Hospitalized in Shanghai

Dear Friends,
Well, there’s been an interesting turn of events in my life. I’m sure some of you have heard about the bombings in Kuta, Bali-my destination for October break. First, I want you to know that I was not in Kuta, Bali, where the bombings took place, but had all intentions of being there and if my schedule had gone according to plan, would be there. An ironic turn of events prevented me from departing from Shanghai.
Fortunately or unfortunately – depending upon how you look at it- I was taken into emergency on Thursday night about midnight (the day before our break). I found myself in excruciating back pain, fell to the floor of my apartment, eventually shimmied my way over to my table (less than a foot away, but it felt like a mile) got my cell phone to call my friend, Sarah, and let her take control of the situation.
Living in China has always proved interesting and this night was to be no exception. Sarah promptly called the Doctor on call who told her to get me into a taxi and into the hospital. Well, I was in no shape to roll over let a lone move down three flights of stairs to hail a taxi. Did I mention that I was in excruciating pain – every minute or so I’d go into spasms so bad I had to yell out. I was stuck-couldn’t move, so we did what every westerner has told us never to do – we called an ambulance. An hour later an attendant showed up at my apartment. *a little history on ambulances:
- ambulances are the last vehicles on the road to get the right of way
- the driver is trained in nascar racing only when hitting speed bumps, other than that he’s your typical 80 year old turtle pace.
- The ambulance attendant is a construction worker by day and looks ready to keel over at the site of an injury.
- Apparently not all ambulances know how to get to the hospital (we made so many u-turns I started getting nauseous)
- They feel the necessity to turn on lights and sirens only upon entering the hospital gate (just to make sure the patient jumps in surprise)
- They ensure the largest speed bumps are at the hospital entrance, just to make sure you enter with as much pain as possible.
To make a long story short, Sarah made it possible for me to get into the ambulance, on the stretcher and into the hospital.
The hospital facilities were another matter. Upon exiting the ambulance in the stretcher, I was taken through the Chinese emergency ward en route to the international section. I almost felt guilty upon being brought into my own private room complete with western standards. I won’t even begin to describe the local emergency ward.
I had a nurse checking on me regularly. I had a big screen wall TV (which I never used) and was given a healthy dose of meds at which point Sarah went home for what little sleep she could get before teaching the next day. In the morning and throughout the day I was continually given healthy doses of meds. I had my x-rays, MRI, tests etc done on Friday. Mark, Huguette, Zachary and Sarah
came Friday after school and were kind enough to take me back to their place for the next few days (with a healthy dose of meds). The diagnosis was acute back pain (duh!), degenerative discs, a bulging disc and a urinary tract infection. Sorry to tell you all the gruesome details, but there it is.
Back at Mark and Huguette’s I was so well taken care of. I basically slept, laid flat on my back and ate occasionally. I felt dizzy, nauseous, way out of it for the first few days and finally figured out that I was not a fan of all the valium that was going into my system, so I stopped that!
I wouldn’t have made it through this without Mark and Huguette. Hugette had to be my surrogate caregiver for 4 days.
I returned to the Dr on Tuesday and I need to go back on Friday. I’m okay, but we’re doing tests and I’m working on getting back to normal. Right now I’m working on walking again. I’m at home now and using a walker (yes, a beautiful granny walker). Sarah is nearby and Mark and Huguette are just a phone call away now, so I’m on the road to recovery I hope.
I guess I’ve written you another letter in the ongoing drama in the life of Jennifer Lewis. I pray that you are all well and living life to the fullest.
Love, Jennifer