Hi from beautiful stony brook hospital...

madubois63 · 08-21-2008, 05:53 AM

I'm not sure if I told you about my fall several weeks ago, so forgive me if this is a repeat but you need to know this part to get to why I'm in the hospital again...

I've been on heavy steroids for my liver/iron overload. The steroids (beyond making me paint/remodel/clean and eat everything in sight) atrophied my muscles to the point I was using a cane for balance and falling at least once a week. Anyway, I was mopping my kitchen like a crazy loon. I hate shoes and get yelled at all the time to wear something on my feet when I go outside. I had on my daughter's flip flops. My foot caught hold of a wet pot on the floor and next thing I know I a doing an all out split (just like a 15 year old cheerleader). My hands are in front of me holding my legs from spreading out those last 2 inches. I can't get up on my own. I screamed for my son, but he couldn't hear me. He had his door closed, the ac on and he was on the computer. I just stayed there struggling for several minutes until my hand was able to get a dry spot and I was able to drag myself forward and pull a chair over. I got up on the chair and just sat there and cried for 15 minutes thanking the good Lord that nothing was broken. I actually didn't feel any pain for 2 days after wards. I felt sore on my left side from my ankle to my arm, but it wasn't bad. Anyway about a week later I noticed a bump on my tram flap scar and thought I had herniated the muscle again. I showed my doc' and since I was getting a PET/CAT the following week, no big deal was made of it. It showed up on the scan as a thinning of the abdomen wall and possible apses. I woke up Tuesday morning with a baseball sized thing protruding from my stomach. I had my regular appointment for phlebotomy that morning and showed my nurse. I was running a low grade fever, so they sent me to the ER. ER did their tests and confirmed that I had an apses and it needed to be drained. They admitted me, drained it and have kept me here now for the third day. They have poked and prodded and given me all kinds of antibiotic, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal stuff. They now say I have to wait until the cultures come back before they can send me home. I told the doc that I am checking myself out TODAY against all recommendations and that they better figure out what medications they want me on. I had no infections until I got here. And always get sicker when I am here. I gave them the 3 days and now I am walking!!!! I live 5 minutes away and go to the cancer center (which is right next door) all the time. IV can be given outpatient at the cancer center. Of course the hospital does not want me to leave, but there really is no reason why I have to sit here, get sicker and wait for cultures to come back in 4 or 5 days. So thanks for reading my vent. If it's not one thing with me, it's another....

Vi Schorpp · 08-21-2008, 06:09 AM

I don't know what to say. I hope you are discharged today and that they can figure out what's going on. I'm with you, the longer your stay in the hospital the greater your chances of catching something else.

I was complaing 4 years back about having all the holidays at my house. I enjoy this immensely, but once in a while I like to go out for the holidays. My older sister decided to celebrate one of the holidays at her home. That morning, as she, too, was mopping the floor, she fell and broke her arm. (Some people will do anything to get out gracefully from hosting these events.) To make a long story short, holidays are back at my house!

Keep in mind, I hosted Christmas Eve this past year with 45 people, and Christmas day with 63 people. These are not small, intimate gatherings --they're family. But I'm grateful to have all these people in my life, so the effort is worth it.

Keep us posted, and be well.

Jean · 08-21-2008, 07:16 AM

Maryann,
Has anyone informed you that your off the cheer leader squad?

You are too much.....please get home (where you belong)...

I felt so bad reading your post...wished I was closer
to you...
Now put those mops down girl and get someone else to do those floors....

With Love,
jean

PinkGirl · 08-21-2008, 07:53 AM

Geez Madame DuBois, it's hard to keep up with you!
No more cheerleading practice on a wet floor, please.

Hope you are home soon - it sounds like you will be.
Try to take it easy (if that's possible) and keep the
updates coming. Good luck with this one.

AbbyDawg · 08-21-2008, 08:13 AM

We're all sending lotsa prayers for you to get up and outta da joint and get back home where you're safe ... ah, er, well ... where you're back home! And with just the right drugs too. Get some percoset to wash down with those antibiotcs.

AbbyDawg

PS Dr. Patricia Coyle (neurologist) at Stony Brook saved my life in the 1990s and one of my oncologists here in MN did her fellowship there at Stony Brook. I love LINY and I love New Yorkers ... so you are moving to the top of my list FAST!

chrisy · 08-21-2008, 08:58 AM

good lord!

i'll never mop the floor again.

