There are times that the old geezer tries to ignore life's minor pains. One does not want to bore folks with the tales of growing old.
For several days, there was a growing pain in me back, felt like I had slept badly.
On Friday past, the pain reached 'pass out' point' and needed no more from me than to get to hospital. The old geezer was doubled up in pain. Pain like when I had my bad gall bladder.
Tests revealed that the old geezer had a bladder enlarged three times normal. Who knew. I thought I was passing water just fine.
I required a catheter inserted. YUCK.
Truth be told, the nurse who did the procedure, did it quite well. When the hose was in the willie, it was like Niagara Falls, the bag filled to overflowing.
Two nights in hospital with pain killers did the trick. I was able to get the hose removed and return home. There is some pain left, but nothing a few days will not cure.
My dears, Paul may not be a perfect photographer, considering what he had to work with, the snap turned out rather well.
If MOI keeps cake hole shut, the droop of the lip on the lower side is not noticeable. Not sure if one can see when talking but it is blatant if the old geezer laughs or tries to open wide. That might be a good thing in the future...
"THAT WHICH DOES NOT KILL US, MAKES US STRONGER"
Of late, the old geezer has given much thought to the above quote and come to basic truths, in light of recent events.
No doubt, the past month will not be looked back on with undiluted pleasure. It has been one hell of a ride.
In hospital and later at home, MOI has had much time to reflect and it has not been a trip round the pity pole. Oddly enough, the old geezer believes there is much to be thankful for. Allow MOI to share with you.
Twice in past year when things turned to custard on, the old geezer has been most fortunate to have someone who helped through the bad patch. In Hilo, there was Scott, who helped get though the bad fall and was there when me right ear exploded. Here, in Reno, there has been Paul. Paul stayed with in ER, and has helped MOI recover in so many ways. Am lucky to have my very own 'Nurse Ratchett'. Paul will not let MOI drag leg, forget to take medicines and is constantly reminding to eat something. Neither of there individuals had to do anything for. They did or do because they care about the old geezer.
Which brings up the subject of being liked. MOI knows deep down that there are folks who care if the old geezer is alive. Bloody hell, when the old geezer left Hilo in a flash, it was Scott who would not allow the departure to go unnoticed and wanted to make sure that all was well. Times past, it was convenient for MOI to feel that it matter naught if he lived or died. Total rubbish that was and now full well that that not be the case. There is no worry that MOI is going to 'deplete the population by one' by own hand, MOI is going to stay until check out time.
It might well be that the good Lord is telling the old geezer something. Like slow down, you will not be taken any time soon. Am learning that lame leg is not going to prevent the old geezer from living, just going to make it harder to get round. Same with the hearing.
The silver lining,and there is always a silver lining, is the plus received. The old geezer now takes the time to read the faces of folks met. Get to know them better than a quick glance. The loss of weight will no doubt help deal with leg and other problems, making the coming years easier to deal with. Have not quite worked out what is gained with the drooping lip, but it will no doubt come.
MOI has no clue how long life will be. Rather think that there is much left. John was taken from 25 years ago and MOI is still here, Paul died in 2010, and if one makes it 25 years past that death, it adds up to a rather long life. Tragic loss in the past has make MOI realize that life goes on. The pain of that loss is less as the years roll by, but one does get on in life. One of God's tests? Telling us that we are stronger than we believed?
When the old geezer was in ER, the priest came and gave the Sacrament of the Sick, confession was made and the old geezer was at peace. Truly. MOI could not remember last time he had been evil to anyone. Truth be told, confession was easy as there was not much to tell. There be many who will never understand my being a Catholic. It works for MOI, that is all that matters.
The lovely gentlemen in the orchestra are ready to play for you...
