My Christmas near death experience.

[HawkerHurricane]

On the 24th of December, I was feeling very ill. On the morning of the 25th, I vomited up blood. And not a few drops, either, my stomach was full.
My wife promptly took me to the emergency room, where I conveniently provided a example of what she meant by 'vomiting blood'. (The cleaning staff may never forgive me)

After having varieus tubes stuck down my throat, it was determined that I was bleeding through a couple of tears in my esophagus. The tears were treated and I spent Christmas in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Late on Christmas, it was determined that my hemocrit count was still dropping (I'm normally at 46, it was down to 22) and I was given 2 units of whole blood. On the 27th, my hemocrit was at 26 and had been rising steadily, so I was proclaimed 'stable' and moved into a regular ward. On the 28th, having my hemocrit count continue to rise (30) and having no sign of further injury, I was discharged on convalescent leave for two weeks, so I came home.

I don't want to worry anybody, I'm fine, it was just a close call, and with proper medical care available it was never a true threat to me... But if I hadn't had that medical care, I would have died from internal bleeding.

Having a close call, I am feeling a number of things right now, some of which I'd like to share, probably by writing something for the GD forum, and other things here in the lounge.
But not right now, it's late at night and my thoughts are going too circular right now.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Holy hell!

Do they know what caused the tears? Thank goodness you are OK. What a scare! Glad you posted this.

Best wishes for an uneventful recovery.

[HawkerHurricane]

22. Exact causes unknown, but...

I have some interesting scar tissue in my esophagus; apparently I haven't been chewing my food properly and/or not eating things good for me.

Thank goodness the government provides the military with health care.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

34. But I would imagine acids also eat away at your esophagus to weaken

it such as the acids created by being out on a ship for nearly a year without direct contact with your family and the acids of knowing you could easily be forced to get on it again when the admin starts their next war. ;-)

[bleedingheart]

37. glad to hear you are doing well! what a scary experience!

take care of yourself!!!

[jobycom]

42. Congrats on cheating death. DU wouldn't be the same, dude. nt.

nt

[wtmusic]

2. Glad to hear you're better

But dang, 'tears in your esophagus'? What have you been doing, swallowing glass?

[grasswire]

3. geez

Do you know what caused the tears?

I know that a sharp tortilla chip can actually tear the esophagus.

Glad to hear that you have stabilized and are recuperating!

[PartyPooper]

4. HawkerHurricane, thank God you got proper care!

Wishing you a speedy recovery. And, keep us posted on your progress!

O8)

[Punkingal]

5. OMG!

How do you get tears in your esophagus?

[DemBones DemBones]

6. Wow! I'm glad you're recuperating now. That was not

the best way to spend Christmas. :-(

I'll look forward to hearing more about your NDE.

[Sperk]

7. I look forward to hearing about your experience...

glad you are all right now. :-)

[ironflange]

8. Wow!

All that, and you still put out the NFL ratings. You are one tuff dude.

:toast:

[HawkerHurricane]

23. I had to put out the NFL ratings...

I had a responsibility...
I know it sounds silly, but I felt it was more important to take up my (totally voluntary) responsiblity for the weekly NFL ratings than it was to do anything else (after hugging kids and exchanging presents) when I got home. I don't claim to be able to explain it beyond: I assumed the responsiblity, I had to fulfill it.

[Virginian]

9. Have a speedy recovery and a healthy new year.

Good thing you had access to good health care.

[burrowowl]

10. Stop eating ground glass

or if other: THROUGHLY MASTICATE YOUR FOOD!

[GURUving]

11. I would just like to say thanks for being out there

with a mind and a good heart.

Take care.

[Lexingtonian]

12. Sorry to hear it and Get Well Soon!

I hope the immediate cause was figured out and you won't have to go through any more of the same. Hang in there, and thanks so much for all your reports and NFL ratings.

[Orangeone]

13. Same thing happened

to my mother, but she had portal vein hypertension caused by liver cancer, not tears in her esophagus.

Glad to hear that it turned out o.k. for you.

[AlienGirl]

14. Geez!

I'm glad to hear you're OK, but...geez! What an ordeal!!

Tucker

[leftofthedial]

15. glad you're okay

I had the exact same experience about 5 years ago. Scary as hell.

the insurance company decided (through their agent the ER "doctor") that to keep me longer than 18 hours meant they'd have to admit me. that would have been too expensive.. I had bled profusely, but the bleeding had slowed enough (not stopped) that they cut me loose. They never gave me blood.

My personal doc was livid when I saw him the next day. It took me two weeks to recover just from the blood loss.

Gotta love HMO's. And that was when I HAD good insurance.

Rest.

Peace for the New Year.

[HawkerHurricane]

25. I intend to post some thoughts on the subject

of health care and such. The military takes care of its own, thank goodness, at least while you're still active.

[Mikimouse]

16. Cripe, what a horrible experience!

Take it easy for a good while, and don't strain. Glad you are still around. What caused the tears in your esophagus?? Sending best wishes and good thoughts your way!:hippie:

[punpirate]

17. Get well, be well. You're needed.

On edit, and wanted, too. *smile*

[Bunny]

18. Wow! Glad you're okay.

What happened with the esophagus? That must have been pretty scary for you and Mrs. HH. Take care.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

19. HawkerHurricane 1, Grim Reaper 0. Gimme five!

:bounce:

[HawkerHurricane]

27. In that game, bet on the Reaper

The final score is always in his favor.

But I have managed to once more push it into extra innings.
Or Sudden Death overtime, if you prefer...

