Operating In Crisis Mode

I came home from the hospital and brought my pneumonia home with me. They could have cared for me at the hospital but I argued with my doctor to release me since I was feeling better. He said you need least a couple more days here, I countered that he didn’t want to stay so long I would not be able to pay my bill as that would do nothing for any of us.. The doctor said you’ve come a long way but we need to knock the out of you while we’ve got you. You don’t realize how bad you were. Yes, I say, but if I have to try for a job at a Walmart Greeter I’m going to resent this whole situation. Okay he said, I’ve got to cover myself so I won’t get in a fix here but I’m going to release you. Thanks, I say.

My son brought me home. The old saying we repeat so often is true blue. There is no place like home. I get home, my wife is ill, coughing her head off, spitting up some awful looking goog out of her lungs. I look awful, she feels awful. Dirty dishes on the kitchen table, dirty dishes on the cabinet top, dirty pans on the stove. I,’m feeling extreme loss of control.

My blood oxygen is wavering on 63 over 144. I’ve got to sit down. Have to sit five -eight minutes before I can get up and go again or talk. My wife wants ice water and some ice if possible. She can only speak softly and I can’t hear her. Communication takes twice as long.

I open up the ice bin. on the frog. Hot air blows out on me. I open the refrigerator and check our filtered water picture.. It’s hot. All food in the ice box has ruined. Sweet, Jesus, I’m thinking, I’m living in the wrong life, wrong body, or something. I run cold tap water and get the wife a cool drink. But in reality I need a plan.

In the entirety of my life I was reluctant to asked for help. People have their own problems, their own lives to live. You make your bed you sleep in it with all the problems that come along with life. Their your, take care of them.

I felt helpless. out of control, frustrated, maybe even little rage. I pick up the phone, Call my son. Bruce, I need help. He said I’ll be right there. I’ve got a plan. I send him to get ice, milk, half & half and eggs. We’ve got stuff in the big freezer with food and a small Ice chest to put his purchases. I suggest to him on the way to the groceries, he stop by Low’s and buy me a refrigerator.. He measured our box. What kind do you want. I suggested he pick one like we have or a little smaller one you like.

I pulled up my sleeves, ran some hot dishwater and dug in. This is where I shine. I'm a professional. By the time my son returned all the dishes were washed, dried, and put away, Table and counter tops cleaned, kitchen floor sweep. I'm sitting at the table gasping for air and looking like a wet mop

Later, we get hold of our VA nurse. Her boss is off. I suggested she get hold her boss , explain the problem. Let’s fix it. Shortly she gets back , says medication has been over-nighted, makes other suggestions for the wife.

My son bought a refrig, be Wednesday or Thursday before it can be delivered. That’s okay. We’ve got an ice chest we’re operating out of. It sort of like your out camping but sleeping in luxury.

This afternoon everything is cool and life is good. A good plan and some elbow grease will fix much. But you need a plan. I tend to panic when things go out of control.

 

I did fix a pan of biscuits this morning, tghose grands you get in the freezer section. My wife made scrambled eggs, Wee have butter and jelly. Man, we're back on the highway, making time.

 

awwww Bill you are sooo stoical..I'm so sorry you've come out of the hospital with pneumonia and your wife so poorly too, and you have to keep going no matter what,..sometimes life is a Beach isn't it?

 

In my old age I do two things to relax, I'll sit at the computer and write. It doesn't need to go anywhere, or sound so, so. I get my fingers and mind working. I started the piece above a while a go, the first line being,"I wannt to talk to my mama." The other thing I do to relax is play the harmonica. Willie Nelson has an old song he startss most of his programs with, ON The Road Again. I never did like that song but this morning as things were looking pretty good again I found myself paying the dang old thing.

I often pick up my harmonica when I up tight or tense and plsay an old Rred Foley tune, "Pease In The Valley," or some old church song like "In The Garden." Don't know why it relaxes me but most often it do.

Thank you for reading my piece, @Holly Saunders.

 

Hopes and prayers you both get well soon. Do not over do on the work tho...you have to get well

 

I'm so glad you used your wisdom and called your son for help @Bill Boggs. I know that wisdom will also let you know if you are overdoing things too. Praying you and your wife may feel God's healing touch lifting the sickness from both of your bodies and bringing you health and wellness once again.

 

@Bill Boggs , why are all you men so dadblamed stubborn and hardheaded? My Dh did the same thing. He had pneumonia and was in the hospital. He got to feeling a little better and insisted that the doctor let him come home. Two days later he was back in there. He was in there for a lot longer than if he had stayed to begin with. From then on, he never argued with the doctor.

I can understand your feelings when it looks like everything is going wrong. Take it easy. Do one thing at a time. What doesn't get done today can be done tomorrow.

Has your wife seen a doctor? She might need an antibiotic, too.

Take care of yourself. Get well.

 

@Shirley Martin yes, she has talked to a doctor twice. Sending her antibotics and stout cough syrup by over-night UPS? Thanks.

 

Boy, it sounds as if you are having a tough time, Bill. Too far away to help out, but glad you have a son nearby willing to help out. Are you still on meds of some kind now or are you waiting for delivery. They don't usually want to send you home with an IV port, but it sure is a good way to get meds. Almost instant-acting and it doesn't mess up your guts as bad. Prayers from here, too.

 

@Don Alaska yes, sir, Don I am stil taking same medications I was Getting intravenously. My doc didn't want to send me home. We had extensive arguments. He covered his own self, then released me. I Know I have to be careful. I don't want to wind up back in there.

 

Hope you heed your own advice Bill - I know its hard, but just pick up that harmonica and maybe write a song called
'Come a day - come a day' (I hope I've remembered that correctly)

 

Ha-ha, that made me smile Patsey Faye. Though Jasper White's memory grows fainter each year, I can still almost hear him say, "Come away, come a day, help me somebody. Pick 'em up boys. Your mama would be proud of you: Your left, your left, you had a good home but you left.

 

My lips are sore. They feel like leather. Around the edges the touch of my finger brings out the pain. I've been using blistex, a medicated stuff. I'd like to lay down a while, just me and the warm covers, and when I awake, all is well again.

 

I hope it is!! ....feel better....both of you!