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Health Scare Update
The Saga Continues
When I last left off, I was getting released from my first ever hospital admittance. I had been diagnosed with RSV, monitored overnight, given a prescription for prednisone and sent home. If only life were that simple.
Within 3 days, my health took a turn for the worse, my fever returned and the coughing was non stop. At this point I hadn’t lay prone in bed for 2 weeks and due to the coughing eating became downright dangerous so I stopped.
I went back into the hospital where I was hooked up to every kind of gizmo they had, determined that my oxygen level had fallen to 85% and started pumping my body with fluids and antibiotics. Not only did I have RSV but bacterial pneumonia. I was wisked up to the acute care ward where I spent the next 2 days. But wait, there’s more!
Going from bad to worse
Monitors buzzed, whirred and beeped at all hours. Doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists came in every 4 hours. I was hooked up to a tube pumping 50L of oxygen every minute through my nose and a supplemental mask over my mouth giving me another 100%. Things were not looking good. Saturday January 6th I was woken at 3am to another huge coughing fit. That, of course, triggers the oxygen monitor because my body is now under the 85% threshold. My heart rate skyrockets and it’s a cascading effect that leads to a calvary of nurses and doctors running into my room. The determination was made that I needed to go down to the ICU ward in the event that I needed to be intubated. I was on so much oxygen that the next level was to put a tube down my throat. As the nurse bluntly put it to me, “it’s either intubation or death”. Yeah, well, when you’re given that choice…. right?
So away I went, 6am that morning. 3 oxygen tanks on my bed and a portable monitor. I was met by at least a half dozen medical professionals waiting my arrival. Geezus. This can’t be real. At this point, I’m holding back tears. Ferchrissakes, I just frigging retired 6 months ago. What the living hell?
The turnaround – finally
That Saturday night was a low point. The overnight nurse and respiratory therapist both came in at 11:30pm. Blood draws were so common that my veins at some point waved a white flag. There was no more to be had. They became painful exercises for the nurses, even with the do-hickey they leave in your arm. I tried to doze off but my mind wandered into dark places. Am I going to leave alive? What about my partner and our pup? When are these drugs going to kick in? I had fluid leaking out my nasal tube, dribbling down my face. Things just didn’t appear good. And because I have a jukebox for a brain, my mind was just singing away. So the song “Insomnia” by Faithless popped into my mind…. “I need to sleep, I can’t get no sleep…”
The next day, Sunday, I felt mildly better. I was on a liquid diet. Milk shakes? Yes please. Monday I finally felt like I turned the corner. I could eat soft foods and started to walk around the ICU ward. Once. I’m now 57 days out from leaving for the trail…and can barely walk 50 feet without coughing up a lung. I’ve got plane tickets and a shuttle scheduled. Seriously?
Three days in ICU, a bunch of antibiotics, doctors and respiratory therapists later, I was weaned off all that oxygen. Not to mention no more blood draws! I spent one more night in the hospital under general care and was released.
I cannot say enough good words about the care that I received. Every single care giver I met – from the doctors to nurses to nurse’s assistants to the therapists, to the ones who came in to clean my room and the ones I never saw like the nutritionists – everyone involved in my care (87 in all, I counted) were nothing but gracious and professional. I am indebted to them.
Where am I now?
Our goofy girl Ripley
About a week after returning home, I started working out again. Slowly. I’m not back to 100% but pretty close. A follow-up visit with my doctor went very well. No residual gunk in my lungs. I feel extremely fortunate that I am healthy. My morning routine is taking Miss Ripley on her 2.5 mile walk then I go downstairs to workout. She is thoroughly bored but she tolerates my antics.
I am under 30 days until I leave.
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Comments 14
Just hang in there.
Sounds like you have a big reason for remaining on planet Earth. Go find it.
Yes, thank you. This episode is a kick in the pants that no matter how healthy you think you are, viruses don’t care.
Yep; ya can’t keep a good Stilwell down for long…
Glad to hear you’re bouncing back quickly.
Wow, that’ some scary stuff.
Thank you. I hope to never again experience this. Gives me more appreciation for the chance to hit the trail and life itself.
Just remember to start out slow and ease into the trek. I’ll be cheering for you.
Yes, my first week I maybe am hiking 8 miles a day. I’ll be consumed by the bubble starting behind me. Just have to beat Winter at Baxter.
Oh my gosh! I had to comment, I was captivated by your writing as well as the story! If you got through that, the trail will be a walk in the park 🙂 Can’t wait to read more about your hike!
Thank you. I hope my trail tales will be less… eventful???
In light of all this, I can’t help but point out the irony of your last name. Excellent writing and I’m hooked. Looking forward to what happens next. Good luck.
Yes, funny. I didn’t even notice! Let’s hope I remain “still – well”.
Recover well and take the easy road to getting your strength back. Best wishes for your journey.
As your oldest sister I couldn’t be more PROUD to read your most insightful writings. Yes! God has a plan for you that only He knows🙏 I am very impressed with the comrade hikers who took the time to respond so positively to your posts! ♥️Love you, DD
Thanks, Chrissy. I hope to make Daddy and Mommy proud and never give up. There will be good days and bad days but it’s the effort and attitude that you can control. ❤️ your little sis.