my first ER visit
Jan. 20th, 2007 04:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
verbicideAs I told Sarah later, "I'm special. I don't have to go to the ER because my dad's a doctor." Unless, of course, my dad tells me I should go to the ER.
My first mistake, apparently, was waking up. I'm not sure what the hell happened between the time I tumbled into bed and the moment my alarm went off, but it included corneal abrasion. I woke up, there was searing pain. I lurched around, shocked by the pain, thinking that it was just an eyelash--because those fuckers can really hurt. But through the blurred vision and flood of tears, I sure as hell couldn't see anything in there. I tried to splash water into it, and stuttered my way through my phone-date with Didier (having canceled last week, I didn't want to cancel today), and then finally called to ask Sarah if she could bring over some eye drops because I was in a world of hurt. Meanwhile, I also called my dad.
My dad is an amazing doctor. I mean, really amazing. Over the past however many years I have lived away from home, especially during periods without medical insurance, he has diagnosed the weirdest things over the phone. He almost instantly knows what it is after hearing like three random symptoms, and both diagnoses and prescribes within minutes. He is always exactly right. Even when those symptoms could be one or three different things. I know he's been practicing medicine for over forty years, but I truly believe he has a gift.
Anyhow. So he told me exactly what it probably was and exactly what the ER doctor would do. He also didn't think I should let it lie until Monday. I called Jeff, who awesomely checked on our medical benefits and determined that going to the ER wouldn't actually beggar me for life.
So I've never been to the ER, and have a sort of tv-drama-oriented view of it. But Sarah has spent an unfortunate amount of time in them for various reasons and with various people, and was an excellent guide. It was largely uneventful (except for the major eye-owie). We checked in. We waited while people with more severe problems went ahead of me. (Which, honestly, as much as I hate waiting, I had no problem with.) Then nice people calmly asked me a few questions, took a few vital signs, and stuck me in a room. An angel of a nurse stopped by and asked more questions and was very soothing. Then awhile later the doctor stopped by. Everyone asked the same questions. I gave them the same answers. It was a very calm exchange where everyone very nicely acknowledged that eye pain hurts a fucking lot.
Then he gave me some blissful eye numbing drops, for which I will love him forever. He then poked around for awhile, saw nothing obvious lodged in there. Then threw some dye in there and looked at it under a microscope-thingy (his words, not mine). And apparently my eyeball glowed at him indicating some scratching, but happily not too deep. I wanted to steal his eye numbing drops, but was stopped by the warning of corneal degradation. He 'scribed me some antibiotic eyedrops and some Vicodin, which I find oddly hilarious.
Except for the pain, the hardest part was just waiting forever in-between each person. Sarah eventually got permission to come back with me, which was great. Then we got to leave. And thus ended my first ER experience. I even have one of those hospital bracelet-y things to show for it.
Weird, huh?
The only thing about the day that really pissed me off was that because of this damn thing, Sarah and I missed our chance to get our emissions test done (which in WA state has to be done at a state facility). We got there at 1:45 --and they close at 1. ARGH.
So, we went to get some lunch, pick up my prescriptions (which they only had the damn Vicodin and called in the order to another pharmacy). Sarah had plans for the later part of the afternoon and since I am totally fine, sent her off. I need to make my way over to an alternative pharmacy, but my brother called --they're in the area-- and when I told him what was going on, is kindly going to drive me to pick up the other prescription.
Sarah, btw, was phenomenal through the whole thing. I felt so very taken care of. I am damn lucky to have her. Because also, after the ER? Because there wasn't enough pain above the neck for me? I got hit with a migraine. I pounded some Advil, and definitely getting some food helped, too. But man --owie.
I'm supposed to see a movie tonight with Jeff and am hoping that if I am good and get some rest this afternoon --I can sit and enjoy Children of Men later, which I've wanted to see forever.
So I am going to go sit still for awhile. Hope everyone else's day has been good and not-ER-requiring.
My first mistake, apparently, was waking up. I'm not sure what the hell happened between the time I tumbled into bed and the moment my alarm went off, but it included corneal abrasion. I woke up, there was searing pain. I lurched around, shocked by the pain, thinking that it was just an eyelash--because those fuckers can really hurt. But through the blurred vision and flood of tears, I sure as hell couldn't see anything in there. I tried to splash water into it, and stuttered my way through my phone-date with Didier (having canceled last week, I didn't want to cancel today), and then finally called to ask Sarah if she could bring over some eye drops because I was in a world of hurt. Meanwhile, I also called my dad.
