This post documents my most recent stay in hospital. This is not terribly interesting. I wrote it while in the hospital as both documentation of my stay and as something to do.
Friday, May 19, 2023
Yes, I ended up again in the hospital. I had slowly grown weaker over the last month and a recent blood analysis again proved dismal: nothing but red colored water. I refused to return to Kežmarok hospital, as its facilities and services were far below par. Instead, I was given another choice: Stará Ľubovňa. The distance here is only slightly longer than Kežmarok, and I occasionally travel to this city to grocery shop. So, I kissed the dog went.
I arrived at the hospital wondering which building I should go to. The woman at the information office barked at me for not knowing where to go before revealing the building. I slowly made my way to the building and, once inside, could not figure out which floor to go to. It was only out of desperation that I rang the bell to some doors, and a staff member came to ask what I needed. He was so kind that he accompanied me to the appropriate floor in the appropriate wing.
Otherwise, check-in was a breeze. I was quickly led to my room. Three beds, but only two of us. And it’s a corner room, so there is plenty of light during the day. The other patient and I mostly ignore each other, which is fine. It is like sharing privacy and solitude.
Shortly after I lay down on my bed, a group of doctors and/or nurses entered. They spoke first to the other patient and then to me. The lead person, a male, approached my bed. He began asking me questions, using words that I didn’t understand. I looked at him blankly, trying to grasp what he was asking. He then raised the volume of his voice (a typical trait of people who are unaccustomed to meeting non-native speakers) and asked me in Slovak,
“Which language do you speak?”, adding in English “Do you speak English?”
I replied in Slovak, “I speak Slovak, although there are many words I do not know.” And I added, “And my ears are working fine; it is not necessary to yell.”
The man apologized and then we got to work. Answers answered, the troupe left. Shortly thereafter, a doctor arrived. He looked young. He asked me many of the questions that I had just answered. He asked the reason why I came to the hospital today. I told him, “I began feeling weak. I found it increasingly difficult to walk any distance… and the krčma is far away!” He smiled. Taking my records, he explained that he would return later.
Then it was quiet in the room. I spoke briefly to Michał and Štefania. Then I tried to nap without success. After watching a little television and reading the newspaper, dinner soon arrived. It looked entirely unappetizing: some kind of grey meat in a grey sauce, served with not one, but two scoops of rice. I rolled my eyes. But my disdain changed when I tasted it. The grey meat was (I think) pounded chicken breast. It was cooked nicely, not overdone as I had expected. And the sauce had a nice flavor. So, the hospital is one for one in meal deliveries. We’ll see how this holds up.
I thought the day was over, but a nurse just hooked me up to an IV of sodium chloride. And a doctor came in to announce that I would receive a blood transfusion once the NaCl finished. Once the IV is over, it will already be late. And soon, a new day.
Saturday, May 20, 2023
It was indeed late once the two IVs were finished. 11:30 p.m. I had already fallen asleep several times during the process. So, it was not difficult to fall asleep afterwards. However, with all the liquid now in my system, I had to relieve myself twice over a span of four hours.
At 4:30 a.m., the nurses came in and began prodding and poking me – a truly unpleasant way to begin the day. My total span of quality sleep time was only four hours. But there would be plenty of time to nap throughout the day.
At 8:00 a.m., someone announced breakfast from the corridor. Instead of delivery, we were obliged to go to the dining room. We were permitted to take the food and return to our rooms, but we had to fetch it ourselves. I chose to eat in my room. They offered coffee or tea. I declined both, asking whether they could prepare hot water for me. Unlike the other hospital that simply refused my request, the people here were very accommodating.
Breakfast was unfortunately only a roll, two slices of bread, butter, and honey. But I ate most of it. My roommate, who I learned is diabetic, was also given an apple. When I saw he would not eat it, I stole it from his plate. It’s nice to have fresh fruit.
A nurse later came into the room and announced that I would receive another transfusion later in the day. I asked whether I had time to first take care of my wounds and change dressing. Yes.
I walked into a full bathroom marked “women” and locked the door behind me, a feature that the other hospital lacked. But as I unwrapped a bandage, my wound had “sprung a leak.” It doesn’t often happen, but it happens: a spout of blood shoots from my wound, covering everything it is aimed at with a fine spray of blood. I had a very difficult time stopping it. Once a temporary gauze bandage was in place, I returned to my room. Unfortunately, as I began to change the bandage, blood trickled from the temporary bandage and pooled on the floor under my foot, creating a gross and disgusting mess. I was embarrassed that my roommate saw everything.
