warning: some material may be nauseating
Yesterday was probably my toughest day so far and I blame a lot of it on a new nurse giving me my Ethyol injection (to protect salivary glands). I will just tell you she said this and you should be able to form a pretty accurate description of her: "I was thrilled when my kids said they wanted to move out and go live with their dad. It meant I could go do everything I wanted."
The problem was she also showed me how to use my PEG-tube (feeding tube). Its really not that complicated, you just take a syringe at squirt whatever you need into the tube. For some reason though, she took the syringe and instead of pushing, pulled, and in turn this pulled everything out of my stomach and into the syringe. While this was unbelievably gross, it was also a terrible feeling to have everything sucked out only to be put back in. She told me "sometimes its nice just to see what's inside the stomach." This goes against my general philosophy that its never nice to see what's inside the stomach. That's one of the things that makes throwing up so bad.
I blame this on why I threw up for the first time last night. It wasn't very normal though. It was a lot of blood and mucous. I am sure most of you don't like hearing about this, but its what happened. I felt awful for the rest of the night but feel better today.
I also feel bad because my cousins Billy, Danny, and Patrick came down and I didn't really spend much time with them because I started to feel so bad. I just wanted to let you guys know that I did appreciate it though, and loved watching the amount of "Groundhog Day" we did. Its a pretty "sure as heckfire" way to get in a good mood by watching a Bill Murray movie.
January in Sabino Canyon
just before radiation started- on Jen's birthday
Sabino Canyon on hike
Part of the Catalina Mountains
the cavalry on the attack
2001 emerald city invite
18 comments:
OH MY GOSH! I'm so sorry. I saw you when you came out of radiation and had no idea - since you can't tell me. You poor thing! You should probably be prepared to do one of two things if you ever have Nurse Ratchett again 1. quickly ask for someone else or 2. Save your vomit until she gets nice and close and then let loose. You'll get someone else anyway because she'll be cleaning herself up. I vote for the second, but you've probably never gotten the hang of throwup on demand. Hugs and kisses and then some more...Mom
The way I read this is: first, she's signalling to you that she's alone, than she wants to see what you're made of. Next thing, she will ask you for a date. Watch out!
In an ideal world, nurses, doctors, dentists, etc would have ratings like people on Ebay or Amazon and we could choose. (this should apply to academia as well although to a certain extent it already applies) I bet the demand for her would be low and her wage accordingly. Until than, just try your best. You have already done a great job going through all this. I hope I'll see you sometimes soon.
Adrian
Moke,
No worries. Next time -- what about Bob. It was awesome seeing you for the time we did. We'll be down soon again. All my thoughts are with you and the fam. Btw, Jen is a saint.
Yours truly,
Ned "the head" Dryerson a/k/a "Needle Ned"
I am curious as to what part bothered you? I would love to see what is inside my stomach, or more importantly, what is inside Scoot's. I am also fairly sure there are numerous times Mary Anne would have availed herself of such an instrument to remove poisonous gases from my stomach. And think how great it would be during Thanksgiving. Load up one plate, eat, pump out, load up plate #2. I think this may be something we could patent. Alos, say you are eating at a dive downtown. On your way out, you notice the kitchen is employing less than AAA cleanliness standards. No problem. Pump out any offending material. never worry about food poinoning again. If Salma Hyak is spending a great deal of time and effort in pumping her milk engorged breasts as a convoluted weight loss technigue (not made up, BTW); this method would be an big hit with her as its spokesperson.
I have a call into Propelle, as we speak.
I am so sorry for this. I wonder what made all the blood come? I love you so much.
P.S. Please check out the Weird Al video "Eat It" on youtube if you are feeling well enough to laugh as it applies to your situation well.
Also, I am pretty sure you were not the only economist to see his breakfast this morning. The Wall Street bathrooms were full of half digested Starbuck's blueberry muffins as the opening bell rang.
What a horrible nurse. Sounds like she may be saying she is now having a wonderful life without her kids around.... but it sounds like she is miserable and wanting others to feel just as bad as she does.
I pray that you do not have her again... Try to keep you head up and your positive outlook.
Sorry to hear about your day. Hopefully things are about to turn around. But next time someone comes in to watch a movie just tell them what you really want to watch, Bio-Dome, starring your favorite Pauly Shore.
Robert
Steve,
I think I'm with Adrian that this was Nurse Crazy's way of puttin the moves on you. Be careful requesting another though- if her pick up line is "sometimes it's good to see what's in your stomach", who knows what she'd do if her advances are spurned. Warn Jen.
I'm glad you're feeling better now. All my prayers,
Tony
Hey Steve.
Tough day, but I think a solution arrived via spam in my inbox this very morning! The e-mail is entitled "Teach Your Woman Obediency." Since you employed the female pronoun in your post, I have to conclude that the nurse in question is a woman. And it's obvious she could use a little obediency. Just let me know, and I'll send you the link.
Dom
Yeah, the idea of injecting food into your stomach seems unnatural, but whatever keeps you from looking like keira knightley on smack is probably worth the process. I was going to come down to tucson today around (leave around one) and stay the night, if you don't mind. Hope your treatment goes well today. Tom- round two in Sabino tomorrow?
P.S. Jim, only you would draw the correlation between Steve's gastrol maladies with those of the ladies and gentlemen on Wall Street. Shameless.
Hi Steve. I am sorry that you are having such a rough time with Nurse Ratchett. She certainly does not seem to be behaving in a professional manner. If it keeps up, perhaps you should let your doctor know. In the meantime, please remember that all things do come to an end, the bad as well as the good. In a few weeks you will hopefully be finished with the chemo and radiation treatments and be on the road to recovery. I continue to pray for you every day. Take care of yourself and keep on blogging. God bless you. Love, Aunt Diane
Dear Steve,
You have been in our thoughts and prayers since Robert called us last fall. You are amazing! You are handling all this with such class (we can tell from your posts) and, as always, we are impressed with your grace and endurance...just like you always competed at SU. Please hang in there and we look forward to seeing you in Bellevue this summer. The yard is complete and the fire pit is ready...all our love.
Beverlee & Thomas
steve, my cat, Nippy, and I are thinking of you and sending warm thoughts your way. :)
hopefully our positive thoughts will keep that nurse away and stomach stuff down.
andrea
SUXC 00-04 (03)
Hi Dad,
Could you post this under Steven's post about the bad nurse...thanks,
Hey Steven,
Yikes, not a fun day at all, huh.
Here is me trying to relate: the lack of cleanliness and sanitation in Thailand leads to many an episode in the bathroom making stomach issues a common and valid excuse for students to miss class...my favorite excuse and one that applies to your situation is that my student had a "disturbed stomach" (imagine the pronunciation less like "ake" and more like "ach" or the letter "h"). I believe yours goes beyond disturbed, but what a great way to describe it ;)
I hope your week gets better!!
Sending much love and some humidity (we have some to spare) !!
Elz
Steve,
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what a botch.
Good post.
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