Hanging up my stethescope

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

Well, I knew I wouldn't nurse forever, but I didn't think I'd be quitting after less than 20 years. I have talked here before about some health problems and problems with my 16 year old stepson who never really accepted the fact that his dad and I got married, even though we will celebrate 5 years happily married in August.

I was diagnosed with HTN 2 1/2 to 3 years ago and started on meds for it. It didn't improve much and the doc played with meds, doses, that kind of thing. I finally started seeing a new doc that was very close to our house, and was one that a friend of my dh's - one of our local ER docs - suggested I see. She is just wonderful, really worked with me to get better results and some relief. She referred me to a cardiologist who I have been seeing for 2 years or so, and he started new meds, tests, that kind of thing.

He referred me to another cardiologist that performed the EP studies that he thought I needed. Did that, and was glad to get it done, but it the results we got did not help any. The EP studies were negative, but he did find the root of my problem. Turns out, I have the asd - atrial septal defect, and of course was sent to yet another doc. This one resides and works about 5 hours from us. He does travel up here to our city to see some patients every 2 weeks. Of course, he can't do what I need done here because the hospitals don't have and won't purchase the equipment to do so.

I am now in a holding pattern, waiting for the new doc from south Louisiana to get my films and all that and decide if he can fix my problem in his cath lab.

If he can't, then it looks like I will be having it taken care of here in our city. The thing is, it will probably require the open sternotomy incision (I think I'm calling it the right thing) and with it, all the yucky post op cardiac stuff, being on the vent post op, chest tubes, art line, and on and on and on.

That is enough to terrify me, but I have already gotten pulmonary HTN and some of the complications that the asd cause. I can't even walk to the mailbox some days to check the mail. I had been going to the gym and getting on the treadmill, but I can't do that now.

I did quit my nursing job when we started having trouble with my stepson. I kept up my license and CEUs to go back later if I wanted to when he got straightened out. I will be 39 in August, and I can't clean my house. Heck, I can't even take a shower at times without getting short and have to get out and sit and catch my bearth.

Hate to sound negative, but this is just getting me down by now. I've done some research online and I know some places do the minimally invasive surgery - robotic assisted surgery. They don't do that here either, I don't think.

Anne :banghead::banghead:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sorry to hear about your health problems. They have that robot thing in the hospital nearest to me and I think in at least one other in the general area. It really is demoralizing when you can't get what you need to get fixed up. I know what you mean about not being able to do things. I hope that you can somehow get the health care that you need so you can get back to enjoying life. You're too young to be laid up at home. Take care and keep us posted.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wish you all the best. When your life is at stake, a career is small potatoes. You are such a young person, I hope that you will come out of this healthier when all is said and done. Take care. I will be praying for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatrics.

Anne, I'm sorry to read about your health problems. You and I are almost the same age so I can imagine how frustrated you must feel to be so young and be so sick. This will get straightened out; just take one step at a time. Good luck, we'll be thinking about you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele, Acute.

So sorry to hear about your illness. Where in South Louisiana is this Cardiovascular Surgeon located. I live in Slidell, La and we have The Heart Hospital close by. I do not work there, I work in the LTAC in Slidell and sometimes at Slidell Memorial. We have some great docs. and we have some not so great docs (just like everywhere). Anyway, my point is, I had a pt going from CABG 2 weeks ago, I was off the next few nights and thought he would be back on my floor by then. Well, he was already D/C'd to home. They said he was out of ICU in less than 12 hrs and it was all up hill from there. I remember talking to him the night before while I was prep for his big day. He was scared, very scared. We talked about his family and friends, pets, co workers. I lost track of time. I must have been in there over an hour. Had my phone, no one called.

I felt so good when I left the floor that morning. I felt like I made a difference. I hope I did and that it made his recovery much easier. (why can't we get back to being with our pts when they need us and stay as long as they would like us to).

You are very lucky, you have the support of everyone here at allnurses. If you ever need to talk, just get on and type away. I have felt much better at times when I was down, because I came here. Sometimes it was even better than getting on the phone with family or friends, they don't understand that stuff.

