I’ve been out of commission the last few days, and now that I’m healing and feeling better, I want to share what happened as a bit of a cautionary tale and an insight into being in an ER right now in #yeg in the midst of #COVID19AB.
Four weeks ago, I fell down the stairs with my dog in my arms.
I ended up with a very bad ankle sprain and bone bruise.
Before this was diagnosed, I thought it might be broken.
My family doctor recommended I go to the ER for the xray and possible cast, and ER volume was down.
I ended up with a very bad ankle sprain and bone bruise.
Before this was diagnosed, I thought it might be broken.
My family doctor recommended I go to the ER for the xray and possible cast, and ER volume was down.
The waiting room was quite empty at the Mis when I showed up, so I was encouraged, but I ended up waiting about 6 hours to be seen by a doctor.
I wore a mask and made sure to stay in my little zone the whole time.
Most staff wore masks, not all.
I left with a tensor and crutches.
I wore a mask and made sure to stay in my little zone the whole time.
Most staff wore masks, not all.
I left with a tensor and crutches.
I was never told blood clots were a possible complication.
This is important, and likely a result of spending less than 10 minutes total in the presence of my ER doctor.
About a week and a half ago, I noticed my leg with the ankle injury was swollen.
It didn’t fit in my jeans.
This is important, and likely a result of spending less than 10 minutes total in the presence of my ER doctor.
About a week and a half ago, I noticed my leg with the ankle injury was swollen.
It didn’t fit in my jeans.
It was painful to the touch and throbbed deeply when it wasn’t elevated.
I thought it was muscle strain from walking on it funny.
A co-worker suggested it might be a blood clot from their past experience.
I thought it couldn’t be, I was never warned of that.
I thought it was muscle strain from walking on it funny.
A co-worker suggested it might be a blood clot from their past experience.
I thought it couldn’t be, I was never warned of that.
Last Thursday, I woke up with sharp pains in my ribs on my right side.
Again, I brushed that off as muscle strain as I had been doing some painting the previous days.
I had short “attacks” of pain and difficulty breathing through the day.
It’s hard to tak for 3 hours with this!
Again, I brushed that off as muscle strain as I had been doing some painting the previous days.
I had short “attacks” of pain and difficulty breathing through the day.
It’s hard to tak for 3 hours with this!
Felt the same way Friday.
Went to work again.
While driving home, the worst attack yet and I could barely take a shallow breath without intense pain.
Off to the Mis ER again.
Last place I want to be with #covid19 going on.
I arrive at 9PM.
We have to buy a phone charger first...
Went to work again.
While driving home, the worst attack yet and I could barely take a shallow breath without intense pain.
Off to the Mis ER again.
Last place I want to be with #covid19 going on.
I arrive at 9PM.
We have to buy a phone charger first...
...because I know from my last visit, they are not allowing anyone but patients in the ER.
So all communication with family is only by phone/text.
The waiting room is almost FULL this time.
And while I visibly can’t breathe and have chest pain, it takes me over 1 hour to get in.
So all communication with family is only by phone/text.
The waiting room is almost FULL this time.
And while I visibly can’t breathe and have chest pain, it takes me over 1 hour to get in.
I’m put on a bed in a supply room.
The nurse tells me ER demand is back up where it was pre-Covid.
But there’s less room for patients because there is a designated Covid area still.
With the extra cleaning and paperwork, she said “efficiency is definitely down”.
The nurse tells me ER demand is back up where it was pre-Covid.
But there’s less room for patients because there is a designated Covid area still.
With the extra cleaning and paperwork, she said “efficiency is definitely down”.
Medical staff are in and out of this room for supplies, as I’m treated over the next few hours.
When it’s decided I need a CT scan around 2:30AM, I’m moved to a bed in the hallway.
The scan can’t happen until the morning.
The bed is completely exposed— no curtain, no privacy.
When it’s decided I need a CT scan around 2:30AM, I’m moved to a bed in the hallway.
The scan can’t happen until the morning.
The bed is completely exposed— no curtain, no privacy.
There are curtained hallway “rooms” in front and behind me.
They are full.
The nurse gives me sympathy ear plugs.
My IV pumping in pain meds makes it better.
There’s a man in a room angrily screaming for more pain medication every hour and a half.
No opportunity for rest.
They are full.
The nurse gives me sympathy ear plugs.
My IV pumping in pain meds makes it better.
There’s a man in a room angrily screaming for more pain medication every hour and a half.
No opportunity for rest.
The ear piece on my mask breaks and I need a new one.
It’s hard to breathe already, but the risk of not wearing it is a worse alternative.
I can hear a lot of people coughing in the ER.
CT scan finally happens.
They tell me the dye going in will feel like I peed myself.
It does!
It’s hard to breathe already, but the risk of not wearing it is a worse alternative.
I can hear a lot of people coughing in the ER.
CT scan finally happens.
They tell me the dye going in will feel like I peed myself.
It does!
Don’t be alarmed if that happens to you!
It’s finally confirmed I have multiple clots causing Deep Vein Thrombosis in my leg and Pulmonary Embolism in my lungs.
I need to be on blood thinners for a long while.
Luckily, I don’t need surgery.
The pain and breathing will improve.
It’s finally confirmed I have multiple clots causing Deep Vein Thrombosis in my leg and Pulmonary Embolism in my lungs.
I need to be on blood thinners for a long while.
Luckily, I don’t need surgery.
The pain and breathing will improve.
I am so very thankful for our healthcare system and the fact I didn’t leave the hospital broke like I might have in the US.
My caregivers were good, if not completely stretched thin.
I felt Covid safe, but that also meant big delays.
With ER demand back up, be prepared if you go.
My caregivers were good, if not completely stretched thin.
I felt Covid safe, but that also meant big delays.
With ER demand back up, be prepared if you go.
That being said, don’t ignore a swollen leg after a bad sprain or break.
Don’t ignore chest pain and shortness of breath.
PE can be fatal.
I nearly ignored it to my peril, because I didn’t want to go to the ER.
Be well everyone and hope to be back on @CBCRadioActive tomorrow.
Don’t ignore chest pain and shortness of breath.
PE can be fatal.
I nearly ignored it to my peril, because I didn’t want to go to the ER.
Be well everyone and hope to be back on @CBCRadioActive tomorrow.