[UrbScotty]

20. I wouldn't want to lose you. (nt)

[Bertha Venation]

21. Wow! I'm glad you're with us!

Take it easy, Hurricane. :hug:

[indigo32]

24. Damn Hawker

I'm sure glad it's turned out OK. Best wishes on a speedy recovery.

[pmbryant]

26. So glad you are ok

That sounds like a very scary experience.

:scared:

:grouphug:

--Peter

[nini]

28. Mother of God... how scary.

Thank God you had insurance. Glad you're ok now.

to think the govt. is shutting down County hospitals which are the only hope for the uninsured. This one issue of health care makes me crazy in this country. If other countries can provide health care for all - why can't we??????

urgh

[Hell Hath No Fury]

29. Holy MERDE!

Hawker --

Damn glad to hear that your close call has a good ending -- man, what a harrowing experience! I'm totally freaked out by just reading about it -- I can't imagine what it must have been like to be experiencing it.

Now I'm starting to wonder what MY esophagus looks like! I eat like a wolverine sometimes...

Continued healing!

Hell

[Lars39]

30. Good grief, HH !!!!!

That was a close call. I wish you (and your wife, whose nerves probably needs a rest!) a speedy recovery! :hug:

[RFKHumphreyObama]

31. Thank goodness you are OK HawkerHurricane

My thoughts, prayers and best wishes are extended to you -I'm sorry that you had to go through all that. Take care, take it easy and all the best

[GOPisEvil]

32. Holy crap!!!!

I'm glad you're OK. Wow - how frightening!

[soleft]

33. Vibes sent for continued and full recovery

:thumbsup:

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

35. I'm glad you're ok now

:( I don't really know how to respond to that. It was fortunate you had the care available, but I can only imagine what would have happened if you hadn't.

[Aristus]

36. Glad you're getting better, Hawk.

It'll take more than a few esophogeal tears to keep old HH down! Sorry your Christmas was such a bummer, though. Get well, soon! :thumbsup:

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

38. Thank God you did not have to go to a VA

You would be an ex-ex-patriot now.

[beyurslf]

39. What would cause

tears in the esophagus? Sounds scary. Glad you're alright.

[proud patriot]

40. I'm so thankful you are recovering well HH

How scary , give your wife a big hug for me ..

[VOX]

41. Good God, man! What a miserable, yet life-affirming experience..

So glad you didn't go down for the count.

NDEs (and other brushes with The End) will usually leave one a changed person, often for the better -- one's priorities come into focus in a way that simply wasn't possible prior to the close call.

Please take care to have this monitored, and watch out for any signs depression -- not uncommon after what you've been through.

Hang in there, HH -- :toast:

[LWolf]

43. Glad to know

you came out of that one ok, HH. I'll be looking for your threads.

:hi:

[tom_paine]

44. I'm glad you're ok, Hawker

Good thing you were in port, eh? I mean, I'm sure they have adequate medical facilities aboard your ship, but there is no substitute for a hospital full of docs.

Feel better, pal...soon.

[GreenPartyVoter]

45. Glad you are ok!

I worry that this sort of thing will happen to my dad. He has acid reflux disease, among other issues.

[Rhiannon12866]

46. OMG! What a terrifying experience for both you and your family!

I am so glad that you got prompt medical attention from someone who was competent enough to make the right calls. I am also glad to hear that you are on the mend. Take care of yourself and keep us posted.

[SpiralHawk]

47. Hang in there Hawker

You country needs you (DU, too -- I always enjoy your posts)

-With a wing-tip salute, SH

[DemExpat]

48. Get well a.s.a.p!

:hug: :hug: :hug:

DemEx

[Rhiannon12866]

49. I agree with the others

DU would not be the same without you. I send more good and healing wishes your way.:grouphug:

[Obamarama]

50. Glad you're okay...

Here's to better health in 2004.

BTW, I think the cleaning staff probably weren't phased. I imagine they have seen everything and then some.

It's the other poor people in the ER waiting room from whom you need to ask forgiveness. Last time I was in an ER waiting room, no fewer than three people ralphed all over the place. Because I was so grossed out, #4 was me, but at least I had the common sense to grab one of the wastebaskets.

Rest and be well!

[HawkerHurricane]

54. Fortunately for those waiting in the ER waiting room...

I did it in the seperate triage room while they were taking my vital signs...
And most of it did end up in a quickly provided 'vomit bag' where it was saved and tested...

Later 'samples' provided in the ER itself mostly ended up on my hospital gown and in a plastic dish provided for the purpose.

And I apologized to the poor guy holding the dish, for missing.

[Mari333]

51. God, poor kid!

Im glad you got the proper care. Hugs from this old lady to you.

[carols]

52. My son had an episode of something similar on 12/22

Vomited up part of his stomach lining - not as much blood as what you experienced, but he has been diagnosed with GERD (gastro-esophagal reflux disease) and is still undergoing tests to find out what is causing it. He is only 20. My heart goes out to you - I know I have had some tense moments as a parent because of this thing, but I also parental fears can't compare to what the actual patient himself is feeling. My son is scared. Period. I am sure your experience was ten times scarier. Hope everything turns out OK and it never happens again.
Carol

[havocmom]

53. Get all better, HawkerHurricane

Your evilDuer friends are all concerned for you.

[Lisa]

55. what a ghastly end to the year...

I'm glad that they caught it in time to pump you back full of blood ... my co-worker had something similar happen, and they said he would have died if his wife hadn't come home to get something she'd forgotten, and found him passed out on the bathroom floor.

May the new year bring better things for you!