Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Descending Into Hell-Part 2

The van arrived at the rehab, about 45 minutes after leaving the hospital. The two deputies, helped me out of the van, escorted me inside the rehab, signed me in , took the handcuffs off of me, and away they went. The receptionist, told me to have a seat, that someone would be to get me shortly. Twenty minutes passed, then a man walked up in front of me. Are you Denise Oldham? I said, yes, I am. He said, come with me. He took me to an empty room, and told me to have a seat. I sat down, and he began to question me. Gave me a stack of papers to read, and sign. When I was finished, he took the papers, and left. A woman walked into the room, asked me if I wanted something to eat, or drink. I told her thanks, but no thanks. I was still feeling sick at my stomach. I asked her for a bucket, I knew I was going to throw up. As soon as she handed me the bucket, I started throwing up. She brought me a diet coke with ice, and a straw. I tried to drink some of it, because I was very thirsty. But, could not keep any of it down . Another man walked in the room, told the woman that my room was ready. He walked me down a long hallway, without my walker, it was a very long, slow walk. We finally reached our destination, my room. He showed me a small locker, with no lock, where I could put my clothes whenever I got them. I said, when can I call someone to bring me some clothes? He said, we will let your husband bring some this evening, and leave them at the desk for you, we will have to look through all of them first, then you can have them. Then, he took me to the laundrey room, and showed me how everything worked. We went back to my room, and he introduced me to my roommate. He left, suddenly my roommate was not so sweet anymore. She stepped in front of me, and said, that is your bed, pointed to the bed on the left, and that is my bed, pointed to the bed on the right. We share the locker space, and there is only one bathroom. Got it?? I said, yes, I understand your space, my space. I promise not to get in your way, or bother you. Bed?? I definitely would not call it a bed. There was no mattress, or box spring, only a box!! A hard, cardboard box. With one sheet, and a very thin blanket. I froze the entire time I was there. There was one thin pillow, with a little pillowcase. The lady came back, and took me down the hallway to see the medical doctor. He asked me several questions, examined me, and drew several tubes of blood from me. He walked me back to my room, took my temperature, checked my pulse, and blood pressure. He said that since this was my first day, and I was not feeling well, and did not have my walker with me, I could just rest. He left, the nurse came in with some medicines for me to take, she left, I laid down on my little box, put the covers over me, and went to sleep. Later, they woke me up, put me in a wheelchair, and pushed me down to the dining room. It was dinner time, but I still was not able to eat, or drink. I was introduced to several of the other patients. I was so nervous, and scared. I was not sure how to act. I was told by several of the other patients, that they knew why I was there. They said, you tried to kill yourself. How did you do it? Why did you do  it? Are you married, do you have any children? Do you drink, or do any drugs? I did not want to answer their questions, just wanted to be left alone, just wanted to get better. I wanted to see my family, I wanted to go home. Wanted to see my sweet little fur baby coco.   I found out my roommate was an alcoholic, bless her heart. That night, I was allowed a three minute phone call, only one phone call. The phone was in the hallway, not to far from my room. I called my husband, started crying as soon as I heard his voice. I was still sitting in the wheelchair. When my time was up, I hung up, and started wheeling myself down the hallway to my room. I do not know what happened, but the next thing I remember, I hit the floor. Two nurses helped me up, and back into the wheelchair. Everyone was staring at me, very embarrassing. They kept asking me if I was ok, they said my speech was slurred. I had hurt my head too. They called an ambulance, and my husband. The ambulance picked me up, and took me to the hospital. Once I got there, they did x-rays, a ct scan, a spinal tap, and blood work. They said I had a slight concussion, and kept me overnight. The next day, they took me back to rehab. They moved me to a different floor, different roommate. Same lovely box for my bed. My roommate was in there for alcoholism, crack, and meth. She was truly messed up. She had lost her children, and when she got out of rehab, she did not get to go home, had to go to a halfway house. My heart hurt for everyone there, so many broken lives. Broken hearts, broken dreams, lost souls. We all looked like the walking dead, walking the hallways, looking for a sign of our former lives. I prayed for everyone, and tried to be an encourager while I was there. They all started calling me Aunt Nesie. I was quick to share a smile, or hug. We had classes everyday, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner in between. After dinner, we had our last class for the day. Then we could go into the break room, watch television, do puzzles, or play board games. We would get our night time medicines at 9, lights out at 10. While I was on that floor, I also had another bad fall. I was on my walker, my husband had brought my walker from home. I was in the break room, doing crossword puzzles. I got up, told everyone good night, and started walking toward the door. My walker started wobbling, I lost my balance, and down to the floor I went. My head started bleeding really bad on the left side, it hurt. They put an icepack on it for a few minutes. The nurse helped me to my room, put a towel on my pillow, and helped me to bed. The next day, my head looked aweful, badly swollen, and bruised. Visitation day was twice a week, for one hour. When my husband, and niece saw my head, it really upset them. My niece was so sweet, she got a wet paper towel, and got the dried blood off of my head. The rest of my stay was spent going to classes, talking to my counselor, and praying. Then, came the morning, that they told me I was going home. Woo Hoo!! I called my husband when I knew he would be home from work. I said, honey, can you please come get me?? He said, what? I said, I am free, I am coming home. He said, I will be there as soon as I can get there. He was there in just a few minutes. I hugged everyone goodbye, and wished them well. A nurse walked me down the hallway, through the double doors, and outside. I saw my husband standing by our car. I started crying, tears of joy, and relief. Praise God, I was going home!! Update coming next.      

11 comments:

Hootin Anni said...

What an traumatic ordeal....but you had me bawling right along with you at the end...when you saw your husband and 'free'.

Schotzy said...

I am just in shock that you have had this horrible trial... may the Lord's angels attend you with mercy and healing blessings from on high.. may the lord's tender presence en fold you and give you perfect peace and rest!!!

Connie Arnold said...

Your story is so sad, but I know God has been with you and continues to be. May healing love flow into you and bless you as you share your heart and trials with us.

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Oh Denise you poor, poor baby. My heart aches for you. I hope and pray you are feeling a little better now that you are home. What a horrible experience.

Celestina Marie said...

Denise, your story is so touching and so courageous of you to share. God was by your side every step of the way and continues to walk with you. Blessings to you my friend and prayers you heal inside and out. xo

Paula said...

I am glad that you have shared your story!!

White Lace and Promises said...

Thanks for being vunerable to share. Your story will help others. You are a great writer. Contine to write your story. Someone will be blessed because of it.

MaryFran said...

Hugs to you! I am so proud of you for having the courage to write your experiences!

suzy mae said...

I'm so sorry Denise. You have been through so much. I will pray for you. Be blessed. xx

Small Kucing said...

Am sorry to hear of your bad experience. Stay strong.

LeAnn said...

Oh my gosh you dear girl; that was a very sad story. I didn't really feel that your care was as good as it should have been. Remember I am a nurse and I feel sad at the way you were treated and not really physically cared for at all. I know what a rehab center is like in some ways. I worked on a hospital ward somewhat like this years ago. Anyway, I am just happy you are OK and that you are doing fairly well.
Always sending prayers for you and your loved ones. Hugs for sharing this one!