My visits to the ER
Working in the Operating Room as an Aide (not nurse), I checked myself into the ER for some unknown abdominal pain. I took Wednesday off because I was having an allergic reaction to a shampoo I used on Monday evening. Allergies were better by noon, but the abdominal pain started Wednesday morning. I went back to work on Thursday, as promised. I work a 1200 to 2000 shift. Throughout my shift the pain continued to come and go. Around 1500, I was able to speak with one of our General Surgeons in between his cases and ask him for a brief consult. He had a feel of my tummy, I told him my symptoms, even asked him if I should go down to the ER (on the opposite end of my hospital).. he says my tummy feels fine, and that I probably don't need to go unless I'm having a fever, feeling nauseous or vomiting. 1700 comes around, the pain and frequency of the pain has increased, I had a nurse check my vitals every couple of hours since I started my shift. My blood pressure and pulse was higher than normal, so was suggested I head down to the ER. So I went. Was there for 3.5 hours. I already feel the process is quicker than the general public, because I was in my scrubs, as a staff member from the OR. Was sent home, because our Medical Imaging had closed, I believe the Tech leaves at 2000, so I was asked to call them in the morning of Friday for an appointment.
I was able to get an appointment for 1415, asked to arrive 30mins earlier. I still went to work, told the Desk Clerk I'll be stepping away for an ultrasound. Finished the appointment at 1415, was told ER should have the report in an hour. I went back to ER and ask about my report, they said I had to re-register myself through Triage again, to get myself in the queue for the ER Dr to go over the report with me. So, I told the Triage nurse, I need to head back to work, and asked them to call the OR Desk when the Dr is ready to see me.
Our OR usually closes at 1900, that's when the last 2 nurses leave by. But on Friday, the last Ortho case finished right at 1900. So, the nurse didn't leave until 1930, and I tried to finish all my work by that time too. Since she was leaving, I went down to wait. Good timing on my end, the moment I sat down, a nurse calls my name, and the ER Dr saw me within 5 minutes. Only to tell me, the ultrasound doesn't show that there's anything wrong, and because he suspects it could be my appendix, the ultrasound didn't show it. So, he ordered a CT Scan for me. More waiting, for the porter to come get me to take me to get the Scan. Around 2200, they took a second bloodwork, close to midnight, the Dr comes and tells me the report from the CT, and said I'll be needing to stay for the night. My parents came by and stayed with me starting around 2130 and left after knowing I'll be needing to stay overnight.
There were no beds available, but I was placed in an area with like 5 recliners. I didn't get any sleep. Two other male patients also stayed overnight. One of them had sleep apnea, and nurses woke him every two hours to check on his symptoms. The other guy, got up from his chair every hour to use the washroom, he was getting a lot of Potassium fluids. They both snored, although they dimmed the lights in our corner, the nursing station area is bright, the nurses chatted all night, there was no way I could've fallen asleep. Despite the fact that I only got 2 hours of sleep Thursday night, I should've been really tired and sleepy. I was just able to close my eyes to rest, but not exactly falling asleep or felt like I napped. At least the nurses' conversations kept me entertained.
I was finally discharged from ER on Saturday at 1300. Told by the Dr, I'm on a clear fluid diet for the next 7 days, that I have to return to Outpatient Department daily for IV Therapy. Next Wednesday, they will reassess me to see if further treatment is needed.
After all I've said, here's my condition. I don't quite remember the medical term, but the Dr explained that I have an infected abscess that grew from the outer wall of my colon. And since the pain ended up in my lower right abdomen, they had first thought it could be the bile duct or appendix. When the CT report came out, they called the General Surgeon who was on call for a consult. Was told surgery is not needed, but will need antibiotics.
My first overnight stay in the ER, in a reclining chair. The last time I stayed overnight in the ER at a different hospital, was 12 years ago, not as a Healthcare Worker. But that time, I had a stretcher, in my own room. It wasn't pleasant, as a security stayed outside my room the entire time (this was during one of my severe depressive episodes).
So, this current visit, I do somewhat believe I had a better wait time compared to the general public. After seeing the Triage nurse by the main entrance of the ER, a nurse called me into another area where the patients are treated, that waiting area had much less patients. If I had stayed by the main entrance Friday night, I won't even have a place to sit!
