I have been having pain when I breathe since Monday when the bandages came off. I didn’t sweat it because I thought it was no biggie I mean, major surgery = some pain, right? I thought it could be a gas bubble, could be the bandages were too tight and my body was just going to feel it for a few days.
Well, it got worse rather than better and I started to panic. At the airport in FL it was pretty bad so I called the surgeon to ask him if it was normal. He indicated that it was probably Costochondritis which is swelling of the cartilage in the rib cage. Not uncommon after the ribs are constricted for an extended period of time.
I was satisfied with that and flew home. Today though it got worse and was hurting even when I didn’t breathe deep. I called my primary Dr and they advised me to go immediately to the ER to rule out any lung problems. Joy.
Tina was at work so she came home, picked me up and brought me to ER. On the way there she gave me my wedding band. It was a valentine that she got me that was sent to her job so it could be signed for only it arrived the day we landed in Fl so I had to wait extra long. Its perfect. White gold with a matte finish and one small diamond lodged in one side. I say lodged because its made to look like the diamond was forcefully embedded in it. I will post a pic at some point. Its a more masculine thickness than my original ring which was a placeholder until we could afford something permanent. It was also white gold with channel set diamond chips. I had somehow lost one of the diamonds and it looked toothless. Lol. I absolutely LOVE my new ring and will wear it until I die.
We got to ER around 4 PM. I had to confront my old name while checking in because the last time I was there I was, well, her. That was smooth but annoying and the receptionist updated my records. Almost immediately I had an EKG done. The tech was cool, she asked why I had surgery, I told her, she seemed unphased, I liked that.
Next was triage. The RN was also cool, also asked, and also was unphased. I liked that too. Respect.
Then to check in and update my insurance info. The admin girl was cool (and cute! *wink*). I made her laugh. She asked if my relationship status should be changed because it said civil union and she looked puzzeled. I smiled and said that was accurate before I was male. She laughed and said to Tina “he’s funny” Tina laughed and said “yeah and he’s already married” just joking around and being playfully adorable (I love her). The girl laughed and said that she was too. It was cute and innocently flirty and I enjoyed it.
After that it was back to the waiting room again where we stayed for about 3 hours until we were called to go into a room to see a Dr. I highly recommend the food cart in the waiting room at Bridgeport hospital. The ham and cheese sandwich that I ate had abt 3 lbs of ham on it and was very freshly made. Better than most of our local delis and a much better price. The lady that ran the cart had made it herself and she was really nice. Called me young man a couple of times. 
I had to explain my surgery again about 4 more times after that which I guess is something I will never have to stop doing. I’m okay with that as long as I the person is professional and respectful which thankfully everyone today was.
We were able to watch tv. Me in my hospital gown, the closest thing to a dress that I’ve worn in a loooooong time, and my ball cap. My beautiful bride in the chair beside me reassuring me that id be okay.
The 1st nurse came in and got my entire report then informed me she was leaving at 7. It was 6:59. No lie. Next nurse came in, was nice but it seemed he was very new to nursing and his hesitation when starting my iv was unsettling. Dr was okay. Not terribly friendly not terribly not. He told me he wanted to run tests to rule out pulmonary embolism since there was no sign of pneumonia. That’s when panic set in. It was totally internal but thoughts rushed through my head abt my hypertension, and what a blood thinner would do to me if I did have a clot. If I was just supposed to live long enough to die in the body I had always wanted. I’m serious. I’ve known so many people, young healthy people to just die of some freaky thing like that.
I waited for the bloodwork to be analyzed. I updated my facebook and twitter. I texted with and have to shout out one of my closest and dearest friends Maggie who is an RN and currently living in Cali. She made me feel more at ease with her knowledge of the way these things work. She helped me be sure that the right tests were being run and that id be okay. Thanks Mags, you are the best.
The bloodwork came back negative for PE that was a huge relief. Then I had a chest x ray. Also negative.
Turns out it was exactly what Dr Garramone thought, Contochronitis (see how awesome he is?). I got a shot of morphine for the pain (that IV had to be used for something… lol) the IV was removed from my arm, and with it half of the hair on my arm. I have had so much body hair removed from all of the bandages on my chest that I almost begged him not to use anymore tape on me when he came at me with tape and gauze to cover the hole the IV left. I asked for a small bandaid instead, I’ve had enough pain for one day I think.
So we left, I was a bit high and the chest pain still present. By the time I got home I was really sick to my stomach and had to have my nipple bandages changed. Yep more hair removed. Had to eat another ham sandwich so I could take my antibiotic which makes me sick if I don’t eat.
Tina was my angel today. So loving, attentive, supportive. Showing me again and still how much she cares. She is the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I’m glad I’m healthy enough to enjoy her a bit longer. (By a bit I mean a hundred more years at least).
I’m content with knowing the chest pain will go away eventually. Its just one of those things I guess. A small price to pay in order to be happy with the way my body looks, and I am, very much so for the first time ever.
