The Husband and the ER visit

👆  How's that for an attention-getter?  👆

I had previously mentioned that my husband's back had gone out about a week ago. While there was some improvement initially, yesterday morning, he woke up in excruciating pain. He could barely walk, and the radiating pain was relentless, with no relief in sight. It was the worst I’ve ever seen him in.

He said he would go to the VA when they open at 7 am.

I insisted that he go to the ER at Mercy Hospital immediately.

We discussed it, and I still don’t understand why he was so stubborn.

I won, but it annoyed me and wasted time. 

We went off to the hospital's ER. It was 7am. 

Upon arriving, there were three individuals in total, leading to the expectation that the process would be completed relatively quickly.

They attended to him promptly. He exhibited chills, dry heaves, and intense pain—clearly in a dire situation that was immediately apparent. They collected his blood and urine and administered two shots for the pain. Upon seeing his urine, it was obvious to me that the issue wasn't with his back; he had a kidney infection. I reached out to Sara, my daughter-in-law, and she confirmed my assessment. 

After a couple of hours, they took him to begin a course of antibiotics through an IV which further confirmed to me that it was a kidney infection. I took the opportunity to flee the sick ward and chose to sit out in my freezing cold van. It just happened to be the coldest day so far this year. It was 39 degrees and raining, and in some places, it actually snowed, but it never amounted to anything on the ground. 

But still...

By noon, I was hit with a crushing caffeine headache and felt the pangs of hunger since we skipped breakfast. I ended up buying my husband a sandwich at the café for what felt like an outrageous price ($14.95) and a cup of stale coffee that cost $3.45.  As someone who only drinks coffee at home, I was appalled by the price of that small cup of coffee.  Not to mention, the coffee was stale—there’s nothing worse than bitter, old coffee.

By this point, the waiting room was packed with visibly ill individuals, likely contagious, vomiting, coughing, and sneezing, their eyes running with discomfort. Many were in their pajamas, clearly at their worst. Babies were crying, and toddlers were suffering from high fevers. 

And I'm thinking, 

"we're not getting out of here alive."

What on earth is taking so long? I know he has a kidney infection, and I didn’t even attend medical school! They need to move things along with those tests.

Finally, the doctor, a nice young man confirmed my husband’s diagnosis: he is suffering from a severe kidney infection. My husband had dismissed the kidney symptoms as a back injury, leading the VA to just tell him to take 2 Excedrin and go home. He didn't tell them or me, he had blood in his urine. 

 The doctor pointed out that his urine was "a mess" as he referred to it and emphasized the importance of hydration. My husband’s aversion to drinking water is concerning; he only prefers juice. He drinks a lot of tea hot and cold. Additionally, he has a significant kidney stone in his left kidney that isn't currently causing pain but needs to be addressed with his primary care physician at the VA. It's crucial that he takes this seriously.

I find myself frustrated with my husband—who is a very dear man, but his stubbornness is becoming more pronounced as he gets older. He keeps his health needs hidden from me, insisting that he doesn’t want me to worry. 

What are you talking about?

 I'm not some cupcake. 

I raised 3 sons alone so don't give me that! 

We got home at 3:30. 

Nothing like a sleeping cat to snuggle with after a totally exhausting day. 

Everything is in order now—the pain is being managed and he is already feeling much better. He is taking three different medications to address the inflammation of his kidney, along with an antibiotic and a steroid. He can't drive till he is off the meds. They make him sleepy. 

I was showered, in bed, and lights out for me at 6:30, where I slept 11 1/2 hours! I didn't even eat dinner, or lunch or breakfast! (I did drink my water!) 

Today was a new day.