I went downstairs to get a drink to try and clear my throat. It didn't work. My breathing was still labored. Next I went back upstairs trying to remain as calm as possible, I knocked on my sister's bedroom door. She responded by saying she had another 1/2 hour to sleep. At that, I broke down and started to loose it. I told her I was having trouble breathing and my airway was swelling shut. Needless to say she woke up with a million thoughts running through her mind. THis is the point where things become a blur, but I will try to write them down as accurately as possible. (possibly not in the right order though). This is due to my heart racing and adrenaline pumping!
Before we left for the hospital we had some phone calls to make. We called Brent (to get some people to begin to praying) and we called mom for some basic information. While Kendra had a shower I called Tamara to let her know what was going on. I also called Marily and Felipe because I was suposed to spend my day with them and that is where Nicole was staying. I calmed down a bit to try to slow my heart rate and adrenaline flow and I looked for my health card (which I forgot at home). Then while I had a quick bath so I didn't smell Kendra got ready. We then had to get ahold of Graham, the healthline (to figure out which hospital to go to) and then Saskatchewan Health Services to get my health card number. Kendra also called work to inform them of the situation and they allowed her to book a vacation day.
We arrived at the hospital at the University of Alberta just after 8:30am. I was assessed, registered and placed in triage very quickly. The room we entered looked like many operating rooms I have been in. I guess they wanted to be prepared. I was also in constant care so this menat I had a nurse within a few feet all the time. All the nurses were very good.
I was assessed originally by Dr. Long. Pretty much right away he had ENT residents and respitory therapists ready to scope me. They probably thought that I would just let them do anything... WRONG!! I made them slow down their eagerness by repeating several times the sensitivity of my airway and then I made them get ahold of Dr. Wright before they did anything else. I could tell this dampened their spirits a bit and put 4-7 people "on hold". Whild I waited Kendra was great. She reminded me that I could say no to anything I was not comfortable with. This was very reassuring to hear. I knew that already but I needed to be reminded. Thank you Kendra for taking time off and not putting me in a taxi!
After a little while they returned with the info from Dr. Wright. I think they were probably surprised at all that Dr. Wright was able to tell them about my case, history and airway verbatum.
Dr. Jason (who Kendra thought was noteworthy and cute with a good beside manor to boot) then scoped me to see my larynx. They wanted to go through my nose so I would not bite down on the expensive equiptment but after a little persuadsion and me promising not to bite down on the scope they did it though my mouth. They found the beginnings of laryngitis. It had been caught earlier than in 1992 though. Because my airway is already smaller than average, any swelling is noticable and can block my airway relatively quickly.
They decided to treat with andtibiotics and prednisone for swelling. They gave me my first dose of prednisone and we had to wait for pharmacy to send the antibiotic, which took forever and then they sent pills instead of liquid.
We were required to hang out for an hour after the last meds were given for observation. Then I was reassessed and released.
By the time that we stopped by the pharmacy and got home it was already 4pm.
I bet that is one vacation day Kendra and I will not soon forget.
That night was restless and I still could not breath the best laying down but my airway was not as constricted anymore and I have an easy answer for the next 2 weeks when people ask if I have laryngitis.
I am still amazed at the peace and confidence that God provides through such situations. He is awesome. I am also amazed at how he made our bodies so complex including such defenses as adrenaline! I am so thankful that he provided a way for Kendra to be there for me when I needed her.
By noon on Tuesday my breathing was pretty much back to normal again. The only reminder of this little adventure was the tower of drugs that I needed to finish!
June 1, 2005
Reflections by Terrie Hein
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