Following my conversation with my PCP on Friday morning, I planned to have a small Easter celebration for just me. I went to Good Friday services but had some stomach issues and had to leave. Saturday I felt great and got dressed and embarked on my shopping trip. I felt fine until I got to the store. I began to feel very sick but got all of my groceries and drove home. When I got home Maxie greeted me with his enthusiastic welcome. I felt so bad that I didn't even get the groceries out of the trunk of my car. I decided to lay down. My sister Chris called around dinner and I told her that I had a stomach virus. I was vomiting constantly and had the runs. As I reflect this persisted all night but I didn't realize it. I do recall bits of feeling so out of it and finding myself laying on the floor of my bedroom or bathroom with Maxie licking me. Somehow I would manage to get back into bed. I was aware that it was Easter so I couldn't call my family since they would be at church. My sister Chris called, at what I thought was early morning, and I realized I needed help. I asked her to call the paramedics. Chris was so persistent in locating the local paramedics and even telling them where the hidden key was located. Poor Maxie was so scared and so was I. The paramedics came in and took control. I still didn't realize I was in serious condition until they rolled me out and worked on me in the ambulance for a long time before transporting me. I remember so vividly their call to the trauma center and saying they could even get a BP of 30...
After all of my previous trips to the ER I thought I knew the system but this was different. I was taken to a room I had never seen before. I had a dedicated nurse and doctor. I was in and out but still not really knowing how bad I was. Chris called my very dear friend Joanne and she left the Salem Red Sox game to come to the hospital. I vaguely remember her being there but not much. She left to go and rescue Maxie and take him to the wonderful kennel who had cared for Maxie in all of my prior emergencies. Needless to say he was scared beyond description. Joanne has the way with animals and he finally came to her.
After many hours in the ER I was moved to ICU. The reality of the seriousness of my condition finally hit me. I think back to my family asking me "didn't you think it was serious when they cut off your clothes?" I was spared the fear of knowing how bad I was. Next is my days in the ICU unit.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Welcome to 2009 - maybe
I was back "home" in Virginia and anxiously awaiting the New Year's Day match-up between Tech and Cincinnati (UC). My close friend Cris was having a party and I was ready to celebrate. Unfortunately, I began feeling sick with flu-like symptoms but nothing really developed into anything. I went to the party and UC tanked. After watching the first half and feeling lousy, I went home. I returned to work on Friday, still feeling horrible. Over the weekend, I had a very high fever - something really unusual for me. By Monday I knew I was sick - flu? I got an appointment with my doctor. She drew blood and told me to rest. The next day she called in the early evening to tell me to go immediately to the ER - I had sepsis (blood infection). After hours in the ER I was finally admitted and started on major antibiotics. Here I was again in the same hospital as August, seeing the same doctors. After 12 days, I was finally well enough to go home. Back to work for me...
I had such a hard time performing my job but had to keep going. My next adventure followed a routine blood draw to make sure that the infection was gone. I received a cell call from my doctor telling me to go to the ER for blood work as the lab said that my white blood count was dangerously low. Again, I returned to the ER and spent hours waiting, knowing I was going to be admitted. Finally I was given a room and moved from the ER. Again, the same familiar doctors were treating me. I was receiving numerous antibiotics via IV. On Super Bowl Sunday, I vividly remember feeling "itchy" all over. I was not alarmed. About half way through, I felt different and contacted my nurse. With the lights on, I realized I was covered with a red rash and my body was swollen to twice my normal size. After numerous calls, the doctors responded and began efforts to control the reaction I was having to something. I was given extremely high doses of steroids. It took almost a week for the rash to subside and my body to reduce in size. When I was being discharged I put on my jeans and my legs barely fit in them! I also noticed that my hair was falling out.
Being home meant back to work. Yet again I returned to work without anytime off. After 3 weeks of no hospitalizations, I was feeling pretty confident. I went for my routine doctor's appointment. My doctor was concerned since the swelling in my legs had never subsided and she was concerned that I could have a blood clot, so back to the hospital. This time I was only in 3 days!!! I had driven to the hospital and parked in long-term parking so on discharge, I had the shuttle van drive me to my car so I could drive home - rather strange.
I finally felt that I was really getting better. I felt stronger by each day but really wanted all of my doctors to have a conference call so that my primary care doctor could manage my care with all of the specialists input. I received a call on Friday, April 10 telling me that the conference had taken place and all of the doctors agreed with my treatment plan. I vividly remember telling my doctor that I finally felt like my old self.....
