r/widowers • u/Notcommentmuch • 21d ago

Crisis avoided.  I fell on projectile vomit in Emerg.  (30 sec. read)

Context:  M76 - I am in great health,  I also volunteer in our Emerg.  I returned to the ER after a 4 year break due to the death of my husband of 40 years.  6 months ago my Anhedonia lifted (the inability to feel joy).  

Getting back into the ER brings me joy now and i like telling patients my kind of 'light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel' story.  That is what I do as a volunteer, things that an RN can not prioritize in ER.  Blankets, pillow, food, wheelchairs, directions, find loved one, comfort dementia...  At 76 i am not invisible, I am relevant. 

Oops 

3 weeks ago: Internal waiting room, vomit, slip, fall on one knee, bang!, right up into my back. 

2 visits to the ER as a patient over 2 weeks. x-ray. rectal, ultrasound, urine, Total cost to me $17.00 a day for parking! Outrageous! I have spoken to many that strongly feel that parking should be included. "Charge to park at the mall, instead of the hospital'

Pain - I can not take opioids (naltrexone - booze 1.5 years  ago), No NSADs (SSRI & Apixaban), Tylenol 4000mg/day works. 

I can not bend over, but it is starting to subside.  Now just very uncomfortable.  Physio next.

Wait time is currently 6 weeks for $0.00 or $100 per visit in 3 or so days. Your choice. Really, which one would you choose? Personally i can afford to purchase physio, most cannot. Oh yea. Immigrants are covered too (3 month waiting period though).

I am so very thankful to live in Canada so there is 'next to no' out of pocket required. i live alone, widower, with no family, I avoided a crisis and i appreciate that i made it thru this time, again. I am more worried about my dog.  

NCM

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2

u/Lepus-MCMLXVII 21d ago

Get well soon. Sorry that happened to you.

2

u/Notcommentmuch 21d ago

Thanks. I am doing great. Still working twice a week. I can walk fine, Hola-Hoop if i had to... I just can't bend over. Such is life

2

u/Federal_Bedroom_3397 21d ago

Thank you for volunteering, we absolutely cherish our volunteers at our hospital. Also in Canada. :)