Back From Near Disaster
Hi my WA family,
Wanted to update my friends here to let you know I’m back after a medical emergency. July 4th I spent with family at a barbeque, had a great time and felt great. Drove the 2 hours home, went to bed at 9pm, got up at 11pm and knew something was terribly wrong.
I had to crawl the whole length of the house to reach the bathroom, stood up and collapsed again. For 7 hours I tried to get up and couldn’t; and couldn’t focus enough to try to figure out why since I kept going in and out of consciousness. By 6am that morning I had a few moments of lucidity and punched the medical alert button I wear on my wrist. Got it for a safety measure since I am such a clutz and trip over my oxygen tubing sometimes. It really paid for itself that morning.
I couldn’t talk to answer the guy in the monitor, especially since it was in another room and I couldn’t even crawl by then. They did what they were supposed to do: send help if I don’t or can’t answer. Fire department, police, ambulance came to get me to the local rural ER. I don’t even recall them taking a blood pressure. They just scooped me up and ran.
Once there they called for a helicopter to take me into our larger hospital 2 hrs away but just 20 minutes by air to their ICU. Had emergency surgery that evening.
I’ve had this rare auto-immune disease similar to Lupus for 30 years now and never had a serious problem with it until now. I got an abscess and became septic all over with a raging fever. Plus I was having an allergic reaction to a medication my rheumatologist put me on to help me walk better.
While in the hospital I kept having allergic reactions to the antibiotics and blood pressure medications so I was on around the clock steroids and Benadryl plus all the other meds and even an insulin drip at one point. I kept the nurses busy, especially when I’d pass out when I got up.
The steroids built up in my system and caused me to lose it mentally a while (didn’t know where I was and why – they thought it was a stroke but it was just the medications and it was temporary but I still have bouts of memory loss – I’m counting on it coming back).
After a week in the hospital I’m still rather weak but getting better daily. And happy to be here in the world, with my family and my WA family. When something like this happens, it makes one realize how fragile life is and has made me appreciate more my loved ones and friends. Not that I didn’t before, but just more so now.
So I’m still smiling, upbeat, happy to be back. Woo-hoo!!!
Upward and onward! Look out world, I’m back…..;) A little slow, but I feel fortunate to have survived.
It just gives me more empathy for those that go through much worse problems than me. I can relate and hopefully I’ll be able to help my niche more now, the disabled.
Bunn
Recent Comments
85
It sure does make us appreciate life after experiences such as this. Glad you are ok. Take care of yourself.
I read your update, Dennis, and glad you are doing better from the PE. Funny how a medical crisis will affect one's memory, stamina, and neuro status. I didn't realize there were so many after-effects since once my patients went home I didn't hear about it. Glad you can work your farm now.
Take it easy, Mister! LOL I'm sure you pace yourself. Many good wishes for you too.
Bunn
I'm so sorry what you went through. Wow! I'm so glad you're okay. Prayers are with you. Stay strong :)
Thank you Evelyn. You don't look old enough to have teenagers! Hope you're doing good and learning lots from WA. I've got to get back into it. I'm so slow these days, but I'm the tortoise that will at least finish the race.
Hey Bunn I have to respond about being young looking lol it doesn't happen everyday. lol
You're not the only one moving like a tortoise, I'm still doing Bootcamp still learning.
You have an awesome spirit and I know you will get it done. That's all that matters. Best Wishes!
My goodness, that must have been a scare. Sounds like you are doing better and hopefully you're improving each day. I went through my own medical issues this year so I understand some of what you've gone through. I'm so glad you're back and I wish you all the best.
Hi Rick, thanks for the well wishes. I did psych nursing also (reread your profile and saw your wife was a psych nurse also).
Hope your own medical issues get better too.
Take care,
Bunn
Wow. what a story. I cannot imagine what it is like to experience what you are going through. I'm glad to hear you pulled through.
Hi Lemm, it was harrowing but since I was out of it most of the time I missed that part.....thank goodness!
Thanks for the well wishes and I hope you are doing great with your online endeavors.
Would love to hear you play the violin!
Take care,
Bunn
Life is indeed fragile. So glad you are doing better and I hope you are indeed able to use your experiences to develop your niche.
Hi Linda, nice to hear from you. Thanks for the well wishes and I hope you are doing great also. Psych nursing is demanding emotionally, so I respect the fact you've been in it so long.
take care......
bunn
Thanks, Steve, you're right, nothing can crush my attitude, it's what keeps me going. Time to get back to work.....slowly! LOL
See more comments
Yes, it's times and experiences like this that make us appreciate life and loved ones even more. So glad you are once again on the onward and upward path.
Thanks, Isabella. Hope you're doing great also. Hey, I have 4 chickens too! But they are back home on my farm. My daughter had me move in with her so she could be my 'keeper'......;)
Thanks for the well wishes.
Bunn