One Stick, Two Stick, Three Stick...Four!

Remember when I thought I had the flu? Well, it turns out it wasn't the flu afterall. I had been out and had lunch about 2:30pm with a friend. About 8:00pm, I lost everything, including my lunch. The loss of my lunch combined with me feeling very tired, I was sure that it was the start of the flu.

Through the night, I started having chest pains that became more intense. About 10:00PM I was becoming more alarmed than I had been. I started trying to reach Tim at work, without success. I tried to sleep, a hot shower, nothing worked. 11:00PM, more vomiting. This time, it was the little bit of Coke I tried drinking. The pain was increasing.

Tim finally called home sometime after midnight and borrowed a coworkers vehicle to come home. Once here, we tried to figure out what to do. He suggested to call the ambulance "just to let them take a look" and decide from there. I finally agreed. They arrived, said all of about 3 words to me and asked which hospital I wanted to go to. *sigh*

En route, I had three tries for an IV, a 4 & 12 lead, baby asprin, and nitro. Let me just say, Nitro is HORRIBLE! Once in the hospital, an EKG, blood tests (numerous), xrays, ultrasounds, two or three doses of Morphine, two doses of Dilauted, Ativan, and some horrible cocktail that numbed my lips to my stomach. I'm sure had it gone all the way through, it would have numbed my entire lower half too! ICK.

They planned to discharge me about 6:30-7:00 AM but my blood pressure, heart rate, and temp spiked. I was quickly taken back to bed for several more hours. After that, I don't recall a whole lot as they sedated me pretty heavily with some good drugs! Tim said I was very high!

Somewhere about 4:00PM or so, we were allowed to come home. They believe it is not my heart but rather gastroentritis (I believe that's what the sheet said). They said the spicy food I had for lunch triggered it. I don't quite believe it but *shrug* who knows. I've never had an issue with spicy foods. Their other idea is an ulcer (never been diagnosed with one) that has flared up.

The pain and pressure was in the middle of my chest. I had no reflux issues. No heartburn issues. And I am quite aware of them as I had horrible heartburn issues with each of my pregnancies.

So, I'll follow up with my doctor next week. I remember vaguely telling the nurse that I'd rather have more children and go through labor than deal with that type of pain ever again. She chuckled. Did she really think I was kidding? Because I wasn't!

Anyways, I'm home on Vicodin and Prevacid, I believe.

But I'm alive!

Thanks for the prayers and well wishes!! I appreciate them. A special thanks to our dear friends who decided to take over being "Mom & Dad" to five more children during our absence as well as making sure we were all tucked into bed before you left for the night. It was greatly appreciated (even though I never remember you leaving)!

More to share...but I'm beat!
G'night