Day 27 11/11/08
November 11th, 2008
Not a good night. I know the beds have to have wheels, but when you grab at one to keep your balance…you don’t. I fell on the floor, scared the hell out of the nurse. She came in and actually tried to pick me up from a sitting position. Not going to happen. I told her to save herself the hernia and got to my knees, which made it a lot easier. Then we put the bed back in its place and I promised to be a good boy.
I lied. Couple of hours later, I’m getting back in bed, and I did the “Curly Shuffle” backwards about 15 feet across the room. Fortunately, the water cooler broke my fall. It never stood a chance. The same nurse comes flying in, and I’m lying on the floor in my shorts next to the broken remains of the cooler. Now this girl doesn’t speak much English, but I knew from her eyes that she was thinking “how in hell did he wind up over there and why did it have to happen on my shift?”. Luckily, no blood (or water) was spilt.
So now I’m the proud owner of a new cooler, and I do mean owner. But for $25 total, they had that sucker installed by 2 PM. Try that in NY. You can’t get an ambulance that fast. I also got a new bed, the old one never did work right, needs a brake job.
The renewed balance problem seems to have coincided with the 3 spinals in a row, and the doctors now want to make the final treatment an IV. I understand their reasoning, but there may be another culprit. Before a spinal, they pump you full of Valium. My friend Jim’s sister-in-law is an RN, and she told him that even after the initial drowsiness wears off, the muscle relaxant effect lingers on. Wouldn’t affect speech, energy, or dizziness. And it didn’t. But last night and this morning, my balance was shot. Now, it’s 10 PM here, and I’m feeling much better. This morning, I went for PT and Jason took one look at me and said, ” go home, sleep”.
I’m looking foward to making up for lost time tomorrow.
Entry Filed under: Uncategorized, ataxia
6 Comments Add your own
1. Geo | November 12th, 2008 at 10:03 am
My Brother- I know that a lot people will read your blog of Day 27
The eleventh of November of the year two-thousand and Eight.
There will be concearned family and freinds who will hurt for
every smack you took yesterday. As I do………But man, when I was reading your blog, I blew snot out of my nose laughing. I’m chuckling at this very moment. I keep scrolling back up and reading your play by play of your gymnastics performance in your room that only Al Michaels could match. I just can’t imagine the look on the nurse when she heard that water cooler smash to the ground.
I’m sure you feel like an NFL Quarter Back with no offensive line on Monday morning. I am positive that the valium messed you up but good.
3 spinals? In how many days. I am thrilled that you are getting the spinals. They are being very aggressive. I bet your wiped out. Your in the home stretch. It’s a matter of days now. You will be home soon with the ones you love and we will all take a deep breath and thank God you are back home. Much love to you. See you soon.
2. sylvia | November 12th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Wow! So you had to pay for the water cooler, eh? Here in the good ol’ U S of A, a bed that didn’t have working brakes, that caused a patient to fall, not just once, but twice?…we would be talking law suit! Did they charge you for the new bed too? Sheesh! They are damned lucky that you are made of silly putty, and can’t differentiate between the pain of your falls due faulty hospital equipment, and the pain that you have to live with on a daily basis.
Geoff, you rat b-tard, laughing at your po’ bro’s roller derby misadventure…pfffft!
Note to future patients: Pack a set of wheel chocks for run-away beds!
Additional thought: How are you gonna pack that water cooler for the trip home?
Have fun shopping, but don’t get too tired.
xoxox….sylvia
3. Jeff Crowe | November 12th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
You’re on the home stretch!!
Geo is right, they are being aggressive with the spinals. Good for you.
I’m gonna keep this one short and sweet…..keep up the good work…it’s almost over.
Your friend,
Jeff
4. Deb | November 12th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Happy Tuesday evening….I hope you’re relaxing at the end of a productive and good day. I figured I’d have my morning coffee with you. I’m excited for you and imagining the giddy butterfly tummy feelings you must be feeling in anticipation of the weekend !
I was cringing when I read your blog today. The way you wrote about it, I can totally see it unfold. But then, sadly at your expense, I picture a very funny physical comedy scene unfolding in a movie or sitcom. Well…I’m glad you’re nearing the end of this episode !!
My brother is in NY today. He flew up this morning to surprise Annmarie for her 21st Birthday. He’s going to show up at the salon she works at & take them out this evening. Be with his daughter when she drinks her first legal shot, and fly home tomorrow morning. Annmarie is the 3rd of the 5 to become a legal adult ! 3 down and 2 to go. Hard to believe. It all went soooooo fast. Natalie graduates from Hunter in December. I think the “ceremony” is in January. If she decides to participate in the ceremony, and can get enough tickets, I want to try to come up to see her graduate…then I can visit you…and that would make me happy ! I would love to see you and Susan and the kids. I missed what’s become our annual summer visit in my neck of the woods.
Ok…first cup of coffee is gone. Enjoy the rest of your evening and know that continued thoughts and good karma is being sent in your direction. Hugs…Deb
5. melissa tantillo | November 13th, 2008 at 12:17 am
Holy Geez!!!!! What did that water cooler ever do to you???
Should we be very happy that you have very hard bones, or what? In a nutshell, could you please stop entertaining the staff and enough w/the Valium already!!!
After reading Deb’s comment, I fast-forwarded to the days that CJ and Jakey turn 21 (not that it will be the first time either of them has a drink!) and we get to be the 1st to buy them a legal beer. Too weird!!!! They are still babies and I, personally, would like to keep it that way!! I’m already afraid for the time when CJ is mistaken for a 21 year old (like in a couple of years!). I can only hope that the novelty will wear off quickly and he will use the good brains that he has. I just shuddered thinking about it!!!
Stay on your feet and stop bruising your body. Let your kids do that when you get back!!!
Love~ Melissa
6. Deb | November 13th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Melis…it’s not the 1st time any of these kids have had a drink either…notice how I said “legal” shot ??!! Fasten your seat-belt…this ride is fun !!
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