ERM - What's Next? Pt. 5

 

WHAT’S NEXT?  -  Part 5

 

By Ella Rose Mast

 

For those of you who asked:-----

On December 27, 1997, I took a detour and it was a long and bumpy road. Had not been feeling up to par for some time. Had been to the clinic and taken an antibiotic prescription, but some of the problems just did not go away, altho it seemed to help a bit.

When Maurice came over that morning, he said, ‘Ella, are you all right?’ (He has built-in radar. Can’t hide anything from him). Then he called JoAnn and talked to her about it. Then she called back and said my doctor was on call at the hospital that Saturday and that I should go see him. She made the necessary calls and we were on our way.

In the emergency room at Scott Co. Hospital, an exam was done. They did chest X-rays. The lung did not look good. Then Doc put a needle in my back on the left side and drew out about three quarts of fluid that had been in the sack around the lungs. He announced that the left lung had collapsed and soon I was in the back of the ambulance on oxygen, JoAnn was in front with the ambulance driver and Maurice was following in his pickup. We were on our way to Garden City St. Catherine Hospital where Dr. Miller awaited.

Things aren’t too clear to me from then on for the rest of the day. I was admitted to the hospital. But they tell me, they inserted a tube into my chest, then a small balloon thru the tube and inflated that lung. Then they left the tube in, laying along side the lung and fastened a suction pump to that. The pump rested on a little table with wheels. It had two big bottles on the bottom shelf and I took the little green table on wheels wherever I went.

On January 18, 1998, the tube was finally removed and I started to see if I could get along on my own without the pump. I had another leak in the lung and delayed my coming home. But this healed quickly, and finally I am coming home.

To complicate the situation a bit, my collar bone broke. It was in bad shape anyway because of the cobalt years ago when we were trying to stop the cancer. I do not know exactly when it broke, but as they moved me in the hospital, it made for some difficulty.

So, you see.---I have been a big bother to a lot of people, (no she wasn’t---(jd) and I have said a lot of “Thank you’s.” But probably not enough. But I met a lot of dedicated competent people on this detour. And others who worked hard to cheer you up. So there was some fun along the way.

Now while in ICU, I got used to male nurses. Being an old lady, then is rather a shock at first. A female nurse was there for baths. But after a time, when I rang for a nurse, I noticed, that all of a sudden, the girls around the desk would get very busy as tho they realized that I needed the potty chair. Sure enough. Here would come a young man and he would put grandma on the ‘throne.’ And, yes. They even wipe you and put you carefully back in bed.

Of course, you know that I talk an awful lot. Probably too much. But I made the comment to one young man that I noticed that the feminists wanted in the foxholes with GI Joe, but the girls here seemed to be busy when grandma wanted the potty chair. Well, the story spread and when I was moved up to fourth floor, they already had heard the story.

On the fourth floor, there were also male nurses. And after seeing some who walked the hallways at night after you heard an ambulance arrive, you were glad those young men were also on the halls walking that area where your room was. The RN’s and aides told me they were also happy to have them. Thank goodness the girls still give the baths.

As I said that, I heard from Maurice right away, saying, ‘Now you know how us guys have felt all these years.’ Well, I had just always figured that since mother was your first nurse, then this was just a woman’s job. But live and learn.

As to who mailed last months material. It was almost ready to go, so after my detour started, Maurice and JoAnn finished and mailed. So your thanks go to them. I have let them read your letters. She will play a part in this months preparation and mailing.

With plenty of rest, I expect to be up and at it once again, Yahweh willing. I have to see how things are progressing this year which has started off with a bang.

It seems the president couldn’t resist one more episode. Will watch for developments in one more scandal.

Until next time----Yahweh bless.

ELLA