My dad is an amazing doctor. I mean, really amazing. Over the past however many years I have lived away from home, especially during periods without medical insurance, he has diagnosed the weirdest things over the phone. He almost instantly knows what it is after hearing like three random symptoms, and both diagnoses and prescribes within minutes. He is always exactly right. Even when those symptoms could be one or three different things. I know he's been practicing medicine for over forty years, but I truly believe he has a gift.
Anyhow. So he told me exactly what it probably was and exactly what the ER doctor would do. He also didn't think I should let it lie until Monday. I called Jeff, who awesomely checked on our medical benefits and determined that going to the ER wouldn't actually beggar me for life.
So I've never been to the ER, and have a sort of tv-drama-oriented view of it. But Sarah has spent an unfortunate amount of time in them for various reasons and with various people, and was an excellent guide. It was largely uneventful (except for the major eye-owie). We checked in. We waited while people with more severe problems went ahead of me. (Which, honestly, as much as I hate waiting, I had no problem with.) Then nice people calmly asked me a few questions, took a few vital signs, and stuck me in a room. An angel of a nurse stopped by and asked more questions and was very soothing. Then awhile later the doctor stopped by. Everyone asked the same questions. I gave them the same answers. It was a very calm exchange where everyone very nicely acknowledged that eye pain hurts a fucking lot.
Then he gave me some blissful eye numbing drops, for which I will love him forever. He then poked around for awhile, saw nothing obvious lodged in there. Then threw some dye in there and looked at it under a microscope-thingy (his words, not mine). And apparently my eyeball glowed at him indicating some scratching, but happily not too deep. I wanted to steal his eye numbing drops, but was stopped by the warning of corneal degradation. He 'scribed me some antibiotic eyedrops and some Vicodin, which I find oddly hilarious.
Except for the pain, the hardest part was just waiting forever in-between each person. Sarah eventually got permission to come back with me, which was great. Then we got to leave. And thus ended my first ER experience. I even have one of those hospital bracelet-y things to show for it.
Weird, huh?
The only thing about the day that really pissed me off was that because of this damn thing, Sarah and I missed our chance to get our emissions test done (which in WA state has to be done at a state facility). We got there at 1:45 --and they close at 1. ARGH.
So, we went to get some lunch, pick up my prescriptions (which they only had the damn Vicodin and called in the order to another pharmacy). Sarah had plans for the later part of the afternoon and since I am totally fine, sent her off. I need to make my way over to an alternative pharmacy, but my brother called --they're in the area-- and when I told him what was going on, is kindly going to drive me to pick up the other prescription.
Sarah, btw, was phenomenal through the whole thing. I felt so very taken care of. I am damn lucky to have her. Because also, after the ER? Because there wasn't enough pain above the neck for me? I got hit with a migraine. I pounded some Advil, and definitely getting some food helped, too. But man --owie.
I'm supposed to see a movie tonight with Jeff and am hoping that if I am good and get some rest this afternoon --I can sit and enjoy Children of Men later, which I've wanted to see forever.
So I am going to go sit still for awhile. Hope everyone else's day has been good and not-ER-requiring.
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no subject
Date: 2007-01-21 01:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-21 01:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-21 02:30 am (UTC)I wish I could claim I'd never been to an ER. (Well, I suppose I could, I'd just be lying.) I've been in more ERs than I care to count. No, strike that, I've been in ERs more times than I care to count; I'm pretty sure I've only been in four or five different ERs. Some more times than others.
Congratulations on avoiding it for so long! You must be doing something right. That, or your dad's just always been around enough until now. ;-)
no subject
Date: 2007-01-21 02:31 am (UTC)And here's hoping you have less ER from now on!
no subject
Date: 2007-01-21 02:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-21 02:39 am (UTC)And all things considered --it was a pretty good experience (searing eye pain aside!)
no subject
Date: 2007-01-21 03:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-21 05:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-21 10:22 pm (UTC)Were you well enough to see Children of Men, last night? I imagine that an eye injury might make it hard to site & watch anything for that long. Anyway, hope that you got the chance, or will soon--I hear that it's remarkably well-done.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-22 07:26 am (UTC)And as you note in the other post--I did get to see the movie. The eye drops really keep me going.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-22 07:16 am (UTC)Sorry you were in such pain.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-22 07:24 am (UTC)