I was certain the nurses and cleaning staff would be visibly annoyed with my problem. But instead, the nurses showed concern, while the cleaning lady waited patiently outside the door until I had finished bandaging both legs.
Once everything was cleaned up, including myself, I lay down to doze a bit. But it was not long before lunch was served. It started with a nondescript soup consisting of what looked a bit like Chinese egg drop soup, but also contained carrots and green beans. It was warm. The soup was followed by an equally nondescript piece of grey beef roulade. How can you cook a piece of beef without browning it? It was served with boiled potatoes and a flavorless grey sauce. I scarfed it down.
I spent the afternoon watching YouTube videos until an early Saturday dinner was announced. It was only rice with some chopped vegetables, but I ate it knowing that I would not eat again until the next day. Soon afterwards, I was hooked up to additional IVs for four hours. I took a walk to celebrate my new freedom before preparing for bedtime.
Sunday, May 21, 2023
I slept well last night and would have enjoyed some additional shuteye if the nurse had not come at 4:45 a.m. with needles in hand. She came for blood. The morning was otherwise quiet. Breakfast was delivered by a woman who appeared to be working alone this day. Breakfast consisted of bread: a roll and a thick slice of challah. There was also butter and two slices of plastic cheese. I enjoyed the challah immensely, slathering almost all the butter on it.
Today I decided to shower while cleaning my wounds. Everything went well. No bloody accidents. Once I returned to my room, lunch awaited: a chicken leg and mashed potatoes. There was more of the soup from yesterday, but with noodles added. And there was compote to finish off the meal.
Afterwards, I had several telephone calls while my roommate left to spend time with his wife in the hallway. Newspapers, then YouTube, and it was time for dinner: a thick slice of ham, two slices of bread, and an apple. The remainder of the day was mostly wasted by lounging in front of the computer.
Tomorrow morning, I will receive no breakfast as I will get a sonagram of my stomach (I think). Let’s figure out why my body isn’t producing enough hemoglobin.
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
I am falling behind on this blog! Yesterday morning, I had a stomach ultrasound, followed by distractions. Then my lawyer sent me documents for our new organization which had to be reviewed and reformatted. I didn’t sleep until around 11 PM last night.
But let’s talk food for a moment: yesterday’s lunch was a repeat of Friday’s lunch. But dinner was new: broccoli baked in an egg mixture. It looked absolutely unappetizing. In fact, several people took a plate, looked at it, then placed the plate in the dirty food section without tasting as much as a morsel. Today’s lunch was a mystery meat that appeared manufactured. It was served over mashed potatoes and this standard sauce they seem to put on almost every dish. Tonight’s dinner was rice with mixed vegetables.
Once the kitchen was quiet and two women worked to clean up, I told them that I had a small suggestion, but didn’t know whether they wanted it. I then told them that the baked broccoli dish was not bad, but that it looked unappetizing. To fix it, I suggested that they mix some breadcrumbs with butter or oil and spread a thin layer over the broccoli. I explained that it wouldn’t cost much and would give a much better visual impression. One woman rejected the suggestion, saying they didn’t have time for such things. But the second woman repeated my suggestion as though she thought it a good idea. But they probably won’t do it.
Today I had another ultrasound, this time on my legs. They found nothing. I told the technician that the first time I had leg problems twelve years earlier, I had an ultrasound and they found nothing. So, it all remains the status quo.
Tomorrow morning, I am scheduled for a gastroscopy. I’m not looking forward to it.
I haven’t yet told my colleagues that I am in the hospital. We have a meeting scheduled with the man from the Kežmarok district who is very interested in our plans. He also says he has money. I am really trying to find a way to attend. I might have to lie to get out of here (I’m not above that), but I’ll do all possible to make it.
An older man arrived on Monday to occupy the third bed in the room. He has significant problems breathing and is hooked up to oxygen. On only his second day here, he is experiencing disorientation, possible dementia, and some hallucinations. I tried to help and spoke several times to the nursing staff who demonstrated only mild interest. After explaining clearly to the nursing staff, and to his son who came to visit, I decided that he is not my problem. So, unless he does something that affects me, I try to ignore it.
A few minutes ago, he removed his shirt and his oxygen, then left the room. I could hear him in the hallway, and the nurses yelling at him. He was soon delivered by wheelchair back to his bed. They removed his pants and replaced the oxygen tube with a new oxygen mask. As soon as they left the room, he removed the mask and now lays in bed making sounds. This has become a very unpleasant experience for all involved, including his roommates, we the tangentials.
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Well, this has been a significant day! The old man bothered me last night as I tried to sleep. I yelled several times for him to shut up. Yesterday, the nurses removed his trousers and gave him a disposable diaper to wear.