You know yourself better than anyone, and know that sometimes a hospital is no place to get well. Hope they check you out but I know that if they don't, you'll take matters into your own hands.

sarah · 08-21-2008, 12:02 PM

you are amazing!!!! how you keep your sense of humor is a good lesson to all of us!
get well, get out of hospital and let the kids clean up - it's time they learnt about the real world!
hugs and love
sarah

StephN · 08-21-2008, 12:22 PM

My Dearest!
By all means go home, but be easier on yourself.

Next time make sure you have one of those "wheelie" things that people with broken legs/ankles use, when you want to do housework.

My friend Karla wrecked BOTH ankles slipping down her newly carpeted stairs a few years back. She learned to do a lot on that wheelie thingie. Probably kept her from breaking her NECK, like I hope you never do.

She also has to be bugged about wearing shoes, and she has now decided it is better to wear something on her feet than not. I think the new puppy (that is not well trained) may have something to do with that as well ...

Hope the absess will heal up quickly and never again show it ugly head.

Mary Anne in TX · 08-21-2008, 12:50 PM

Maryann, couldn't you learn to play elec. guitar or something noisy but safer???? I'm so sorry you had to "check in" again, but surely do know how you feel about getting back home! Leave the mopping to someone with better footing and put that super brain and energy into something that keeps you on your feet or seat! ma

WomanofSteel · 08-21-2008, 03:03 PM

Maryann, by all means do get out of that place. Home is where we all belong. No more dancing around with the mop. We know you are wonder woman, but take it easy girl!

Bill · 08-21-2008, 04:33 PM

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm, I guess I gotta come up there, Madame Dubois and teach you how to mop a floor. Rule number 1-don't wear flip flops! Rule number 2- don't listen to music, because then you start twisting those little Greek hips of yours all around, and the next thing you know, the mop goes one way and you flip-flop the other two ways, right? Rule number 3- get someone else to mop. You get home and do what works best for you. You have an awesome anti-bacterial regimen and diet at home. You don't need to be in that hospital. Love ya, Bill

madubois63 · 08-21-2008, 04:44 PM

Thanks for the smiles everyone. I AM HOME!! I finally was released at 5:30. I am all smiles to be home...I'll write more about my adventure either tonight or tomorrow. Got to get settled and eat dinner. Lots of love...Maryann

karenann · 08-21-2008, 05:25 PM

Maryann,

I am so happy you are home. Hope all is well with test results, etc.

Karen

Joan M · 08-21-2008, 05:57 PM

Maryann, I'm glad you're finally out of the hospital, or otherwise that place with a lot of germs. You'll feel better at home anyway. Best, Joan

Mary Jo · 08-21-2008, 07:16 PM

Geez Maryann...I'm sore after only reading your post ... I can only imagine how you must feel. Now I know why I scrub my kitchen floor on my hands and knees...I'm closer to the ground to start with.....probably safer.

Glad you're home NOW..........GET HEALTHY.

Mary Jo

ElaineM · 08-21-2008, 09:19 PM

Wow !! I am very glad you are at home too.
Please try to stay out of trouble from now on. I know it is hard, because I am the independent type too. Please try to stay out of that nasty place called a hospital as much as possible. Take care.

DanaRT · 08-22-2008, 03:54 AM

Maryann,

Glad you're home. Let us know about the result and I hope you're healing quickly. No more mopping in flip-flops.

Dana

dhealey · 08-22-2008, 04:28 AM

Maryanne, Glad your home. Sending good thoughts and prayers your way. I wouldn't mop the floor any more.

Marlys · 08-22-2008, 07:36 PM

Maryann,
Something about your description of your rather excessive activities around the house reminds me of Mary's friend, Magda, (I think that is her name) in "Something About Mary", holding the couch up with one hand and vacumning with the other. Please try to modify that behavior and, as a nurse, I agree, hospitals are dangerous places. Stay away as much as possible!!

Love & hugs,
(and prayers)
Marlys

notamrnpsn · 08-22-2008, 08:45 PM

Glad you are home. like MareJo said., On your hands and knees, don't have so far to fall, Jeanette