That’s me, Dear Readers, this past Saturday. One week out of the hospital and what a difference a week makes.
I’m not quite out of the woods yet. I have an MRI scheduled for April 18 and a meeting with the big honcho doc on 4/19 to tell me if I’m healing on my own or if I need surgical repair.
But the worst is definitely behind me.
Let me take this moment to thank each and every one of you. Your calls, emails, comments, FB posts and generous offers of help and support were the BEST medicine.
They lifted my spirits, flattered my ego, overly praised my writing abilities and made me feel that I was not just taking up space on this planet. Now I know that I have made a (small) difference in your lives- at least on Sundays and Thursdays.
Bless you all for your prayers and good wishes.
They helped me through an awful, awful time.
But since my harrowing emergency ordeal, I am on a mission.
I want to go over some points that I myself learned the HARD way.
1. Always bring your cell phone charger cord to the hospital. I had no idea that when I went to the E.R. at 11:00 a.m. that I would still be languishing in there at 9 p.m. My phone was on its last legs and I did not know ONE person’s phone number. I could not have contacted one person from memory. The drugs and the emergency procedures had made me nuts.
2. In that same vein, have your emergency contact numbers on a card in your wallet. Be on the safe side and have them in there old-school. What if you were unconscious on the street? Carry the numbers with you.
3. Don’t ask “How are you?” of the sick person. Counterintuitive, I know. And I know that you cared. But I had 40 doctors all in need of symptoms- plus the back story- and I was worn out with telling them over and over again ad nauseam. Then when I got out and had to find a specialist, I had to tell my endocrinologist and my gynecologist and my internist… I was exhausted by the narrative. You get the point.
4. Instead say “What can I do for you? How can I help?” This was music to my very sick ears. I came home to an empty apartment. I needed medical supplies, some Diet Jello, and SLEEP. Hence all the emails and FB comments were a boon.
5. The one question I heard over and over again was, “Can I bring you something to eat?” I found myself in the ironic position of having any food I craved brought or delivered to me. However I COULD NOT EAT. Shame. I was having a difficult time keeping meds down and food was out of the question. Freud says that food is connected with love. I get why so many people wanted to bring/send me nourishment. But it was no dice for at least five days.
6. What would I have wanted? Flowers, a book, your wonderful emails and comments. Flowers went a long, long way cheering up my dingy cell of a hospital room. My yellow roses cheered up the staff, as well. Not a tired, over-worked nurse or orderly failed to comment on them. They brought joy to many.
7. My final tip? STAY OUT OF HOSPITALS.
Please.
Now I’m off for a few more weeks. Still recovering from this ordeal and barely strong enough to type. I just wanted to let you all know that I’m on the right road and it was mostly because of you.
See you soon.
Thank you one and all.
Now take a look at one beautiful hospital patient.
(And no, I’m NOT dying. I just love Ali MacGraw.)
It’s a rare person who can provide “if you need to go to the ER/Hospital” tips while just still recovering from the ordeal. You have mined your life for laughs, pathos and, here, advice. That’s why we all look forward to your Thursday/Sunday missives.
Take care, get well, keep us posted, I look forward to seeing Napoleon whenever you are ready to resume. By then, we’ll be back from our final seasonal sojourn in Arizona, full of stories and photos of Emmett, and we’ll bring you all the Diet Jello you can consume — except that seriously bad Lemon-Lime. I cannot stand the Lemon-Lime.
Wow! That video clip of awesome Emmett was more than enough to cheer me up. But that’s a great offer and I’ll take you up on it. And I’m with you flavor-wise. Cherry is the way I usually roll. Thanks, Michael. You’re a bro.
Ellen….. I m so glad you are home and haven’t lost your sense of humor! What a scary experience you had! I watch a lot of Doctor shows so my imagination went wild… I hope you recover at home quickly and easily. I “m looking forward to your “all healed” blog!!!
Amen, my friend! Me, too. Love, happiness and good health to you and yours. ❤810
Sorry to say that I didn’t know your situation. I haven’t read your blog lately, shame on me. I hope you r feeling better and have a speedy recovery. My spouse, reader of your blog on a regular basis did not tell me that u had been in the hospital. I look forward to being a regular and know that your better when u resume your correspondence.
Love to you and a quick recovery,
Sandy Rosen
You said it, Sandy! But I forgive you. My near-death experience has made me a saint. Hope to see you soon. Love to all my Ojibwa family. And thanks.
Sandy,
Don’t you know by now, husbands tell their wives NOTHING!
Same with me………
Take care, Ellen!
You never said a truer word. And I ought to know. Thanks, Bernie. Have a great time at OJ 90!
So glad you’re mending, E. Your tips are great, but No. 7 is golden.
You said a mouthful, Hopsie. Thanks. Love, Jean.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Good points about going to ER. I have gone enough in the past few years that I bring an “emergency bag” with me filled with things I might need the first day: extra underwear, toiletries, etc.
Glad to hear you agree, Doc. Sorry you’ve made that trip. Let’s both stay out of hospitals and meet at the country club instead. 😷🥂
Dear Ellen, We are so glad that you are home and in recovery mode. I hope you will be back eating a full menu soon… Please dont loose a lot of weight or we wont be able to see you! I am happy to donate as many pounds as you want… Continue to get better and stronger and we will make a lunch date. ❤️❤️❤️🌼🌺🌸
I love ALL those ideas- except the one about your “donation.” You’re perfect as is. I wouldn’t change a thing. Hope to see you soon. Love and thanks. ❤