Tuesday, March 31, 2009

What happened yesterday...

I don't know if this had anything to do with it.

I had a little headache on Sunday afternoon and felt a little blech. But by evening I was feeling much better.

I had a hard time sleeping Sunday, was up at 4:00 a.m. knitting, of all things. Then I went back to bed.

Since my husband was still feeling sick, I was planning on a lazy day, working on a piece I was planning to do for a Healthy Communities meeting tonight. I had a few notes, was a little anxious about it, but pretty confident that as I journaled on Monday, I would come across the thing I most needed to say. I was going to call a few leaders, too.

At about 9:00 I had a feeling of foreboding. Things deteriorated rapidly after that. I hadn't had much to eat, but it didn't matter. I don't want to go into details, but at 2:40, I asked my husband to call 911. I had talked to a friend a while earlier, and she said that I sounded dehydrated, and I should go to the emergency room. I said that I didn't think I could get in the car. So I waited.

At 2:40, I got a ride in an ambulance.

It seems embarrasing to say this now. But I really didn't think I could stand up. The ambulance crew said that my blood pressure was very low. They started an IV with saline water, and that seemed to help some, although I still felt very achy and tired.

My husband said I looked about as white as a sheet.

I didn't have to stay overnight. I was sent home at 6:00 p.m. with a couple of prescriptions. Unfortunately, I waited so long to pick them up that my regular pharmacy was closed. The next pharmacy I went to didn't have the medication. At the third one I waited so long I almost started crying.

To be honest, part of me wanted to stay overnight in the hospital, because I have never stayed overnight in the hospital. But, part of me wanted to go home. I still hoped I could speak my piece at the meeting tonight.

It was a Healthy Communities meeting; did I say that? It was to be about Health Care, but more than that, about Health -- about how our communities promote our health, or not; about caring about not just our own life, but our neighbor's, too. It was for a hope for communities which care for and empower all people.

I'm not there tonight.

17 comments:

Fran said...

Diane - I hope that you are ok. Oh my, what an experience.

If it was dehydration related, that can act swiftly and harshly.

You were so much on my mind all day today too. I was resolved that no matter what I had to do, I was coming to this blog first thing after I got home.

Wow, here I am. Sending prayers and lots of love.

Terri said...

I've had people faint in church from dehydration....so I know it happens fast and out of the blue...and is serious enough to need quick medical attention. I hope you are feeling better now...

Magdalene6127 said...

Diane, I'm so sorry to hear about this episode. Take care of yourself, please...

Lori said...

What an awful thing! Happened to me when my son was a few months old. I dehydrated so fast that my tongue cracked and bled.

I surely hope you are feeling much better tonight! Prayers for 100% return going up.

Barbara B. said...

I'm sorry that happened, Diane. Hope you feel better very, very soon.

Anonymous said...

Diane! - Prayers are with you. Sounds like a much more harrowing day than anyone really needs.

Scott said...

Yikes - prayers ascending, friend. Blessings on a swift recovery.

Lindy said...

Well, that IS interesting. I'm sorry you had the experience. I know you'll make a good recovery. But, isn't it interesting that it happened on that day?

And, true to form, you made a beautiful and thought provoking post about it...

I loved your last too, btw. You write brilliant things so fast I can hardly keep up.

Paul said...

May you recover fully and swiftly. And please do take care of yourself.

Prayers!

ROBERTA said...

think i'm gonna get up from this computer right now and get myself a tall glass of water!

LoieJ said...

I hope you are all better...by now.

Auntie Knickers said...

Oh, the irony! I'm glad your husband was there. Prayers for a swift rehydration and full recovery!

Choralgrrl said...

Good grief, girl! Feel better!

Lauralew said...

Oh WOW! Horrible. Hugs and prayers. Feel better soon.

DogBlogger said...

Ugh... Hope you are continuing to feel better today. And oh, the irony of that meeting!

Looking forward to seeing you in person soon.

Wormwood's Doxy said...

Hope you are feeling better today, Diane. Prayers for you....

Doxy

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

Oh my goodness, I hope you're all right now.