A group of doctors and whoever entered the room to discuss each patient, a typical routine for hospitals in Slovakia. I mentioned to the doctors that I had only enough bandages for today and that for tomorrow, I would have none. I suggested that I go home, drop off dirty laundry, and bring back additional supplies. They agreed that it was reasonable. So, I will indeed attend the meeting tomorrow.
Mid-morning, the man took off his oxygen mask, got up wearing only a shirt and diaper, then left the room. He was gone for some time. He then returned, sat on the bed fighting for breath before falling forward onto the floor in front of me. I pushed the call button and moved to another chair to make room. One, then two nurses came, followed by a doctor. The old man was bleeding from the forehead. They took him away in a wheelchair for evaluation.
Later that day, the doctor came in and asked how I was doing. I told him that the situation with the old man was causing me problems and that it couldn’t stay that way. “Yes,” he agreed, “we have to make a change.”
My endoscopy appointment finally arrived at around 12:30 PM. It was not pleasant, but not nearly as bad as my colonoscopy without sedation. Then I could eat lunch. I scarfed down the dry beef pieces in mushroom sauce over macaroni and the weird soup just as Jay called to check up on me. We always have such great conversations, even if there is nothing special to talk about. But I had little stories to share.
I was later surprised when my other roommate began packing his bag. There had been no previous mention of his departure. Packed up and ready to go, we shook hands and wished each other our best. Then I was left with only the crazy old man across from me. I need to switch beds, I thought, so I wasn’t constantly looking in the c.o.m.’s direction.
Suddenly, a miracle: a nurse came in with a wheelchair and began packing the old man’s things. “Where is he going?” I asked. “Intensive care unit,” the nurse answered. And within a few minutes, I was alone in my room. This made me very happy.
I’m going to call Štefánia and let her know that I will come home for a few hours tomorrow. I’ll take a little time to play with Poochini.
Thursday, May 25, 2023
“What are you doing?” she asked. The nurse looked haggard, her hair disheveled, as though she had just been awakened from a deep slumber. Which, of course, she had been.
“I’m making tea,” I replied, my red Christmas mug already slowly rotating on the plate in the microwave.
The nurse sighed and closed the door to the room that serves as a dining room. The cup slowly spun round and round, the contained water trying desperately to get warm. The machine must be old, as it takes two to three minutes to heat water that modern machines accomplish in less than 30 seconds. The door opened once again.
“It’s in there a long time,” she complained.
“Yes, the machine is very weak,” I explained.
“It’s in there a long time,” she repeated before closing the door a final time and retreating into the nurses’ lair.
I awoke this morning at 3:30 a.m. feeling very good. Today, I would go home, if only for a short time. There I would see my dog, take a bath, shave, and get some clean clothes. And then the highlight of the day: the meeting in Kežmarok. If only someone would tell me where the meeting is to be held…
Friday, May 26, 2023
Yesterday was like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I arranged to leave the hospital, ostensibly to pick up supplies from home, which was partly true. But I went home and was greeted by my dog who acted as though I had just returned from war. But when Štefánia came to say hello, Poochini decided to go with her to see his best friend, Brok. I could finally take a long, hot bath, shave, and relax.
The nurse planned to stop today, so I let her change my bandages for me. I then unpacked dirty clothes, packed up new things, and drove to a meeting in the regional district, followed by grocery shopping. I finally returned at 6 p.m. feeling great. Today, however, I’m feeling trapped again.
Tomorrow, I think I’m just going to sneak out for a few hours. They are disorganized enough here to not notice. I’ve now formulated my plan of escape. I’ll quickly eat lunch and then go outside. The car park is not far. From there, I will drive to the nearby shopping center. At Nay Elektronik, I will exchange CO2 cannisters for my SodaStream and buy a new cable to connect my computer and telephone. Afterwards, I’ll stop at the grocery store again and see whether there is anything else I want. We get virtually no fruits or vegetables in this hospital. I bought a few bananas and a nice bowl of cherries to munch on. But I aways welcome more.
When I returned to my hospital room yesterday, I was happy to see that no new patient had come into the room; I was still alone and loving it. At 7:30 p.m., however, a new patient arrived. He initially seemed a bit of a neanderthal, but a kind neanderthal. After spending some time together talking, I decided that I liked him. He has diabetes which makes walking very difficult. He looks to be constantly on the verge of falling. I asked him whether he falls often, and he said no. I’m truly surprised. He mentioned that he loves watermelon. So, I’ll try to pick at half melon when I go grocery shopping.
