My Hershey Med Experiences.

My first trip to Hershey Medical Center was quite interesting.  As many of you probably know, this is now the med school for Penn State University.  As a current PSU fan, it is kind of exciting to see every one walking around on Fridays with their PSU attire.  I thought that LGH was a big hospital, no way!  This is a giant facility with many options for patients and students to learn and study medicine.  

The first trip I took, I met my doctor at 30 Hope Drive.  It took me close to a half-hour of riding around the campus and the use of two GPS.  I am not sure the plural of GPS as it is kind of a new thing.  I finally found the building and parked.  I walked into the building and suddenly realized that I had no idea where I was supposed to go.  I asked for assistance and was on my way.  Even though I was on my way, I still did not have any idea of where I was going.  I looked down this very long hall and saw all these letters hanging from the ceiling.  I had to find X-ray. I quickly learned, with more assistance, that the X-ray department was located under the X hanging in the hall.  Everyone was very nice and accommodating, which was good since as usual, I was clueless.  The equipment in the X-ray room was all Kodak and looked very new and very modern.  I stood in positions I had never stood in for knee X-rays so that they could get some good angles.

When I was finished with X-rays, I had to find my doctor, Dr. Mason.  I had to find the M hanging from the ceiling to find Dr. Mason (are you seeing the pattern here?).  Dr. Mason’s nurse was a lovely woman and quite funny.  She took all my vitals and discovered I was alive.  When she concluded the vitals and the history,  She told me that Dr. Mason would be in very soon, and then she left the room.  Dr. Mason entered the exam room and greeted me with a big smile and a hand-shake.  I am guessing that he is probably in his late 30’s early 40’s.  Dr. Mason immediately went to look at the X-rays and had all kinds of problems with the computer!  It was really funny to watch him really struggling with technology just like the rest of us do from time to tome.  But as he looked through the X-ray he started to see things I had never seen in all the other X-rays from before.  He recommended some blood work be done and a CT scan and then reconvening once all the facts were in.  

When my appointment was finished, I had to negotiate my way out of the building.  Eventually I had to ask for help again, because I was walking in circles.  Once I had assistance again, I discovered that I was close to exiting the maze.  When I walked out of the hallway, I walked right into one of the pediatric sections.  This  was amazing with all the bright colors and toys, as well as the workers all dressed in brightly colored scrubs.  I really understood now why PSU is so involved in pediatric medicine.  

Since Dr. Mason prescribed some blood work.  I decided that I would get this done on the campus while I was there.  Thankfully I found that building with more ease than I had found the other building.  Again, the people were so nice and accommodating.  It did not take very long to have my blood drawn, and when I was finished I went back to the woman at the check-in desk.  She gave me directions on how to exit the campus and my visit was over.

Today I went back to radiology.  I felt like a “deer in the headlights” when I drove onto campus.  This time I had a map and specific directions and no GPS.  I ended up over by the Exercise Center.  I had to sit in the parking lot for a while to figure out where I wanted to go.  I was relieved that I arrived on campus about 40 minutes a head of time!so that I did not have to hurry.  I ended up parking at the top of the parking lot and started wondering how I was going to walk down to where I was supposed to be.  I was supposed to look for the Cancer Center as I knew where that was.  When i got out of my car, I saw two shuttles and hoped that I could catch a ride down to the Cancer Center.  I lucked out, because one of the vans sitting there was able to take me to the Cancer Center.  Upon arriving at the Cancer Center I found my way to the long hallway where an elevator was located to take me to Radiology.  When I got to the elevators, I kept looking around trying to figure out where I was supposed to go next.  I know I had the “deer in the headlights” look again.  I had just figured out where I was going when one of the staff members asked if I needed help (figures right?).  I found my way down to radiology, checked in and began playing bubble shooter.  My appt. was at 10:45 for a CT Scan.  A technician came out to get me and lead me back to the scanner.  The scanner was donut shaped and was decorated with all kinds of kiddie stickers.  Once again, I get how important pediatric medicine is at PSU.  I was finished with my scan before 10:45 and was on my way again.  I finally saw where the most important things in the entire hospital were located. That would be the Starbucks and the gift shop.   I also got to see the kind of merchandise they sell in the gift shop.  Of course there were lots of PSU “stuff.”  It was probably good that I have little money to spend on “things” because I know I would have gone to Starbucks and then to the gift shop :-)  The money they make in the gift shop goes back into the hospital to use for projects in the hospital.  

I walked back outside and stood at the wrong bus stop.  Thankfully a really nice bus driver said she looked at me standing there with the “deer in the headlights” look and then decided to see if I would figure it out and walk down to the actual bus stop.  Yes, I figured that one out!  She told me I had parked in the best place because I was steps from the shuttle.  We had a great conversation on the way up to my car including what it was like to drive around the campus and how long it takes to figure out where everything is located!  

I got in my car and started to head out.  Of course it took a while to realize that I was headed towards a dead end road.  Yes, I ended up at a dead end so I had to turn around and head back.  On the way back I saw a sign that directed me to the highway, and in no time I was back on the main road headed towards home. I have to go back up one more time (at least) next week to see if Dr. Mason has a clue about my knee.  

I can tell you that despite the confusion and size of the campus, I have been really impressed with the facility.  This was the first time I went to a medical facility where I felt like they could fix just about anything wrong with me and if they couldn’t, they would sure give it a good try.  

The Hospital

I had to be at the hospital by 7 AM.  This required me to rise at 5:50.  Sad to say that Mick, once again, woke up at 4:30 AM.  Maybe he is getting ready for my return to school.  I fed Mick and LU and then headed upstairs for a shower.  I was just finishing the drying process when I heard Mick start to bark.  I suspected it was Becky, who was ready to take me to the hospital.  It was now 6:30 AM.  Traffic going into town was really heavy so I was glad that we left early.  Arriving at LGH - we parked at the Lime Street B Lot.  Earl, a band parent from by gone days was the greeter and parking attendant.  Earl is really a great guy.  I had his daughter Val in my film class and low and behold - she is making short movies and getting them shown at film festivals.   In fact several won awards,  Ugh and to think it started in my course, makes me so happy and proud.  Earl was busy so I found my way into the hospital.  As I was leaving, Becky told me that if I needed someone to pick me up, to call her.

The woman that checked me in was delightful despite being coffee less.  We both joked about our respective needs for college in the morning.  After a very brief time, She walked another couple back to the pre-op center along with me.  I cannot begin to tell you how nice the people are at LGH.  I recognized several of the nurses from my previous visits.  The one male nurse went to the Syracuse / Duke basketball game last season.   This is when Duke was beaten by Syracuse in a wild game.  He told me a little about the experience while he was prepping me. I was taken downstairs for an ultra sound of my legs to make sure there were no clots in my legs.  I am sure glad I wore nice under wear today because I was flashing a whole heck of a lot of people.  There was also a chance that they would have to go up through the groin if the filter was stuck.  My legs were cleaned and it was time to go upstairs to get ready for procedure.

I was stuck, prodded, and questioned before the surgery.  The doctor who was performing the procedure was fairly humorous as he explained what he planned to do and what he hoped would not happen!  Another Male nurse wheeled me down to the OR, which was freezing cold.  The nurses all introduced themselves and the other doctor who was assisting also introduced himself.  We were all laughing and joking quite a bit.  Once they moved me on to the other bed and hooked me up to the oxygen, the world slowly began to spin.  Conversations were fading in and out.  They were asking me to do things, and I was, but I felt like I was watching from above.  I never felt when he put the needle and catheter in my neck.  I did come back around to hear that the hook of the filter was in the perfect position.  Unfortunately, the filter had hooked itself in and they had trouble getting it out.   I know that I was talking to everyone and joking about being stuck, but there are other things I just don't remember.  I do recall being wheeled back to my room and then fading in and out.  The doctor came in to tell me what to do.  Thankfully it was written down because I could not remember a word he said!  My nurse Steve - who called me John, brought me some apple juice and pretzels.  As it had been quite a while since I had last eaten.

It was not too long after that they determined I was well enough to go home.  I had arranged for my brother Kris to pick-me-up.  Unfortunately, I did not bother to take my cell phone, nor did I bother to write down his number.  The anesthesia short circuited my brain, and I could not recall his number at all.  They were ready to discharge me, and I had no place to actually go.  Steve, my nurse gave me a boxed lunch and some water so I could eat out in the lobby while waiting for someone to pick me up.  The women at the check in desk were very helpful in trying to help me get home.  I called Becky and left a message.  Then I called back and told her co-worker what had happened to me so Becky would know that I needed a ride home after all.  It was either that or be stuck at the hospital until someone figured out I was missing.

I finished my lunch and had just thrown away the box, when Becky came walking into the waiting area.  I was so glad to see her I nearly teared up!  She got me home and of course Mick wanted to go out immediately.  Becky tried to take Mick for a walk.  Apparently he was not interested in going for a walk with his Aunt Becky.  Mick  was so happy to see me he would not stop jumping on me.  However once he was fed, he calmed down and relaxed.

At this point I am really tired and kind of still out of it.  My neck hurts quite a bit as well.  It will be interesting to see how I am feeling tomorrow.