Back in the Hospital AGAIN

This Wednesday night proved to be another return of Bad Tongue, Vomit Time, and this time add in Very Weak.  I got an ambulance ride to INOVA Alexandria, for the third time in a year, and disturbingly enough for very much the same issue.  I was hoping to be let go by Friday night, but my CK levels were sky high and only came down by Sunday.  I promptly picked up the prescription medications at Target and will immediately seek out a an ENT specialist to conclusively determine what is going on, plus an allergist to ascertain what, if anything, I am allergic to.  I don’t like being sick, least of all sick enough to merit a hospital visit.

I was in a room by myself and all the support staff were very polite and courteous.  They took my temperature and my blood pressure on a regular basis.  I had one sensor hooked up to my finger to measure oxygen, several sensors hooked up to my chest, and an IV in my right arm with saline dripped into it. 

According to the staff, the coronavirus had impacted that facility several weeks earlier, but by the time I arrived (and tested negative) the pace was leisurely and many rooms vacant.   Ironically, I had visited my Mom in the hospital in Loudoun just three days earlier, only to need to stay in one myself.   Not only that, she is still in the hospital today, though by now it appears that her situation has stabilized.   My sister flew in from Arizona, taking over from my brother’s bedside vigil.   Needless to say, with her being 86, we do not take her health for granted.  My father was 76 when he died suddenly and abruptly of a stroke.  We would prefer our remaining parent to stay with us as long as possible.   
  

Entertainment:      The Barber Shop - Ice Cube, Common, Cedric, Nicki Minaj – in south Chicago.  No sign of Ice Tea or Snoop Dogg.  Captain Marvel – which I’d never seen – and Avengers: Endgame, likewise I’d never seen.  Frozen I, and eventually turned on my cell phone and watched Episodes 3 through 10 of Space Force, the brand new Steve Carell comedy on Netflix (highly recommended).  On Sunday I discovered the cable channels and watched “The Snitch”, a Rock film. 

On one hand I appreciate the care and competence of the staff, which I won’t complain about.  If there’s anything which makes the experience pleasant it’s their professionalism and compassion.   Even if I’m not facing a terminal illness or a serious injury, they still treat me well.  On the other hand I don’t like the enforced idleness and being chained up to an IV and more.  I also don’t like not knowing when my condition will improve to the point where I can be discharged.  Naturally I’m not a prisoner and can leave even if ill-advised to do so, but having checked into the hospital recognizing the need for such treatment I’d say it defeats the purpose of doing so to leave before a doctor believes I’m healthy enough to leave. 

Both prior times my tongue issue was resolved – at least in the short term.  As it has now returned for the third time, and serious enough to put me into the hospital again, I’m definitely determined to get to the bottom of this issue once and for all.