Hi everyone! I know it's been quite a while, but do I have a story for you! Last Thursday my mom came up to see me and we went to Hampton for the day. The weather was shitty but we got out Sabo's sandwiches and watched the builders building the bases of the giant sand sculptures. We had a good day, which makes it easier for me. You see, my mother has not yet been told about my recent medical mishap.
Friday I woke up not feeling well. My back was sore and it took me way too much time and effort to get out of bed. I called my lady friend and left her a pathetic voicemail asking if there was anyway she could come home early. For any of you who know me well, you know that I NEVER ask that of anyone. I can usually take care of myself. So obviously she came home as soon as she could get away. She made me some toast and I stayed in bed the whole time. At some point I got really hot and ripped all my clothes off.
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The next thing I remember she is screaming in this panicked voice I'd never heard before, the room is filled with EMTs, and I'm mumbling that I'm naked. Apparently I had a seizure. She was in the net room and came in when I started making weird noises. Then I was jerking around at the waist, staring off into space and not responding to her. She called 911 when I started foaming at the mouth and bleeding, because I bit my tongue while thrashing.
The EMTs start asking me questions like what day is it, do you know where you are, what is your name, all of which I have no idea. Luckily I quickly snapped out of it (and got some clothes on) and they gave me some oxygen and hooked me up to the stretcher. I got brought down 3 flights of stairs on the stretcher barely noticing what is going on. By the time I was in the ambulence I was more alert and sent them to Saints. I've never been to Lowell General and we'll keep it that way.
I get to the emergency room complaining of back pain, so they send me for x-rays and other tests to try and get to the root of the problem. A long story short, they find a fractured bone in my spine but no cause of the seizure. The doctor admits me into the hospital which has a nice big tv is a single. Which is great, because for the first 24 hours I can't leave my bed. I've never said "bed pan" so many times in my life.
The "funniest" part about this entire thing is the difference between doctors in Lowell and doctors in Boston. When I was at Beth Israel last time, I had no problem with being transgendered. They knew what was up and treated it correctly. This time, oh lord. I really had to explain it to every single person I talked to in the ER. My favorite was when thiis doctor kept asking me these questions, and finally he was like, "So you have a vagina?" "YES!!!!!" Really, I think I screamed it. Look, I know that it's not common. Obviously more places than others. But I like to think that medical professionals should have some sort of training so when they encounter a poor boy in the ER whose parts just happen to be a little different, it isn't such a big deal.
One night, I think it was Saturday, I (finally able to go to the bathroom on my own) got out of bed and couldn't reach to unplug my IV to take with me. And because I was out of bed I couldn't reach my call button. So I'm standing, slightly hunched over because I fractured my back, fighting back constant muscle spasm, moaning in pain. Luckily it was at night so it was quiet and someone heard me. I think at some point I would have cried out for help.
I was sprung free on Monday really without any answers. But they did send me home with a nice pad for my bed (think college dorm foam) and a back brace formed to my body. Oh, and pain killers. The ortho told me it takes a month for it to heal, so I'm hoping things start looking up. It's strange when someone else starts doing the things that you used to do, but now cant. Even the cats are confused. So far the things I can do are: use the bathroom, brush my teeth, sleep, eat, drink, use the computer, read, and watch tv.
Things I can do assisted: Get dressed, take a shower
I can't: feed the cats, do the dishes, vacuum, bend over, walk very well, pick up anything heavier than a cup, stairs without a railing
I really think I'm going to need a cane when I can start walking again for a little bit ;P So that's the basic story!
