I told the E.R. nurse I was feeling cruddy for over a week now (give or take a bathroom stop, or twenty) but, I just shrugged it off as the kids sharing a stomach bug, or something, as she continued to draw my blood and nod her head very sympathetically.
I stared at the ceiling (I’m not a very good bleeder) recapping my symptoms, the first of many more times to come:
- Stomach pain, radiating to my lower back
- Pressure in lower abdomen, similar to contractions
- Feeling sick, nausea
- Frequent bathroom stops
All of which I promptly ignored, coming downstairs the night before to make myself a place on the couch so as not to disturb my husband, thinking this too shall pass.
The next morning, I made an appointment for my youngest daughter’s well visit (true story, it’s on my Facebook timeline) and then made a mental decision to just continue to work right through the pain.
Until, my oldest walked through our front door and found me, while trying to talk on the phone with my husband, doubled-over and gasping for air.