I Posted this 10 years ago so no need to be concerned -- I am fine.
Why do men fight the truth? Why do men ignore the inevitable? Why are men so reluctant to get help when it is obviously needed?
Day 1 - 12.22.2011
I’m writing this from a hospital bed. I’ve been here for over 12 hours and I’m not sure when I’m going home. I’m here because I’ve been fighting the truth, ignoring the inevitable, and I refused to ask for help.
It started about a week ago. I was experiencing painful stomach cramps and I was waking up several times each night for four nights to make painful trips to the bathroom.
I was taking all sorts of over the counter medications for my symptoms but I was not getting better.
Finally my wife Margee, my Angel of Mercy, had had enough and calmly demanded that we visit the local hospital emergency room.
We checked in and a nurse checked my vitals and drew some blood. We were told it would be a while before the results came back so Margee left to run a few errands.
An hour later a young resident showed up to tell me that my white blood cell count was low--an indication that I had an infection. He said they needed to perform a CT scan to get more data.
I was starting to get a little afraid.
After the CT scan, the doctor told me they were keeping me in the hospital because I had acute diverticulitis and an abdominal abscess.
“Surgery,” he said, “is required to make things right.”
I called Margee to tell her I was being admitted for “observation.”
The news was, at first, very difficult to swallow. I was having trouble visualizing myself sporting a colostomy bag. I won’t say I cried but I did shed a few tears.
The tears stopped when I realized that I was actually relieved that I could no longer avoid the inevitable.
When I got to my room a nurse and a CNA hooked me up to an IV (to prevent dehydration) and an antibiotic drip. I was also given some intense pain medications.
For the first time in several days I was starting to feel physically comfortable and mentally relaxed.
Margee arrived a short time later.
The nurse asked if I would like a flu shot.
“Yes!” said Margee
The nurse asked if I would like a pneumonia prevention shot.
“Yes!” said Margee.
I was not going to argue.
Day 2 - 12.23.2011
It's day two and I’m still not sure when I’m going home. I’m being fed and hydrated intravenously. I watch the food network more than anything else. I have my lap top so I can work on my blog posts.
The only thing I miss (but not that much) is access to the internet. My smart phone signal comes and goes (mostly goes). I have a landline so I can keep in touch with work and my family and friends. The hospital staff is amazing.
I saw the surgical team today. The team consists of a radiologist, three surgeons, and a host of medical students. They explained my options:
Option one was to go in with a special needle ("The Needle") and drain the abscess. Click image below to learn more.
Option two was to go in with knives, clamps, and sutures and surgically repair the damage (if, indeed, there was damage).
They decided to try to drain it first.
So they prepared me for a second CAT scan to make sure they knew exactly where the abscess was located. I lay there wondering if I was going to feel any pain when they stuck me with "The Needle". They gave me a sedative and I fell asleep. They woke me up and told me they were taking me back to my room.
“It’s over?” I asked.
The abdominal abscess, to everyone’s surprise, was gone.
“This is your Christmas miracle,” an X-ray tech told me as they wheeled me away.
“You healed yourself,” said the radiologist.
The doctors are discussing this unexpected turn of events and should be standing by my bedside soon to tell me what happens next.
P.S. I did ask God to give me the strength to get through this (and apparently He did) and I did meditate and repeat the affirmation that “I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious, and happy” while using the Silva three finger technique (and that seemed to have paid off as well).
Day 3 - 12.24.2011
I’m enjoying a breakfast of hot tea, orange Jello, lemon Italian Ice, and apple juice.
If I tolerate this they said I can have “soft” solid foods for lunch and dinner. If I can handle this I will allowed to go home.
Members of the surgical team have been stopping by to see how I’m doing;
Medical Student (referring to the cancelled abscess drain): “You missed the Needle! Awesome!”
Intern: “You did great!”
Radiologist: “You healed yourself!”
Doctor: “I hear you miraculously healed yourself…that’s great…I still want to see you in two weeks!”
Head Surgeon: “You’re something of an enigma around here. What you did just doesn’t happen. Here’s my card…I need to see you after the holidays.”
Margee told me that sometimes abscesses “go into hiding.”
I’m not going to argue with that.
