Saturday, February 13, 2010

My latest Health mishap

I thought after my IUD experience that my weird health problems were over, well, that was until Thursday night. I was just minding my own business and taking care of my patients at work when I suddenly had this severe back and chest pain. I guess pain doesn't begin to describe it because it was the worst thing I have ever felt. In fact, I was certain I was dying from a blood clot in my lung or something terrible. I couldn't breathe or speak and i was so scared. I hear my patients talk about having a feeling of impending doom, which usually means they are on deaths door. Well, that impending doom feeling was surging through my body. Lucky for me, I was working with my favorite nurses (Kelli and Helena) and our nursing supervisor Brian is awesome. Kelli and Brian took me down to the ER and the rest is a little bit of a blur. I just remember saying over and over that something was wrong. To add to my anxiety I just found out I was pregnant the day before. No not only was I thinking I was toast, but I was worried about the baby too. Everyone in the ER was rushing around me and I was just freaking out because I was in so much pain. I headed to the CT scan after 12mg of morphine, I was able to sit still enough for the scan. I felt so embarrassed about my crying and I was really hoping for some answers from the CT scan. By this time my mom and Trever had arrived, and boy was I glad for that. We waited for the results and I knew it must be exciting news when three nurses and a doctor walked in. The doctor pulled up the CT scan on the computer and sure enough ----SPONTANEOUS PNEUMOTHORAX!!!!! I was shocked and apparently so was everyone else. I mean the odds of this happening. So Crazy!! The doctor must have seen the look on my face because his diagnosis was soon followed by " I think it is small enough that you won't need a chest tube. PHEW!! So part of my lung was collapsed and they didn't know why??? I was wheeled back upstairs only not as a nurse--as a patient. I was put on high flow oxygen to try and re inflate my lung. So no wonder I thought I was dying!! My lung started to collapse!!!! After two days I am now ready to go home. The pneumothorax has not fully resolved but should heal up in a few days. Hopefully I will have some pictures of my CT scan to show. I really just have the most amazing luck lately. I am hoping that the baby (more like an embryo at this point) wasn't too traumatized by this whole ordeal. Have to send a shout out to my awesome nurses that took care of me, and to poor Trev, who was more scared than I was. He was so great to be there for me and he makes an excellent nurse--Love you. So, I am on the mend and just wanted to share this bazaar experience.

8 comments:

anne said...

CONGRATS ON THE BABY!!! Somehow I just knew you were pregnant...AND scary situation! I'm glad you were at the hospital and everything turned out ok. :)

Tiffany said...

So sorry you aren't doing well - but SO EXCITED you are pregnant!! CONGRATS and prayers for a SPEEDY recovery!

MEGandJEFF said...

Geez. Freakin. Louise, Jen!!! You just can't do anything half-way, can ya?:) I am SOOO glad that you are ok..so glad you were at work & with people who took quick action! I am also really happy for you about the baby..CONGRATS :):):)

You're in my thoughts & prayers, girl.

Love you!

Dennis Family said...

It really is so random! I'm not sure how you keep drawing the short stick! I'm glad everything is getting better. And once again, Congratulations on your little embryo!! I really am so excited for you!!

matesen said...

Goodness Jen! Scary-I am so happy you are okay! And, congrats on the baby! I am so excited for you!

Kathy J said...

Jen....why do all the freaky things happen to you?? Congrats on the new baby!!! It's about time!! Also...do you have a chinese friend??

Cora said...

Holy hell Jen! Hope you are recovering well. Congrats on the pregnany though :)

Monica and Stephen said...

holy cow!! I am glad you are ok. Congats on the baby, I hope everything is ok with the baby. I miss seeing you at work. Hopefully I will see you in a couple weeks