A MisAdventure

I have been lucky enough to experience my first MisAdventure here in the UK.

Friday during one of my classes I had to run out of the room - I thought I was going to faint/throw up. Another teacher ran into my classroom and took over. I went to the nurse and told her I was going to be sick. I ended up on the floor in the women's restroom with an awful pain in my side. I was freaking out about my class. The nurse ended up getting my department head, Keith, and he had to drive me to my doctor. So here I am, shaking while they wheel me out of school and down the front steps....luckily all of the kids were in their classes.

We get to the doctor and Keith wheels me in and I am thrashing around - in unbelievable pain - and they just say "Room 9" as we go in. Go right into room nine and this woman starts asking me questions. Gets me on a table. Does the whole Scale of pain from 1 to 10 think - I say 9. She says there is nothing she can do and I have to go to the hospital. She calls ahead and Keith drives me up the road to the hospital. GOOD thing I registered at that doctor like two days earlier...This came out of nowhere - fine one minute and then BAM - the worst pain you can image the next.

I don't remember any of the ride or going to the hospital. Keith just gets me another wheelchair and I end up in the surgical assessment area. Once again, they saw me right away and were fiddling about - I, in the meantime, decided to throw up. Keith is sitting there confused as all hell. I start thrashing about some more because I just can't get comfortable or control myself. Finally Dr. Jack comes and does a line in my arm and gave me a huge injection of pain killers and nausea medication. Eventually, I just stopped moving and passed out.

Long story short, I had kidney stones. How lovely. I'm told it's the worst pain you can have, a 10 on that nice little pain scale. They say childbirth is less painful. They take me for an MRI and XRay - yep - a stone. In the meantime I'm on 2.5 IVs before I can use the loo. Dr. Jack tells me "Well, you're a bit dehydrated..."

So they admit me into the hospital somehow and put me on tons of medication. I can't feel anything, which is a good thing. Mary came to check on me and then Amy came to sit with me for the night. Keith came back and brought me some toiletries and towels - and he even went and bought me some panties. That's a great Department head for you.

They wouldn't let me eat or drink anything by mouth for 24 hours. Friday night was ok - mostly me lying awake because it sounded like the nursing staff was playing hockey in the hallway with a toolbox - so bloody loud. Amy brought me up some PJ pants (the gnome ones) and slippers, so at least I was a bit comfy.

Saturday the pain came back, so we doubled up on Meds. Amy ended up coming back up to see me, and they moved me down to the Urology section -- ALL men in a smelly ward - I was lucky enough to get my own little room. Carol, the school nurse came up and brought some flowers, fruit and squash (for flavoring water) -so that was much appreciated. Amy and I just sat BSing the entire time. Eventually I was given soup and jelly (jell-o to us Yanks). Amy went home and Patricia, one of the ladies who worked at the Hotel came to see me. We chatted a bit and then Richard, one of my flatmates came bearing chocolate and flowers. Bless him.

Sunday morning I woke up (after a great sleep) not needed any pills. Took a shower and was told to move again. They moved me to the end of the smelly ward - by myself. I was very unhappy. The ward was really yucky and there was an old man screaming out in pain every so often. Amy ended up coming to visit - never abiding by the visiting hours - which is really funny. We did some cheerleading prep and then she waited for me to be discharged so she could drive me home. After six hours, they finally let me go - giving me plenty of pills to take and instructing me to remain cautious.

I still have this kidney stone - have no idea where it is in my system - am not sure about when I can return to work. Pretty much, it was the worst release ever. I was very happy to be let go though. They still hadn't let me eat any actual food, so Amy and I stopped at Pizza Hut on the way home and got ourselves a pizza.

And now, here I am. Not allowed to go into work (Mary's orders) until I see my GP. The pain is coming back so I've taken a pain killer. Gotten a number of messages from school people - my mobile ran out of credit so I couldn't tell anyone anything. They will all learn tomorrow, I suppose.

Overall, quite an experience. Explains why I was sick on the plane. I now know what Squash is...love it. Amy is a lifesaver - and I'm really happy to say that I found a great group of people here. It will be nice to be able to use the toilet without worry, so hopefully this passess quickly. And to top it all off - the hospital stay is part of National Health Insurance. One bill I don't have to pay. Very nice.