man wearing medical suit
Self care,  Thinking

The Good, the Bad and the Medical: Off-loading Spare Parts

“It was a dark and stormy night.” Oh, no. Wait. That’s for bad fiction. This is a story about bad reality. Medical reality. In a hospital.  Well, maybe not all that bad. Judge for yourself.

I had been diagnosed with a fairly significant bulge in my neck — a disc that was creating a lot of pain and causing lots of trouble with my right hand and arm. So, after multiple x-rays, MRI’s and doctors’ visits, surgery was scheduled.

[bctt tweet=”Despite my conviction that my right hand would soon again be fully functional, I was a bit of a wreck: I’d not been overnight in a hospital since the birth of my son.” username=”AndreaPatten”]

Despite my conviction that my right hand would soon again be fully functional, I was a bit of a wreck: I’d not been overnight in a hospital since my son was born almost 40 years ago.

We arrived for surgery at dark thirty and got checked in.  We had what has come to be known as the “extended family surgical procedure good luck charm” — a Pittsburgh Steelers’ Terrible Towel. A close friend drove down to keep my husband company during the 3-hour operating room time and be on hand when I was done.  For reasons you’ll soon learn, I don’t yet have all the details of this apparently very cool robot-assisted event, but when I came to, I was wearing a neck collar and the pain in my arm was gone. Favorite Husband spent the night with me and, by the next afternoon, I was home with two dogs who could not have been happier to cover the big bed with major nap energy. Life was pretty good. Minimal pain. Good movies. Cuddly dogs, attentive husband, and lots of naps.

[bctt tweet=”I was home with 2 dogs who could not have been happier to cover the big bed with major nap energy. ” username=”AndreaPatten”]

And then, two or three days in, I started to get sick. Very sick. Nausea and vomiting. Intense abdominal pain. I’d had a similar episode a while back, but it was a single episode and resolved fairly quickly. This was not the same thing. Bigger. Stronger. Uglier. I had no idea what was going on nor did the Emergency Room people. They re-hydrated me, warmed me up, and sent me home where I did my best to go back to napping and watching movies. This time it didn’t work. I continued to get sicker. And apparently, that was good news.

[bctt tweet=”On my next trip to the Emergency Room, the doc was able to see something in the bloodwork that allowed him to tell my fortune.” username=”AndreaPatten”]

On my next trip to the Emergency Room, the doc was able to see something in the bloodwork that allowed him to tell my fortune:  he told of an emergency gallbladder surgery, three more nights in the hospital and a full recovery. At least that’s what my husband and best friend told me. It was hard to hear with my head hanging over the edge.

But his predictions were completely accurate and I’m back home. The dogs are back on the bed and Favorite Husband and I have started streaming Oscar-nominated films. My digestive system is no longer trying to kill me and I sleep a lot. But despite feeling like someone who has had two major surgeries in less than two weeks, I feel pretty good. Today I got dressed and went to the office — made it by the crack of 11:00 and we won’t get too picky about what “dressed” means.

My concentration is coming back. I’m reading and planning and getting ready for two wonderful February book events. A friend has suggested I skip January 2019 and go with the Lunar New Year, currently being celebrated. That could work — my first go-round with a new year has not been especially user-friendly.

[bctt tweet=”A friend has suggested I skip January 2019 and go with the Lunar New Year, currently being celebrated. That could work.” username=”AndreaPatten”]

I’m excited to co-host the first-ever indie author reception at our book festival, listen to some top-notch authors, and meet storytellers who want to join with others to make what we do better.

Off-loading worn-out and unnecessary spare parts may just have made room for one more bit of story and adventure.

 

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16 Comments

  • micahward

    It was indeed a dark and stormy night and you have endured insult to your person that no person should have to endure. Be that as it may, with strength and appropriate orneriness, you have triumphantly given the finger to the fickle finger of medical fate and come out on top once again.

    I salute you lady!

  • Vatsala Shukla

    Thank God you’re well again, Andrea. I actually liked the beginning of your post. Wasn’t it Snoopy who kept starting his magnum opus with these lines. If I understand literature properly, that sentence is among the worst book opening lines ever.

    Get well soon and share the details of the Indie-Author Reception.

  • Laura Joseph

    Wow what a journey and a shedding you experienced. No pun intended. Lol. Glad you are home and recovering well. May February continue on the upswing

  • Lisa Hutchison

    Dear Andrea, I knew you had one surgery, I didn’t realize you had two! Wow,- you have been through it. I see these experiences are already inspiration for your writing. 🙂 Get well soon. Sending you lots of love and healing light. xx

  • debraoakland

    What a journey Andrea. At least you are recuperating and feeling much more yourself. I love your writing style – truly a writer of the first order. You paint a picture beautifully with all your writing. Cheers to you, your renewed health and recovery.

  • Pat Martoccci

    Andrea,

    SO sorry to hear! I also had ER trips followed finally by diagnosis and Gall Bladder surgery in November, just in time to make Thanksgiving interesting. Can’t imagine combining that with anything else. So glad favorite husband and loving pooches were there for you. And MOST glad to hear it will all have been worth it as they fixed what has plagued you for so long!

    Pat

  • ckkochis2017

    Oh my… What a journey. I’m glad you’re on the mend and getting the rest your body needs to heal. You are resting, right? It’s nice to see that you didn’t loose your sense of humor and sass along the way. Be well, my friend.

  • Lore (like "story") Raymond

    What an adventure you’ve been on! As always you make lemonade out of lemons–you’re so blessed to have Favorite Husband and pups by your side…then you already know and express that. Streaming a healing hug your way!

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