Truth be told, the old geezer is clueless where the path of life is leading MOI. Rather think that there are adventures yet to be had. Am quite sure that there be many more interesting folks to meet. MOI thought he had it all figured out as to landing spot after ear surgery. Now it has to be re-thought. One hopes that the leg and arm will improve, am told that there is strong possibility of that. The lasting effects of the stroke could be ever so slight. What is known is that MOI will slow down and makes sure that each and every moment of life is enjoyed to the fullest. There is no thought given to passing, that ill come when it is time, not sooner.
There you have it, my thoughts on what has happened and what might come to pass. Truly, the old geezer is quite comfy and at peace. How many can say that???
The tobacco enema was used to infuse tobacco smoke into a patient’s rectum for various medical purposes, primarily the resuscitation of drowning victims.
A rectal tube inserted into the anus was connected to a fumigator and bellows that forced the smoke towards the rectum.
The warmth of the smoke was thought to promote respiration, but doubts about the credibility of tobacco enemas led to the popular phrase “blow smoke up one’s ass.”
Recent stay in hospital had staff concerned about not having had a bowel movement. Wonder if this be the tool they had in mind???
The old geezer had the above sign made and placed above bed in room at Renown Hospital.
However brilliant the staff on the ward was, it is a sign of what was lacking. All day long, folks would enter the room to do something to or want to ask something of the old geezer. Some of the staff at hospital were aware of the need to allow MOI to read face, lips and they moved close and spoke loud and slow. SOME. There were others who did a creep up and expected MOI to know what the wanted of. Got right upset when they did not get a reply, or up set that the old geezer has no volume control on voice and is known to be LOUD. Wore me out it did. So much so that when offered the ability to go next door to Renown Rehab, turned it down.
At first MOI was going to lay blame on hospital but got to thinking and came to realize that hospital is just like society in general. Folks do not do deaf.
It is right hard to learn how to read lips and faces. What with the ever changing cast at hospital it made it tiring each and every day. Being deaf is not a blatant disability. Without me device in ear, folks assume MOI can hear even if they are far from , or behind back. Am clever but not that clever.
Right odd that even after the sign was fashioned and placed over me bed, the problem continued. Came to believe that some folks did not want to deal with deaf, just like at home. Was wrong of MOI to assume hospital would be different.
No clue how long the old geezer will be able to hear anything. Too early to tell. One wonders how folks will deal with total deaf old geezer. Or for that matter how the old geezer will. For now, MOI will just have to wait and see if device works better when the operation sorts self down the road.
Truth be told, the old geezer has no clue what the food at Renown tastes like. Has no sense of taste.
The old geezer was placed on a Dysphagia Diet due to stroke and worry that he might not be able to swallow or chew. That means they create meals using the blender, all is pureed.
Renown is not cheap, the meals were plentiful. There were snacks, morn, afternoon and night. My room mate showed his platter and it was very full of food and varied from day to day.
They did a test to see if the old geezer could swallow. He could, but fessed up to not feeling up to groceries and needing to force oneself to eat. Was kept on the puree diet, thinking being that not having to chew would encourage MOI to eat more. Right creative they were in serving up meals. They made the pureed stuff 'look' like food. Mind, there were times MOI had to read the menu, had no clue what the mass of puree was.
Renown Dietary came to visit and asked if they could give anything special to make meal time special. They offered up Fruit smoothies with protein for snacks and made sure that MOI had loads to drink. How lovely and so very thoughtful.
The menu was full of choices. Room mate told that it was tasty and filling, and he enjoyed the snacks. The room mate LOVED his groceries...
The old geezer did not eat much but was right pleased that staff took time to create interesting meal time for. Very nice touch that was...
Friday past, the old geezer had a stroke, a Ischemic Stroke, to be exact. However clever MOI thinks he is, when the first signs of the stroke hit in the am of Friday, they were ignored, it was not until the second wave hit round Tea Time, that it was taken serious and a trip to emergency was needed.
The staff at Renown Emergency were brilliant. The old geezer was rushed in, stripped naked and hooked up to devices and a source for IV and blood draws. Doctors and staff, did all the right things to calm down and start the recovery process. Had the old geezer gone in at first signs, there are drugs to be got that can make other waves not happen and make the effects of a stroke less harmful. That was big mistake on me part.