I had such a hard time performing my job but had to keep going. My next adventure followed a routine blood draw to make sure that the infection was gone. I received a cell call from my doctor telling me to go to the ER for blood work as the lab said that my white blood count was dangerously low. Again, I returned to the ER and spent hours waiting, knowing I was going to be admitted. Finally I was given a room and moved from the ER. Again, the same familiar doctors were treating me. I was receiving numerous antibiotics via IV. On Super Bowl Sunday, I vividly remember feeling "itchy" all over. I was not alarmed. About half way through, I felt different and contacted my nurse. With the lights on, I realized I was covered with a red rash and my body was swollen to twice my normal size. After numerous calls, the doctors responded and began efforts to control the reaction I was having to something. I was given extremely high doses of steroids. It took almost a week for the rash to subside and my body to reduce in size. When I was being discharged I put on my jeans and my legs barely fit in them! I also noticed that my hair was falling out.
Being home meant back to work. Yet again I returned to work without anytime off. After 3 weeks of no hospitalizations, I was feeling pretty confident. I went for my routine doctor's appointment. My doctor was concerned since the swelling in my legs had never subsided and she was concerned that I could have a blood clot, so back to the hospital. This time I was only in 3 days!!! I had driven to the hospital and parked in long-term parking so on discharge, I had the shuttle van drive me to my car so I could drive home - rather strange.
I finally felt that I was really getting better. I felt stronger by each day but really wanted all of my doctors to have a conference call so that my primary care doctor could manage my care with all of the specialists input. I received a call on Friday, April 10 telling me that the conference had taken place and all of the doctors agreed with my treatment plan. I vividly remember telling my doctor that I finally felt like my old self.....
Friday, February 17, 2012
My life since February 2008
On February 2, 2008 I awoke with terrible pain down my entire right arm. I thought I had a pinched nerve in my shoulder and made an appointment with my PCP, Lisa Deyerle, MD. She agreed and prescribed PT and I was able to be seen the same day. The PT was great but there was absolutely no relief from the pain. After several weeks, the PT did a series of exercises and pushed down on the top of my head (increased pain) and lifted my head from my chin and pain relief. She refused to do further PT until I had an MRI as she suspected I had a herniated cervical disc. Now the problem - my doctor's nurse called repeatedly to my insurance company and never had a response. Finally my doctor called and demanded to talk to the medical director. After weeks of delay, I finally had the MRI which confirmed that I had a herniated disc. I was referred to a neurosurgeon who immediately informed me I needed surgery. I asked about epidural injections and he said this would not help. OK, so I scheduled the surgery at a time when my sister Chris could come to Virginia. When I woke up from the surgery I expected to have pain but I had nothing but relief -yea!! Several days later my sister and I went out to breakfast. I ate a couple of bites and felt full and had major heartburn. This was the beginning of a long journey...
When I returned to work in May 2008, I was unable to eat very much which was so unlike me. The symptoms progressed to vomiting numerous times a day. My PCP referred me to a gastroenterologist. He ordered some kind of swallow test as the neck surgery could cause problems. I was told I passed with "flying colors". The problems persisted and I was losing weight so I went back to the gastro and he ordered a colonoscopy. I made arrangements to have a friend pick me up and she came early enough to talk to the gastro. Again, he said there was no problem. By the end of July I could hardly hold my head up at work and slept in my car at lunch. I was vomiting so violently that I could not even make it to the bathroom. Finally I went to the ER. The "wonderful" docs were ready to discharge me when I threw a fit. I was admitted and tests began anew.
After several days they performed a repeat colonoscopy/endoscopy. I still vividly remember the hospitalist coming in and telling me I had Collegenous Sprue. My gastro told me that this was very serious and several years earlier would have resulted in death. I was discharged on TPN (liquid nutrition) delivered through my port. Depression set in immediately. I have never seen so many commercials for pizza, subs, etc. which were forever off limits for me.