I am wishing you the very best, and will be praying for you. Please hang in there!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wishing you all the best. Still keep your license up, you may be ready to work one day after this is all over.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

((((((((Anne))))))))

You are in my thoughts and prayers, for a resolution to your health problems and less stress and strain at home. Please keep us posted, 'K?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
So sorry to hear about your illness. Where in South Louisiana is this Cardiovascular Surgeon located. I live in Slidell, La and we have The Heart Hospital close by. I do not work there, I work in the LTAC in Slidell and sometimes at Slidell Memorial. We have some great docs. and we have some not so great docs (just like everywhere). Anyway, my point is, I had a pt going from CABG 2 weeks ago, I was off the next few nights and thought he would be back on my floor by then. Well, he was already D/C'd to home. They said he was out of ICU in less than 12 hrs and it was all up hill from there. I remember talking to him the night before while I was prep for his big day. He was scared, very scared. We talked about his family and friends, pets, co workers. I lost track of time. I must have been in there over an hour. Had my phone, no one called.

I felt so good when I left the floor that morning. I felt like I made a difference. I hope I did and that it made his recovery much easier. (why can't we get back to being with our pts when they need us and stay as long as they would like us to).

You are very lucky, you have the support of everyone here at allnurses. If you ever need to talk, just get on and type away. I have felt much better at times when I was down, because I came here. Sometimes it was even better than getting on the phone with family or friends, they don't understand that stuff.

I am wishing you the very best, and will be praying for you. Please hang in there!

Hey! Thanks for your reply. I just hate feeling like this- I have never really been sick before, or at least not like this. I mean, I had pancreatitis when I was in my early 20s and had a lap choley - that basically took care of my problems.

I'm grateful for my friends here at allnurses. Everyone has been such a great support system, sounding board, cyber shoulder to cry on. I honestly don't know what I would do without you guys.

My dh has been so good to me. He is also an RN - and I never thought I would meet someone like him, so compassionate and caring. He always tries to make sure that I'm not doing too much, and resting when I can. The last week of March, we were lying down in the bedroom watching tv. I knew I didn't feel very well and said so. Nonspecific complaints, just knew I didn't feel very well. The next thing I knew, I was en route to the ER in the back of an ambulance. Turns out, I had started having a seizure, and had gone apneic and even started posturing. The ER doc and my PCP both thought that my lytes being off at that time (my potassium was really low from a GI bug I had gotten) had just been too much for my body and caused it. Thank goodness, no more seizures - I have NEVER had a feeling like that before, and it was just horrible. That block of time before I came around was not a large one, but I drove my dh crazy with questions about the time frame.

I'll send you a pm, and let me know what you think. I still don't know if the CV doc in NO will be able to plug my defect in the cath lab - I hope so. I think the worst part of this situation right now is the waiting and not being sure of what will be necessary. I am just a basket case right now, feel like a big _________ baby and I hate that too.

I did talk to my dh about the site here, he hasn't joined yet but I asked him to join and that way while I'm in the hospital, he can get on and give an update, what they had to do, ect. I will miss dh so, being stuck in the hospital, my stepson who lives with us full time. Ane my baby dog, Sissie - she is a mini daschund -is more like a baby to me than a dog since I don't have any kids of my own. I picked up a new photo album and will take some with me to cheer me up a little.

Thanks --Anne

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

Thanks, Marla! I appreciate it. At least the child situation has been resolved somewhat. The 16 yr old stepson has moved out of the house and is living with a friend and has mom. Not the most ideal place, but we will work on that too.

Thanks! Anne

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, MDS, Education.

Hi Anne, So sorry to hear of your situation. I'm sure the waiting must be the hardest!! Hang in there, and remember all of our thoughts and prayers are with you! :flwrhrts:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

You may be hanging up your stethoscope but you are still a professional nurse. No disease can take that away from you. It's in the blood ya know.

I wish you well in every way.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric, Detox/Rehab, Geriatrics.

I'm sorry to hear that you are having these problems at such a young age. I'm only 25 and already have bad back problems since I was 20, to the point where I can't work in med-surg or in LTC anymore due to the intense strain it causes my back , even when using proper techniques to help my back. I wish you the best of luck, and keep your License and CEUs as I'm sure you will be back to work someday. Good Luck to you Anne!

:-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment