Party or Hospital

Party or Hospital?

Naval Hospital of Jacksonville

               It’s Friday night and my friends is waiting for me to show up in the restaurant/bar they chose.  Location was in the South-side area of Jacksonville. I have to drive about thirty minutes from my place. The celebration was for a brother-in-law of my friend who’s leaving in a week back to the Philippines. We call it “Despedida” (like a farewell party). So I’m thinking why not make a review of the restaurant /bar, I am about to enjoy. The moment I arrived, my buddy told me that we just have to stay there for a few more minutes and moved on to a better Bar(not really sure what he meant by that).. I finished my drink and ate some finger foods and off we go. We decided to drive in two cars instead of driving individually. Unfortunately we did not stay there longer, because my friend had an emergency to take care that night and we cut the night-out sooner than expected. So my review on these two establishments just went out to the window.

Main Entrance 

                Saturday morning, I am awaken with numbness and tingling sensation on my left arm, and a chest pain. I just ignore it, and went back to sleep. The tingling and numbness of my arm disappear, but the chest pain still linger. Maybe, it’s indigestion, so I decided to rest for more, anyway it’s weekend. Around 11:30 am, I decided to get up and brew some coffee and have a brunch. I’d noticed that the pain don’t disappear, nor it subside. Around 2:00 pm, I’m experiencing a shortness of breath and my chest pain still there and getting worst. Being a military veteran, I decided to drive to Naval Hospital of Jacksonville to have it check. When I arrived at the Emergency room, I was greeted by a triage nurse and asked me, what brought me to the E.R. I explained what just happened and she started taking my vital signs. (Vital sign were composed of blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and temperature). 

Main Lobby

              After taking my vital sign I was brought inside the emergency room and assigned a bed. They asked more questions while the hospital corpsman started drawing my blood and inserted an IV catheter in my right hand, while my left arm was being monitor for blood pressure.  The other nurse was attaching patches in my chest for an ECG (electrocardiogram) to monitor my heart rhythm. The chest x-ray was performed bedside. After the chest x-ray, the lieutenant asked me how’s my pain in a scale of one to ten. I answered him back and he notifies the doctor and gave me some medications. As soon as I took the medications, the pains subside.

              To make the story short, I was admitted to the ward for observation; I was discharged the next day and came back the following day for a cardiac stress test. With this type of service, I know I am in good hands. What an outstanding service! From the triage nurse, hospital corpsmen, military nurses, civilian nurses and attending physicians. You’re the pride of military medicine. Keep up the good work, and Thank You for your service!!!.