I learned a number of things this week, but sadly, I have a monster headache thanks to my stupid blood pressure and am not sure I can think clearly. And since I’ve spent twelve hours over the course of two days in the ER, most of what I learned this week took place there. I’ll do my best to keep this list short and sweet, especially since I can barely see straight.
1. When you are in the ER, there is always someone in more pain than you. Especially if the gal beside you has a “bad urinary tract infection.”
2. It takes longer to prepare a patient for an EKG, than it does to run the actual test.
3. The blood pressure is a tricky monster to figure out. At times it’s more like a beast.
4. When you are first admitted into the ER, it is probably a good idea to use the bathroom before they place the leads for the heart monitor on your chest and the oxygen sensor on your finger.
5. Hospital beds are not the least bit comfortable. The bedside chair is even more uncomfortable. Just ask McDaddy.
6. If your potassium is low, you can count on taking four big, honkin’, potassium tablets that will most likely make you gag.
7. If you arrive at the ER for dangerously high blood pressure, you can expect to be there for approximately five hours before being released. Which means that you should totally take your iPhone charger to the ER with you.
8. There are no secrets in the ER. With hospital beds just inches apart, it is impossible to have a private conversation.
9. Be prepared to answer the same twelve questions, 319 times.
10. If you are in the ER due to blood pressure problems, your arm will be pretty much feel like jello the day after your ER visit.
Head over to Musings of a Housewife for more What I Learned This Week posts.
And since I have a nice round list of ten, I am also linking to Oh Amanda’s Top Ten Tuesday!
{ 12 comments }
Hi Julie,
Praying for you!!!!
So, in that whole big hospital, they couldn’t find an IV bag full of potassium to give you???
Feel better soon..
.-= Becca – Our Crazy Boys´s last blog ..Whoot-Whew! =-.
I feel your pain, Julie. I went through a similar bp experience and I too was in my mid-30s. Took about 6 weeks and having my case turned over to an endocrinologist, but we finally got it under control. Started off taking FIVE, count ‘em, 5, pills a day. But it wasn’t long until I was down to 2, which I take every morning and am happy to report it’s been under control for the last 20 years. Hang in there.
What a bummer!
Feel better soon!
Oh my, oh my! I’m so sorry you had to go to the ER. All better now?
a
.-= oh amanda´s last blog ..Top Ten {Tuesday}: Unofficial Blissdom Events =-.
That’s no fun. I hope you find a solution for your blood pressure soon.
.-= Allison´s last blog ..Whole Wheat and Wheat Germ Pizza Dough =-.
Awww Man not again????? So sorry you are having to go through this. Praying they find the answer soon.
.-= Kim Sorensen´s last blog ..Waiting =-.
Hope you’ll be feeling better soon! FYI-those potassium pills expand in water, which also means they expand in saliva. YUCK!
Oh girl, don’t I know it! I went to the ER with heart problems and it was awful! I’m feeling your pain (not really), be strong and hope you feel better soon!
.-= Krista´s last blog ..Top Ten Tuesday – Things I’m Looking Forward To On Our Trip To Disney World =-.
Hope you feel better soon. Never really had to spend any time in ER – hoping not to have to either!
Julie – only you can make one chuckle at your experience in the ER — ie, #’s 4,6,7,9 & 10.
I’m so glad you are on the path to recovery – as today is Thursday – I’m going backwards in catching up my reading of your blogs. I have many to go, so take care – I am praying for you!
oh geez. anytime spent in the ER is usually never good. I’ve spent my share of time in hospitals and I’ve never sat in a chair that was comfortable, or ever had a private conversation. Just the nature of the beast, I suppose.
.-= martha´s last blog ..The Benefits of Potassium Iodide =-.
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