A steady flow of new specialists and admin staff began to come into the room to go over their specific instructions related to my being discharged. First was the registered dietitian nutritionist. We discussed what my diet should be and it basically follows the Mediterranean Diet food selections. There was also the talk about sodium and sugar intake, and which foods to avoid. I was surprised with what some of the food selections could be as long as consumption of these foods were limited.
Next was the person representing the Cardiac Rehab group and how I should contact them to arrange for my initial assessment so I could secure my space. It was recommended that I sign up for the entire 36 sessions. It was noted that this would benefit me the most in my recovery.
Following this discussion was an administration staffer with my paperwork. Finally, the nurse came in to remove the IV and monitoring pads and leads. I removed my gown and put on the clothes that I was wearing when I arrived the previous day. My “WOW” moment was just how fast my stay in the hospital was. I was told that I was the only patient in this unit going home today out of the six that arrived on the day that I arrived.
I was discharged from the hospital just after 2:00 PM. Usually when you are discharged you are taken from the unit you are in via wheelchair down to the lobby where family members get to greet you before you are wheeled outside to the vehicle you are going home in. NOPE! This was not the case for me. After my final discharge papers were reviewed with me and the packet was put together, the nurse came in and said that we would be walking to the elevator, taking it down to the main lobby floor, and going to the pharmacy to pickup my prescriptions. Okay, this is a new twist for me. And once we were finished at the pharmacy we walked through the lobby and outside to my wife’s vehicle. Now I know why they had me walk several laps around the floor I was on earlier today as I have noted. I was mobile and that is an important step in being discharged from a cardiac unit at the hospital.
The ride home was quiet and short. There was a little bit of conversation, but I mostly looked out the window since it was a bright sunny afternoon in Northern Virginia. I was looking forward to seeing my daughters and wondered how they were doing with what just had happened to daddy. Also, I was still a bit dazed by the last 27 hours plus, and I was exhausted. I could not wait to get home so I could get some sleep. I really need a good nap.
We are parking now…
“Thoughts on this part of my story. Please share them with me in the comment box below”