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Lessons Learned and Spiritual

Viewing comments for Chapter 16 "Nightmare in the Hospital"
Do good and feel good poems

64 total reviews 
Comment from jenintorre
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Oh my goodness Debbie you have really gone through the mill and back. I am so pleased that you are recovering now.Thanks for the video. Best wishes. Jen.

 Comment Written 05-Feb-2023

Comment from nomi338
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I thought about a story Dr. King told about when he had been stabbed by a disturbed woman. It was stated that if he had merely sneezed he might have died. A young fan wrote to him and said that she was very happy that he did not sneeze. That is exactly the feeling I had when I read of your trauma during that particular particular hospital visit. I am so glad that you made it.

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2023


reply by the author on 05-Feb-2023
    Thank you for your incredibly kind and thoughtful words my very dear friend and wonderful self appointed big brother. I tend to be more thankful for you all the time. I certainly am blessed to be alive and to have someone like you in my life. God is good... All the time. And so are you! Thank you again! Hugs!
Comment from pome lover
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well, of course, I'm happy you are doing well, but what in the world went wrong the first time? I never heard of such a reaction. And writing a poem about it? good heavens!
I'm afraid that after that first time, I would not have had the second. You were/are brave. Best wishes for a full recovery!
Katharine

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2023


reply by the author on 04-Feb-2023
    Mine was an extreme case, as I had put it off for so many years and my lupus was ruining all of my bones. I have had so many spine and other surgeries that my drs call me the bionic woman as I so full of hardware. Anyway my legs were shaped like a letter x and not able to hold my 140 lb frame up any longer and the knees had worn the knees out completely. So it was mostly the lupus attacking. After ten years in a wheelchair, I finally agreed to this particular surgery of building the bones with rods and bone grafts and replacing the knees. It was a ten hour surgery and if they had done their homework on me they would have known that I am a chronic anemic. My hemoglobin can drop to deadly levels in days, so I get those checked every week. But they didn't re[lace my blood loss because they couldn't have read my drs notes. But before it got to the point of code blue, I knew I was failing fast and they were trying to monitor it and do what they could on a weekend night. So I wrote a text to my children to tell them everything I knew that was done wrong and in case I didn't make it through the night, I wanted them to have the real facts and not what they would be told. (There is too much to explain but it made me wonder how I could be in a trauma center best in our state, besides our Mayo Clinic)
    So that dropped from 12 earlier that day to 4 and my heart rate at 22 and blood pressure at 59/23. It almost stopped my heart but the team was in there to save me in time. I had no idea, so I just laid back and let the gazillion people work on me. At least thats how it feels in my memory, but I was fuzzy. and going in and out of consciousness .
    Thank you so much for all of your lovely comments, my dear friend.
reply by pome lover on 05-Feb-2023
    I know you probably aren't one to sue, but that was a case of pure malpractice, it seems to me. I'm glad you wrote it all down. I grew up in a family of doctors, grandfather, father, and husband, and I think they would agree.
    You have really had, and still are having, a hard time, and I am so sorry. I bet it helps to know that you are admired for your writing as well as your bravery.
    Thank you for taking the time to fill me in. It sounds like you are keeping your spirits up. Good for you!
reply by the author on 05-Feb-2023
    You have no idea how much
    I appreciate your kindness. I guess I am just thankful to be alive. We did think of that but decided to drop it since stress is the number one thing that keeps the flares coming. And you and the others in this second family is my happy place where my joy is my place of joy. Life is too short. Thank you my sweet friend! Hugs!
Comment from Karen Estep
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This was a fantastic way to express a very scary time in your life. Surgery is always scary, but I too would have asked myself about that second surgery. Great job! Thank you for sharing!

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2023


reply by the author on 05-Feb-2023
    Karen, you are so very kind. I appreciate your thoughtful review and comments so very much! Thanks again my dear friend
Comment from Brandon Clark
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

The feeling before surgery can be so complicated. I've had a knee and two back surgeries...the knee and the second back surgery I felt like, "finally!" and when the nurse asked if I was ready or needed anything to calm down, I was like "hell no, let's do this," because of the months and years of pain...just wanted to get it done. But you definitely have to also compartmentalize the possibility of something not going right...complex feelings, to say the least.

I'm glad your doing well, keep fighting and remember setbacks are just reminders to steel your resolve!!

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2023


reply by the author on 04-Feb-2023
    Brandon how kind of you to give me such a thoughtful review and comments. Also the six generous stars mean a lot. I have also had 2 spine surgeries and supposed to have more,.Did you have to wear the turtle shell? I have had 52 all together. My knee replacements were secondary to building my legs back, yet were so bone on bone. But I have been in a wheel chair for the last ten years, so thankful for a few steps. My drs call me bionic woman because they tease I have more artificial parts than real. Just lupus complications with many attacks. And here I am still blessed to be here with my wonderful second family of you and so many others here. Thank you again my friend for your very gracious review.
    Good luck if you go back for that next knee.
reply by Brandon Clark on 04-Feb-2023
    My brother had to wear the shell several months ago when he had old screws and cage around the one disc that completely vaporized in his back replaced with more modern stuff.

