I spent a fascinating first night in Ireland in Dublin's fair city. The red eye had left all of us wonky and myself very sore from my recent stent and surgery. We wandered into the hotel after the wonderful cab driver gave us the quick roundabout tour of the city. We were relieved in every way when the receptionist had found a room for us at 5:30 am Ireland time. We plopped down the bags and now is where the story begins. The kids fell asleep almost immediately while Chris looked at maps. I was thinking about the inevitable stent removal that my doctor had given me permission upon entry to Ireland. I had worked myself up over the previous five days reading horror stories of stent removals from disgruntled forum types. I ran a tub pulled off the bandages and pulled. The disgruntled forum types were right. The pain shot at me like bullets from a machine gun as I wailed in agony. After 45 minutes we all examined the torture device. Kate said "gross" as I asked her if she wanted to enter it into the Durham Fair as a used medical instrument collection. The pain became worst…and worst. Chris read that it make take a few hours for the spasms to end so I sent him out with the kids to walk about. While he was gone, I had experience delirious pain, vomiting every 10 minutes. It was clear that it was time to go to the hospital. As I screamed in pain, he looked up hospitals in the general area and I could tell he looked nervous. We have all been to the wrong hospital at one time or another. Today's miracle came in an Irish friend's phone number I had stored away on a FB message and Chris dialed it. First surprise, he said, "It's ringing", and then I overhear a woman's voice. My friend Jen sent us to St Vincent' Hospital just a few miles away. The cabbie who looked frazzled by my pain focused and got us their fast. This is when I decide that Ireland is the most wonderful place in the world. After horror stories of unhappy hospital customers from countries like this one, our fears were quickly abated. I crouched in acute pain, Peter looking terrified seeing his mom this way. Amazingly within 15 minutes, I lay in a cat scan machine dosed up with morphine, starting to feel less pain. A lady in the waiting room offered Chris to take care of the children as he went in to see me. She went as far as offering overnight care if we needed it. Then my childhood friend walks in and offers help with the kids. I never got to see her as I was whisked from one floor to another. On first view, the hospital is antiquated and I was shifted from a hallway to even a closet briefly. The curtains had a look similar to that of 1960's Brady. The nurse held my hand as the pain subsided. When the doctor on call came in I knew a problem lay ahead. She announced that I has a 10mm stone at the bottom of my ureter. For those that have read the "purgatory" entry, you know of last weeks surgery. I felt angry at the American doctors for missing this three times on ultrasounds and x-rays as I cried in vain, unprepared for this news. My pain had been from a massive stone that could only be removed via surgery. Chris consoled me by telling that I would be one of the few tourist in Dublin spending a night in the city hospital. I was rolled into an old-fashioned ward that I shared with four woman all with various issues. I lay in the comfortable haze of a morphine pain killer cocktail watching the ladies around me. One was an older drug addict, another older woman had fluid swelling her lungs, one woman studying english from Brazil dealing with a blood clot and finally a 40 year old with severe pain. Like a tea party, after hours we all knew each other's stories. It felt similar to being at ease in an Irish pub rather we were all doped up on Morphine rather than Guinness. I thought of the views just out the windows realizing what I may be missing, but I was having a tourism experience of my own and I felt fortunate for some reason. I found myself saying lovely and fantastic like my new friends. The nurses gave me tea. I don't like tea, but i decided to add tons of milk and sugar and it tasted appetizing. The next morning, I joked about anesthesiologist with my anesthesiologist. I was threatened with a new stent after surgery. I begged her to reconsider. The OR was fantastically modern with a mind blowing picture window of Dublin, the town, I wouldn't see. With the mask coming close, I knew it was time and I closed my eyes. When I woke up I was told the stone had passed overnight and I was told that I had done all the work myself. Relieved, exhausted and very sore, it seemed to be over. Jen and her mother Breda shared the love and spent more than an hour with me talking of old times in the states. I feel forever a kinship with them and their generosity and kindness just strengthened it. My back still feels painful and I wont feel content about his stone being gone until the pain subsides. I lay in hotel bed thinking of my experience and realize I am living life fully, taking the good with the bad. My kids had a great day two days with dad. I could think of no better place to have been sick and now with 12 days ahead, no better place to heal. Kate is already looking into Irish real estate as she decided that she wants to soon become an expatriate. Perhaps she's right.
9 Comments
Kim
8/14/2011 11:43:40 pm
Wow you have been thru the wringer and back I hope that the rest of your vacation is alot better, it should be downhill from here enjoy.Sounds like you have some great friends in Dublin.
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Fred
8/14/2011 11:49:05 pm
Jen - Sorry, you had to go through this in Dublin. Having been over there quite a few times, I can say you are in the hands of some of the nicest, most hospitable people on the face of the earth. Soon, you will be in County Kerry and and the pain will be gone and you will find that you are in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Have your camera ready because I can't wait to see your photos. As for Kate, and looking for real estate...I concur.
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Re
8/15/2011 04:07:26 am
Wow...Jen, I love reading your blog and your photos are artistic, beautiful and eloquently speak for themselves without words. I feel your pain. Lucky that you avoided surgery! I'm so glad that it looks like it's over for you and you have a lovely vacation ahead of you. Heal well, and enjoy your time there with friends and family. Keep us updated! :)
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Lili Kinsman
8/15/2011 04:11:30 am
Jenn,
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Wendy
8/15/2011 07:39:51 am
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Wendy
8/15/2011 07:41:30 am
Wow. I'm so glad your experience has a happy ending. I hope you mend quickly and can start your exploring ASAP. Can't wait to see the pictures. I sense another photobook in your future.
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8/15/2011 10:59:52 am
Hi Jen.
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jen
8/15/2011 10:17:57 pm
Thanks to all of you for the kind wishes. it has been a crazy four days since we have arrived. Today is the first that I feel a bit better and have actually wanted to lug the heavy camera out. I have never felt so grateful to feel better in my entire life. In order to appreciate feeling good, you do need to experience the other side at one time or another.
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Kristin
8/17/2011 03:19:52 am
You poot thing, but at least your were able to find the silver lining.
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