Back to the ER

Photos of July 4 fireworks by Ted Trimmer.

Although the ER doctor had told me to follow up with my internist on Monday, I was too lazy to do so.  Meanwhile, the swelling and redness because of the cat bite spread from my right hand to my fingers and past my wrist.  I decided to return to the ER last night.

Dr. S examined my hand.  He had a nurse draw blood from both arms for testing.  The nurse then administered an IV antibiotic, called Unison.  I also had to take Doxycycline orally.  Although he said my blood tests for white blood cell count and bacteria were all within the normal range, Dr. S wants me to take two antibiotics orally, starting today – Doxycycline and Augmentin.  He also wants me to follow up with Dr. P, an infectious disease specialist, in two days.  “If my blood tests are all normal, why do I have to see Dr. P?” I asked.  “Because the swelling and redness have spread, and we don’t want you to lose your arm,” Dr. S replied.  I’ll make the appointment today.

While I lay on a bed in the hallway (all of the rooms were taken by 13 other patients), I witnessed a real emergency.  A paramedic was administering CPR to a man while other personnel were pushing his bed to the trauma room.  A cop came in also.  This is the story I heard him relate to a nurse:

The patient was a suspect in a robbery at a convenience store.  When confronted, the suspect swung a beer bottle at the store manager’s face.  A 20 year old tourist approached the suspect from behind and apparently choked him.  The suspect collapsed, went into cardiac arrest, and the police and ambulance were called to the scene.  I saw the nurse perform CPR on the suspect in the ER for a very, very long time.  Then all was quiet.  Was the suspect pronounced dead?  Probably.  Then I heard people say that the “Good Samaritan” might be arrested for manslaughter.  He was very distraught that he had caused the suspect’s death.  And he and his family were here on vacation!  The police are recommending that he seek psychological help.

Whew!  What a life!

I thank God that I have a loving husband, who drove me to and from the ER on both Saturday and Monday, and that I have an equally loving daughter, who did the dishes all weekend.  I am not alone!