Well Ive finally escaped.. just for a few hours but Ive escaped.
Where have I been? Well for the past nine days, yes nine days! Ive been in hospital, hooked up to IV antibiotics, poked at, proded, fed food my mother would die from.
Nine days of hospital, Im still in my pyjamas, have got my tags on, one with my name the other a red one which tells them Im allergic to codeine, Ive had five canulas put in me, but was freed from them last night and put on oral antibiotics. Nine days ago I fell really ill at home with a high temperature and apparently collapsed, went into dilerium and was transported by ambulance to my local hospital, where I was then released to come home. When I got home I developed another high temperature, chest pains and was once again taken to hospital where I waited in the emergency corridor for 3 hours, admitted to emergency, and then upto ward 14 where I have been for the past nine days!
Nine days without the internet, because apparently the phone connections in the room are there only for decoration (they dont work believe me I tried). I came home today was allowed to leave for only a few hours on the provision that I go back in a few hours time. They still want to keep an eye on me and hopefully the test results will come back clear and Ill be able to come home for good tomorrow.
I had a Tranesophogial EcoCardiograph done the other day, that was the most disgusting test I have had done. It meant I didnt eat all day and then had to swallow a tube so they could take a look at the valves in my heart. I was told I was going to be sedated so I wouldnt remember the procedure, Yeah right! After tieing something to my mouth so I didnt close it they then proceeded to shove this tube down my throat of which I gagged all the way while they took pictures. Oh my god that was so horrible! I still feel the scratches it caused as it went down.
Ive had blood cultures done one of which grew some sort of bacteria, which apparently is a contaminent because it hasnt grown in the 6 other bottles of blood they took from me.
Ive had chest xrays, which have shown to be clear, urine samples which are clear, everything so far, thank god has shown itself to be clear. I also had a test called a Gallium scan which involved 3 days ago having a tracer injected into me which is radioactive, then after two days they scan my entire body, which lasted for an hour and they check to see if the gallium collects around an infection anywhere in the body so they can find out why Ive been sick. Havent had the results of that yet but Im hoping they wont find anything.
Im in a bedroom with 2 old guys both of which are coughing and splutering everywhere, and a young disabled guy who has pneumonia. I would think I was safer being at home. Ive always thought the place to go if you want to be sick is at a hospital. I know Im winging, but Ive been there for nine days and spring is started outside and Im over it, I feel good. Im lucky though. Im lucky they have made me feel better and lucky so far there is nothing serious happening with me.
It's the first time Ive been in hospital since Ive been HIV positive. It's scary. The staff have been really nice and Ive had a few visitors which has been great.
Have I missed out on anything in JU? Has anyone noticed Ive been away? Hopefully Ill be back home tomorrow. It feels good to escape!