Diamond bracelets Woolworths doesn't sell...

Part One:

To be truthful, I started having occasional sharp, fleeting pains months ago, sometime over the course of the summer.  I naturally ignored them, hoping they would magically go away.  Of course, they did not.  They got worse.  And worse.

I had “an attack” in August.  Calling on my limited knowledge from many years of working for doctors in hospitals, I wondered if this was a gallbladder attack.  Or my old umbilical hernia?  Or a hiatal hernia?  Was I dying?

That attack passed in a matter of hours and all was well again, except for those nagging, fleeting stabs that came here and there.

I had an appointment with my primary doctor here, not for this problem, but because I felt that my arthritis was worsening over time.  We (my friend/teacher/translator) mentioned the pain to the doctor but got all caught up in the arthritis issue and blood tests and specialists……and that was that.  That was a Thursday.

Friday the pain persisted and was markedly worse.  Saturday continued in that vein. By Sunday I was in significant pain, unable to eat, walk…think.  Other than that I did not want to enter an ER or hospital on a Sunday.  I suffered through…all night long…until Monday morning when my friend/translator took me to the local hospital’s ER. My first experience with this institution.

As a small, obscure hill town in the least populated part of Italy, the locals pride themselves on this hospital.  Its existence is one reason we chose this town.  It was, in fact, the Covid center of the region throughout the quarantine.  My friend and neighbor calls this hospital “a gem.”

I did not get a sense of what the actual edifice looks like.  I was somewhat indisposed.  It was a gorgeous, sunny, perfect autumn day.  The first stop was the registration desk.  We had to wait in a small room with only about five chairs….until the gentleman in front of me was done.  Then we entered another tiny room…two chairs and a man behind a desk.  Name, health card, what’s the problem?  Tap, tap, tap into the computer.  Then we were directed across the way to another location.

This was the waiting area for the ER (Pronto Soccorso), and there were quite a few people there.  I am not sure if they all were patients or with someone else, but I was ushered through the automatic double doors immediately (hurray!). It looked like…an ER….gurneys and curtains.   Someone came and started using his fist against places in my back (checking for kidney problems) and then he punched me in the gut!!!  Seriously!  I cried out, doubled over…..

I was put on a gurney, bloods taken, IV started, three Covid swabs and an ultrasound ordered. *I didn’t feel a thing…totally painless. Except the swabs.

Rather quickly I was moved to a wheelchair and taken up to ultrasound where I lost my companion.  They would not allow her in due to “radiation.”  While it was obvious the building was very old, with some worn spots in the floors (which were spotless) the walls were freshly painted.  I waited.  I have no idea how long I waited….maybe close to an hour.  Finally a young doctor arrived, apologizing, saying he didn’t know I was there.  He spoke English pretty well and told me he had a friend in NY and visited him recently on the birth of his first child.  He also told me I had gallstones.  Che sorpresa!

Then I was wheeled to the surgeon’s office.  I had no idea where my friend was or if she had any idea where I was.  Swell.  The surgeon was also young.  His “office” was very large, with a gorgeous view of the mountains.  There was also an exam table  with surgery lights available above.  He examined my swollen and very sore abdomen.  Then I sat in the chair in front of his desk while he perused by lab results and the report from the radiologist.  Oh, how I wish my friend were with me!!!  I can speak “everyday” Italian, but I am not familiar with medical terms and my brain tends to go completely blank when I am nervous.  I was nervous times ten and tremendously uncomfortable. 

If I understood him correctly he was telling me that I didn’t need surgery at that moment, but perhaps I should stay in the hospital for treatment “if I want.”  If I want?  If I want?  I said I could not go home “like this.”  In broken English he said “You want to stay with us?  If you want….”  Si!!

Having worked in the US for doctors for so long, I assure you my “bosses’ never proposed a treatment to someone, much less a hospital stay….”if you want.”  I was baffled by that.  What is YOUR opinion, Doctor?  What should I do?  I don’t have a medical degree! Give me some guidance!

Then I got wheeled back down to where I started, outside the ER and just a minute later my friend showed up!!!  “I’ve been looking for you!”  Well,  I think it’s all done now, although I don’t quite understand why……….

I told her there was no need to stay any longer…PLEASE go home….You’ve done enough……so grateful just for the ride alone.  She hesitated but did head home.

I had to wait another hour or more for my Covid test result to come back.  Since it was my first ever, it had to be sent to the central lab in Pescara, the county seat….tick tock……