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How I spent this year's Black Friday?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance

black Friday

Hello everyone-Everybody old enough, knows what Black Friday is. A crazy shopping day the Friday after Thanksgiving. A day many retailers count on for their businesses to end in the black instead of the red. A good day for them. Now I am NOT a woman who shops on Black Friday. I did it ONCE in all my days of shopping. NEVER AGAIN!!

That being said what I experienced starting at 2:30 am Friday I would have gladly camped outside with the rest of the crazies who do that and fought my way thru crowds and waited in long lines etc. No offense to any of you that do that but that is just not my cup of tea.

I had a nice Thanksgiving dinner with my Mom and oldest brother & sister-in-law. The dogs however gave us the most entertainment. Their dog was a 5 yr old wire haired terrier. Mom's dog a 2 yr old Westie. There ended up being a territory struggle between the two. Whoever said males were the only ones who were aggressive and territorial never met Heidi my Mom's 2 yr old Westie.

More than once I had to separate her from my brothers dog Lily. The evening ended early as my brother and his wife left to spend the night at a motel and would  stop by the following morning on their way back to their mountain retreat or as my sister in law calls it a MAN HOUSE. Guess my brother didn't want just a man cave. LOL

Mom and I went to bed at a pretty early hour and all was quiet in the house until about 2:30 a.m. I awoke with pain in my back on the right side. Nothing unusual for me as I have dealt with that everyday for the past 12 yrs. Some days are better than others. Some days are a real PAIN. No PUN intended. I have been having quite a few of those real PAIN days recently so when I awoke with the pain I just figured it was just the back being a real BEAR.

I got up and got a ice pack out of the freezer and got back in bed. Generally it helps numbs the pain but it wasn't doing a thing for this pain. The longer I laid there the worse it got and it also was now in the right front groin area. I thought maybe I just overindulged for dinner and was paying the price.

While I have dealt with pain for 12 yrs pretty much everyday. I have rarely cried from the pain. Didn't even when I had my accident because I wasn't awake to feel anything.  I did that however in the wee hours of this Black Friday morning, asking God what is this. PLEASE make it stop. I also started experiencing intense pressure in my bladder like I had to go to the bathroom real bad. But when I went I got NO relief. I knew now it wasn't just from my back but had no idea what it was. I just knew I had to get help. I did the only thing I could. I called 911.

Now you are going to think I am crazy maybe but you know that advice your Mom gave about what to do in case you are ever in an accident. Well before I called 911. I got washed and dressed and with several trips to the bathroom and the light on in my bedroom It ended up waking Mom up. I told her I had to go to the hospital and why. She wanted to know if I wanted her to go with me and I told her NO that I would call her as soon as I could.

ambulanceBy the time the ambulance got there & I was strapped in that gurney like a caged animal. My pain had intensified and I was crying, tossing and turning on that gurney. The EMT wasn't too nice and told me I needed to lie still and when I told him I was doing the best I could because this hurt like HELL. He said we ALL have problems. I thought he was pretty heartless and rude but I guess they see a LOT of bad stuff and to them this was minor. Maybe to him it was but NOT to me.

It was a VERY long ambulance ride even though it was only about a 45 min trip. All I can say it felt like time stood still. Once inside I laid there in that bed tossing and turning and crying out in pain before they came and started an IV to give me morphine and nausea meds. In the midst of all that I got sick to my stomach.

The morphine knocked the pain down a little but it was still mighty uncomfortable. Then I had to wait for a doctor to come in. Thankfully there was a bathroom right across the hall from the bay I was in as I had to go several times. After the sedative(percocet) that made me very sleepy kicked in the pain started to subside. The doctor came in and told me there was a good chance I had a kidney stone and they were going to do a CT scan. 

kidney stoneWell the good news was it wasn't too large, so NO surgery. I would have hated to have that bad boy to be any bigger. I was told now I had to strain my urine to see if it passed and then take it to a urologist. All the time I was there and the many trips to the bathroom I wasn't given a strainer to catch this nasty stone. That stone could have passed as the pain had subsided before I left there. So I don't really know if it is gone. I am just praying it has. I slept a lot yesterday and got sick twice after getting home but today has been a better day. Pain is still gone and I have eaten and not got sick.

