Lonely Nights in the ER Featuring SC

I’m writing this from my hospital bed, after a pretty long night, savouring dry Special K and OJ. Seems that the nurse forgot the champagne that I would much prefer if I’m drinking orange juice. At least I still have a sense of humour?

Jokes aside, I haven’t had to come to the ER Since the beginning of October which feels like a win. My symptoms flared up yesterday around 2pm, right before hubbs and I were supposed to go tour some houses. Bailing last minute on commitments no longer stresses me out or makes me feel guilty.

I started bleeding very heavily and large clots were coming out and getting worse. In a few hour period I went through countless pads, tampons and at times really couldn’t leave the toilet. I was starting to get very faint which also makes me panicky. At the onset of the heavy bleeding and pain I took my Tranexamic Acid (TXA) and Naproxen, both of which didn’t appear to do anything. After this continued for three hours and was getting worse I made the dreaded decision to go to the Emergency Department.

I have been avoiding coming in to hospital especially during these peak periods of the pandemic where the news has continuously reported a lack of beds and resources. PTSD from past visits where I have felt neglected at times I was dreading returning back. Gynaecological issues are largely not prioritized the way other emergencies are. Now let me be very clear, the staff, nurses and doctors have all been incredible during this visit for the most part. These folks have been pressed so hard during the pandemic being short staffed, burnt out and still expected to go above and beyond every 👏 single 👏day 👏

After being assessed in the ER I was eventually put on TXA via IV. This started to slow the bleeding down but not by much. A few more doses every 8 hours continues.* My bloodwork was take at two different intervals at this time and it was showing my hemoglobin was going down due to significant blood loss. The ER was so busy on this particular Saturday that we had to sit in hallways in between assessments. At around midnight I broke down into tears. I had been waiting for hours to be told if I would be sent home or admitted. Crying, barely able to sit comfortably in this hallway, I felt so alone. This never ending health journey has been exhausting and so frustrating. It

just hit me like a bus. Why am I managing a chronic illness in the ER? Shortly after my outburst I was finally and admitted and moved up to a room with a bed for monitoring. I am incredibly lucky and privileged to have a room to myself and able to get some sleep.

Around 4am I am woken up for another round of bloodwork, vitals check, more TXA and a few swab tests. One was a COVID test, the other two were for contagious diseases. One around the nostrils and the other where the sun doesn’t shine 💩

I wake up at 8ish to a nurse taking my vitals and checking in on how I’m feeling. Followed by breakfast. I’m waiting to see a gyne doctor and another round of TXA. Because of the pandemic Hubby can’t come see me, but I do think I’m supposed to go home today from what I gather last night. I just want to be home in his snuggle and of course with lots of cat cuddles. I’m eventually seen by the on-call Gyne doctor who has advised me I’m ready to be discharged since my bleeding has slowed down and my hemoglobin has stabilized. I ask if I could have done anything different to avoid coming in, the answer is no. I have a very angry fibroid that needs to be removed surgically. Nothing I don’t already know, but it is so frustrating to have this ticking time bomb which is this growing fibroid that keeps causing flares of hemorrhaging and extreme pain.

The medication I was put on back in October (Lupron and Norethindrone Acetate) seems to be helping but not totally doing the trick obviously given the amount of heavy breakthrough bleeds I have had. I’m waiting to get in for an MRI and hematology to determine surgery.

Coming to the ER every time I have a flare seems to be an inefficient way to manage my symptoms and I feel like a strain on hospital resources, I feel embarrassed that I could be on a first name basis with the ER Team. Like where do I get my frequent flyer card?