The following entry is a recounting of the day's events on Saturday, March 11, 2006. The entries are out of synch in regards to the timeline:
I awaken to an unbearable pain in my right leg at 3:30 a.m. today. Check that, EXCRUCIATING!
I popped two Vicodin at 6:30 a.m. to alleviate the pain. No results. I am reminded what Brydon had told me. I keep his words alive every time I pop those pills. I wound up taking five of those pills with my last pill taken at 6:00 p.m. No results. No relief. Why don't these pills do what they are supposed to do?
When I urinate, it is only a trickle. The pain is too intense. I try to stand. I try to sit. Nothing but a trickle if I am lucky. I have the urge, but I cannot purge. Yes, it sounds funny by saying that but it is not a good sign as far as I am concerned.
Speaking of that part of a man's anatomy, I now have erectile dysfunction due to my sciatica. It's not working. Viagra? Not in my lifetime! Either I can do it naturally(?) or not at all. Figures.
One of the side effects of Vicodin is constipation. I have not had a "#2" today. This concerns me. I am contemplating Ex-Lax or any other over the counter stool softener. If it ain't one thing it is another!
All I had to eat today was a plain wheat bagel from Brueggers that I bought last Saturday, March 4. NO RICE!
I couldn't take a catnap in fear of awakening in a different kind of "water bed."
I "walk" to the closet to get out my Thermalite mattress pad that I use for my camping trips. Blowing it up only intensifies my agony. I lie on it on the livingroom floor. I prop my legs on either the chair or the ottoman trying to find a comfortable position. No relief.
Every breath is accompanied with a moan of pain. Check that, groan.
Evening comes. I am in my bed around 8:00 p.m. I am writhing in pain. The heating pad does not provide relief.
I am contemplating calling 911 for an ambulance ride to the nearest ER. I pack some clothes in my athletic duffel bag. I crawl to the door to unlock it. I put my cellphone, glasses, bottle of Vicodin, wallet and apartment keys in my fleece jacket with zippered pockets. So if the paramedics have any questions, I have the answers in my jacket pocket. If the ER staff asks if I there is anyone to contact, my cellphone has the answers. I am lying on the floor with my land line phone. All I have to do is hit 9-1-1.
I had called Kindra this morning to tell her I am in pain. I called her because she had the same epidural procedures I am going through. I leave a voicemail message telling her of my symptoms. I need self-assurance. I call her again around 8:30 p.m. I don't remember. She offers to take me to emergency. She tells me to call the on-call nurse at my hospital.
She arrives to pick me up and we drive up Bristol to locate the hospital. We drive to the entrance and she drops me off while she finds a place to park.
I report to the window and I am handed paperwork to fill out. I stand. Sitting is not an option. Besides, there are a lot of people in the waiting area.
There is a small Hispanic boy crying in pain from his elbow. I wish I could cry with him. I could but it will be lace with profanity.
I am summoned for triage. Blood pressure, temperature, what the hell if bothering me. I am asked to return to the lounge are until a space in the ER becomes available.
Dr. Choi is my attending physician. Good doctor. He prescribes Flexeril and Dilaudid. The nurse administers the pill and the shot in the arm. Whoa. This stuff is potent! The doctor returns to check up on me after the shot takes effect. I am feeling no pain at this stage.
Kindra and I leave the hospital around 11:30 p.m. She drops me off and I ask her to call me when she returns home safely. She calls and then I retire for the evening. Check that! For the morning. It is 1:30 when I finally fall asleep. I have been awake for 22 hours.
To all you bloggers out there: If you have a friend like Kindra consider yourselves very lucky that there a few good people out there willing to go above and beyond. I owe her big time. She has been there for me in my time of need and now it is my duty to reciprocate.
