I have been asked by many people “What Happened”, so I am going to be writing about that in the next couple of days. Just as information, there is a lot of “TMI” in these posts but it is necessary to the story.
I think I had been sick since about October, but when I went to the doctor in December, she put me on a round of cipro and flagyl. I took them, but never really felt quite right since then. I had several bouts of constipation, but was still able to “go”. I was taking a dose of Miralax every morning with breakfast, and I was at least feeling better, if not good.
Then, in April, we started on our trip from Georgia to Arizona. It is difficult to stay on a regular schedule for meals, and even more difficult to stay on a regular schedule for taking medications when you travel, especially something like Miralax that needs to be mixed with water. I really tried to stay on schedule with it, but got off that schedule.
After we arrived at the Grand Canyon on April 19, I had nothing to do until time to go to work on May 8. I got somewhat back on my daily schedule, but then, around May 1, I got where I couldn’t “go”. I couldn’t have a bowel movement. This continued for over a week.
I went to work on the first day of work, but was in so much pain I could barely sit still. My abdomen was distended and tight, and felt sore. I couldn’t button my pants. And no matter what I tried, I couldn’t do the deed.
On May 9, I told Fabgrandpa that he needed to take me to the doctor in Kanab, Utah, 85 miles away. We went down to the medical clinic there. The doctor there told me to take magnesium citrate, a powerful laxative, for two days in a row, and said that should take care of the problem. I went home and took the first bottle of that stuff, and four hours later I was throwing up but there was no bowel movement at all.
I couldn’t even think about getting the second bottle of magnesium citrate to my lips to drink it the next day, so I called the doctor in Kanab to ask what else we could do. By this time, I was in a lot of pain, and my abdomen was even more distended. He left orders for me to come in as an outpatient at the emergency room for an enema.
We went back down to Kanab, and I submitted myself for the enema. The nurse filled me up with that enema bag five times, and nothing passed. I did throw up again, but no bowel movement. I was in so much pain. I begged the nurse there at Kane County Medical Center to do something else, but she told me I had come in as an Outpatient, and there was nothing more she could do other than the orders the doctor had left for me.
I told her I was through being an outpatient, and was now checking in as an emergency room patient, but they refused to see me! The told me there was nothing they could do for me, and sent me home! I was so upset that they could do that. Anyway, Fabgrandpa took me the 85 miles home, where I tossed and turned and didn’t sleep much. Somewhere around daylight, I woke him up and told him he was going to have to take me to the emergency room in Flagstaff, 200 miles away.
Fabgrandpa wasn’t keen on the idea of driving to Flagstaff, but I told him if we didn’t go I would die. I firmly believe that if we had not gone to Flagstaff Medical Center I would have died. It had now been about a week and a half since I had been able to have a bowel movement.
Tomorrow: The Flagstaff Medical Center Emergency Room
Donna B. McNicol [@donnabmcnicol] says
June 16, 2012 at 12:10 pmI get shivers reading this…something we so easily ignore but so dangerous when it goes on too long. I’m glad you insisted on the trip to Flagstaff!!
Linda says
June 16, 2012 at 12:15 pmI am GLAD you insisted on going to Flagstaff when you did….otherwise, I wouldn’t have my Seester anymore…..I am so sorry you had to go through all of that, & most of the time alone, but I am thankaful to God EVERY day that you are still here and on the mends. I love you Karen <3
Sandra says
June 16, 2012 at 12:17 pmOMG I can’t believe they sent you home. Being that far away from ‘good’ medical help is very scary.
Marilyn says
June 16, 2012 at 12:36 pmWOW, thank you for what you are posting…you just never know who it will help. Thankful you went with your gut feeling and drove the 200 mi to Flagstaff. God bless!
Dee says
June 16, 2012 at 12:57 pmYou’re lucky to be alive. That nurse in Kanab was WRONG. Granted the nurse is to follow doctor’s orders but they’re also the eyes and ears of the doctor when he’s not there. She should have seen the problem was worse then they thought and called him to let him know the enema wasn’t working and how distended you were. When you said you were now an ER patient they were wrong for not seeing you.
I’m sorry but I see malpractice and neglect all the way around.
Susan Adcox says
June 16, 2012 at 1:26 pmAgree with Dee! You should not have had to drive 200 miles to get medical care. Glad you’re okay. I’m looking forward to hearing the rest of the story.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
June 16, 2012 at 1:46 pmthat is awful that they wouldn’t take you as an ER patient at the first hospital!
Susan says
June 16, 2012 at 4:23 pmFIrst and foremost, I am so thankful you are still alive and with us and on the mend!
2nd I can not imagine the pain you must have been in not having been able to “go” for that long – OWIE..
I live with ulcerative colitis and when it acts up there is nothing funny about that part of the body for sure.
I am apalled at the medical system in this great country of ours.
The nurse that tired to give you that enema should be removed from her position….
I am very happy that you are sharing your story with us, but more importantly it seems like a good sign that you are on the mend and feeling a bit stronger each day. I wish I could do more for you Karen you are a true jewel and loved by so many of us here in cyberland!
Wendy says
June 16, 2012 at 8:34 pmSo happy that you are doing much better!!
Chris says
June 16, 2012 at 9:48 pmWhat in the world was with the “medical personnel” (loosely used) in Kanab?
Bev says
June 17, 2012 at 12:03 amWhat a frightening story! I shudder when I think of consequences related to one person’s ignorance. Am so happy you are on the mend. Prayers your way for continuing recovery. Hugs
Gaelyn says
June 17, 2012 at 12:03 pmSome of the Kanab problem could be because of your lack of health insurance, although no excuse for denying treatment. The health system in this country sucks.
Cheryl says
June 17, 2012 at 2:03 pmOh Man, Karen. I know this is just the beginning of the story, but I hadn’t stopped thinking about you since you first posted about the problem before going to the first place. SO glad you’re on the mend now. <3