My 6th Life

So far I have almost lost my life about 5 times now, here is how I skirted death once again.

               My 6^th Life

Sick and Tired-Tired and Sick!

For a few years, I have been sick on and off. Even recently I was sick with what I thought was flu like symptoms. I got better for a few weeks, then got deathly ill. It was so severe, I knew there was something definitely wrong.

So I called my sister and told her I think I should go to the hospital! She in turn called my brother, who came over to take me in. When I got there I was so weak they put me in a wheelchair ( that is how weak I was). After filling out the forms, I was taken into the emergency room.

I was asked several questions then the doctor remarked that my blood pressure was very low. Had I waited one more day I could have been a corpse! They began to run all kinds of tests, and said I was severely dehydrated. So I was pumped full of fluids to help re-hydrate my weakened body. I was even intravenous fed, although the way I was feeling I didn't care. I even had them turn off the TV, so it could be real quiet. Even though nurses were coming and going, taking my vitals and other necessary things they needed to do.

They came and took several x-rays to see what was happening with my internal organs- mainly my kidneys, bladder, and liver. Which they found my body was full of toxic poison, so I was in renal failure. The Doctor came in the room, then told me and my family that I may have to go on dialysis if I didn't improve.

I was moved from the emergency room to intensive care. This is where I stayed for 2 days, and I slowly began to improve. But still felt weak and tired, but the only thing that tasted good was the ice chips I got. One day they brought some food for my dinner since I was getting better. But I was still to weak, so my oldest daughter helped feed me �" even though I didn't have much of an appetite. She said I must keep eating to gain more strength, so I ate the food and even ate half a peanut butter cookie ( hoping to save the rest for later.)

I was doing so well I got moved to a regular room. But was put in a corner room all by myself. It was a large room as big as a regular bedroom would be. The bed was equipped with a massage setting- the nurse said that it was to keep patients from getting bed sores. I thought it felt good, like getting a free massage!

I suppose the doctors could not believe how well I was recovering. Yet I didn't have much of an appetite, but did my best to eat what I ordered. One day I ordered a roast beef sandwich for lunch, but when my food came I was surprised to see chicken- not beef! I wondered why and who changed my order........ am I not supposed to have beef? Would it be bad for my kidneys?

After I ate what I could, I tried to watch some TV. Some friends and family came by to see how I was doing, so I didn't get much sleep. Then with various nurses, doctors, and student aides coming in and out, the time went by fast. Soon it was dinnertime, and again I had ordered beef for dinner- but got chicken again!

Again I ate what I could, then took my pills that were given to me. Then laid back and watched some shows on the television. Then when I was tired I went to sleep. Morning came way to soon, and a nurse quietly came in to take my vitals. Then around 8, the nutritionist brought my breakfast which I heartily ate now that I was on the road to recovery.

So far I had been in the hospital for a total of four days, and getting pretty comfortable being in this bed. So I assumed it was time for me to be discharged soon! Later that day my doctor came in and asked if I was ready to go home. This question I must admit terrified me, and I said ' no'! He said he would have to talk with the case worker about my release date. So after lunch he came back in, and said I would be going home tomorrow. So when my daughter and son came to visit, I told them what the doctor said.

They were surprised, because just five days before I was close to dying! Yet I resigned to having to go home and be on my own. Scary thought, especially after being pampered for the last few days. I was bathed, given a back massage, and even though I didn't eat all they brought …... what I did eat was delicious. Now I was going home, and having to fend for myself. Plus I was moving to a different apartment- so I needed to start packing.

For the first few days I walked very slow around my place. I was even given a walker to use, since the doctor deemed I had the risk of falling down. But I was able to walk around without the walker. And in no time I was back to my normal self...... or at least 98%. I still have two kidney stones in each kidney to deal with. Yet with time they will be gone, and with a diet modification I will hopefully never be plagued with these stones again.

This all happened in the month of September; now its November and I still have the kidney stones. Now that I know what I have I can deal with the pain, and am doing my best to get back into writing. Since I was to sick I found myself mostly laying around, trying my best to sleep. Today, and most days I am still tired, but its a good tired. And I don't have significant pain everyday. I am just thankful that I survived my ordeal, and to be able to continue my quest as a writer!

Author's Note

don't worry I am like a cat- and still have a few more to survive!

Reviews

[Loner]

An awesome write Jennifer i must say a true
survivors story u have hear u are a real inspiration for me
thanks for sharing your story with me .......