So now, they've kept the IV in my arm, that way they don't have to poke me again in the Outpatient Department on Sunday. The nurse wrapped it up with gauze before I left. It's just with sleeping, it's quite uncomfortable no matter how I rest my arm. So definitely won't be able to get solid sleep. Maybe napping on and off throughout the night. Oh yea, I was also given some oral antibiotics to take at home. Once every 12 hours for 7 days. Most likely calling in sick for Mon, Tues, and Wed. Probably end up taking the remaining of the week off too. Whether or not further treatment is needed after my reassessment. Just need to time off for my body to recover. Plus, I'll be on that clear fluid diet for 7 days, I won't have the energy to complete the tasks that are expected of me at work. Might as well take the time off, and hope to return the following week, either on the Monday or mid-week. We'll see how the reassessment goes.
@Jaeteuk sounds like you've had a fun few days😂😂 bless you ❤ yep ideally the doctor should have given you a sick note for a couple of weeks. Give you time to recover and see if more treatment is needed. Also Thank you for working and helping out at the hospital ❤❤ you are helping to save lives, your a hero ❤ so thankyou ❤❤ please keep us updated on how you are doing ❤ sending hugs and healing vibes your way ❤❤
Thank you, Whisper. I'll see how it goes with my first treatment this morning! Like I said, I've never actually gone into Outpatients before. Especially after the newly renovated area. Not quite sure what to expect. Will definitely be learning today. At least I kinda know what our ER looks like now. Before, with the new renovation and expanded department, I always got lost, as I looked around to check if they have taken our stretchers. Now I'm somewhat more familiar after my visits.
Will definitely keep you updated.
So, it turns out that there is an area with like 20 recliners, where patients go for their IV Therapy. I'm the quickest to leave. There are like 4 nurses working, each in charge of some chairs of patients. Some patients kept themselves entertained reading books, listening to music or something, some chatted with the person beside them, maybe some even fell asleep.. I just sat in my chair, thinking of my favourite tune, listening in on others' conversations, and before I knew it, my machine was alarming to alert the nurse it's finished. They've re-wrapped up the IV area with new gauze, and I could leave.
So, it turns out with my appointment times, it's the same time every day. That nurse in the ER didn't tell me that, I thought we had to make a new appointments each day. Or maybe she did tell me, but with the lack of sleep, it didn't process in my head. I only remembered what the ER Doc told me. So the nurse in the clinic said that for tomorrow's IV time, a Dr will come see me. I'll have to remember to ask her/him if I can continue with eating my vitamins, and if the clear fluid diet is needed throughout the seven days of oral antibiotics.
@Jaeteuk chocolate mmmm! Icecream sooo! Good. Pork, chips😋 all heaven makes our mouths water... Oh sorry you can't eat solid food oops!😕😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 well they are keeping a good check on you which is good ❤ did you get the week of work?? YOu need to get yourself a comic or puzzle boo k to pass the time when your at the hospital.. I recommend a where's wally/waldo book😁❤ let me know how it goes with the doctor tommorow ❤
Well, it's just a 30min drip, so time flies..kinda. Since I can't eat solids, I get hungry more often and I'm always cold, because fluids don't give me energy. I'm wearing a fleece jacket at home and wool socks. I'm totally okay with the restrictions of food.. my family had sushi (one of my favorite foods) in front of me, while I ate my orange Jell-O, apple juice, and chamomile tea to warm me back up after the cold liquids.
@Jaeteuk😂😂😂😂 what an evil family, they ate nice good in front of you!!! So evil😂😂😂😂😂😂 so no where's wally book needed then 😁 how are you feeling? Other than cold?
Oh well, Jell-O is good too. I don't even remember when was the last time I had it. So it's slowly bringing back some good memories.
The pain comes maybe only 5-10 times a day. My sleep is still not as good. Waking up every couple of hours. Like, it's almost 4am here, but had been awake since 2am, while falling asleep at 11pm.
After yesterday's appointment, I went into our OR's Lounge to make the sick call for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. And said after my reassessment on Wednesday, I'll decide then if I'll needed the rest of the week off.
I was discharged from the IV Therapy today. My arm was starting to bruise around the area of the IV, so it's good that it can be removed. Given a new antibiotic prescription to take at home for the next 2 weeks, and referred to the on-call General Surgeon to follow-up with a colonoscopy. Coincidentally, the on-call General Surgeon this morning is the same Dr that told me last Thursday that I don't need to go to Emergency to get my abdominal pain checked out. Going to surprise him.
I can also ease out of my fluid diet, starting with soft foods. I think I'll still take the remaining of the week off, just to let my body recover from the lack of sleep and energy in foods I eat. Health is definitely more important than the lack of staff at work. I bumped into one colleague in the hallway as she was bringing specimen to the lab, I gave her a heads-up that I'll most likely return next week, to allow my body to recover this week.
