Almost out of the woods...

It is so good to be home! The hospital is a wonderful place to be when you are sick, and very sick I was. My ulcerative colitis flared up again, which landed me in the hospital for a 4-day hospital stay. I am slowing regaining strength and gaining an appetite,which are wonderful things. I am tired of chicken broth, beef broth, mac and cheese, potato soup and other bland things. However, I am so grateful that I could eat even those things. I can't wait to be back to "normal" (whatever that is) and be able to read, study, work, do laundry, and clean house again. I have seen more doctors and PAs in the last week (I think I counted 17 total). They were all so nice and have given me a list of prescriptions a mile long that should get me going again.

One thing I really didn't care for while being hospitalized is the comments they made before drawing my blood. These 5 statements below were really told to me while I was in the hospital. I do not understand why they say things. For all you medical people out there, please remember to be a little more sensitive to your patients – especially things they have no control over, like the size of their veins!

Five things you should NEVER tell a patient before drawing blood:

1. “Your veins are SO small!” Thank you – I asked for small veins you do realize.
2. After much patting and tapping around on both of my arms, “I’ll give it a try, but I sure don’t know about this.” Now those are encouraging words!
3. “Girl, you have got to get re-hydrated so we can find your veins!” That IS one reason I am in this hospital bed – I didn’t choose to be dehydrated!
4. “I can’t seem to find any veins at all. I hate to do this to you, but I’m going to have to stick you right where they just took your IV out.” Great – go right ahead. Stick me wherever you want. At this point – it doesn’t matter.
5. “You know what, for some reason your blood just stopped. I am so sorry, but I’m going to have to try sticking you in a new place.” Just great – thank you for telling me that my blood has stopped flowing. That really makes me feel better. Is death on the horizon since no blood is flowing?

Despite the "vein issues" and bruised arms, I did have really nice people that took care of me and lots of friends/family that came to see me and/or sent flowers. Most of all, thanks to everyone for praying for me. That meant the most. The flowers and cards make my mantel at home a cheery place to look.