Hospitals Suck.

I apologize for interrupting the fun, colorful nail art and other cosmetic goodness posts, but I'm afraid this has to be said. Hospitals suck, and not in the happy fun way. Let's see if I can sum this up briefly...

Some of you may know I've been sick for three and a half weeks now. Coughing, feeling horribly achy and weak, body aches, etc... it's not been a pleasant month here. For a week, I felt too bad to go to the doctor, which is sort of scary, but there ya go.

Last night, I ended up having a hard enough time breathing that I said enough was enough and finally went to the emergency room. I'm pretty fond of breathing, and when I feel like I can't I get rather grumpy. I'd have gone to the doctor sooner, but I have pretty severe medical anxiety, so it takes a LOT to get me into a doctor's office.

While sitting in the waiting room, I had lots of time to think about just why I dislike going to the emergency room. Forget being surrounded by sick people...it's just not very fun.  Even though I was there for my chest they made me strip naked and sit waiting in a tiny hospital gown that was totally open down the back. Then they wanted me to walk to radiology!

Yes, I put my pants back on before the trip to radiology. Some things I just won't do. :D

One bit amused me, though. The doctor seemed convinced that I smoke for some reason. He asked me at least three different times during the exam if I smoked, as if he'd somehow sneak up on me and get me to change my story. I'm actually pretty boring- I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs, I don't do much of anything except craft!

Ahh well, it's ok. Even though the doctor seemed convinced I had pneumonia, I don't. I have pretty bad bronchitis, and that's what's been making me feel dizzy and pass out too. That breathing thing really IS important!

Also, don't be like me. If you end up with something you can't kick after 3-4 days, go to your doctor. As the doctor told me, you don't want to end up like Jim Henson- he died of an easily treatable pneumonia, and had he seen the doctor even one day earlier, he'd have survived. I got lucky this time, but you might not.

Til next time, hopefully with better breathing!

My lungs hate me.

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