4.23.2013

Pop Goes My Lung: The ER

Growing up I remember my grandma always telling me to wear clean undies, I never knew when I'd get in a car accident... or something like that. No one ever told me to wear matching socks because I never knew when I'd land in the ER though.



(A continuation of the Pop Goes My Lung story)

I was about 5 minutes out from my parents house when I answered my doctor's phone call. For some reason it didn't really sink in that I had been functioning all day with a hole in my lung, and it still didn't. I calmly pulled up into their driveway and waved at mom as I got out of the car. I chuckled and said "well, I need to go to the ER, I figured you would want to take me?"

It was about that point she started crying, and I started to get cold sweats and light-headed. Once I recovered from nearly fainting, she hurried me into her Trailblazer and off we went. Nearly passing out once more at the reception desk of the ER left quite the impression, and I was promptly put in a wheelchair and taken back and graced with a hospital gown and a whole slew of wires for an EKG.


 That whole night was a blur. Test after test, three attempts to insert an IV, my brother, dad and LT all coming to the ER, and finally... after many hours but yet so suddenly, it was time for surgery. A few pumps of loopy medicine later I had a new adornment, a chest tube and a water seal. A steady hum came as the machine gently sucked the air out of the cavity surrounding my lung, allowing it room to reinflate on it's own.


Somehow I went from spending the day driving myself around, working, swinging by McDonalds for french fries upon leaving the doctors office.... to not being able to move enough to even feed myself. Bring on the pain meds. 

(Let's all take a moment to pause and appreciate the hilarity of LT feeding me like a baby)

Sadly, I wasn't out of the clear. We spent the rest of the evening waiting for the orders to be written up and me to get moved to floor 2. Room 2120 would become my temporary home for the next week. The story continues here!
Photobucket

18 comments:

julia rose. said...

whoaaaa, girlfriend!! sending awesome thoughts and major prayers your way!! at least you have your LT there beside you- that picture is too cute!

Carolyn said...

OH MY GOODNESS. I saw the pics on Instagram while it was happening, but it looks CRAZY here! Are you going to have a scar??

whitney said...

i'm so glad you're back. for selfish reasons. and for the fact that you aren't in as much pain anymore.

Mateya said...

I still can't believe this happened...so crazy!

What a sweet guy he is, feeding you like a baby. That is love :)

Nikki said...

Omg girlfriend feel better!

Jen said...

Feel better dear friend! I love that last picture. :)

♥ Marcy ♥ said...

OH MY LANTA! I am just now seeing this Chels! I really hope you are feeling better! You poor thing :(

K said...

Oh man! That's so crazy that it can just happen out of nowhere! LT is so cute for taking care of you!

K said...

Oh man! That's so crazy that it can just happen out of nowhere! LT is so cute for taking care of you!

K said...

Oh man! That's so crazy that it can just happen out of nowhere! LT is so cute for taking care of you!

K said...

Oh man! That's so crazy that it can just happen out of nowhere! LT is so cute for taking care of you!

Kristin said...

whoa scary! hope you are okay now!

Ashley said...

Oh my goodness!! How the heck did that happen? Glad you are getting the care you need!!

Kerr said...

Yikes! This is awful. I am comforted that you are writing and joking about it though!

Jennifer said...

Very scary! Get well soon!

Babygirl said...

I got the EKG too...and what a great guy, feeding you like a baby! I think he's a keeper!

Jax said...

I am just SO glad you're okay and able to joke about it now...at least to joke about the feeding stuff. :) Pretty cute that he's doing that, friend.

Melissa Jo said...

I am so glad to know that you are back and at it and almost there to go on your vacation that i'm sure will help you heal up! you are so blessed to have such loving friends, bf, and family to be there for you! we were all praying for you and sending good vibes your way!