I Did Get My Ice Cream...

 Wednesday turned into a very long 2-day stint, that I am "paying for" now. Around midday, I was hurting bad. The Wife finally convinced me to go to the ER again, as I could not make it the 5 extra days for the paracentesis draining. This is the second time I have had to use the ER as they schedule me out so far. I ask for two weeks, they give me three plus... I can't win. So off to the hospital we go.

Once there, things explained, it went fairly smooth. Got the paracentesis done, felt a bit better for that. Then the ER doc wanted me to have a chest CT Scan done. I was against it, but the Wife has gotten good with her glares. That one said, do what the Doctor wants, or else. So I did. It came back with I have fluid in my chest cavity now. That lead into an overnight stay, with a Thoracentesis to be done at 8:00am. I'm still short of breath, my abdomen is 'sore' and still adjusting to the removal of 10.7 Liters of fluid. I'm in the hospital, so you know I did not get much sleep. RM did bring a McD's sweet tea (at my asking) but was unable to come up and visit that night.

Morning rolls around, and of course everything is late. I don't get to do to Ultrasound for the Thoracentesis until almost 9:30am, and let me just say, there is a HUGE difference between draining the abdomen, and draining a chest cavity. For the chest, I had to face the wall, holding a table between my frontal and the wall. Then the catheter is inserted from the back. They have to go between ribs, and the very unpleasantness of  pushing it through the chest cavity lining. I didn't yell, or cry crocodile tears, but the thoughts sure passed my mind. They drained another 2.7 Liters from there (for a hospital stay of 13.4!) and sent me back to the room.

So now I have an 'unadjusted' abdomen, a spot on my mid-left-back that feels like someone took a baseball bat to it, shortness of breath, as I cannot draw a deep one with the thoracentesis. Anyways, things came around and the doctor that day said I would be released in couple hours (by noonish). I so I called up RM, and let her know (she was thinking of bringing me lunch and an iced tea) that she shouldn't as I would be home soon. It was closer to 2pm before I got out of there, with a new prescription (sigh). We got home, and I literally, passed out in the bed. Slept until 7pm. Back in bed by 10pm, and out until 8am. Good sleep that I am sure my body needs.

My abdomen is basically back to normal today, with just some tenderness if I do something odd. The chest, well, I have never been shot with an arrow, but if I had been, it would feel like one from the back through the front of the chest, and it aches every time I move. Has to be muscle related. No large deep breaths this morning, but hopefully by tomorrow or the next day. Overall I feel much better for now. I do need to call and reschedule the paracentesis (that was to have been on Monday) to the 18th. And I am going to be an asshole about it. I can't hardly get pass the 14 day mark, without it getting bad, and now that it can slip into my chest cavity is a big no-no. So going to have to be firm about it.

Not sure what the rest of the day will bring. A nap I am sure. Though about going to the Post, but o major event tonight, and I should rest if I want to be up there tomorrow for some of the Veteran activities going on tomorrow.

But at least you are updated now....

PeacE