Exbf picked me up at 9:30 am. I was in ER in Birmingham shortly after 11 am. I sent him home. He did not need to go in and catch the flu. So, he drove across Birmingham and stayed there until I called him. I was discharged at about 10:30 pm. Yes, I spent just short of twelve hours in the ER.
The doctor said all tests show I have nothing. The illness is some sort of virus and not the flu. I do have a uti and got a shot. I had an iv for a little over an hour. And, it was described as "nothing."
There were literally dozens of people with the flu, lying across the chairs, leaning on friends, and looking and acting miserable.
Alabama declares a state of emergency due to flu outbreak. sooo
The whole ordeal was horrible due to abusive nurse and a peon with power. I will elaborate when I feel better.
I will tell you the highlight of the day. Since I had not eaten since the banana at 9:30 in the car on the way down, I was starving and asked the nurse if I could have something to eat. She advised that the peanut butter crackers would be best since I had diabetes. When I asked if the crackers were whole wheat, she said she did not know and would look.
"Cheeseburger?" I smiled.
She turned and laughed when I asked, and asked me if I wanted a turkey sandwich. I did not expect much, but was shocked when she returned. In a clamshell was a lovely bun with shaved turkey. There was grape juice, applesauce, spoon in plastic, mustard and mayo packets. The turkey sandwich was handwrapped in Glad wrap. I chose a Sprite, also.
I thought the turkey sandwich was the kind dispensed in machines. No sirree! When I ate it, I asked if I would be billed for the sandwich. She said it was from their own private stash. The ER must have things for the workers to eat stashed. Usually, I have had trouble getting the second oj or crackers.
And injection in my hip proved to be very painful since the med was thick. I lived. Tomorrow, I have three meds to fill.
I will try to catch up on blog reading tomorrow or maybe later.
Is the flu running rampant where you or relatives live?
I understand UAB has cancelled its elective surgeries because of the flu outbreak. Hope you are better tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteAnne,
DeleteThat's what I heard when I was on the way home. I just have to be better tomorrow. thanks.
I've heard of a couple of people here with it. My teacher daughter says people are calling in for Tamiflu and most reputable doctors are requiring they get a swab first to make sure they do have the flu. My aunt and uncle both had the flu in Indiana. I have a routine doctor's appointment Monday and I'll ask her. Hope you are feeling better, Linda! Fluids and rest....
ReplyDeleteNan,
DeleteI was not claiming to have flu, but no one offered me the little swab test. However, I suppose saying I had had the flu caused them to think I did not have the flu. I hope your relatives are okay. Deaths from this flu are shocking. Let me know. Thanks, After I get the prescriptions, I will do nothing.
Definitely fluids and rest. And yes, despite it being summer here there is flu about. A nasty one. I hope you start to feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine flu in the summer. Even colds are worse in summer. Thanks. I am tired but cannot sleep, so I got out the computer.
DeleteSo sorry Linda. I am a bit behind on my blog reading and did not realize you were so sick. When it is a viral infection, it is the worst, because they can do practically nothing. You just have to ride the tide. Hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteT'Pol,
DeleteThanks. I have been sick for over a month with one thing or another. I still feel terrible, but I am hoping for relief soon. thanks.
well it's annoying that they can't do anything for you but I'm pleased it's not too serious. Hang in there!
ReplyDeletekylie,
DeleteI have mixed thoughts on my condition. I don't want to be diagnosed as ill, but I want to feel better. Thanks.
I have been sick tonight with what I believe was/is some kind of stomach flu. I was so violently ill from one end to the other, that I strained my lower back while being sick. My fever has gone down to 99.8. When I was at my sickest, my blood sugar was going down pretty fast, but now that I am just a little feverish and my stomach has settled down, my blood sugar is going up a bit, but not to any scary numbers. I can't even stand the smell of food, let alone eat any. Cold water is tasting good to me right now, but I am sure using extra testing strips keeping an eye on my blood sugar. I can't tell if the blood sugar is doing something weird or if it is just the stomach virus making me feel odd and shaky.
