I got released from St. Elizabeth's hospital just yesterday. I had a partial bowel obstruction and I have to say it was hands down the worst experience of my life. When I was four years old I had a full blown bowel obstruction where my small intestine telescoped into my large and I had to get surgery immediately and wear colostomy bag for months while my intestine healed. Now I'm sure that was the worse thing I have ever been through but I am so grateful not to have many memories of this time.
Here's what happened this past week. Sat May 17th. My stomach started to hurt and I was nauseous towards end of night and I knew I needed to go bathroom so I ate a little bit of salad for dinner. I was up all night in pain and dry heaving and gagging. I tried stool softeners and a liquid laxative that the pharmacist said was safe- nothing worked. I really thought it would pass but it didn't so we went to St. E's ER. My bowel sounds were never checked, I never got a rectal exam. I was given IV for dehydration and probably something for nausea (can't remember?) I did end up vomiting at the hospital and remember feeling a little better for a while. To make sure baby was OK I was given the pleasure of having my very first catheter put in so they could fill my bladder with fluid for an ultrasound. Baby was OK. I then gave myself a enema and it produced nothing out of my system. I think when we left there 8 hours later I was given the diagnosis or impacted bowel or constipation? So we went home and Monday rolls around and I'm still in extreme pain after more stool softeners, apple juice, and gas x. We decided to go to another branch of St. E's closer to home. As soon as I we got there I started vomiting again and when the Dr. came in to check me (she did check bowel sounds) she said I have upper bowel obstruction. I almost died inside. We were asked what surgeon we wanted called. Then was told I will be having a tube down my nose to stomach to relieve pressure and force bowels to relax. I really didn't know how bad it was going to be. I was hoping i was going to be under. I wasn't. The nurse tried in each nostril and each time my instinct was to yank it out because I couldn't breath and was choking and gagging. There was blood all over and I told her there no way I can do it and I am going to refuse the tube. Scott, my mom and in-laws were all there trying to get me to agree to let them try again. they kept pushing and pushing and finally I got so pissed off I told them fine and just leave me alone. So it took 2 nurse and 1 Dr. to get that God forsaken tube in my nose down my throat and into my stomach. It was the absolute worse feeling and experience of my 26 years of existence. I can't explain how this feels. I never, ever thought I would have it in for almost 3 days.
I was admitted to St. E's late Monday night and almost ripped that tube out several times. I wasn't doing it because I didn't want to get better I was doing it because when it made me gag I was not able to breath - and it is just instict. They loaded me up with Phenegren. I drug that curbs nausea. I had an allergic reaction that made me have convulsions every few seconds. I remember thinking what I was doing was not right. I was trying to tell Scott something was wrong but I was in a weird state of mind. I think I was loaded up on Benadryl too- not sure but I couldn't control my arms and upper body. I didn't know what was going on. At one point I heard the nurses talking to Scott saying that it was happening because i was trying to fight off going to sleep. I knew that wasn't the case but it was hard for me to talk. I thought I was going to have a seizure. Scott later told me he demanded they call the OB/GYN my midwife works with and ask if it is a side effect of the drug- he said no. Scott then demanded they call someone else. They called the pharmacist and he or she said it was a side effect. Finally around 5 0r 6am I think it wore off. Everything is still such a blur.
Tuesday rolls around and a few residents come in around 5:30am I think. I was taken to get a sonogram of gallbladder. Everything OK. That day I couldn't even get out of bed to go to bathroom. I had a bedpan and nurses wiping me. Ugh- just horrible... I remember the OB coming in and the surgeon telling me I wasn't getting tube out that day and just being so frustrated. It hurt to talk, swallow, walk, sleep- with a tube going down your nose in your throat into your stomach. And to physically see all the "crap" coming out of your stomach- being sucked out- I still have flashbacks. And I can still feel that damn tube in my throat. I can't do that again. I just can't.
Wednesday comes along and I finally got clearance to yank the tube. Music to my ears. At this point I was starting to get hungry which was a good sign. As soon as the nurse made sure my stomach was empty- she pulled out what seemed like 5 feet of tube from my nose and I can't even explain what that felt like- the relief was astounding. I immediately felt better. I felt free. I couldn't wait to swallow, talk, sleep, and move around without gagging! I was ordered to walk continuously all day to get bowels moving. I was also allowed to drink liquids and chew on gum. I think I was given a suppository or two which worked a little but I still knew my system wasn't right. Later that night I was given a drug all Regulin to help my stomach or nausea? That drug made me feel like I was going to jump out of my skin. i couldn't sit still- I kept moving around and fidgeting. I was scared. i didn't want another allergic reaction. I nurse gave me more Benadryl which made me feel so dizzy and "out of my body" but it did calm me down. Later I found out my cousin had the same exact reaction to that medication.
After my tube came out Dr. Gady the surgeon came in and said if I vomit I'm going to OR tomorrow for surgery. Great...
No vomit and Thursday rolls around. I was allowed to eat- after 4 full days of no food. I was hungry but scared to eat. I think I had another suppository and a enema. It worked a little but I still felt like something was wrong. But with no food for 4 days, a NG tube in my stomach for 3 of those days and all the trauma I was feeling emotionally I really didn't know how I was supposed to feel.
I got released Thursday afternoon and put on a prescription laxative. I am leaving out alot of details but I can't possibly write everything in this blog. All I know I was so worried about baby the whole time. With not eating and all the drugs and stress I asked every nurse to try and find heartbeat with doppler. 2 nurses tried and failed to find it. One resident who was working with the surgeon went to school with Scott and he treated us so nice. He was gracious enough to get the doppler and try and find the heartbeat himself. (It's amazing how much faster things get done/delivered when a Dr. asked for them) He found it right away! More music to my ears. That was Thursday- the day I was released.
I've never seen Scott so upset (And my parents and my in-laws). I feel horrible for putting everyone through that. I hope to not step foot in St. E's again unless I am 40+ weeks pregnant and ready to meet my long awaited miracle baby. Thank you to everyone who visited me and stayed by my side through this. I needed every one's stength that week. Scott is such a blessing. The way he cares about me and will do absolutely anything for me makes me want to marry him again and again- everyday. "Through sickness and health..." Can we get to the health part already????
Well, I am physically getting back to normal. Emotionally I am terrified I am going to have to do that again. I hope this pregnancy is smooth sailing from here. I don't feel so confident but one day at a time!
I have an appointment with midwife in 30mins. Hopefully she can calm my nerves bit. I know hearing the peach's heartbeat will help.
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