It’s Friday night and I’ve had a busy day at the hospital. People have been coming in and out all day to check vitals, to get me medicine, to talk about test results, etc.
I had the fluid around my right lung drained today. It was about 1 liter of fluid. We decided to drain it because when we compared yesterday’s CT to the CT that was done a week and a half ago, there was quite a bit more fluid.
It is still painful to breathe and my shoulder is hurting more since the procedure. Supposedly that is not uncommon, but unfortunately it didn’t give as big of a relief as we hoped it would. The initial look at the fluid they pulled out from around my lung looks fine. They are sending it to a lab to let it grow for 2 days and will hear more about it then.
I talked to both Dr Leung and my Doctor from the hospital, and we have a pain management plan that doesn’t involve IV medication. That means I could go home with this same plan. We’ve also made a plan for the severe constipation.
Thank you for all the offers to help. And if it wasn’t for COVID, I would be asking for more help. When I was tested for COVID behind the hospital they had protective gear on, but you should have seen the fifth floor last night when they admitted me to the COVID/possibly has COVID floor. Ahhhhhhhhhhh! It was pretty scary to see the precautions they were going through. I’m so thankful for these nurses and doctors that are willing to put their lives at risk everyday to take care of total strangers like me. As soon as my COVID test came back clear they got me off that floor really fast. I was thankful for that, though I was pretty drugged up so don’t remember much.
Yesterday in general was just really not a good day. Now that I am more coherent, let me briefly tell you about the worst part of the day.
After they gave me the COVID test they explained that I had to go to the other side of the ER until they admitted me to the hospital or untill my COVID test came back negative and I went home.
I knew I was going to be admitted so that was good. But what happened next……was a mistake by someone and was horrible. I have never felt so alone and scared.
I was in so much pain and had just been wheeled away from my husband and I was worried that that was the last time I was ever going to see him.
However, the biggest problem is that they left me without the call button with the door all the way closed AND in pain from struggling to breathe!!!!!!!!!!
Hello?????????
I was in so much pain I couldn’t get up on my own. I tried to yell three times when I saw people walk by. I finally got on my phone and called the hospital switchboard and explained that I was stuck in an ER room without any way to communicate with my nurse and was in horrible pain. I asked if they could please send someone.
I think that was the scariest moment of my life!
Besides that ridiculous moment, the rest of my time here has been fine. I’ve had lots of ups and downs with pain. But I’ve also had some nice conversations with people that work here.
I’m still in pain and I am waiting for extra stool to leave. Because of this, I’m not comfortable going home yet. Hopefully tomorrow, but we’ll see. I’m not going to rush out. Struggling to breathe is scary!
I’m really tired so I probably won’t respond to many messages tonight. Thanks for understanding. And I’ve read through this multiple times. Sorry if parts of it still don’t make sense. ❤️❤️
Oh my goodness! What a terrifying experience! I am so glad to hear that your medical team is taking good care of you and working hard to find some solutions for you. Continued prayers for you, Tom and the girls. Prayers, big hugs and lots of love coming your way!
Completely coherent update, my friend. You amaze me.
I just got home from a 5 day unexpected hospital stay and gallbladder removal surgery. I empathize with what you saw on the Covid floor. The medical staff are so brave. I’m sorry you had such a scary experience in the room without communication options. Go you for calling the switchboard!!
Love and hugs!
Continue to keep you and the family in our thoughts and prayers.
Take care ❤
Again thank you for sharing. I continue to pray for you and tonight especially for your doctors and those caring for you.
Continuing to keep you , Tom and the girls in our prayers. You have gone through so much Jennifer but still a strong young woman . We all admire your strength that you have. So wonderful to see your faith so strong . God Bless you .
Still praying. Your positive attitude has been such an encouragement to me. I look forward to meeting you someday. I realize that probably won’t happen until we meet in Heaven, but I’m still looking forward to it. I’m praying for Tom and the girls as well. I know none of this is easy for them.
Continued prayers for you and your family dear Jennifer ❤
Praying for you friend! So sorry it has been this rough. Praying that the doctors can help you with your breathing because that is scary and that they will be able to help with all the pain❤
Oh, so scary and I can only begin to imagine. I stopped to pray that this would be a much better day for you and praised Him for his goodness to watch over you. You are an inspiration to many. May God meet your every need
So sorry for that scary moment in insulation. We are so thankful you tested negative and can be with Tom again. God gave us both the best husbands. Praying for the certain things to happen so you can be home again with your girls. Stay strong, you are an amazing Godly woman.
Wow, Jennifer, that had to been horribly scary. Praying for your pain level to subside and everything else to work fine.
It’s raining outside, but on rainy gloomy days I like to always remember the sun is still shining above the clouds.
I pray you feel the Son shine on you today.
My heart was pounding for you as you explained being left alone, in pain, behind closed doors and no way to communicate. That is awful! God is covering you with HIS strength and HIS courage as you continue to fight. I hope you will go home soon feeling relieved and with your pain under control. It sounds like you have a good team of doctors, a great team of Prayer Warriors and and a loving family. Your struggles and challenges are SO HARD but never let go of God’s hand or doubt that He is within you, in front of you, behind you, along side of you LOVING YOU every minute! May the Lord protect your body, mind, spirit and soul giving you a peace only He can give. This battle belongs to the Lord!!! Prayerfully!
So scary! Thinking of all of you, and praying for each of you individually. Praying for relief of current symptoms and successful treatment.