Spent NYE in an emergency department ... and felt only gratitude

It was not how imagined I’d be ringing in 2025. I didn’t have any exciting plans except for l fuzzy pyjamas, popcorn and Hallmark movies. Still, sitting in an inner-city emergency department waiting room meant my non-planned plans were tossed out the window. Instead of celebrating alone, I celebrated in a filled waiting room. I was with many people.

I’m a little pissed off at my body for getting me to the hospital point. It could’ve given me some warning signs.

I went to bed Dec. 30 fairly early because I had to work the next day. I woke up twice with sharp pains in my bladder and other signs that I might be attempting to pass a kidney stone. But the weird thing was they were the only signs I had. I ended up going to work because standing and moving gave me no grief. Still, I left work an hour early to head over to a local health centre and get things checked out. 

My province has a shortage of doctors and many family physicians aren’t taking new patients. As a result, many people who don’t need to be in a hospital emergency department go there for issues that don’t require immediate attention. 

My reason for going was an abundance of caution. The last time I tangled with a kidney stone, I ended up with sepsis and was hospitalized. If this was indeed a stone, I didn’t want to have a repeat performance.

The bloodwork that was drawn came back clean. My urine sample was described as “yucky.” There was a nasty urinary tract infection that required immediate attention. And so I waited four hours and put in an emergency department bed. Drugs were administered via IV. A nice doctor (who I'm sure would’ve rather been spending New Year's Eve anywhere else) did an ultrasound. The images were inconclusive as to whether a stone was reaping havoc. I’d need to go to a proper hospital and get a CT scan. 

With paperwork in hand, I jumped into my vehicle and drove the 25 minutes to a large, inner-city hospital. I glanced at the hospital clock as I was being triaged and registered 10:20 p.m. If I was called in soon, if I got the results, maybe I could make it home by midnight.

 

I was called for my CT scan in under 15 minutes. The technicians were wonderful. I, in an effort to comply, did everything they asked for and more. I made sure there was no metal in my pockets. Made sure my jewelry was removed. Hiked my bra up so the underwire was out of the way. Ummm, that was where things momentarily went a bit sideways. My “twins” decided to “celebrate “ and I flashed the technicians. They handled the “boobing" like the pros they are but the expression “calm your boobs “ did come to mind and I told mine silently they needed to chill. 

Scan complete, I headed back to the waiting room to, well, wait for the results. I’d been advised about an hour wait but, as the minutes rolled by and the clock crept closer to midnight, I realized  I’d be ringing in the New Year with no one … and everyone. So I gave myself a five-minute pity party: "Why me? Why couldn’t the results be faster? Why did my body betray me? Why couldn’t it have given me warning signs instead of a giant slap in the face?"

I’m a party girl but I’m not a pity party girl. And so I decided it was time the pity party ended. And when I did, that’s when the gratitude began to take over.

Many of the other occupants of the waiting room were homeless, sitting in a chair with their worldly possessions, out of the cold. Some seemed to struggle a mental health challenge and some seemed to struggle with sobriety. Many called out to nurses, to other patients, to each other. See me! Hear me! I’m a human being! I’m here! 

When the clock hit midnight, I closed my eyes and briefly gave thanks for being where I was. I was meant to be exactly where I was because I needed a nudge to remind me of the blessed life I have. When I was done, I had a warm home to go to. I had people who love me and I could’ve called any one of them and they would’ve willing sat with me and celebrated in the emergency department. I have it all. 

In addition, I have a healthcare system with doctors and nurses who care. Yes, it’s far from perfect but I walked out owing no money — everything was paid. I wouldn’t be denied care because of finances. 

I didn’t look at my fellow patients with pity or scorn but with both a willingness to “do better” for anyone I cross paths with in life (kind words, a cup of coffee, a meal) and the wisdom to know I will never solve the problems of the world. I can be both grateful that “there but for the grace of God go I” and be aware of humanity. 

It was closer to 12:30 a.m. when I was called into an inner waiting room so an emergency department doctor could review my results with me. Before that could happen though, my phone rang. It was the wonderful and weary doctor from the health centre. He delivered the news that no stones were involved in my pelvic chaos and he would have me discharged so I could head home and to bed!

I did. I came home. Grateful that I have one. Grateful for it all.