I honestly normally attempt to refrain from writing about myself, but when personal experiences contain lessons that may benefit others, I relent and hope it assists someone else with similar circumstances.
I was attempting to rearrange our garage to provide space for installers to replace our then-existing air conditioning system, the thought being that to the extent that I can complete my efforts prior to the arrival of the installers the latter would be able to complete their mission more quickly. The next time, I’ll pause to think the situation through more thoroughly before proceeding.
While rearranging the garage I noticed a sharp jab in my back but, because I have had a bad lower back for some time, I ignored the warning and continued with my contribution to the new A/C system. I lived to regret it.
After a few days of increasing pain in my back, I arrived at a point at which I could not move, not the back, not my legs, nothing. Next came the ambulance, a roll on a gurney to the ER, and then to a room on the third floor of our nearby hospital. I am not one to love being in a hospital, but that mind-set chang-ed over the nearly two weeks ahead of me.
After a failed attempt at having an MRI taken of my back, I was administered enough numbing juice to take down a bull and the results of my second MRI attempt demonstrated that I had suffered a fractured upper vertebrae some years ago and had recently suffered two more fractures of lower vertebrae.
During my brief stay of a few days, I was pleased to be taken care of by a large number of doctors, nurses and aides who kept me as comfortable and informed as possible. But once the MRI results became known, I was whisked away to a different floor where I discovered that this neighborhood hospital was actually two hospitals in one.Unlike most hospitals I am familiar with, I was fortunate to be in one that offered two options in one, the first being a general hospital and the other being one that offered physical, occupational and other therapies to those in need, like yours truly.
In my new quarters I got to know a bevy of new doctors, nurses and aides who were equally as attentive and caring. They never failed to smile while putting me through exercises designed to strengthen the muscles around my damaged back so the back would not cause pain every time there was movement. At times I thought I could not continue with such efforts but, in the end, I survived and was sent home after one day short of two weeks at the same address but in different sections of the facility.
I need to pause here to comment a little more about the second phase of my stay. After my transfer to a different floor, I came to realize that it was no ordinary hospital area. There was a small gym on my floor, a laundry room to relearn how to wash your clothes, a shower to teach patients how to clean up without falling, a skeleton of a car to remind us how to get in and out without suffering more damage, and other areas devoted to re-learn how to accomplish every day chores without doing further bodily damage. Then, to my surprise, I was introduced to an area of the first floor which resembled a gymnasium, with mats, weights, stairs, stationary bikes, a lavatory with grab-bars, mats filled with material that simulated grass to walk over without falling, and lots of therapists to assist in making you understand how to live every day life without causing more damage to your body.
In retrospect, I never dreamed I could have survived nearly two weeks in a hospital and feel that, if necessary, I would welcome a return visit for whatever reason might then exist.
Truly the hospital felt like an oasis in the heart of what I imagined to be a common hospital setting. I hope I never have a situation that requires further hospitalization but, if I do, I will ask the ambulance staff to deliver me to Broward Health North without hesitation.
I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the hours my daughter spent making sure that I received proper care and thoroughly considered my medical options. My wife, though recovering from several operations herself, also contributed to my recovery even to the extent of bringing me our new puppy ‘Cody’ to brighten my day, and hopefully his as well.
Please, please, stay well.
