Jun 20, 2017

IN WHICH OUR HAPLESS HEROINE BECOMES A CAUTIONARY TALE...

The driving distance from the door of CS2 to the Emergency Room entrance of St. Joe Hospital is six minutes.

Ask me how I know this.

Go ahead.

Ask.

When last we left our tale of woe, I had called my family doctor with a simple "Hey, doc!  I didn't go to medical school or anything, but I think I'm having another diverticulitis flare up.  Can you just call in an antiobiotic and let me get on with the unpacking of the things and the moving of the things and the dusting of the things and the organizing of the things?"

The call finally came at about 6pm, and it was not at all what I expected.

"Get to the ER and get there now."

Phooey.

I confess to having a moment of hesitation, but then my better angels kicked in and I realized that Dr. Niklinska has been my doctor for 20 years now, and in that time she has never once lead me astray, and besides, I am teetering on the edge of oblivion with these kidneys and should probably sit up in the buggy and pay attention.

So I called Miss Charlene to give her a heads up that I was headed that way, pulled on some clean clothes, and headed out.

(Do you know that Miss Charlene showed up in that waiting room to make sure I was OK and to keep me company?!  I swear...it's like I told Nurse Judy (who was taking care of me) "Every spinster needs a Miss Charlene".)

As predicted, Yours Truly is indeed suffering from an acute attack of diverticulitis.  Ten days of antiobiotics and lots and lots of fluids and all should be well again in that department, and as long as I don't try to sit, stand, lie down, breathe, think, or move I feel just fine.  The pain is...interesting, but the good news is that there was no sign of abscess or rupture, which means we caught it early.

My poor kidneys, though, appear to have taken a hit, and whether this is from the move, the heat we had, the progression of the disease, or the flare up is uncertain.  So I will meet with the kidney doc next Monday to see if I can continue to limp along, or if it's dialysis time.

(I'm hoping for the former, just for the record.)

I will make a quick trip to the Targets for the prescriptions and some provisions to get me through, and then it's back to the Happy Chair until Miss Charlene picks me up for our excursion to the House of Stitches.  As God is my witness, I will not move from this chair or touch one single solitary box or piece of mess today.  I have looked forward to this trip for months and am not going to miss it.

I suspect that the pace will now be much different while I recoup.  There is still an absolute ton of stuff to do here...not to mention the entire house that needs to be cleaned out over at The Forest, but...la dee da, la dee da...that will just need to wait.

All is well, dearies, all is well.  I promise that this was actually a good thing, in that it got me to a full stop and on my big fat heiney for a rest.  

If it also results in a needle and thread getting back in my hand it will definitely have been worth it!


35 comments:

  1. Oh no. I'm so sorry. I had diverticulitis four years ago and it totally kicked my butt. Not fun at all. I've had twinges since but fend them off by exercising daily, drinking lots of water, increasing dietary fibre and taking a daily probiotic. Keeping healthy is hard! I'll be keeping you in my thoughts.

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    1. Amen to that Alice! Keeping healthy is a full time job.
      Coni I hear ya. Sometimes it takes something like this to force us out of SuperWoman mode. Take care :)

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  2. DIVERTICULITIS sucks! But do try to relax and ignore the boxes. We need you to get better....

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  3. Praying you through, Coni dear. Follow the doctor's orders and say fiddle-dee-dee to things that are not imperative....

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  4. Coni,
    Take care of yourself. And bless Miss Charlene! We all need a friend like her, or to be a friend like her!
    Susan

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  5. I get the Soprano's reference when you refer talking with Dr. Melfi from time to time BUT what I don't know is what teevee show or movie that has an angel named "Miss Charlene". Could it be an angel is in human form and walks amongst us? I hope you enjoy going to the stitchy store today - maybe 2 new projects to keep your heiny in the happy chair until you get some much needed rest and recoup after the moving & packing & unpacking. You don't want to be sick when you get the call that a kidney is available! Hope you have a fun day - you deserve one.

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    1. Charlene is a real person! in the Embroiderers Guild.

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  6. Oh Coni, your organized stitching area is so much neater than mine. If you weren't having all these health issues, I'd pay you to come over and help me get organized. Do take care of yourself and that Red Velvet Cake piece looks like loads of fun!

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  7. I am so sorry you are having this on top of everything else. My sister and mom have had it, so far I have dodged the bullet. Please, rest, drink fluids, eat healthy, and stitch. I will be thinking of you! xxoo

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  8. We have a small local company that helps with moving and organizing, even downsizing. You can sit and tell them what stays and what goes, they donate, sell, pack, and handle everything. Maybe there is such a group in your area to help you at the house.

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    1. Marly - What area are you located in? I have some of the same problems that Ms. Connie has and do not have the energy any longer to do this by myself.

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    2. Western PA close to Ohio.

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  9. Coni. I just don't know what to say. So I'll just say this: Love, hugs & PRAYERS! Cathryn ♥

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  10. Sometimes it takes things like this to make us slow down!! Enjoy your excursion to House of Stitches with Miss Charlene.

