Guest guest Posted August 9, 2008 Report Share Posted August 9, 2008 Dearest , Years ago, I had fluid build-up around my heart and was in hospital for nearly a weeek....no surgery, but antibiotics and steroid therapy.....three years ago when Sir Still's moved in, I developed fluid around lungs and heart...veryy very painful....was in hospital over one weekend and on Saturday a surgeon took a really long needle and drained two pints of ugly fluid.....then put on prednisone and that fluid has never come back....but...in May, I developed a very serious Pneumonia and ended-up at the ER and in ICU on a ventilator for about a week...my first night on the vent (I was unconcious), the Doctor told my wife that I had three major organ systems failing (kidneys, arterial and pulmonary)....he said he had done all he could do and gave me a 10% chance of pulling through, but he said he believed there was a Higher Power at work...Amen sister...I am here today...and that is only the beginning....turns out I left the hospital a week or so later with Type A Strep in my lungs...no one told me....so the next week, I am at my family doctor's office and have developed Double Pneumonia...then on this past 8 July, I am back at the ER, back in ICU on that damn vent with the doctor telling my wife that there is nothing more he can do but just PRAY....well again prayer works because here I am.....but ths time is much worse....The week or so I was on that vent and then the two additional weeks I just layed in the bed, I lost over 40 lbs. of muscle mass....couldn't sit up in bed without support....absolutely could not stand......well, I couldn't go home because I couldn't take care of myself...oh yeah...when I came to and off the vent, I was soooooo screwed-up that I couldn't talk, couldn't move and I had a severe foot-drop on the right....docs thought i had a stroke and did an MRI that came back negative...I think they sedated me too heavily.... Anyway, I am now at a local Rehab Center and have been here for the past two weeks...in fact, I have not been home in over a month now....but these people have gotten me to walk again and stand ....use the bathroom and take a shower by myself!!!! Speech has helped me get back what little bit of cognitive abilities I have left....My mind was really screwed up too at the other Horsinpital....However, I get a pass to go home tomorrow to see if I will be OK to go home for good....and I go home for good on Tuesday!!!!!! Then start Outpatient Rehab with OT and PT on Thursday...I am looking forward to it....(aside: my wife and I are both therapists; she is OT and I am PT)..... Anyway, sorry to make this so long....I just felt compelled to give an update..... I have been through the Crying and the full Grieving process....hell, that's normal for what we have and what we go through....But, , rest assured, that there is another side to where you are....a place of acceptance and sometimes a bit of serenity......but you will not lose your mind though it may seem like it I know....all I have been through....by all medical reason, I should have died twice now since May....I know that God brought me through for His purpose and I am so up and happy and ready to do what He wants me to do....my whole life and my whole perspective has changed....my poor wife has had it tougher that me I believe and is just soooooooo exhausted!!!! But you are not alone....we are your family and are here for you....you may not know it, but by you simply being here, you are loved and cared for and we are here for you and stand by you and with you....and yes...I have and will most definitely Pray for you...you will be alright, girl! Just hang loose, try to keep your mind busy with something positive, and know you are loved and not alone!!!!!! God Bless! Larry from NC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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