I'd gladly eat Liver & Onions with a side of Lima beans and a dirty lettuce salad topped with Blue Cheese dressing - as long as I don't EVER have to consume a cup of Maalox mixed with Lidocaine EVER again! I'll get back to this cocktail in a minute.
If you didn't know this, I have always had trouble with my stomach. I am known to carry antacids (in pill and in tablet form). I get really sick when I get nervous, or upset. I have troubles with milk based foods. I also have trouble with fast food.
My stomach troubles picked up again this week. I've had a horrible clenching feeling at the top of my stomach after eating lunch every day this week. I eat lunch, spend an hour doubled over and it goes away.
I'd eaten lunch yesterday, (half a roast beef and cheese sandwich, a handful of chips and a few cashew nuts) and about a half hour after eating, as expected, here came the pain! An hour passed but, it didn't leave. Into the second hour, I called Jeremy, he convinced me to call my Dr., I talked to his nurse and waited for her to call back. Dr. wanted an ultrasound of my gallbladder but traditional means require a 6 hour fast and he didn't want to waste that time so I was sent to the hospital emergency room.
The clock read 3:25 PM when I checked in at the hospital. I sat patiently in the waiting room holding my stomach for about 10 minutes before I was called back. The poor woman in reception had to ask me each question twice as all I could concentrate on was the huge trash can behind her and how I could plow her over to get to it to throw up!
The nurse led me back to room 9 and rounding the corner back to my room, I caught a whiff of disinfectant and I thought I'd see my lunch again as the gal dove for a trash can for me - luckily I didn't need it. She got me settled in my room with a lovely gown and a "Sickness Bag" to wait for the other nurse.
I had a heck of a time getting comfortable on that gurney. Sit up, lie down, on my side, on my back, left, right - nothing eased the pain or the nausea. Oh the nausea! The nurse came back with a Paramedic Student named Shawn. Surprisingly, Shawn put me at ease (he reminded me a lot of our friend Shaun from the fire department). He asked, I answered and I went back to waiting.
Then came the Dr. and I about fell out of that bed! He looked just like an ex-boyfriend of mine! I had to look at him twice! I mean I knew it couldn't be - Randy is a fire chief up by Manistee. There's no freaking way he's a Dr.! Anyway, he poked and prodded, prodded and poked. He asked a bunch of questions and left.
Soon after, the gal came in and took 3 vials of my blood. She did a great job! I'm a needle chicken and I barely noticed the poke. She had 2 of the 3 done before I even knew it! I don't even have a bruise!
And then another guy came and we went for a ride on the gurney to the ultrasound room for them to take some pictures of my gallbladder! I really would have rather walked than be pushed on that gurney! The U/S Tech poked and prodded and clicked on her computer. When her task was complete, she wheeled me back to number nine. As we were rounding the last corner, I looked up and there was Jeremy coming down the hall. He'd sent Jacob off with G & G S. and came to be with me. Though he missed the worst of it all, I have never been happier to see him!
Back in room 9 and alone with Jeremy, I finally could let it go. I had a few tears from my hurt and for being scared. The clenching in my stomach was starting to ease. I finally had to pee - and give them the long awaited sample for my last test.
Around 5:00 PM the Dr. came back in said all of my tests were normal. My ultrasound showed that my gallbladder was clinched and the didn't see any gallstones though sometimes the clinching can hide them. There wasn't anything to cause alarm. He said he'd have the nurse bring back my cocktail (Maalox and Lidocaine, remember?) and I could go. Maalox for the acid in my stomach, Lidocaine to numb it. I was really surprised to see the Dr. come back with a little cup, "Here you go!" he said. Think peppermint flavored Bactine. I have never tasted ANYTHING THAT AWFUL! I was numb from the teeth back. Dr. came back once more, asked if I drank it or threw it in the trash, he admitted that he'd smelled it, that it smelled really bad, and he turned me loose.
I was diagnosed with gastritis, given a prescription for Prevacid with instructions to follow up with my regular doctor.
I was out and heading home at 6:04 PM - not bad. Not bad. I met Jeremy back at home, we went and picked up Jacob, came back home where I crashed on the couch. Jacob was most interested in my "ban-bains" (Band-Aids) which were actually the ID bands from the hospital. He was satisfied once they were off - though he kept them.
Jacob was still worried about me this morning "Mommy? Are you okay?" I am feeling much better. Still a little queasy but, no pain. I'm taking my diet back to bland and start slowly introducing foods/drinks to see if I can establish a pattern or what sets this off. I'm thankful to not have anything serious, thankful Jeremy could be there with me but, a little scared for the bill. Let's hope it doesn't send me back there!
If you didn't know this, I have always had trouble with my stomach. I am known to carry antacids (in pill and in tablet form). I get really sick when I get nervous, or upset. I have troubles with milk based foods. I also have trouble with fast food.