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  11. I wish I lived close enough to just drive on over and move things around for you while you sat still and took it really easy. Alas, I do not, and cannot schedule a trip out....because the damn calendar is not empty enough to find a span of days for same. Being retired, dear husband and I take our responsibilities seriously - get dressed and go to the dr or dentist, et al. Rest, take it easy, things will wait, or perhaps you can give your fingers a little work out surfing to find a someone that might provide the services you are looking for - Angie's list or the like may have people who do general organization or the like. Take care, prayers continue. Oh, and I love the Red Velvet Cake, have fun with Miss Charlene.

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  12. You poor dear! It's just one thing after another. You have been under a lot of stress and that's definitely not good for a body that's already limping along. Can you get one of your stitching friends to help with the sorting and putting away? I know you want to do it yourself - I'm the same way - but I've learned that there are times when you just have to utter a big sigh and call for help. I hope your antibiotics kick in soon and alleviate your pain; in the meantime, stitch away. And drink plenty of fluids.

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  13. Rest, drink the fluids, and relax. The boxes and unpacking can wait. Sorry to hear it is diverticulitis, but glad you went to the ER and got it taken care with treatment. Enjoy your outing to House of Stitches!

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  14. Sending along lots of prayers & good thoughts. Enjoy your shopping spree & then just sit & stitch & heal.

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  15. Scarlett, oops, I mean Coni,plunk yourself down in that Happy Chair and don't get out of it unless it's for necessities (food, medicine, bathroom breaks etc.) until Miss Charlene comes to retrieve you. The boxes etc. will be there tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow but you don't have that luxury. So for Pete's sake take care of yourself, please!

    Sandra in Texas

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  16. FINALLY, Miss Coni......After your friends have been telling you for some time now to rest and take it easy your body, with a vengeance, has told you to STOP with all the stress! A trip to House of Stitches is the best thing for you, as long as someone else is driving. Your are very lucky to have a friend like Miss Charlene, She does sound like an angel.

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  17. Wishing I lived closer (I'm in southern tip of NJ). If so, I would be there in a flash & have you cleaned & organized in just a couple of days! So sorry I'm not able to do just that...I'm a "fixer," retired nurse, mom & grandmom and it sure irks me that I can't help. Please do as the doc says and just rest, rest, & rest! Everything else will fall into place as time goes by. Prayers for a quick recovery from the horrendous pain & prayers that dialysis can be held off for a little while longer!

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  18. Please rest. The stuff will wait for you. You are more important than any material stuff.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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  19. I do not live close enough to drive over but I swear to the good Lord above that I will get in my car and drive there and help you if you only say the word! I love a car trip ( like a dog, I love a car ride) and from Boston to I-am-not-sure-where-you-are-in-the-middle-of-Indiana would be a lovely summer ride, I am sure! Oh Coni! Rest, drink, rest, stitch and know that there are plenty of us who would physically be there for you if only you gave us permission! In the meantime, we are with you in spirit! You are amazingly wonderful, do you know that?? Hugs!

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  20. Oh Coni, how awful! I can really empathise with you on this one - I ended up hospitalised three times last year with diverticulitis :(. I'd never even heard of it till I was finally diagnosed, having been (unsuccessfully) treated for a uti for nearly three months. I had more antibiotics pumped into me than most people have in a lifetime! I hope yours do the trick and see this horrible 'thing' off. Rest and take care. Gentle hugs xx

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  21. Yep, sometimes the body just demands a full STOP.!!
    Please rest and substitute most of your fluids for water and do some research on gut health , the latest findings are amazing. .... and when you think of how our diet has changed over the last few humdred years it makes a lot of sense.
    Doing all you can to support your ailing kidneys and taking best care of the new one wiĺl be the way to your future awesome adventure of life.

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  22. Sweet Coni, I'm so sorry! I can't believe you are suffering through this, yet.
    Please take care of your sweet self and rest as much as you can. I know that us easy for me to say, as my big move is nearly complete, but you've done so much in just a few days; please just put your little feet up on that gorgeous ottoman and enjoy your stitching until your antibiotics do their trick.
    Prayers sincerely coming your way from Winnipeg, Sweet Girl.

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  23. Oh Coni, when it rains it pours! Please rest and allow yourself to recover. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

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  24. You remain in my prayers, and will be my special intention on Thursday evening at our monthly St. Charbel healing Mass.

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  25. I am so sorry. Stay in your happy chair and leave the boxes - you are way more important. Sending hugs and prayers.

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  26. Dearest Coni,
    Please do nothing, nothing at all except possibly lift a needle. Delight in your Glendon Place kit (it is scrumptious! ). Keep us updated. Prayers being sent-especially a special healthy kidney prayer.
    Luv,
    MaryO1230

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  27. II live on Long Island but if I were closer I swear I would work all day long until you were shelled and unpacked. Maybe you should try to get some help with that so you can rest.

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  28. Not shelled, settled! That spellcheck again!

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  29. Dear Coni- please, please call in your chips or markers or whatever they are and ask your friends to help you now. No more running and toting and lifting and lugging. Please, sweetie.

    Much love- hugs and lots o'prayers. -p.

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  30. Coni, how far are you from Carmel? My nephew lives there. Would love to take you to lunch when I visit him. Okay, I would really like to come and help you when I visit him to help with his new baby. I am not a weirdo, you would like me...trust me. I would come and clean your bathroom! xoxox

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