I'm also going to have to change to a high fibre diet, in hopes to help with bowel movements. To prevent this from happening again in the future. Although the doctor today said, it might not be only reason that this abscess developed. I didn't really get a proper reason as to why this happened from all 3 doctors I have seen since my ER visits to this Outpatients doctor. Maybe the General Surgeon will have a better idea why this happened.
@Jaeteuk I'm glad you don't need any more iv treatment ❤so will you be ok now?? And yes take the rest of the week off ❤ soft food diet yaaaay! That means ice cream and potatoe and leek soup😁 yaaay
Yup, no more IV Therapy! Just antibiotics to take at home. For dinner last night, I had some porridge and steamed egg.
The new antibiotics though, the tablets are huge. The one before were capsules, so much easier to swallow. Not looking forward to my first dose in the morning, I don't want to have to cut it in half, as it may taste bitter.
@Jaeteuk porridge😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝 oh no big tablets are the worst, I take a montelukast tablet every night and they are square. You can be brave and swallow it all ❤❤
It was more like congee, added with millet and butternut squash. So it was yummy.
It was more like congee, added with millet and butternut squash. So it was yummy.
It was more like congee, added with millet and butternut squash. So it was yummy. Much better than just eating Jell-O.
It was more like congee, added with millet and butternut squash. So it was yummy. Much better than just eating Jell-O.
Sorry for the multiple replies of the same thing. My phone's connection has been horrible. I tried pressing reply and nothing happens. But I guess, it still somehow went through. But my screen stayed in the reply message window.
@Jaeteuk it's ok ❤😁 I do that sometimes too ❤ how are you feeling now?? What did the doctor say??
Hi Jaeteuk, I read through all of your updates and comments -- just checking to see how you're feeling. It's wild that you were working while in pain! I hope you have paid leave or disability while you recover... I'm sorry you're dealing with the pain. I also hope that maybe this could be your way to gradually transition into your dream job since the current job is stressful. It's upsetting how long you had to wait to get assistance while in pain and the long process it took to get checked up, only for there to be no beds and no sleep...
I think you mentioned that you're no longer doing IV Therapy, right? So, it is only antibiotics while at home? You're currently not back at work, right?
I sincerely hope you have plenty of support and rest. It's very crucial during this time.
Wishing you the best and sending good vibes your way. ✨
It's very nice to hear from you. No paid leave, unfortunately. I used up my annual 5 sick days that are paid already. The pain was pretty much gone the past weekend already. The worst of it was last Wed, Thurs, and Fri. I'm glad I listened to my body, rather than that General Surgeon I briefly consulted with Thursday afternoon, who says that I don't need to check myself into the ER. The kind of pain I had last Wednesday, it was something I had never felt before.. Not exactly the kind of cramps that comes with menstruation, and not like the kind where you get an upset stomach from foods.. It was on/off pain in the lower abdomen, and it felt like it was the entire abdomen at first.. it wasn't until Friday, where the pain was mainly on the lower right side of the abdomen, and it got to a point where it hurts more after straightening up from bending over and forward.
I truly believe though, as a staff member, I was still in my scrubs, that my wait time was already much sooner than the general public. As for the beds, they only gave it to the elderly. There were two other grandmothers, probably above 80s, that got a bed spot, one went to the ward, another within the ER. The morning of Saturday, while myself and another guy was discharged, one of them had to be admitted and he got a bed spot.
Yes, I actually finished with the IV Therapy on Monday. But upon discharge from ER on Saturday, the nurse told me that I may be on IV Therapy until Wednesday, so that is what I have been telling my department. So to them, I just went off it yesterday. From Monday, the doctor there prescribed a new antibiotic for me to take at home for the next 2 weeks. The first side effect listed for this medication is diarrhea. Which is so true, the first time is always in the morning, after breakfast. Sometimes I go twice, other times, the second times happens after lunch.
My Manager messaged me yesterday, checking up on my recovery. As I mentioned to her earlier that I'll decide by Wednesday if I need the rest of the week off. So, I told her briefly. I'm off the IV Therapy, but the new antibiotics are causing a lot of diarrhea, making my body weak and tired. Not the best state to be working. So, I called in the evening to take the rest of the week off. I then messaged her, saying that I'm not sure I can return next week either. Because if this diarrhea continues throughout the 2 weeks that I'm taking this antibiotic, going to work will be very inconvenient. At first I offered to her, I can try and return to work next Monday, and see how my body responds, then decide if I need more time off. But she said, she wants me to fully recover before I return. With that being said, I think I might take next week off too (although I can already imagine my parents saying something about this).
