UPDATE : Well, that wasn’t the dr appt I wanted. I can’t go in public for at least two more weeks. My infection had become septic? I had sepsis? (I don’t know the proper words here). Something NO ONE at the hospital told us. I mean they kept going on about finding the source of the infection and they were pumping me full of antibiotics 24/7 and I did have some delirium but I thought that was from 104+ fever. Had a lot of weird dreams and some really creative ideas (wish I had written them down) but I thought that was the morphine. Dr P said 50% of the people that were as sick as you die. That made me cry a little. I honestly didn’t think I was that sick. I knew it was a hell of a week and I had never been that sick – not even close but I had no idea it was so serious. He also told me if I was feeling myself in 6 weeks call it a win. He was Dr Downer today.
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I’m not quite sure what I remember of the week of April 18-26, 2021 accurately enough to state a lot of facts but I will try and when and if I sort out the detail I will flesh it out.
It started Sunday (April 18) with me having a low-grade fever and then into Monday with me having to blow off some appts to pick materials for the remodel because I had a fever. Tuesday I had an afternoon appt with my dr’s PA who said my white count was up and gave me an antibiotic.
Wednesday morning we went to the ER because now my fever was higher and was vomiting and having diarrhea and I knew I needed some fluids ASAP. Stayed in the ER all day with them searching for the source of the infection. Jerry and I had just talked about a guy who died and at his autopsy they found a 3 inch toothpick had perforated his rectum and he had gone septic. I was hoping they were looking EVERYWHERE! Lots of blood work and honestly no further along that night than that morning except I was getting some much needed fluids. And they were trying to decide if they truly needed more human waste receptacles or if I was just not aware that many of the places I had deposited were not in fact receptacles as they were used seemingly on a fly-by.
I asked to be discharged and the Dr made me promise I would come back if my fever was not down and staying down on Thursday. I did so completely convinced I would be better…surely and he knew I wouldn’t be.
Thursday morning we were back at the ER and the same dr was there and said something snarky like “back so soon?” which I took in the good humor it was intended. He was right after all. He ordered a gastro-intestinal CT, which I was glad of (toothpick guy). By Thursday morning my fever was well over 104, the v&d were raging and my electrolytes and such were completely wiped and he was pretty frantically looking still for the source. When the CT was read he said they got a glimpse of something in my lung behind my heart. VOILA! Pneumonia. So he ordered a CT to confirm and when he came back in his face was lit up. We had our source. So I got admitted and finally got a room that night.
So that is where I have been. I won’t lie, it was a pretty rough week. I haven’t always been the best patient. I’ve cried, I have complained but everyone (but one nurse and she got reported and she deserved it – I was too weak to slap her face) has been helpful and with only my best interests in mind. The dietitians came around and went over every menu option trying to find me something I would/could eat because I absolutely couldn’t stand the thought of food. The man who took me for my CT scans was so lovely, he kept me laughing. The first trip he insisted I pick my favorite Star Trek movie and thankfully it was acceptable. He’s a gem and sick people need people like that.
My bloodwork is still wackadoodle but we are working on it. I feel better but not good by any means. I feel very blessed to have the money and insurance to get the medical help I needed. Now the after insurance balance may cause a different kind of illness when we get that but I didn’t have to refuse a test or medicine or another $$$$$ bag of antibiotics run through my body. I will never support the idea that medical care is not a human right so please y’all #MedicareForAll
Jerry left for work the next day after I got home.
Not much more to say about that. Y’all he is the best. He has not left my side except for absolute necessity even though I would have had him at least come home to sleep in a bed. He would run home and feed my cat and do some errands and get him a bite to eat.
Not much more to say about that. Y’all he is the best. He has not left my side except for absolute necessity even though I would have had him at least come home to sleep in a bed. He would run home and feed my cat and do some errands and get him a bite to eat.Please get your Fauci Ouchie if you haven’t already and add a pneumonia shot to your vaccine schedule if you qualify.