My stomach troubles picked up again this week. I've had a horrible clenching feeling at the top of my stomach after eating lunch every day this week. I eat lunch, spend an hour doubled over and it goes away.
I'd eaten lunch yesterday, (half a roast beef and cheese sandwich, a handful of chips and a few cashew nuts) and about a half hour after eating, as expected, here came the pain! An hour passed but, it didn't leave. Into the second hour, I called Jeremy, he convinced me to call my Dr., I talked to his nurse and waited for her to call back. Dr. wanted an ultrasound of my gallbladder but traditional means require a 6 hour fast and he didn't want to waste that time so I was sent to the hospital emergency room.
The clock read 3:25 PM when I checked in at the hospital. I sat patiently in the waiting room holding my stomach for about 10 minutes before I was called back. The poor woman in reception had to ask me each question twice as all I could concentrate on was the huge trash can behind her and how I could plow her over to get to it to throw up!
The nurse led me back to room 9 and rounding the corner back to my room, I caught a whiff of disinfectant and I thought I'd see my lunch again as the gal dove for a trash can for me - luckily I didn't need it. She got me settled in my room with a lovely gown and a "Sickness Bag" to wait for the other nurse.
I had a heck of a time getting comfortable on that gurney. Sit up, lie down, on my side, on my back, left, right - nothing eased the pain or the nausea. Oh the nausea! The nurse came back with a Paramedic Student named Shawn. Surprisingly, Shawn put me at ease (he reminded me a lot of our friend Shaun from the fire department). He asked, I answered and I went back to waiting.
Then came the Dr. and I about fell out of that bed! He looked just like an ex-boyfriend of mine! I had to look at him twice! I mean I knew it couldn't be - Randy is a fire chief up by Manistee. There's no freaking way he's a Dr.! Anyway, he poked and prodded, prodded and poked. He asked a bunch of questions and left.
Soon after, the gal came in and took 3 vials of my blood. She did a great job! I'm a needle chicken and I barely noticed the poke. She had 2 of the 3 done before I even knew it! I don't even have a bruise!
And then another guy came and we went for a ride on the gurney to the ultrasound room for them to take some pictures of my gallbladder! I really would have rather walked than be pushed on that gurney! The U/S Tech poked and prodded and clicked on her computer. When her task was complete, she wheeled me back to number nine. As we were rounding the last corner, I looked up and there was Jeremy coming down the hall. He'd sent Jacob off with G & G S. and came to be with me. Though he missed the worst of it all, I have never been happier to see him!
Back in room 9 and alone with Jeremy, I finally could let it go. I had a few tears from my hurt and for being scared. The clenching in my stomach was starting to ease. I finally had to pee - and give them the long awaited sample for my last test.
Around 5:00 PM the Dr. came back in said all of my tests were normal. My ultrasound showed that my gallbladder was clinched and the didn't see any gallstones though sometimes the clinching can hide them. There wasn't anything to cause alarm. He said he'd have the nurse bring back my cocktail (Maalox and Lidocaine, remember?) and I could go. Maalox for the acid in my stomach, Lidocaine to numb it. I was really surprised to see the Dr. come back with a little cup, "Here you go!" he said. Think peppermint flavored Bactine. I have never tasted ANYTHING THAT AWFUL! I was numb from the teeth back. Dr. came back once more, asked if I drank it or threw it in the trash, he admitted that he'd smelled it, that it smelled really bad, and he turned me loose.
I was diagnosed with gastritis, given a prescription for Prevacid with instructions to follow up with my regular doctor.
I was out and heading home at 6:04 PM - not bad. Not bad. I met Jeremy back at home, we went and picked up Jacob, came back home where I crashed on the couch. Jacob was most interested in my "ban-bains" (Band-Aids) which were actually the ID bands from the hospital. He was satisfied once they were off - though he kept them.
Jacob was still worried about me this morning "Mommy? Are you okay?" I am feeling much better. Still a little queasy but, no pain. I'm taking my diet back to bland and start slowly introducing foods/drinks to see if I can establish a pattern or what sets this off. I'm thankful to not have anything serious, thankful Jeremy could be there with me but, a little scared for the bill. Let's hope it doesn't send me back there!
Oh wow, Gail, I'm so sorry to hear this. The whole time I was reading I kept thinking, this sounds alot like what I go through every once in awhile. The only thing I can do to make it better is go to bed. Nothing really seems to help.
ReplyDeleteI hope you stay feeling better and can figure out what it is that is triggering the pain. You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Wow...that's quite the ordeal you went through yesterday. :( Sounds awful. So the doctor gave you that diagnosis...did he say what might be the cause of the gastritis? Or is it just sort of a guessing game? Keep us posted. I hope that this is something that can be controlled easily!
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