Almost two weeks ago I noticed the symptoms of a UTI. I knew
what it was and how to treat it. UTIs are common and can be treated in the
early stages with home remedies. The best ones are drinking lots of water and
cranberry juice.
Water I had covered. Cranberry juice required a trip to the store,
which I did not feel like going to. Since there are only two other people in
the house who can drive my choices were Melinda and Jerry.
I knew if Melinda went the task would be quickly and easily
accomplished without further input than I needed some cranberry juice. I also
knew she would not want to be disturbed at that hour. Being neurodivergent she
gets testy if her set schedule of doing things is disrupted. Grocery shopping
is done on Friday or Saturday morning. Also, it just happened to be around the
time she would insist on beginning meal prep for our dinner. Now she can switch
gears for an emergency, but I didn’t think this was serious enough to disturb
her.
Besides, Jerry was just across the room rather than on the
other side of the house.
With my beloved husband, I not only had to be extremely
clear about what I wanted, but I had to write it down. Even then, he wasn’t
sure he’d get it right and therefore roped the only other person in the house
to go with him for help and moral support. Therefore, I also had to tell Royce
explicitly what I wanted.
Thankfully, the mission was accomplished.
However, within a day or so I figured out I’d miscalculated.
My infection was more advanced than I expected and did not quickly respond to
the juice.
I found myself at the stage where pain and difficulty using
the bathroom meant it was time to see the doctor. By this time, it was late evening
on a Friday. This was not waiting for office hours.
Jerry took me to the nearest urgent care that was open at
that hour. (Meaning an emergency room.) They ran a couple of tests and agreed
with my diagnosis. They sent me home with antibiotics.
I’m really good at taking my medicine so I figured that
issue was dealt with.
By Wednesday the pain had moved up into my back. I’ve had Kidney
infections before.
I called the nurse's line. She said to be seen within the
hour. I did try my doctor, but he couldn’t fit me in until the next day. Back
to the urgent care I went. I figured they’d run some tests and get me a
stronger antibiotic.
When the doctor told me they were admitting me I was floored.
Then they spent the entire night requiring blood samples
that took no less than THREE pokes each time to just get any blood. I was tired
(they kept waking me up) and my arms were starting to fill up with bruises from
all their efforts. They had put in an IV, which was receiving the fluids they
were flushing just fine, but it would not let them draw any blood from it.
So, they decided the best option was a PIC line. Which required
them to first locate the vein with ultrasound. It took most of the next day for
the tech needed to do it to arrive, but she managed to get that line in.
Thankfully, they managed it before my IV decided to stop
working so I didn’t get poked and prodded anymore. Though, of course, the
damage had been done. My arms were full of some very colorful bruises.
After two days they sent me home with stronger antibiotics
and I’m doing much better now. However, I did spend an additional couple of
days in my bed recuperating from the experience. A full week later and my arms
are still recovering. The smaller bruises on the back of my hands are nearly
all healed. They are not nearly as visible though if I happen to hit them they
still feel bruised. The ones where the IVs were are still very colorful.
After all of this, Melinda, Jerry, and I discussed what we
needed to do this week and discovered that our week, especially Tuesday, was
packed. Three of us had overlapping appointments.
I took Jerry to his morning appointment so Melinda could
have the car for hers. I was supposed to take Paratransit to mine, but they
were running late. Fortunately, Melinda took less time than expected. Jerry was
supposed to run his second errand while I was at the doctor's but delayed it
until I got back.
It was a bit of a stressful and long day.
Smile. Make the day a brighter day.
