I’ve wanted to go on a vacation. Let’s face it, who doesn’t like vacations? Guess that would depend on the destination and whether it was planned or thrust on you.

I have had a horrid month. First there is the unplanned vacation. 8 nights and 9 days sounds wonderful. I picture a nice tropical beach with calm, clear water and balmy breezes. Uh no! I got to see how the inside of a psyche ward operates.  My fault as I did something stupid. I wanted help, I got it!!!

Transportation

My daughter drove me there to the ER.

Check-In

I was checked in.

I was relieved of all of my belongings and given my first lovely gown to wear. Security waved his wand over me check for metal in places I would rather not mention. He can wave the wand all he wants.

Blood was drawn and urine checked. Oh goodie a urinary tract infection I didn’t know I had. Sneaky little bastard. Immediately dosed with an antibiotic. Remember, stowaways aren’t appreciated.

Was my home for almost 60 hours while they found a bed because I went to an ER that didn’t have a Behavioral Health Unit and I don’t have insurance

Behavioral Health Unit

Transferred there by ambulance still dressed in that becoming robe. The doors were locked and I was checked for any injuries and noted on chart. My picture was taken for the chart.

The Amenities

Everything brought in had to be checked before giving it to us

Clothing – not necessary (you can wear their cool hospital gowns)

Food provided – actually too much was provided  and I soothed myself  with food, hence the 20 lb weight gain

Room – comes complete with one grumpy roommate who rarely stepped foot out of her bed….made sure I wouldn’t retreat to my bed as well

Hot showers – complete with nasty mold…ugh, ick…eeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Bed checks – every damn 15 minutes….I got tired of waving at them (needless to say I didn’t sleep well)

Medication – yeah, what a treat, everything but what I wanted them to give me

The Activities

1 tv for 20 patients

Fun therapy sessions

Daily visits with Psychiatrist, Nurse and Social Worker

More pills

Books, magazines and puzzles (no shuffleboard)

Occasional visitors

Constant staff changes just to mix things up

I finally found the secret combination to get me out (I am a little slow on the uptake sometimes, besides I was drugged up and so drowsy I couldn’t have cared less half the time)

Check Out

They finally said I showed 2 days of improvement so I was able to go. My daughter picked me up again.

Yeah done, not so fast. I had to agree to:

Partial hospitalization which is 5 hours of therapy a day, 5 days aweek, but I get to go home and sleep in my own bed. This is for a minimum of 2-4 weeks. They they have some other programs listed. I am on day 7 of the Intensive Out Patient (IOP) program and so tired of it already.

Now comes the next fun part:

Friday I don’t feel well, my clothes were wet and my skin was clammy. My thermometer wouldn’t work, but I was burning up.

Saturday back to the hospital I had just left to the ER. I arrived with a temp of almost 105 degrees and terrible body pains.

They figure I have pneumonia since I am hacking up a lung and wheezing something fierce. My asthma is out of control. Or maybe Flu or some other infection.

No flu, no pneumonia.

They attach an IV and give me fluids and another antibiotic.

I have soaked the sheet and gown twice and had to change.

Finally the temp goes down and after taking a huge amount of vials of blood to do cultures, they don’t know what is wrong. The blood cultures should be done Friday and maybe I will know something.

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I created this blog for my writing, most of which has been fiction. This, for the record, is not fiction. This is how I have spent my last 3 or so weeks. It was my own fault. I have mentioned my Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety/Panic and OCD before. Oh and I have a new diagnosis to add to that “PTSD.” 

So if anyone happened to wonder what happened to me, here it is in a nutshell!

Tessa