just be a frustrating day.