Since a colonoscopy is needed, I think once I consult with the General Surgeon, I'll ask to do it at the other hospital.. kinda embarrassing to get it done with nurses that I will bump into with work. It won't be done within the OR, but the department beside us, Ambulatory Care. So, I think I'll choose the other hospital, where the only person I'll know, is the surgeon himself. According to the Doctor from the IV Therapy, the surgeon's office will contact me in 2 weeks, so probably after my antibiotics, to book a colonoscopy then. He said another CT might be ordered by the surgeon, to see what the abscess looks like now, or maybe the surgeon will just remove it during the colonoscopy.
@ImpudentIncognito
I've told my mum the exact words my Manager said to me, about saying that I should fully recover before going back to work. At first, I was afraid that my mum would say something to make to return to work, despite all the diarrhea I'm getting. But she agreed with me for once. I called the Pharmacist, at the Pharmacy where I had these antibiotics prescribed, asking how long this side effect of diarrhea will last. He says, most people, it will last for the first several days. I asked, is there a possibility that it will last the entire duration of me taking it? He says, yes. That it's nothing to worry about, unless I start showing other symptoms, like having blood in the diarrhea, or showing signs of being overly dehydrated. If that's the case, I'll need to contact my doctor. He says, the antibiotics are taken to get rid of the bad bacteria in my colon, and suggests I eat some probiotics to put good bacteria back. So, either from yogurt or the pill itself. My mum has some pills, so, I'll start taking that today.
Today is the 4th day, out of 14 days. Later in the afternoon, I think I'm going to let my Manager know that I'll take next week off too. You know, since she says she hopes that I'm fully recovered before going back to work, I might end up, returning after my colonoscopy. I'll have to wait and see when the time comes. I'm lucky that my side effect is diarrhea, and not nausea or vomiting. At least, I still have my appetite. It's just the frequency of using the washroom seems to be increasing.
And I don't like how I can't sleep through the night. Always waking up at least once in the middle of the night. Which is resulting in needing to nap during the day.
@ImpudentIncognito
@Jaeteuk It's good that you'll have time off until you recover! Not sure if you've heard of it, but there's these probiotic drinks called yakult that are pretty nutritious:
I'm not a big fan of yogurt, so I try to drink these at least once or twice a day. The blue yakult has less sugar than the red one, so I give my little one only the blue ones, and occasionally I'll drink the red ones.
Also, it's good to hear that your mother is onboard too. I hope you have plenty of support IRL as you recover...it's not easy dealing with a medical condition alone. It bites that the General Surgeon waved it off at first instead of taking it seriously. I can relate a bit to what you're going through. I ended up having to get a new doctor because the first one I found after years of not going to the hospital just waved me off instead of taking my concerns seriously. My new primary care provider has been great in comparison.
I wish you a quick and speedy recovery! ♥
We're into greek yogurt. But, since my mum has the pills, I'm just taking those for the time being. I have heard of those Yakult drinks, but haven't had them since I was a kid!
Ever since this medical attention on me, we're changing out diet. My brother and mum had been watching these videos that talk about glucose, "10 Life-Changing Glucose Hacks". They even bought the book, and it just arrived today. As it claims to include 100 recipes.
Well, the General Surgeon, I don't blame him for waving it off. I just caught him in between his surgeries, and briefly told him my symptoms. We even found a room, he closed the door, and had a feel of my tummy. So, based on the symptoms, it was normal that he didn't think much of it.
I wonder what he'll say after he sees my condition. Such a coincidence that the day I was discharged from Outpatients, that he was the General Surgeon on-call for that morning. Except, the doctor in Outpatients did not have his number, and he just wrote his name down on a piece of paper for me. Saying that if I don't hear from his office in two weeks to set up a colonoscopy, to call the office myself. He called somewhere and asked who the on-call GS was, so, I'm hoping he had somehow sent over my charts. Surprise him with my medical condition, probably something he never thought of.
I'm thinking, should I wait until after doing a colonoscopy before I return to work? Kind of like, make sure I'm really okay first before returning to work. But that may mean, more time off. I'm supposed to be working until end of March.. now, if I wait until my 14 days of antibiotics, then, schedule for a colonoscopy, not sure if there's a waitlist. Or if the GS will require another CT Scan, just to see if that abscess is under control or if new ones have developed, may take another 2-3 weeks. But being on antibiotics, that it kept it from growing. I don't know.. should I wait until I know the I'm 100% better, as in, finished with the colonoscopy, then return to work? Or just return to work after I finish my antibiotics and I've stopped with the diarrhea?
