Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Our (not-so-wonderful) trip to the ER....

Yesterday started out as a perfectly normal day. I felt wonderful,the kids did amazing and I was excited to have a surprise visit from Renee was so sweet and picked up some milk for us (we were out!)and then later on, from Christy!! Christy brought us an amazingly moist and flavorful potroast accompanied with some gourmet cupcakes from a local bakery in downtown Puyallup...I had been especially excited for Christys dinner because I have had her pot roast a couple times before and it always blows my socks off, but this time, unfortunatley, God had other plans...so as we were hanging out I began to feel a bit of chest pain...not in my heart (thank God!) but more near my gallbladder...I have acid reflux but this time it didnt feel like that is what it was. It was progressively getting worse and worse to where I couldnt speak in complete sentences. I almost had to cough in order to exhale. Thankfully, I have the experience of being an EMT and I think it really calmed me down. I realized I needed to swallow my pride and head to the ER. Our little neighbor girl zipped on over to watch Jacob and Steven, Norah and I sped to the hospital...We made record time and I think Steven has a future in NASCAR if the electrical thing doesnt work out As we waited...and waited...and waited I felt like I was going to die, meanwhile all the nurses and Dr's are ooohing and awwing over Norah,meanwhile, her mommy is doubled over in pain. To say the least, it was frustruating. Finally the admin lady called us over and Steven had to explain what was happening...she took my vitals asked a few question and was told to find a seat and another lady would call me over to fill out insurance info...whatever, fine. But when a young female comes in, newborn baby, unable to breathe and has chest pain...wouldnt you think that would be somewhere on the priority list??? Nope, apparantly not! I was sitting right along the rest of the "regulars" who just needed a place to sleep for the night...or a warm meal. You could tell they were regulars because all of the nurses knew them by their first names. I have done a few rotations in the past at Good Sam and believe me, I know the reputation their ER has...and its not a good one. Well this proved more than true last night. Unfortunatley, this was the closest hospital around. We finally get called for the insurance paperwork and the lady starts asking me...the person who can barely talk, all these questions about Norah...when was she born, what is her name...shes so beautiful ect ect ect...now dont get me wrong, I love hearing the sweet comments on the baby..but is this really the most appropriate time?? Something tells me she didnt take me seriously. (My vitals were all normal) Just as she was asking for my ID and insurance card, 2 ambulances came in...she wanted to make sure it wasnt a trauma and decided to go check it out...grrrr!! Thankfully, by that time, I could slowly talk again and was beginning to feel a little better. I knew we could very possibly end up staying all night and since I could breathe, we left. The ironic thing is that when we were leaving I saw 2 of my good friends who are paramedics standing outside. I wanted so badly to have them put me on the gurney and wheel me in as a priority patient!! We contemplated calling an ambulance to our house but in the time it would have taken them to get to our house and then to the hospital we would have already been halfway there. Plus, I think Steven did a great job, and saved us a couple hundred dollars!! So needless to say, Im doing fine today but just want to take it easy. Im going to schedule a Dr's appt to make sure I check out ok. I wonder if I took the medications Im on for Norahs delivery incorrectly, was this just an extreme case of acid reflux, or was this something more serious?? Regardless, I am one thankful girl today!! We both did a lot of praying and I know the Lord was watching over me yesterday. Praise God!! But lets just say, I wont be referring anyone to Good Samaritian any time soon....ugh!

3 comments:

Suzie said...

omg...that is so scary :( I'm sorry you had a horrible time at the ER..makes me worry since that's the hospital right next to us and all I've heard is negatives!! Glad to hear you're feeling better..when can I come see you?? Do you have any free time on Friday?

Angela Miller said...

You didn't tell me you went to the ER! I hope you are feeling better!!!! Take it easy. I feel like crying...I don't want my friend to be hurting.

Jessica said...

Sorry you had to go to the hospital!I hope everything turns out ok! you know enumclaw has a hospital and their part of the franscian system which I just love.