"They believed a delusional sick person?"
Gary was talking to Tina yesterday and she confessed that she felt terrible that I had appendicitis and she hadn't gone out to check on me even though she knew I was there. She'd already confessed how terrible she felt to me. Then she had to tell Gary. Oh dear. He didn't need to know that.
That's how my husband found out that the morning I fell ill, people allowed me to sit on the floor outside the gym waiting for him to drive from home to pick me up. He'd driven me to school and then gone to the store to buy organic milk and bananas and "other fun stuff" for our granddaughter's arrival. When he got home he found my message "Please call", called me back, and then got himself out the door.
In the mean time I had set up my classroom as best I could manage and after he called I went out closer to the door to wait for Gary to get me. People asked if I was okay, and I kept telling them, I'm fine, sick, but my husband is on the way.
So I sat with my back against the west wall of the gym, legs out in front of me, hoping Gary would arrive quickly. The truth is the pain was pretty bad, and soon would be worse than what I can recall from two births. It's hard to remember, but I guess by the time he got to the gym doors, I stood up.
The rest of the morning and into the afternoon, he stood nearby, offering water or tea, asking again and again if I didn't want to go to the hospital, until finally he got me there. Appendicitis should not happen to people my age. I had naive hopes about the speed of my recovery because I hate missing school.
At my post-op appointment yesterday, the surgeon was pleased that I was already back at work. I am tired, but I managed a couple of hours at Open Library last night.
Of course my paperwork says I've had my gall bladder removed so we are curious what the bill will be, and the bruise on my belly is still fading, but otherwise things have gone well. The nurses were wonderful.
Gary, bless his heart, is not forgiving about people who hurt me, but he's feeling kindly towards those who have been kind. The people who called or sent a card or stopped by get a free pass to heaven in Gary's book.
Poor Hemingway. Yes, I love my books, but if that was the best he thought he had... well, no wonder.
I am a lucky woman.
Weren't you constantly throwing up, too? That should have been a clue to people at school that no matter what you said, you were not okay. You sitting on the ground (sidewalk? blacktop?) on what I'm sure was a damp morning with your appendix on the verge of rupturing (or did it rupture?) is not a pretty picture. it's in my head now for sure. Cautionary. We need to knock ourselves out for the people who matter to us, as Gary, that sweetheart, knows.
ReplyDeleteI did not vomit. I had pain when I woke up and then just after 10, while I was at school, I felt nauseous, and that's what sent me home. I rarely throw up and I was determined not to. It took my entire attention.
ReplyDeleteThe anesthesiologist was very pleased when we talked before my surgery that night because I hadn't had more than a half cup of tea since the previous day.
I vomited epically and so did my son, Victor, who had his appendectomy when he was 19. In his case, it was the surgeon who kept saying that the problem (and he didn't think there was one, not REALLY) could not be Victor's appendix, that his temperature was too high. Too high? I was an extremely unpleasant mother of the patient until a scan was ordered.
ReplyDeleteGood on you that you skipped breakfast that day. (You don't always do that, do you?)
I generally drink a cup of coffee at home, then eat nuts and drink a thermos of water first thing when I get to school. That day I only sipped at the coffee (a tablespoon, two?) and didn't touch a thing after that until I was home later in the afternoon and I sipped a bit of herbal tea. As I said, the anesthesiologist was so very pleased. There really was nothing in my gut by the time he put me under, though I'd had three bags of fluid IV by then.
DeleteI am glad that you have recovered enough to go back to school, as I know how much you really do miss being there. I also am thankful that Gary not only got you to go to the hospital, but also has taken such good care of you both before and after you hospital adventure. Gary's caregiving shows his love and tells me how lucky you are.
ReplyDeleteI admire and can identify with your tenacity to not throw up. I imagine it indeed took your full attention. Perhaps that was somewhat of a distraction to the pain and was a good thing.
I wish I had been one who had sent you a card or flowers or visited you, but somehow the hours here just seem to melt away and then the day is over. Here's hoping you both know that I care. Sending wishes for continued and completed healing.
To my co-nana, Shirley: You sent me plenty of good wishes and I received every one!
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