48 hours

It all started with a sharp pain in my left side three weeks ago which was diagnosed as diverticulitis. [bad news] Two simultaneous antibiotics for ten days made the sharp pain subside [good news] along with the side effect of bumping me off of my arthritis meds.[ bad news] Ten days later I still wasn't feeling great and my left sided pain seemed to be making an encore. With the weekend in sight, I went to the doctor. Blood work showed an elevated white count along with a fever and a CAT scan was scheduled right then. Two large cups of thick stuff and a scan that was read before I was to leave resulted in the words,

"We want to admit you. The left side showed nothing to be alarmed about but there is an inflammation on the right side of your colon that should be addressed especially due to my immune system's RA history."

Have you ever gone to the doctor and the next thing you know you are in Room 204 A on a clear liquids menu with a window view of the sky?

Lions and tigers and bears...oh my!

The result was an unplanned hospital tour of 48 hours with IV antibiotics and a complimentary [not!!]nightgown that was definitely not particularly flattering to my kiester!

There was some fancy footwork done with the help of friends to plan Flo's weekend [who thought I was visiting my son for the weekend], and I had more than one 'AHA' moment while meeting some pretty unique people.

The good news: I do not have diverticulitis.

The bad news: The jury is still out on what's got the right side of my colon bent out of shape.

There are stories to tell and lessons to share very soon.

Here's just one:

My roommate had a kidney stone and I certainly wouldn't have wanted to trade places with her. I did want to murder her husband when he arrived armed with Wendy's french fries, fried chicken sandwiches, and rich chocolaty Frosties. The aroma wafting through the room was overwhelming. I was on the other side of the curtain sipping chicken broth, hot tea, and deciding to pass on the 'antifreeze blue' jello.

I don't think there is a jury in the continental United States that would have found me guilty of murder. Temporary insanity gained absolute clarity in my mind.

What would your verdict be if you were on the jury? Would I be doing additional time for bad behavior? [the murder, that is].

Other insightful memories will be shared after a couple of nights of the comforts of my own bed and favorite roommates...Flo [Mom] and Gracie [dog extraordinaire]!!

And there you have it.