Monday, March 2, 2015

The Phone Call



Thursday evening
a little before 8 pm
I got
the call.

The one that no one
wants to get.

Someone you love
has a medical emergency.

It was Mr. Wayside Treasure's boss
on the phone.

Hubby had passed out.
Cold.
On the cement floor 
beside his machine.

Upright one minute
Flat on the floor 
the next.

Co-workers ran
to his aid.
Waited with him
until he came to. 

Calling his name.
Over and over. 

 EMS came.
Then off to the
hospital.

You know
that place 
where they poke 
you with needles,
ask you tons of questions
and try to figure out 
what's wrong.

They poked
and 
poked
and poked
some more.

No veins to be found.
They kept poking
over and over
and 
over and over
and
over and over
again...

{not exaggerating}

One nurse
Two nurses
Three nurses
Four...

Fourth one
brought down
from 
ICU

She got blood.
Finally.

Severely dehydrated.
Potassium very low.
{from losing so much fluid from
being sick}

Home?
Nope.
We want to admit him.
ugh!
double ugh!

Pumped him with
fluids 
and potassium.

Forgot to tell him that
potassium 
is very painful
as it drips in.

Extremely painful!

"Feels like someone
scooping out my arm
with an ice cream 
scoop painful!"

I went after and
found a nurse.
She slowed it 
down 
so it was tolerable.
Almost.

My eyes were barely 
staying open.
I headed home 
for some rest.

Rest did not come.
Don't know why I tried.

A few hours later.
Back to hospital.
 Up to his room.

More poking
and prodding.

Veins did not cooperate.

So many nurses.

We laughed our
way through.
most of the time.

What else
can you
do?!

I told them,
"he would not make
a good 
blood donor".

They agreed. 

No blood
draw
the usual way.
Not working.

Put in a Pic line.
That will work!

Did not work.
They said they
 have never known
it not to work.

Teeniest amount of 
blood 
finally 
in the tube
after four more 
nurses
tried.

It clotted
immediately.

Couldn't use it.

Over and over...
quite an ordeal.
Then, it clotted in 
the syringe.

huh? what?

We have never
seen this before.

Again, teeniest amount
of blood drawn.

Nurse:
I am literally
 running this 
down to
the lab
before it clots!

Relief...
for a bit.

Minutes later
Two more nurses..

"we are going
to draw
your blood."

Seriously?
You are kidding!
Won't work.

It worked!
No problem!

"Where were you
hours ago?"

I brought him 
HOME
about 5 pm
Friday.

He is so
thankful to be
back 
HOME.

Sore tailbone
and
bit his lip
from his
close-up encounter
with the
floor.


Bruised 
and 
battered, 
but 
HOME!

Thank you God!


{he is back to work today
after a restful weekend}

















16 comments:

Linda said...

Oh how awful! What a terrible experience for your husband.
Work isn't meant to get sick.
Drink plenty of fluids and eat the odd banana for potassium. Don't forget to break.....been there done that...

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Your poor hubby! OUCH!! Happy to hear that he is now okay.
warmly,
deb

Junkchiccottage said...

Oh Sandi,
How awful. I bet you were both so scared. I have been a nurse for a number of years and it is rare but does happen that someone comes along and they have the issues your hubby did. Just surprised on the pic line. Usually that is not a problem. He must have really been dehydrated and low on blood to have all this happen. Glad he is back home and feeling better.
Hoping the week will go better.
Kris

Irene said...

glad to hear his o.k.

Julie Marie said...

Oh Sandi, I am so sorry to hear this!... I do hope he is feeling much better and all is well now... that must have been so scary for you... I have had many "a call" with my family members and it is always so stressful... you take care of YOU too sweet lady... and please keep us all posted on how he is... prayers for you both, xoxo... Julie Marie

Victorian1885 said...

So happy your Hubby is doing okay... what a scare!
Have a good week!

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

What an awful experience for both of you, Sandi. I'm glad to hear that your hubby is doing better now.
Julia

Betty said...

I am so glad he is home and getting better. I send you a great big hug. I know how it is with needles. They have the hardest time getting blood from my Daughter. They have to use a butterfly needle and sometimes that does not work too good.

Sue Kosec said...

I'm soooooooooo sorry you received THE CALL. And sorry that Mr. Wayside Treasures had to endure all that.

So glad he's back home - where he belongs.

STAY HEALTHY!
xo
SuZeQ

Heaven's Walk said...

It's always so terrifying to get that phone call, Sandi. What an ordeal for you both! I didn't know that about a potassium drip. Wonder why that is? I'm glad that Hillis is doing better and back on his feet, though. Bless you both for staying strong! :)

xoxo laurie

Anonymous said...

What an ordeal but so glad to know he is home and recovering! sending {{{hugs}}}}

xo,
abby

Jeanie said...

His veins had collapsed from the dehydration -- that happened to Rick... couldn't get a good poke if they tried but after some fluids got in, better. I hope the reports from the blood draws are fine. Thinking lovely thoughts for him.

julie - eab designs said...

Sandi, So sorry to hear about your scare and visit to the hospital. Happy to hear your husband is feeling better. Blessings to you both!

tawn said...

Sandi, I am so glad that your hubby is doing much better. I know this ordeal was so hard on him and you. Please take care....Low potassium and dehydration is very dangerous. I am no nurse, at all, but that is how we lost my brother years ago in just a matter of a couple of hours. He was a diabetic, so I am sure that probably played a major part in his situation. Please take care! Love to you.

Donna said...

What a terrible scare for both of you! I hope that he is doing MUCH better now!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

This is all so scary! Hope he is doing well now and staying hydrated!!!