Adventure in ERland…

Last night found us on our way to the Emergency Room. Around 1:00 I decided to go to bed and after I laid down I just started coughing like crazy…when I went to the bathroom I noticed that I was coughing up blood, and got scared…After waking up mom we decided it was a good idea to go to the Emergency Room…I have to say my experience with every ER staff was amazing! They were caring, concerned, proactive, and funny in the process…First I got a huge dose of steroids via this IV… Then they prepped me for a CT scan of the neck and chest…The chest CT scan required an IV in my arm so this happened… it took two nurses and one doctor FIVE tries to get it in…and I have to say they hurt…all five of them! But I was happy to know I’m going to find something out….for some reason the needles wouldn’t go in far enough… After the CT scans there was A LOT of waiting…the scans were sent to Australia to be read because it was daytime there…While we were waiting the ER doctor Dr. Vaughn, called and spoke to Dr.Breckler (the doctor I will be seeing for the first time tomorrow morning) and the oncologist Dr. Mandel (whom he didn’t get but he did talk to his secretary who is going to call me today or tomorrow morning) to let them know what was going on and that he felt it was a huge priority that I be seen like yesterday…he didn’t say it was cancer and we don’t know for sure yet but he said it does look like that is what could be going on…I feel like if I can come to terms that it is cancer it is better because then if we find out it isn’t cancer I will be relieved (does that make sense?)Dr. Vaughn said at this point things are beyond Dr. Moss and that I should not get the surgery to remove the lymph node on Tuesday…he said there are a lot of lymph nodes in my chest (which is probably pressing on things) as well as my neck and that at this point we really need to be on top of this…He said if he were me he would be angry, and knocking down doors because it is ridiculous that I have been waiting this long with these kind of symptoms for answers…I can’t tell you how good it felt to be taken seriously, I’ve known (in my bones) for a while now this is serious and was trying not to be demanding but in the end the need to breathe, swallow, and NOT cough up blood is proving to be more important than being patient April.Right now I am pretty awake but I think that is the huge dose of steroids they gave me, because when I was on them before I would feel really jittery…so I am waiting to get tired and can’t wait to just sleep for a while, because anytime I tried to lay down at the ER I would start coughing and spitting up more blood. I’m good if I am just sitting but when I try to do most anything I get hot and start coughing…I left the ER with 5 prescriptions…for pain, steroids, for coughing, an inhaler, and another one I can’t remember right now…we left around 7:30 a.m. then had to get the prescriptions filled and then a much deserved treat of a sausage biscuit and apple juice from McDonald’s we got home around 8:30 a.m.So there is the update…thank you to all who love me and care about what is going on…life has been scary for a bit and it means a lot to know I am prayed for and loved…I leave you with one last picture of my beautiful mama…she had taken an Ambien before bed and was tired and had to sit in what I think looked like an uncomfortable chair all night…She has been great the past few months and is trying to be positive for and with me…she has kind of been nicer (not that she is ever MEAN) if you know what I mean…I love her and am lucky she is my MOM. (p.s. she will NOT be ok I put this picture up so don’t tell her k? ) update at 10:45 a.m. Sunday morning…the oncologist’s secretary called and said that they wanted to see me late morning or early afternoon tomorrow…she said that she wanted me to be prepared that the doctor said he might just go ahead and admit me to the hospital tomorrow and start treatment…she said that he wasn’t SURE that was what he was going to do but that I should know that it might happen…WOW! I’m not sure how I’m feeling right now…I was just starting to wind down when she called…but I am impressed and grateful they called me on a SUNDAY MORNING…I am so glad we went to the ER last night…

Amy {Design Intervention} said…Wow April – – we continue to pray :)Molly Stroud said…I am praying for you. Did you get my message last week?? Love ya~ Anonymous said…April our we are all praying that things go good for you, PLEASE let us know if you need any thing, Teresa NorringtonRobynn’s Ravings said…Oh April – I am very glad you’re getting answers and so sorry you need them, if that makes sense. Your dear, sweet mama. How worried she must be. You are such a sweet girl and I’m headed to bed right now with prayers for you on my lips.With Love,RobynnAnonymous said…Okay, so I DO NOT validate the pictures of the IV. however, i am glad you are at least getting some answers since not knowing is your biggest pet peeve. love you lots, my friend. kenzie prayed for you in her prayers when i told her you were sick. Love, J.A.Linda50 said…I am so glad to hear that you went to the ER and had to good fortune to meet Dr. Vaughn. praying for you. Linda