I apparently got ahead of myself yesterday afternoon when I reported that all had gone well with Dylan’s knee surgery. While the surgery itself did go well, it turns out this his recovery was not going as smoothly.

I returned home from work yesterday to find a groggy and nauseous Dylan. He hadn’t eaten or drank almost anything all day because his stomach was so upset. I had stopped at the store and bought sprite, soup and puddings in hopes of settling his stomach and enticing him to eat, but to no avail. We figured it was just the medication and switched him over to the milder of the two drugs thinking that might help.

At about 8 o’clock, however, he became super agitated. His stomach still hurt, he felt exhausted but could not sleep, his breathing was shallow, and he had the chills. We tried calling his surgeon, per the instructions on his release forms, but never received a call back. We decided a trip to the E.R. was in order, and set off for the hospital.

It turned out that he was very dehydrated and needed to stop taking the pain medication. He was hooked up to an IV and given 2 liters of fluid as well as some anti-nausea medication. They also did some blood work and gave him some potassium. The doctors and nurses who worked with us were very skilled and polite. I am glad that Dylan lucked out with such good care, but I would like to take this opportunity to wonder where these people were during my E.R. visit. I had to deal with team jerk. Maybe they alternate nights or something.

Anyway, we were there for several hours before Dylan was written three new prescriptions and discharged with the instructions to drink a lot of water. Since it was well after 10 pm, I was told that the security guard positioned near the entrance would be able to retrieve my car from where the valet had parked it. I should mention that I was very hungry and tired at this point. Also that it was cold outside. Not the best conditions for the following to occur: I presented my ticket to the security officer and she retrieved my keys. Then she points in the general direction of the parking lot and tells me my car is just across the street. Gee, thanks. The emergency room entrance is located on a corner, leaving two possible streets for my car to be parked across. There was a grand total of one street light in the vicinity. How safe.

I ended up wandering around in the dark for about 10 minutes before going back to the guard and informing her that I could not find my car. Apparently Dylan had been sassy to her while I was gone, and she felt it worth her time to be a bit more specific, telling me to take the stairs at the end of the parking lot and cross the street. My car was parked in the fenced-in lot. I trekked back across the lot, up the stairs, across the street, over a small hill that was obscuring my car from view, and lo and behold…there was my car. So irritating. I guess my thought is that you shouldn’t offer valet service if you are too lazy to complete the service part of the operation.

In the end, we made it home safe and sound…albeit very late.The whole situation made me feel for all the times Dylan has had to accompany me to the doctor’s office or hospital this past year. While I have never particularly enjoyed being in the patient role, it is just as difficult to be the support system. Even though I knew I was doing all I could, I still felt helpless and worried. It is hard to feel scared for the other person and not let on as not to add to their troubles. It made me even more appreciative of all the support that has been offered to me through all my health issues. So, not to get all sappy, but thanks everyone.