Rattlesnake Adventure —Part Four —The ER Continued

Just four clicks away from snakebite.

“Would you like us to resuscitate?”

Is that a trick question? If I flat line, do you just call it a night and go out for a cheeseburger?

Of course I want you to resuscitate. If you can jump start me, feel free.  I just don’t want to do that whole vegetable thing.

The next admin employee who approached me was looking for money. She had me sign something promising to pay. Thank God for insurance I would find out later.

I am a bit confused however, about the legality of signing something in the state I was in.

You see, at that precise moment, I had a rather strong cocktail of rattlesnake venom and Morphine pumping through my system.

Aren’t you supposed to sign legal papers when you’re of sound mind and body.” I think we all agree that neither my body nor my mind was particularly strong—or sound—at the moment my shaking hand attempted to scratch my signature across the page.

Shortly after signing my house over to some grifter, I attempted to sit up.

A nurse asked me what I thought I was doing. I told her I had to tinkle (I’m not sure of the exact wording). She told me I had two choices, neither one including getting up. Now, the last time I had a catheter I was unconscious. I wasn’t unconscious this time, but at least I was visiting with  Mr. Morphine. The nurse said I would thank her later and hooked me up. I had gallons of fluids running through me so I not only thanked her later, I thanked her sooner.

Doctors and Nurses alike were asking me the same questions over again. My favorites were, “What kind of snake bit you? Did you see it? Are you sure it was a rattlesnake?” First of all, we live in Northern California. The only venomous snake in Northern California is the rattlesnake. So after the second time the question was asked I started saying things like Cobra, Anaconda, Black Mamba. My humor was not appreciated.

I received my first does of Crofab at 5:40. It had taken the pharmacy two hours to deliver my first dose of antivenin. The swelling in my leg had traveled past my knee to my upper thigh.

I don’t know why it took so long to receive the antivenin, my guess is it is hard to find six people in a busy hospital who have nothing to do for forty minutes. It was hard to fault anybody. The hospital staff who were tending to me were extremely caring and professional. Well, with a couple exceptions.

Now the first bag of Crofab was almost empty, another one was on it's way and it was time to move me to ICU.

I was unhooked from my monitor and hooked up to a portable monitor equipped with paddles in case I coded on the way to ICU. I was ready to go but no one else was. So I sat there—staring at the paddles. The battery in the monitor beeped every few moments as if to remind the ER staff to start moving me down the hall. The beep sounded just like a cell phone running out of juice. So I was amused to see the entire staff checking their cell phones every time my monitor beeped.

Jill went home after spending three hours with me in the ER. I was taken up to ICU at around 7:00

My sausage foot waving good-bye to the ER and the curtain.

Stumble It!

Comments

[GardenPunk]

Just be thankful you had morphine before you were catheterized. Not pleasant sober! Your story is fascinating.

[sraikh]

The sausage foot! Waiting for part 5!!

[chigiy]

Katie,
Morphine is a beautiful thing.

Sraikh,
Thank you for visiting

[Carol]

That foot looks painful...

[Heather's Garden]

OMG, I don't check your blog for a few days and... I hope there's a very happy ending to this story, but the fact that you're posting and responding to comments makes me think there is. Feel better soon.

[Dee @ Red Dirt Ramblings]

Wow, what a story. I've always wondered about snake bites. Here, we have three types of venomous snakes. I've had a catheter without drugs. It was most unpleasant, but not as bad a snake bite I'm sure.~~Dee

[chigiy]

Carol,
It did hurt a bit, still does. Icky.

Heather,
What a difference a couple weeks makes.

Dee,
Yes Dee, the catheter was nothing as a matter of fact it was quite convenient.

[Feralchick]

Forget Lost. I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for Part Five!

[chigiy]

Hey Feralchick,
Love the name. I just got out of my second stay in the hospital so expect part five in the next couple days.

[Feralchick]

So glad to hear you're still in the game! Looking forward to Part 5 (and your full recovery!)

[Dee @ Red Dirt Ramblings]

Your second stay?!?!

[chigiy]

Feralchick,
Thank you. I'm working on part 5 between naps.

Dee,
I was readmitted over the weekend for some serious blood issues related to the snake venom:(

[Feralchick]

Thought of you today as I was weeding the back forty (okay, that's the back forty feet). Though I do love the snakes, I'm more cautious now.... Hope you're doing okay!

[chigiy]

Feralchick,
It is good to be careful. This year because of all the rain, I think will be a bad year for rattlesnakes. I am doing better everyday.
Thank you.

[Annie in Austin]

I love that you could still be a smartass and think up snake names while on venom & morphine.

[chigiy]

Annie,
Morphine put me in a happy mood.

[Candy Suter]

Wow how scary! I can't believe everyone was moving in slow motion. Can't wait for part 5 and glad you are doing better, despite your second hospital stay!

[Grammie Shell]

I live in Eastern Washington so your rattler saga is most intriguing, although your comment regarding them being more plentiful this year due to all the rain was somewhat unsettling. Hmm, maybe I'm thinking differently of our cool Spring up here LOL Your remark about what kind of snake bit you sounds like something I'd come up with LOL What is your expected recovery time? This is my worst nightmare in technicolor!! So sorry it happened to you.

[chigiy]

Candy,
Thank you.

Grammie Shell,
It has been 15 days now. I can walk without crutches but I walk with a limp. My leg still hurts and I still have a weird tingly feeling in my mouth. I still have some major bruising. I have heard it can take up to a month or more to recover fully. All bites are different.
Watch out for rattlesnakes.
Take care.

[toggle]

Hi there,
Was looking at heather pictures and stumbled on here. You have a beautiful site.

I'm glad you're okay and recovering well after the snake bite. You have a great attitude.

I used to think my feet were unique but your left foot is the same as mine -- long toes, the big toe shorter than the next two and the pinky half the length of the next. I guess my feet aren't so unique after all :)

Cheers and again, wonderful site!

[binell@earthlink.net]

I love that foot, and the girl it used to be attached to.