"H" Is for Hospital - November 10, 2010

"H" Is for Hospital

By

"H" is for hospital,

I hate going there,

Even when given,

The very best care!

They give you a gown,

That never stays tied,

And gapes open often,

To expose your backside.

Early each morning,

You suffer great pain,

When the lab tech arrives,

And misses your vein.

It's almost impossible,

To get any rest,

You're constantly bothered,

For some kind of test.

I'm the grouchiest patient,

With the surliest mood,

When I get these infusions,

Instead of real food.

To tell you the truth,

There isn't much worse,

Than being a patient,

When you're also a nurse!!

It really is scary,

To be feeling so sick,

And the road to recovery,

Isn't so quick.

And if that's not enough,

When you're given your bill,

You'll suffer a relapse,

And really feel ill.



Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c)  Carmen Henesy

November 10, 2010

All rights reserved

  Exactly five years ago, I wrote this poem for another blog, posted just after

hospitalization for cellulitis of my left ankle.  I thought I would repost it since I am being

hospitalized again.  I will be admitted to California Pacific Medical Center, Pacific Campus, San Francisco, November 18th, for my right total shoulder arthroplasty, to be done by

Dr. John Belzer, surgeon to the likes of athletes of the Golden State Warriors, San Francisco Forty Niners and other pro athletic teams - as well as members of the San Francisco Ballet!  He is an excellent orthopedic surgeon who, if good looks and a charming

bedside manner were a prerequisite, could replace Patrick Dempsey on "Grey's

Anatomy" ( I can't vouch for his acting ability ).  

I'd like to ask that everyone offer up a prayer for my well being - and that of my surgeon, 

his assistant, the anesthesiologist, the surgical team and all involved in my care and recovery.  We could all use a little Divine intervention!

Alphabe Thursday - "I" is for Impossible - Felled by a Stone - November 18, 2010

Alphabe Thursday - "I" is for Impossible - Felled by a Stone - November 18, 2010

I woke up, early the morning of 17th, with incredible pain in my left flank and left lower
abdomen.  Being the lucky receptacle of numerous kidney stones, I was immediately
aware of the culprit/s causing the pain and, in fact, Dr. Yan had even given me a copy
of the CAT scan done during my recent hospitalization.  It showed  numerous stones.
She encouraged me to make  an appointment, in the near future, to see my urologist,
one of the premier stone specialists in the San Francisco area.

I got up to drive my youngest son, Jeremy, to the train station but, before I left, I faxed
a note, along with a copy of the report to Dr. Kahn.  I came home, fully intending to put
on my make up, and head to the ER at CPMC.  However, I was in real agony when I
got home, I really was in no state to drive so I took a Vicodin, praying for some relief and
crawled into bed.  Laying there, chanting, "Why me, Lord?", I did fall asleep until
awakened by the telephone an hour later.  It was a concerned Dr. Kahn, telling me he
wanted me to come to his office for immediate x-rays.  He also told me he was starting
his first of three surgeries for the day and was leaving the next morning for a week away.

I saw him briefly, he asked me to go to the ER for IVs and pain medication and he also
gave me a stronger pain medication to take at home.   He said he would read the x-ray
films later.  Well, I left ( had to move my car from the very expensive parking garage
which closed at 7PM ) but, when I couldn't find a parking space within three blocks of
the hospital, I drove on home, doubled up in pain.  I drank a liter of water, took on of his
prescribed pills, bundled up under my heated throw and slept until Dr. Kahn called at
9:30PM as he finished up his last surgery.  I felt much better but he told me there was
a 6mm stone lodged in the ureter which would be almost impossible to pass.  He said
it would "absolutely have to come out" or it could damage the ureter or kidney and
went on to explain a "minimally invasive" procedure ( I did not like the sound of that but
I do trust his competence ).  He said he was sending an email to his partner and to call
the office in the morning.  I went back to sleep and, amazingly, slept all night - and the
entire day today!!  Dr. Sharlip called about 10AM and said that, while it was highly
unlikely that I passed the stone, perhaps, I did.  I will see him tomorrow morning for
further x-rays and we'll go from there.  I ended up sleeping the entire day until 4PM this
afternoon.  I guess  being tortured by pain really takes its toll on the body.  And, yes,
I can truly say, the pain from kidney stones is more than the delivery of any of my three
sons and the last, Jeremy, at 9 pounds, 11 ounces, was no stroll in the park since I had
no anesthesia of any kind, not even an epidural.  At least, I know I'm done with childbirth
but with more than a dozen stones showing on x-rays, I live in dread!

I am participating in Jenny Matlock's alphabe Thursday!