Tales from the ER

After dealing with a worsening neckache for 4 days last week, I decided to finally go to the doctor when I could no longer concentrate at work. It was around noon when I called my doctor's office, and was not surprised when I was told that not a single doctor at my clinic would be able to see me that afternoon...they told me to go to Urgent Care. I've been to Urgent Care a few times in my 6.5 years here, and I've never felt satisfied when I've left. So I decided to go to the ER instead. I wanted to go to an ER in Mpls (at Fairview Riverside), but I could hardly drive since my neckache/headache was getting so bad, so I opted to go to the ER at Methodist in SLP (between work and home). I had my 3 leg surgeries at Fairview Riverside, and was impressed with the staff and facility each time. I had my tonsils out last year at Methodist, and it was a bad experience all around....but Methodist was closest. While driving there, I accidently ran a stop sign--actually, I was halfway through it when I noticed it and slammed on my brakes. It was freaky because there was another car just about to pull out.

I checked in at the front desk of the ER at about 12:45 pm, and surveyed the waiting room to try to calculate my wait. There were only about 5 other people there, so I figured the wait wouldn't be too long. What I forgot to figure in was that when an ambulance comes in, the patient doesn't go through the waiting room. I'm not sure how many ambulances came in while I was there, but there was a guy who came running in with his hand all bloody and he was freaking out...so he obviously got to go right in, but he was surprised that the nurses made him have a seat so they could get his information first (I'll admit that I was surprised too). In fact, he was treated and walked out (to go to another hospital) while I was still in the waiting room. I was feeling worse and worse as I sat there, and I'm sure that was also the case for the woman with gall stones, the old man with part of his ear missing (which would occasional start bleeding), and the guy my age doubled over in pain and waiting for about the same amount of time as me.

They finally called me in around 3:45 pm...only a 3 hour wait. So the nurse did her thing (vitals, etc.) then the doctor came in about an hour later. She ruled out anything really serious, and ordered some x-rays, a shot (with a painkiller), and a muscle relaxant pill. Then I just laid around waiting for the drugs to work and waiting for the doctor to come in--during that time, I heard a lot of interesting stories, including one about the ER patient that had just "coded" on his way to his room in the hospital. Then another nurse came in and said "we're going to move you out in the hallway because we have a critical patient coming in". So, there I was in the hallway, in my hospital gown and jeans, laying on my little hospital bed with my purse and clothes stuffed in next to me, greeting the EMTs as they came in. People couldn't help but stare, and one EMT stopped to chat..."so, they put you in the hallway...and I thought I had a bad day." Then he asked if I was just waiting to get discharged...the truth was that I had no idea what I was waiting for. The "critical patient" came in...I was afraid to look, but they had to pass me in the hallway. Luckily, she didn't look 'that' critical. Then finally I saw a familiar face...Pete came wandering through the halls in search of the "hallway patient". I cried. It had been a long week, and an extremely long day. Pete was freaked out to be in the ER...he didn't want to look at anything or anyone. The doc finally came back and said the x-rays looked fine. She told me to try the painkillers and muscle relaxants for a few days, then follow-up with my doctor if it's not better...she said it's possible it's a pinched nerve or a disc problem. I finally left around 6:30 pm.

Four days later, I'm finally feeling a little better, and I have an appointment with a chiropractor tomorrow. This will be my first time seeing a chiropractor...the idea has always kind of freaked me out, so I'm a bit nervous. I'm hoping an adjustment, and maybe a massage later this week will take care of the remainder of my discomfort. I've been sitting around doing nothing for the last week, so I'm anxious to get back on my bike!!

I've come to terms with the fact that strange medical ailments seem to seek me out.

Last Saturday night, I had dinner with Maren and her boyfriend's roommate, Mason. Ironically, Mason was my childhood friend/neighbor. It was fun to hang out with Mason and reminisce. That's a picture of us on our first day of school...I'm guessing it's 5th or 6th grade. I'm the tomboy with my green Park & Rec softball shirt, matching green tube socks, and my favorite Asics velcro tennis shoes. Mason's the cute innocent one in the blue-sleeved shirt. Recognize Jen?

On a total side note, I want to wish a belated Happy Anniversary to Karen and Chris...six years has flown by!!


SS