One thing I didn’t mention is that, on the day of my admission, the ER nurse told me that my wife probably saved my life. If I waited another day without proper treatment, the abdominal abscess could have started leaking and the infection would have spread through my digestive track and major surgery would have been unavoidable.
Thank you Margee!
Day 4 - 12.25.2011
It's day four, Christmas Day, and I’m going home very soon. I’m off the IV and I’m eating solid foods. My last hospital meal is meat loaf with mashed potatoes and gravy and grilled zucchini. It looks and tastes very good. I feel great.
I promised Margee that I will no longer fight the truth, no longer ignore the inevitable, and no longer refrain from getting the proper help when it is obviously needed. Not just as it pertains to my own health but as it pertains to all areas of our lives.
I’m lucky enough to be able to afford excellent health insurance. It’s about time that I start using it so I can go to my doctor when by body (or when Margee) tells me it’s time to do so. I also plan to use it for preventative care and routine maintenance.
I'm also lucky to have family and friends who supported me as evidenced by the following comments:
Thanks to everyone who responded to my post with well wishes:
Coral Bonay - Hope you're feeling better dad!! Little Ivan was worried!! Kept trying to call mommy at the hospital so he could speak but I guess the service was bad. I'll try and call today again.
Hillary Treadwell - Roland I hope and pray for a speedy recovery.
Michele Anduze - Roland......Get better.....You will be in my thoughts and prayers!!!
James Pair - Get well RC
Anthony Herring - wow. i'm glad you're feeling better brother. you didn't fight it too long.
Mark Jenkins - Roland my brother, recover fast and get well soon. and yes. we are getting older and must be keen to the signals. I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy, prosperous & "Healthy" New Year. Take care my friend.
Sheila Howell - It is always good to ask for help. I am praying for you nephew. Feeling better and remember God is in charge so keep the faith. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Roland Bonay - glad you're home and ok...was on my way to visit then found out you were released haha...see if the jets can recover as soon as you have lol
Karla Wright - omg mr bonay i am sooo glad ur okay. france told me what happen... i hope you feel better!!
Joshua Sonnichsen - RC I'm glad your ok. From now on when the check engine light comes on....schedule a service appointment.
Dona Davis - Take care of yourself and get well soon Roland!
Marc Slavin - Roland I'm in shock! No one at work said anything about you being in the hospital or even out sick. Get well soon! Get some rest and eat very carefully until your body has a chance to heal. Wishing you the best! At least you are now home for Christmas!
Lawrence Green - Be well Bro.
Myron Faulkner - GET WELL SOON IS RIGHT. I`LL BE PRAYING FOR YOU BROTHER.
Uday Kumar - Greetings, RC Bonay. Get well soon, Friend. My prayers for you, Friend. God Bless. ??
Dena- Lynn - Be Well Roland!
Shannon Cooper-Faulk - I hope your doing better Roland! I've been asking Mike about you everyday!
Robert J Bonay - Praise God for all his blessings! Glad your out of the hospital bro...I will call you later.
I’m also going to start practicing my meditations daily and express my gratitude for things more regularly.
P.S. Diverticulitis (diver-tic-u-li-tis) is a severe form of diverticulosis (diver-tic-u-lo-sis). Diverticulosis is a very common condition in which small pockets form along your colon. These pockets make it difficult for bowel movements to pass through your digestive system. Diverticulitis occurs when food or bacteria get stuck in the pockets causing them to become inflamed or infected. The symptoms of diverticulitis include fever, stomach pain, and nausea.
If you have any of these symptoms, don’t be stupid like me and hope that they will go away. Do the right thing and call your doctor.
About the Author
RC Bonay is an engineer with a passion for writing and drawing. He started reading comic books at an early age and soon discovered he had a flair for telling stories of his own. As he grew, he dreamed of following in the footsteps of comic book legend, Stan Lee. His passion ebbed and his dream faded as it became necessary to pursue a more traditional lifestyle in order to raise his growing family. The dream was rekindled as the youngest of his four children blossomed into young adulthood.
RC’s vision is best summed up by his mottos;
“The world would be a better place if we all just learned to draw.”
“Learn from the best, forget it all, and just write.”
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