ReplyDeleteA couple of years ago my husband suddenly became seriously ill. It was early morning before daylight when I had to call 911 to get him to the hospital. I got dressed quickly and drove to the hospital right after they took him in the ambulance. We waited for several hours in a curtained off section of the ER for him to get a room. I must have been looking pretty rough and worn out. I hadn't thought about food, but a sweet, angel ER nurse brought me a turkey sandwich with chips and a Sprite without me even asking. I was weak with hunger and hadn't even realized it, until I felt so much better after eating. I will always remember the kindness of that ER nurse.
My husband recuperated fine. He had an infection and ended up spending 14 days in the hospital.
I hope you feel better very soon.
Susie,
DeleteThat must have been some infection to keep him in the hospital for 14 days. That was an angel of a nurse. And, that was an angel of a nurse.
I hope you get better. You do have a virus, I am quite sure. It sounds like what I had. I did not check my blood sugar at all when I was the worst with the virus. I only drank water because I knew I would end up dehydrated. It evacuated my body from both ends as soon as I swallowed it, so it was difficult to even drink a swallow. He told me I had the uti and viral in stomach and intestines. Obviously, I have to tough this out. Maybe we will both get better soon.
Oh Linda-sorry you are ill and for the long hard experience. I know our health care workers do the best they can, but it doesn't make it easier. We avoid the ER but are fortunate to have a fair number of urgent care clinics, or clinics with urgent care slots for immediate walk-ins. I've never had to wait that long or with one of my family members. Of course if something happened after 9:00 p.m. we
ReplyDeletede be at the ER mercy as well.
Sam.\I did go to urgent and dr told me I belonged in the hospital! There is no call for rudeness for anyone out there.
DeleteI have never had to wait that long, but the wait is what drove me out of town. Well, that and the higher level of care. Our urgent care close at 6 pm. I wish one did stay open later.
So sorry you had to end up in ER. Apparently there is a flu epidemic where I live. The little town newspaper said there were 4 cases and the hospital was under quarantine LOL. I know it's not funny, but I'm so used to big numbers of people that 4 just struck my funny bone.
ReplyDeleteOne,
DeleteI know you are not being mean. Even in my small town, there are more. Yes, 4 would be amusing because it so small for most of us.
I am so sorry you are sick. Here in Houston, I am hearing about people being sick, but we are being little hermits, so I have not seen first hand. Get better soon!
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
DeleteI would have been more of a hermit if I knew how bad all this would be for me. Thanks.
A long day in the ER. No one's idea of a good time. You need to rest and eat healthy and take your meds. Viruses are tough little buggers and not much else to do but ride them out. Good luck. You are in my prayers.
ReplyDeletetana50,
DeleteAdd 1.50 hours at each end of the trip for driving me down there and back. And add that again for his driving to pick me up and then driving back after he dropped me off here. This virus does not respond well to healthy foods...lol. Thanks.
We have two strains of flu working their way through the city at the moment and the hospitals are pretty full. A friend of mine had to go to ER late one night last week - they took her through right away and she was on IV fluids for a few hours. Then it was simply rest at home with lots of fluids. One strain seems to be entirely respiratory and the other seems to involve nausea & the runs. My friend said that all family members were being moved out of ER into other waiting rooms so that ER was strictly for those who were ill and needed triage (helps to keep germs from spreading as well). I have an excellent doctor and her practice is super organized (and extensive) so I rarely have to go to ER. I know that people complain over the waiting and it is frustrating when you feel miserable but they really do have to use the triage method. I hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteMargie,
DeleteWhen I went to another hospital throwing up and diarrhea, I never left triage because it sounded contagious. So, this time I felt worse and had it for longer and stayed forever before seeing anyone. This time, I was sent to er and now er treated me and told me to follow up with my doctor. ugh Thanks
that suxs! hope you feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteIf you can stand it...drink cran juice...it has kept me out of the drs office for over 15 yrs....no sugar is a must too.
ME,
DeleteI have only drunk cranberry juice without sugar for the last few years. I will see how much money I have. It is certainly a good idea. Thanks.
I see flu-sorts all day long; it is amazing I don't catch it.
ReplyDeleteurspo,
DeleteYou have probably built up an immunity. I suppose you wipe down things your clients have touched.