Not sure if I can afford being off for so long, even if I'm doing this because I'm putting my own health first. Health over work.
@ImpudentIncognito
@Jaeteuk Personally, I think health over work is best. Although, I do understand your situation of also needing to work, I'm in a similar predicament but... I learnt now to take care of my health first, because I used to overwork until exhaustion or make my medical issues worse by working instead of fully recovering.
If possible... could you take the colonoscopy a day or two before you're done with the antibiotic treatment? Say on day 13 or 14? Could they squeeze you in early?
If not...
Are you able to apply for short-term disability while recovering to generate some income? Or get some government assistance temporarily for some relief or help from loved-ones to borrow what you need until youre back on your feet?
It's good that your family is helping out and changed their diet with you. Also, it's great that you have that support while you're recovering! Indeed, I'm also curious to see how the General Surgeon will react when he sees you back for check ups.
Before, I might have worked too hard. Since I'm a perfectionist when it comes to work, I tend to overwork myself too. This summer, there's going to be many shifts. Then entire summer is work only, this is the other thing I don't like about working as a Casual. As someone who covers vacation because all the other permanent staff take turns taking weeks off in the summer. So, when the rest of the world is off on the summer, going on hikes, trips, vacations out of the city/country, I'm stuck at work Mon-Fri. I sometimes wish my colleagues would be considerate and mindful of me, leave me a week of vacation in the summer, rather than have them take turns taking their vacation time throughout the summer. Leave at least one week, where someone is not going on vacation, that way, I can actually have activities or plan a getaway somewhere with my parents. Can't really do much over the weekend, especially with the kind of work I do, (easily have more than 13,000 steps per shift), I would feel like going on hikes even if invited over the weekends.
Good idea, maybe I'll call up the office by end of this coming week. I know the GS is at my hospital on Wed and Thurs. So, I'll call him on the Friday, and see what my next steps will be like. Since Tuesday will be only the 7th day, by the end of the week will be closer to the 14 days. I just really wish this diarrhea doesn't last throughout the 14 days. It's so annoying, the frequency is now up to at least 3 times a day.
I'm going to have to look into that short-term disability thing.. but, I'm not sure if I'll be eligible, because I'm not a permanent staff. But it might be a bit late to have it approved, but I'll still check it out.
@ImpudentIncognito
@Jaeteuk
Your recount of the ordeal is vivid and detailed, giving a clear picture of the challenges you faced during your health crisis. It's evident that you navigated through it with a mix of practicality and patience. Here's to hoping for a speedy recovery and a return to your usual routine. Take care, and don't hesitate to take the time you need to heal fully.
It makes me feel bad that I have to call in sick for work though. We're already short-staffed because one colleague had surgery and is off for 2 months. I was supposed to be working, so that we have the full-staff. But now that I can't work, down to being short one person. In a shift, it's supposed to be 3 people, now there had only been 2 because I'm not there.
But, as much as I want to be working, my body is not allowing me.
So, I called the GS office this morning, no one answered, so I left a message. Said I was discharged from Outpatients last Monday and was told that this GS is to follow my condition. Wondering what my next steps in treatment is, and asked to call me back. Before leaving the message, the voicemail indicated that it may take 1-2 business days before I get the call-back. So, let's see what happens next. Maybe I can return to work next week.
Received the call back this morning. Secretary explained that they received 2 different referrals, one through fax, another through an e-document that went straight to the GS's inbox. One referral says I should see him in the office, while the other asks to book a colonoscopy. Secretary said she asked GS what he wants, and he says to just book the colonoscopy for me. So, it's been booked now. Going to be end of April, 2 months from being admitted in the ER. Apparently it has to been in 2 months (I originally heard 2 weeks) because she says my colon is inflamed. So, need to wait the 2 months for it to settle down before he goes in with the scope to look at my Colon. I asked her about the antibiotics and the diarrhea, she says it's common with the antibiotics, and because of my diagnosis/condition, the diarrhea is more severe. I also asked if another CT is needed to check on my condition, she explained a colonoscopy is better, and is more clear as it will be able to show the entire Colon.
So, I can basically return to work after the diarrhea stops.. so probably until I've finished another week of antibiotics, then will be going back to work.. I'm scheduled for Mon-Wed of next week, so, I might need to take those days off, as my antibiotics are to be taken until next Tues. Then, return to work in the last couple weeks of March.