Monday, May 29, 2023
I’m not sure where the weekend went. It’s not as though I had a lot to do. One thing that I did was to move my car. The parking garage charges around 6€ per day. But it is cheaper to park on the street. And weekends are free! So, I moved my car to a parking space on the street.
I decided I would park on the street for the remainder of my time in the hospital. The parking sign offered three methods to pay: 1) by telephone, 2) by a service called ParkDots, and 3) buying a ticket from an automated kiosk. Perhaps it is normal now, but I had never before paid for my parking via SMS. So, this morning just before 7:00 a.m., I followed the instructions. Nine hours of street parking costs 4.30€. I’ll do it again tomorrow. I’m being discharged on Wednesday, so I’m not sure what I will do then.
Yesterday evening, a large older man arrived to take over the third bed. An eighty-year-old widower with three children, we had some nice conversations together. This afternoon, Jan was transferred to the neurology department on the third floor where they can better serve diabetics. It’s now just the two of us.
Yesterday, Anna sent me a video clip of Poochini walking down a path towards the forest. I could see that he had on his leash. It was so cool that I asked Anna when she had shot the video. “Now!” she answered. She and Poochini were taking a walk together in real time. I love our technology.
Tomorrow I will have my first CT scan. Unless I am mistaken, they will be looking for the cause of my low hemoglobin level. But my attention is focused on leaving the hospital on Wednesday. I really want to go home.
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Early in the morning, I was hooked up to an I.V. I watched YouTube videos while the liquid slowly drained into my vein. A staff person entered the room a little after 6 a.m. She told me to be ready for my C.T. at 7:00 a.m. A CT refers to computed tomography, whereas MRI refers to magnetic resonance imaging. Although everyone only mentioned a CT, in my mind I had changed it to an MRI. I was a little disappointed when I saw the machine.
A CT scan can show internal bleeding or blood clots, and other conditions. It is also useful for diagnosing and staging cancer. I don’t really want to think about that.
Back on my floor, the nurse tried to hook me up to another I.V. with a big bottle that would require at least one hour. I told her I wanted to first have breakfast. But as soon as I finished eating, the nurse was coming at me with a liter-sized I.V. (I exaggerate). My roommate and I both napped while the I.V. slowly dripped.
Soon, it was time for lunch.
Lentils and pounded chicken breast in the hospital’s secret sauce. I returned to my room only to find another bottle of I.V. waiting for me, which was afterwards followed by a smaller bottle. It is possible that I have spent the majority of waking time today hooked up to an I.V.The remainder of the evening was quiet. I watched YouTube videos, mostly on Russia’s war in Ukraine. I probably finally went to bed at around 10:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
This morning I awoke before 4:30 a.m. But the nurse soon came into the room to introduce yet another I.V. I like this nurse a lot. She demonstrates caring and patience, as well as a good sense of humor.
Ten minutes before 7:00 a.m., I again purchased my parking ticket for the day. But this time, I paid it only until 2:00 p.m. That is how committed I am to leaving today.
In the nurses’ station, I checked to see whether they had my discharge papers for today. No. Later I came across Dr. Redaj (whose name, with a rolled “r”, sounds very similar to “red eye”). I reminded him that I planned to leave today. He explained that they had not yet received the results of my CT scan. “We’ll discuss it when I and the other doctors come to your room.”
Three times per week, a group of doctors visit each patient and share information about the patient’s condition. We were graced with a total of five doctors. One asked me how I was.
“I’m bored,” I responded, “and I plan to leave today.”
“We’ll see,” he said, “We haven’t received back the report yet of your CT scan.”
I challenged the doctor. “Well, whether it’s good news or bad news, I still plan to leave today” adding, “I only paid parking today until 2:00 p.m.”
The doctors were slightly amused. The main doctor said that we would talk again in the afternoon.
Later in the morning, Dr. Redaj popped into my room to tell me that the CT revealed an abdominal aortic aneurysm. It sounded scary, so I looked it up. After reading the facts, I find it concerning, but not scary. If it is small, there is no need to take action but to keep an eye on the size. If it’s larger, it can require surgery, one that is invasive, and another that is not so much. I’ll learn more later when the report is presented.
I also learned that the reason for my low hemoglobin level was due to my duodenal ulcer. That had not previously been made clear. Since it is treated with antibiotics over a four-day period, and since I’ve received many antibiotics via I.V. for several days, I suppose the ulcer is already healing.
Thursday, June 1, 2023
I was indeed permitted to leave yesterday afternoon after getting the police to remove the boot on my front tire (I did the payment incorrectly, but ultimately all was okay). I love being home.