    I've only had minor issues compared to yours. I herniated my L4/L5 and my L5/S1 and L2/L3 is bulging. So just the arthritis and stenosis on top but also degenerative disc disease and facet joint disintegration. The first back surgery went well and the second did as well, beings as I literally couldn't stand up straight before having it "cut back" from the L5 and S1 nerve...of course, now I have scar tissue intertwined in the Cauda Equina and they won't go in at all. So I'm doing what I can to break it down etc.

    If I go any further I'll feel like a real schmuck compared to what you've gone through. I guess I would just say that I can relate to the mental side of it all a little better than some that have been fortunate enough to not have too. I'm 33 so I have deal with a lot of "you should be able to...." and just have to bite my tongue a lot.

    I truly hope those few steps become strides as soon as possible for you!!
reply by the author on 05-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 05-Feb-2023
    That is about the age I got the lupus so I hear you. You are young, but a lot smarter than many of your. ignorant others who supposedly know what your body is going thru. Thanks for your kind words and I wish you the best.
Comment from Jay Mo
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This poem was honest, raw and relatable. (Plus, it had rhythm and rhyme). I'm currently awaiting knee surgery at almost 29. I've had problems since I was 11 and my knees are pretty shot. I'm starting with just one, much like you did. While I'm not having any fears about surgery itself, I am about the after effects.... I think I may just have to write about it. Thanks for the inspiration and the read. Keep on keeping on! You got this!

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2023


reply by the author on 04-Feb-2023
    Hi Jay, thank you for such a kind review and comments . I appreciate them very much. And your little one is precious! Thanks again my sweet friend.
Comment from Spitfire
Excellent
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Your lines trace your journey into surgery to mend your legs and knees. The narrator records her calm emotions before it starts, then things go wrong! Still she survives and stabilizes. Yet now as she prepares for more surgery, she's not calm anymore thanks to what happened before.
The reader understands and sympathizes with the poet.
I'm so glad the second time went well, Debi.

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2023


reply by the author on 04-Feb-2023
    Thank you so much Shari, and you are so sweet. When I look back, even tho I really am not walking, as something is wrong with the hardware they used in my legs, I can try a couple steps and have to sit down. But I still am happy I did it and feel blessed that I cams out of the hard time. I'm just praying that they won't have to redo it and take out the hardware. Thank you for your lovely review and sweet words. I appreciate it my friend.
Comment from Dawn Munro
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Oh dear, I had no idea -- I hope your recovery is almost over and you are completely well. I know I have problems with my hips and sometimes with my knees, but won't consider surgery (after all I've heard about it). I can't imagine surgery without having NO choice! Poor you!

Your poem is fabulous, Debi.

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2023


reply by the author on 04-Feb-2023
    Oh Dawn, you are so sweet. Mine was an extreme case, as I had put it off for so many years and my lupus was ruining all of my bones. I have had so many spine and other surgeries that my drs call me the bionic woman as I so full of hardware. Anyway my legs were shaped like a letter x and not able to hold my 140 lb frame up any longer and the knees had worn the knees out completely. So it was mostly the lupus attacking. After ten years in a wheelchair, I finally agreed to this particular surgery of building the bones with rods and bone grafts and replacing the knees. It was a ten hour surgery and if they had done their homework on me they would have known that I am a chronic anemic. My hemoglobin can drop to deadly levels in days, so I get those checked every week. But they didn't re[lace my blood loss because th3y couldn't have read my drs notes.
    So that dropped from 12 earlier that day to 4 and my heart rate at 22 and blood pressure at 59/23. It almost stopped my heart but the team was in there to save me in time. I had no idea, so I just laid back and let the gazillion people work on me. At least thats how it feels in my memory, but I was fuzzy.
    Thank you so much for all of your lovely comments. I appreciate it my dear friend.
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2023
    Oh and Dawn, thank you so much for the lovely six stars! So very kind of you!!!!!
Comment from Ginda Simpson
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Having supported my husband through three joint replacements, I know that these are no minor surgeries under the best of circumstances. But each surgery is a quality of life decision and each replacement definitely improved his quality of life. I assume this poem in non-fiction, so I send your my warmest regards for a positive outcome and speedy recovery. God bless. Oh, I should say, putting the story and underlying feelings to verse was well done.

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2023


reply by the author on 04-Feb-2023
    Ginda, I thank you for your very kind review and comments for my poem, and your thoughtful words for me.
    I sure appreciate it my friend
Comment from eliz100
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Your story is well-written. I am glad you went through with the second surgery and everything came out all right. I do not see any need for inprovement. Have a blessed day.

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2023


reply by the author on 04-Feb-2023
    Eliz, I thank you for your very kind review and comments for my poem, and your thoughtful words for me. I sure appreciate it my friend