Just after Labor Day Weekend, my battle began. As my last post stated, I had a return to work note for Tuesday September 4th and I planned on returning to work that day. I woke up early and I made myself scrambled eggs for breakfast. Those of you that know me, know that I don't cook so my making myself breakfast (let alone being awake early enough to do so) is a big deal. Unfortunately, they didn't last long and I promptly threw them back up. Needless to say, I was a little worried at this point. How was I going to return to work if I can't even keep breakfast down? I called Dr. Hill (my PCP) to find out what to do. Afterall, I had a return to work note, should I ignore it when I'm being told that nothing is wrong with me? By the way, this phone call has still not been returned.
Finally, I asked Eryck to drive me to the ER again. I had waited for the doctor long enough, I was hurting and vomiting, I didn't know what else to do. I called work and told them that I was going to be late and what was going on. I also called my mom because those of you that know or have experienced "Blackhawk Moms" know that going to the ER is not something you keep from them if you want to live. Being that I am "only 30" Eryck parked the truck in the parking lot and I attempted to walk in. This turned out to be a very bad idea. He had to practically carry me as I kept trying to fall (and not purposely I might add) Thankfully, I was able to get a wheelchair shortly after entering, but I still felt terrible as I checked in.
They took me to a room, and I believe they gave me the same medicines that had worked the last time and told me to see my neurologist and they were talking about discharging me. Thankfully, my mom had shown up in this time and was in true "Blackhawk mom" fashion. She essentially told the doctor that he had 2 options 1) Send me out in a wheelchair because walking was not an option for me at this point or 2) Admit me because clearly something is wrong. He responded that they don't send 30 year olds out of the ER in wheelchairs and she said "then admit her". In the end, they admitted me and so began my first ever hospital stay.
Unfortunately, I do not remember a lot from this time. I do know that I saw a new neurologist, Dr Reznick (he was on call and just happens to be the doctor that Elizabeth's mom works for that I had been trying to switch to about the time Dr. Dugan became Dr. Douche Can) He did an MRI of my head and saw my tumor. Isn't it amazing that he found in 1 correct scan what the other doctor didn't find in over a month? Correction, didn't even look for. He saw my tumor and immediately sent me to Pittsburgh.
I do not know how much time passed between him finding the tumor and me actually leaving, but I did feel vindicated. There WAS something wrong and I wasn't making it up. I hadn't yet realized just how serious it was, but I felt better than I had in a long time just knowing that it wasn't "all in my head" (Ok so technically it was, but still).
I was taken by ambulance to Allegheny General Hospital sometime after the tumor was discovered. I lost my lunch several times on the way, but I did manage to keep it contained in my bucket, a feat that both my ambulance drivers and myself were proud of. They told me that they did have the lights on while that was happening as I had asked them to pull over. I was saddened that I never did get the siren though. I have now had 2 ambulance rides in my life (First was after my car accident) and still no sirens.
Once at Allegheny, I met with Dr. Aziz and we discussed removing my tumor. My surgery was scheduled for September 10th 2012. Unfortunately, this meant that I was in the hospital for Eryck's birthday. I'm still sad that I missed it, but thankfully his sister and a couple of our good friends were able to take him out and show him a good time. I think he really needed it before my surgery.
Surgery is where we will have to pick up next time. I'm tired after a rather happy & eventful day and will be going to bed. Goodnight All!
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