I was discharged shortly before Labor Day. I had planned to go to Cincinnati for the holiday. My girlfriends and I had a tradition of spending a day during the Holiday weekend at a lovely outdoor cafe. I was grieving the loss of my visit with my family and friends and the reality of a life with no gluten/wheat. Wow, was I surprised when my friends decided to come to Virginia to visit me. My next challenge was how would I get my house in shape to have visitors. Yet again I was surprised when my dear friend Joanne said she would come over and help me clean and declutter. Finally my girlfriends got to see my house and decorating. I really enjoyed entertaining but that was not the way I wanted it. Even illness did not stop me from responding to my work responsibilities. I got a call from my VP who was in a panic since a hurricane was expected to strike Houston and we had numerous stores in the path and he needed the hurricane plan. I left my friends and went into the office to send this to him so that he could assure the executive team that we had a solid plan if effect.
I returned to work and continued with the TPN for nutrition to keep me nutritionally balanced. I wanted to be rid of the TPN but knew that was a step-down process. I couldn't wait to get back to Cincinnati for Christmas. I drove with my dog as my co-pilot. All was well until we were about 25 miles from "home". I noticed that I seemed to be skidding and realized that the rain was freezing on the roads. Those final miles took me 2 hours but we were "home" and safe and got the welcome my newest great nephew Josh, who surprised everybody by arriving 6 weeks early. I was so sad to say goodby to my family friends as I left to drive back to Virginia. So ended 2008 - what a year!
When I returned to work in May 2008, I was unable to eat very much which was so unlike me. The symptoms progressed to vomiting numerous times a day. My PCP referred me to a gastroenterologist. He ordered some kind of swallow test as the neck surgery could cause problems. I was told I passed with "flying colors". The problems persisted and I was losing weight so I went back to the gastro and he ordered a colonoscopy. I made arrangements to have a friend pick me up and she came early enough to talk to the gastro. Again, he said there was no problem. By the end of July I could hardly hold my head up at work and slept in my car at lunch. I was vomiting so violently that I could not even make it to the bathroom. Finally I went to the ER. The "wonderful" docs were ready to discharge me when I threw a fit. I was admitted and tests began anew.
After several days they performed a repeat colonoscopy/endoscopy. I still vividly remember the hospitalist coming in and telling me I had Collegenous Sprue. My gastro told me that this was very serious and several years earlier would have resulted in death. I was discharged on TPN (liquid nutrition) delivered through my port. Depression set in immediately. I have never seen so many commercials for pizza, subs, etc. which were forever off limits for me.
I was discharged shortly before Labor Day. I had planned to go to Cincinnati for the holiday. My girlfriends and I had a tradition of spending a day during the Holiday weekend at a lovely outdoor cafe. I was grieving the loss of my visit with my family and friends and the reality of a life with no gluten/wheat. Wow, was I surprised when my friends decided to come to Virginia to visit me. My next challenge was how would I get my house in shape to have visitors. Yet again I was surprised when my dear friend Joanne said she would come over and help me clean and declutter. Finally my girlfriends got to see my house and decorating. I really enjoyed entertaining but that was not the way I wanted it. Even illness did not stop me from responding to my work responsibilities. I got a call from my VP who was in a panic since a hurricane was expected to strike Houston and we had numerous stores in the path and he needed the hurricane plan. I left my friends and went into the office to send this to him so that he could assure the executive team that we had a solid plan if effect.
I returned to work and continued with the TPN for nutrition to keep me nutritionally balanced. I wanted to be rid of the TPN but knew that was a step-down process. I couldn't wait to get back to Cincinnati for Christmas. I drove with my dog as my co-pilot. All was well until we were about 25 miles from "home". I noticed that I seemed to be skidding and realized that the rain was freezing on the roads. Those final miles took me 2 hours but we were "home" and safe and got the welcome my newest great nephew Josh, who surprised everybody by arriving 6 weeks early. I was so sad to say goodby to my family friends as I left to drive back to Virginia. So ended 2008 - what a year!
Monday, January 30, 2012
The start of fashion "not"
After 1 plus year of wearing an aircast or cast constantly, I am preparing for the end. Today I got fitted for my only foot attire of the my future - lovely black hunky leather shoes with a big toe area and a raised sole. I will be a real "beauty" and for this I have to pay $330 and NONE of this is covered by medical insurance. I am so down. I don't know how I am going to endure the summer since I am so hot and I have to wear socks with the brace on my right foot and a sock or footie on my left foot. Nothing could have ever prepared me for the turn my life has taken in 3.5 years. I have become so bloated due to the steroids, I am in such severe pain and the foot pain was supposed to be fixed by the radical surgery. I can't walk and can't stand except for a very limited amount of time. I sure wish someone in Washington understood what the reality of health insurance is.
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