All I know is I NEVER want to go thru that EVER again. Black Friday would have been a piece of cake in comparison. I am grateful that this incident has passed and I hopefully will never get another one. One of the things that I read about kidney stones is you should drink lots of water. So I am doing my best to do that. While I like water. I am not a consistent 6-8 glass a day person but if that is what it would take not to have any more stones come back I will do it.

SO how did you spend your Black Friday?

 

Posted by

Sharon Lee

Sheldon Neal
Bergen County, NJ - RE/MAX Real Estate Limited - Maywood, NJ
That British Agent Bergen County NJ

... YEEEIKES !!!!!

You my good friend need a BREAK !!!!

I mean a break from all these challenges my goodness !

Sorry that mean-old EMT wasnt more caring - maybe you took him away from his tent out in front of Best Buy where he was camped out for that Flat Screen TV on sale ?!?!?!

Either way, shame on him for being a Meanie :o(

Drink that water Sister ! I dont want you to go through that experience again !!!!

Good luck, and I hope you get to sleep better tonight :o)

Nov 27, 2010 03:46 PM
Geri Sonkin
Douglas Elliman Real Estate 516-457-7103 - Merrick, NY
Long Island Real Estate & Staging Expert

Ouch!  That's a pain I haven't experienced but have heard from friends how horrible it is.  I'm horrified by that EMT's lack of understanding.  He's in the wrong field if he can't conjure up just a little human decency, even if it did take him away from Black Friday or something else equally tantalizing.  You take care and do keep drinking that water.

Nov 27, 2010 04:36 PM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Sharon, I am so sorry at how you spent your black Friday, I guess for you it was black in another way. I am wishing good things for you, there has certainly been enough challenge in life for you recently.

And I hope the ambulance driver somehow figures out that it is not a good idea to be mean to people that are in need of his services. Maybe he is in the wrong profession....

Nov 27, 2010 11:12 PM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Morning Sheldon- I would certainly welcome a break that is for sure. I am feeling better so I have to say that must be the break.  I was actually surprised at the callousness of that EMT fellow. If I hadn't been in dire straits I would have given him a piece of my mind. Nobody wants to take an ambulance ride and generally people that do haven't done anything purposely to get there. Thank you my friend for being such a dear friend. It would have been easier on me if you had been the person in the back with me. At least I would have had a friend who cared.

Geri-Thank you. I am drinking the water. I sure hope that fellow goes into another profession because his gurney side manner stunk and he was sure unsympathetic that is for sure..

Hi Andrea-It was black indeed but thankfully I am better. Challenges are a part of life and I am blessed to be one of the lucky ones to survive the challenges and be stronger because of it. Anytime we think we have it bad there is always someone who is worse off. That ambulance medic who was in the back with me was a jerk but you reap what you sow so one day he will get his. Thank you my friend for your support.

Nov 28, 2010 12:26 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTORĀ®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Sharon, OMG that is some story!  I hope it is all behind you now...that was a rude emt you had sounds like!  I am sure Lindsey is glad to have mommy back homej too!  I was one of the crazys you mentioned ha ha ha

Nov 28, 2010 02:02 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Hi Kristin-Other than being really tired I am doing much better. Yes that EMT didn't gain any brownie points for common courtesy that is for sure. There are a lot of Black Friday crazies but I really hate the chaos but some people thrive on it and there is nothing wrong with that at all. Hope you got some good deals. Thank you my friend.

Nov 28, 2010 04:08 AM
Denise Hamlin, Broker/Owner
Cardinal Realty ~ 319-400-0268 - Iowa City, IA
Helping Happy Clients Make Smart Choices

Hi Sharon ~ Glad you're doing better. Put new meaning in the word "Black" Friday for you, didn't it?

I hear you with the shopping thing. Not my cup of tea either.

