Hello boys and girls! Welcome to story time with Marge! Today I will take you through a little journey, and let you decide the ending. Thanks for turning in.
This morning, at 10 minutes past 8am, I dialed my doctor’s office after a wonderful 2 1/2 hours sleep. More than usual. I described my last four days to the receptionist, then the nurse. Dr. Cole is on vacation this week, but he was reviewing calls and emails, and she would get back to me.
Knowing medical facilities only slightly (?), I calculated that I had enough time for a shower and to get dressed. And to make the bed. And have breakfast. And email both bosses. I was just pouring my tea when they called back.
Apparently Dr. Cole deferred my questions to his associate, Dr. Kielbasa (that’s not his name but I can’t pronounce it). Dr. K directed that I should go to the emergency room, describe my symptoms and distresses, and they would take it from there. Despite the dollar signs floating in my mind, I agreed reluctantly. Seems like those doctors and nurses had better things to do than deal with someone who wasn’t sleeping all night. I went to work in Jeannette and finished up there, not knowing what would transpire in the next 24 hours.
The nurse had suggested Frick Hospital, as Westmoreland was overly crowded and Latrobe was very busy. So I headed over there and hesitantly told my story (they were very nice) and began my wait for diagnosis and treatment. Bear in mind that Emergency Rooms are NOT there to give you a complete treatment plan. They get you through the next two or three days and refer you BACK to your primary care physician.
The nurse, the doctor, and the assistants were all very nice. My blood pressure was slightly elevated but that’s not surprising. That happens to me when I’m stressed. Why should I be stressed??? They took down all the information, and set a plan in action. First, I had a COVID test, the rapid one. It was negative (I figured it was). Then I had chest X-rays. After a considerable wait, I was told my lungs were clean, so no pneumonia or bronchitis. Good news! They did, however, think it would be a good idea to give me a breathing treatment. It wouldn’t help my cough, but would help clear my airways and possibly relax me. Hmmmm.
It was very warm in there, and after over two hours with nothing to drink and several tests (they administered the SLOW Covid test, apparently determined to prove COVID!) – not to mention the breathing treatment that made me shaky – I started to cough. I coughed like I usually do in the night, without stopping and making horrid sounds, and choking. There was a nurse with a patient in the bed to the right of me, but he never even asked if it was ok. I grabbed my purse and staggered out to the main station. The nurse there was very distressed and had me go back to my bed. Thankfully the doctor walked past with a patient and said to get me a drink.
For the next fifteen minutes I sipped water, coughed, and waited to be released. I had now listened to the stories of the uncomfortable patients on each side of me about four times each, and felt sorry for their pain and distress. I scribbled – literally – my discharge papers, got dressed, and again staggered out through the hallways. Two people pointed me in the right direction (never been to Frick before!), and was finally outside in the parking lot. Breathing deeply did not help, but I had learned that I had a viral infection which could not be cured but could be ‘tamed’ until it went away on its own in 7-10 days.
Still coughing, but at least able to breath in between, I made my way through the street of Mt. Pleasant. The view over the mountains cheered me, and I took a quick picture as I made my way the few miles to Walmart. I needed a few things including cough medicine and it did seem silly to go home and go back out.
Realizing that it was now well after 2pm and I hadn’t eaten since before 9am I grabbed a baby sandwich (slider?) from Arby’s and nibbled that in the parking lot. I was able to get the several things on my list (a miracle in itself since it WAS Walmart!), and headed home. Well, not home. I went directly to Walgreens to get the steroids prescribed. I hadn’t received a txt message that it was ready but chanced it anyway. Success! Came home, changed clothes, took a small nap. THEN I got a message that my prescription was ready….
So all in all, I still don’t have anything for my cough except over the counter meds and have little hope of a good night’s sleep, at least for tonight. But I know that I don’t have COVID or pneumonia or bronchitis and my airways are clear! That is somewhat of a comfort. I will reheat some potato soup shortly and actually not do anything the rest of the evening. It’s not like me to be stagnant, but I think under the circumstances I should just mull over the day. On Monday I will reach out to my PCP and see where we go from there.
And the icing on the cake (oh, if only it HAD been cake!) was that Rege told me before I headed to Frick that I just needed over the counter cough meds, a prescription for steroids, lots of water and rest. I txt him that was exactly the prognosis, and he said he should have been a doctor. I agree! What was he thinking???
Thanks to all who have been following this crazy journey. Hoping for good things over the next few days. And thanks for tuning in to story time with Marge. Stay tuned for more episodes! God bless!
July 7 – What kinds of rides and games were there? How much did they cost? “We would ride the Ferris Wheel & the Big Swings. Also the Merry-go-Round. The games were ring toss, pitching pennies, and throwing base balls. Most everything was around 5 cents.”
Calendar Inspiration – not sure this was a big story, though.
Quote –
Scripture –
Random photo from archives –
TOMORROW July 9th is:
I hope to keep a low key but happy weekend and look forward to spending time with Chase next week. I feel confident that it’s safe for him to be here and he’ll love having some time alone with — my internet! Love that little guy! God bless.
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