Do Hospitals Give Frequent Flyer Miles?
Posted: Tuesday, October 06, 2009
by Crystal Pratt
Lesson Pathways
My documented area of expertise may be education, however, ask anyone that has had even the shortest conversation with me in the past three years and they'll tell you I've booked more time in hospitals than a third year resident. Just the other day, one of my friends said, "I'd love to see Crys and House go head to head." Um, yeah.
Just a little background so you know I have credibility here: I went to Vegas in July of 2006 for my daughter's dance team national competition. In August, I was hospitalized with a case of mystery cellulitis. On my face. Yeah, that hurt. A lot. Over the next few months, I made several trips to the ER for various infections -they kept calling them MRSA. I later found out they were wrong.
It turns out that it all went back to the trip to Vegas. I was lucky enough to breathe in some fungus from the desert dirt and contract Valley Fever. We don't see a lot of that in the midwest, so noone really thought to look for it until I was near death, I guess. It can apparently cause various infections - and pneumonia if it's not caught soon enough.
A month later, I totaled my van. Yay! Another ambulance ride. At least I didn't have to be admitted.
Since then, I've had a baby. Okay, that one doesn't really count.
On June 23 of this year, I broke my ankle, a trimalleolar fracture. It's pretty much the worst thing you can do to your ankle. I was in the hospital for four days. I had two surgeries and ended up with two metal plates and enough screws to start my own Ace Hardware store. I spent the entire summer on the couch. Last week, my doctor told me I was done with my crutches and I was free of restrictions. Granted, I still walk very slowly and with a significant limp, but I'm free!!!
Guess where I'm posting this article from? Yeah. But it's not me this time. It's my husband's turn. I think the guy has had his fair share of trauma since he married me. Don't worry, he's gonna be okay. But we're on day two and have at least one more day here.
I guess I can look at it this way, we have enough pairs of those hospital slipper socks to last through a long winter.
Crystal Pratt is a writer and content contributor for LessonPathways.
com, an education-based website that maps online educational resources into ready to teach units.
com, an education-based website that maps online educational resources into ready to teach units.
Crystal holds a Bachelor's degree +24 in education with a focus on middle level education. She lives in Illinois with her husband, four children, and two step-children.
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More commentsFunny stuff, Crystal. A bummer that you had to go through all that for your material, though! Thanks for the chuckle and I am glad your hubby gets to go home. May you stay far away from hospitals in the future! (unless you are visiting new moms and babies!)Thanks, Lorrie.I think I might even wait until the new moms come home. :-)Crystal
Coccydiomycosis Emetus (SP?) I remember it well - took my nurse's training in Stockton and saw cases of Valley Fever complete with amphophaterocine (sp?_ in aluminum foil wrapped IV bottles - you are bringing back memories lady! MarijoHi Marijo,It isn't a fun illness, is it? It was kinda fun baffling my midwest doctors - well, in hindsight anyway. I wasn't so amused that they couldn't figure out what was wrong with me at the time. :-)--Crystal
I and my family have been where you are many times Crystal. --- it seems we convalesce just in time to take care of the other! Our faith in God has been the bedrock of our ability to move through it all. And our sense of humor (I'm guessing from this writing, you have that in abundance) has been a strong pillar in that foundation. My blessings and prayers go with you. Thanks for sharing.Thank you. ;-)
I and my family have experienced this same phenomena as well --- it seems we get well just in time to take care of the other! Our faith in God has been the bedrock that has given us the strength to endure. In that foundation we have the strong pillar of a sense of humor (judging from this writing, I suspect that you do too). Thanks for sharing Crystal and keep your head up!A sense of humor is my fuel on most days. :-)Thanks for reading.--Crystal
This is a really well written article. I hung on your words because I felt you were speaking with me. I love the humor despite the pain and suffering with which you wrote these experiences. You kept it to the point and yet I know exactly where you were and where you were going. Awesome job. This one, in my opinion, rates top drawer!Wow, thanks. :-) You made me blush.--Crystal
Hang in there Crystal it can only get better! (Any luck at all.) Glad you can keep your sense of humor through it all. Sometimes it's either laugh or cry, and you know what they say, 'laughter's the best medicine'. :)Brianna,Thank you for reading. I'm sure it'll get better. I keep saying that. It's got to be true sometime. ;-)Crystal
Great article, Crystal.I'm sorry you have had to log so much hospital time, but I'm thankful for your sense of humor!Me, I never go to the hospital unless I'm bleeding profusely.Ken,Thanks for you comment.I've never been because of bleeding profusely. Hopefully I'll never have to check that one off my list. :-)Crystal
You are too funny!Thanks. :-)
This is a hilarious article. I know her and this article is right on! lol!Thanks, Kayla, er, Anonymous. :-)
Great article Crystal. I liked your sense of humor. Well done and very enjoyable read. Thanks for sharing your "frequent flyer mileage adventures"Nenita,Thank you for your comment.Crystal
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