Nov 28, 2010 04:10 AM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Sharon, What is the EMT's name and number! Do I have to come down there?! LOL  First, I'm so sorry that this happened to you, good grief, I would gladly have endured Black Friday shopping too. I'm glad to hear you are doing better and aside from the callous treatment of the EMT that's all that matters.

If I were you, I would write a complaint. Mr. EMT needs a crash course in his bedside manner.  When people are hurt, I would think a little compassion would go a long way.

I'm just really peeved that someone would treat my friend that way.

A Flower For You:

A Swift Kick in the Pants for the EMT:

Stay well  Sharon - :-)

Nov 28, 2010 04:50 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Denise-That it did but I am happy to report I am doing MUCH better and I THINK that nasty stone passed. Never have been a real gunho shoppper. Now craft fairs I love them.

Mary-You my friend put the biggest smile on my face. I had thought about writing a letter to the editor and still might. Maybe I should have passed that stone to the EMT fellow that would have given him a reason to be rude. A little compassion would have gone a LONG ways toward helping me. With friends like you it makes things like that fade away quickly. Next Black Friday I want to go shopping instead. I am doing much better. A bit tired, Maybe still effects from the drugs. You my friend are the best. God Bless you

Nov 28, 2010 06:14 AM
Ann Allen Hoover
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

Oh girl, bless your heart!  I'm so glad you are feeling better!

Nov 28, 2010 07:42 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Ann-Thank you I AM feeling better. Have a great week and thank you for your support.

Nov 28, 2010 07:46 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Bless your heart Sharon.  You've been through more than one person ought to have to endure in lifetime, much less one year.  I'm going to let my daughter read this.  She's a new EMT and I want her to read it from a patients side so she won't seem cruel and heartless.

Nov 28, 2010 08:14 AM
Debi Boucher
Real Estate Showcase Photography - Woodland Park, CO
"Realtor Showcase" - Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours

Sharon - I'm with Mary! Someone needs a kick in the butt - a BIG one! Thankfully you're recovering - and I hope this is the last of the medical problems for you. Enough is enough! (I'm sure you would agree? LOL)

Nov 28, 2010 09:27 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Well, Sharon, your ordeal sounds horrible--I'm with the others in hoping it's behind you for good. I'm thinking all good things for you in 2011--it's your turn!

Nov 28, 2010 10:45 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Hi Tammy-I am looking forward to all good things in 2011.  Maybe EMT's are taught to show less emotion or else this guy was just a jerk. I think he was just a jerk because in August when I came to live with Mom and she fell it was the same ambulance company just different EMT's and they were very nice, courteous and helpful. I wish your daughter the best. I am sure it isn't a easy job but it is easy to be courteous to folks who didn't do anything to cause their having to be in that ambulance. It was not a fun ride at all.

Debi-It did surprise me I must admit and I have dealt with my share of jerks in my life but this guy took the prize for being the biggest. Common courtesy was all that I would have expected. Apparently courtesy isn't so common anymore.

Thank you Lottie. I am with you there. It was no picnic for sure but it is over and hopefully NEVER to return.

Nov 28, 2010 12:39 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Holy Moly Sharon, I am glad you are all right. Kidney stones for men OR women are very painful to pass. Glad you got through this. Not much fun the day after Thanksgiving.

Nov 28, 2010 12:45 PM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Gary-They are indeed. Not much fun ANYTIME but thankfully it is behind me. Hopefully never to return.

Nov 28, 2010 01:07 PM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Sharon, Glad you are all right.  I remember being at the hospital in the waiting room when my Dad had a kidney stone.  They were making him wait and I was yelling at them that they had to do something. I was on a rampage and they finally helped him I think to shut me up (lol).

Nov 28, 2010 02:12 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

My EMT daughter just read this Sharon and was appalled you didn't get meds on the ride to the hospital.

Nov 28, 2010 02:53 PM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Marchel-Maybe I should have screamed LOUDER. I waited in the ER too before they did anything for me. I just know they are NO fun.

Tammy-Considering who the EMT was I am not surprised. All they did was the blood pressure cuff and got mad because I didn't want to leave it on.

Nov 29, 2010 06:56 AM