Quick as you could say 'Nurse Ratchett' it seemed the old geezer was made calm and stable and on way to room on ward. Or so it seemed. all Moi knows is that he no longer felt scared.
Right, most who follow me blog know that the old geezer tries to find a bit of humour in all things. Mind, a stroke is no joke but one has to see the light side of tragic. No, Robert did not turn into Hillary Clinton, is is a giggle, Hillary trying to show self as stroke victim. I can relate, biggest fear was how one would look.
Rather think we need a little music to lighten the mood of the post and the gentlemen of the orchestra agree with me selection.
Before you roll eyes and this the old geezer has gone balmy, allow MOI to explain. The staff at Renown were going to have to sort out the old geezer and one came to appreciate their support and positive outlook each day.
Now, pray read on...
Unless one is bizarre, no one wants to be in hospital. My stay was for 6 days. There are endless tests to be done, medicines to be taken, and doctors play detective and try to sort out why the stroke happen and how to prevent another from happening. That is the sign of good doctor, he is also a good detective.
What can one say. The staff on the ward assigned were brilliant. Acting as as fine tuned ensemble, they completed one another in making sure that the old geezer was well looked after. Had the old geezer the power, he would give the staff of the ward, The Golden Enema Gong, they flushed out the wicked illness and made one feel flush with new hopes.... For all of you wicked readers who are thinking of other meaning for the gong, wicked you be.....
If the old geezer had to have a stroke, one had was not so bad. The left side is a bit different. Arm and leg seem to be most affected, with a slight droop in lip. Much of the stroke is healing and if what one is left is most suffered, it is not so bad. The old geezer got lucky. VERY LUCKY.
Today at Tea Time, the old geezer was allowed to go home. There is therapy down the road, and a good sign that symptoms of stroke could be even less than at present.
With undiluted pleasure, MOI waved good bye to Renown and is looking forward to being home. If one thought there was going to be horrid details of past 6 days, you be so very wrong. MOI is just ever so happy to be home. There is something positive to come out of this.
Unless the plague of boils is next, there is going to no more said on the subject of stroke.
In the rush to tell stories of me ear operation, the old geezer forgot to tell of his visit to hospital where the surgery was performed.
Renown Medical Centre, located in Downtown Reno,NV.
The lovely staff there makes it every so easy to check in the day of surgery. No trip to hospital is met with undiluted pleasure, but to get warmly greted and guided through the process sure makes it so much easier to take. From the 'meet and greet' at reception, to the passing through to the nurses in the surgery suite, it all gets one to feel that the outcome will be as painless as possible.
The old geezer did not overnight in hospital, nor was he going to overnight after surgery. The snap is of one of the surgery areas, where they get you ready to go into the operation theatre. Here, the nurse does the chart work, places the IV to get ready for the drugs that will put you under, takes clothes for safe keeping and locks them up. There is a chair provided, so that person who waits for, can be comfy. It is also here one returns, after the surgery.
There is a curtain round, for privacy. One gets the feeling that the staff has all of the bases covered. It is rather cheerful.
In the UK, there is the NHS, a national health scheme, and one reads of how horrid it can be for some folks. I do not know that to be true from personal experience, having never been ill in UK. Mind,like the UK, there are some in this country that complain of how horrid a trip to hospital can be. The old geezer must have extraordinary luck in choice of hospitals, as none have not been good. In truth, Renown tops the list of brilliant care centres.
The above snap pokes fun at hospital in UK.
Renown is not an object of a laugh to MOI. Days after surgery, members of the surgery staff rang up at home and followed up with Paul as to me progress.
If that were not enough, the other day a greeting card landed in me post, wishing me well. Fancy that.
The old geezer hopes that many moons will pass before a return to hospital is needed. Should there be the need, you can be sure that Renown will be the place visited. They are the best. Better than brilliant, the staff at Renown is legend...
