ICU
On March 20, I was waiting for my daughter to take me to the Doctor office. I'd been sick all week with a bad cold and trying to get in but all the appointment times were after my husband went to work. I fell in the kitchen. When my daughter came I told her to take me to the emergency room at Saint Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado. (Pictured to your left.) In admissions the guy who was taking my vitals said, "Oh my God!" Then I passed out. My daughter told my husband, "Dad, they descended on Mom like a swarm of flies on road kill." Yeah, she's a child of an author. When I woke two days later I was in ICU. I had pneumonia. One lung was completely full and the other only had a little more room to go. This caused kidney failure and so I had dialysis and chemo because I also have vasculitis. Which means my blood cells are attacking my immune system, very rare. I was in ICU for almost two weeks and then transferred to rehabilitation at Sandlewood in Wheat Ridge Colorado. (Pictured to your right.)
Because of the vasculitis I will need to be on chemo for six months and then on another medication for a year with monthly visits to the doctor so they can draw blood. I'll loose my hair. So I thought I would buy one huge gold hoop earring and an outlandish scarf and pretend I'm a pirate.
After five weeks of working hard everyday I'm finally home. I had to wake up all my muscles and now I have a walker. Home health will be visiting me every week for a while as I recover. I am super shaky so it will take some time but I am also more motivated to finish my stories. One thing that happens when you almost die is that things that were unresolved are swallowed up by God. My husband came to see me every day. This has renewed my love for him. I hope all things are well with you.
Nancy
28 comments:
Nancy, I'm sorry! Thank God you are all right now. Good thing your daughter was there and took you to the emergency right away. Do what the doctors tell you and recover quickly.
Holy cow, Nancy! What a huge fright and trauma! I hope your road to recovery goes as smoothly as possible, though I know chemo is no picnic. Love your attitude about pretending to be a pirate and I wish you the very best!
You have been through hell. Prayers on the way for a complete and speedy recovery. I want to see a photo of your spunky pirate self!
I'm so sorry you've been sick! I've had pneumonia twice, not as seriously as yours, and it's not fun at all. My mom had it so bad she could barely breath and was in the hospital for about a week when I was little.
I'm glad you're back at home! And I love what your daughter said. She sounds like she may be a writer herself. :)
I am so sorry to hear what you've gone through! But it seems you're lucky to be back at home by now. Good luck with your recovery.
Jaw-dropping news there, Nancy. It's good your daughter was able to get to you and take you in after you fell. What a trauma for all of you. I do you you are feeling better and better.
Hope you are feeling better soon.
Heather
It sounds a scary experience Nancy. Thank God your daughter found you when she did. You obviously should have been in hospital much sooner. I'm glad you've been well looked after since and pray for your full recovery. As you know, I was so worried when I hadn't heard from you and thought something bad must have happened.
Keep us posted on your recovery.
Denise x
Nancy, you have been through so much! You have a strong spirit and will and I know you will write your stories~ I am sad and sorry this happened to you! I am glad you got the attention you needed-you are a miracle! Take Care and do as instructed and someday this will go in your memoir~ ATB @>------(hugs)
I am so sorry to hear about what you have been going through. Pace yourself slowly and allow the healing to happen at the pace it needs to. So important to get the rest you need.
You are in my prayers Nancy.
That's terrible! Sounds like a road to recovery but thank goodness you got to the hospital in time and glad you're home.
Thanks everyone. I'm off to the doctor but will visit soon.
Nancy
I'm sorry to hear this Nancy!
I hope and pray that you get better soon!
Sending you positive vibes all the way across the blogosphere----------
Oh no! I was just talking to someone the other day about you. Hadn't heard from you in so long and thought I would just wait to see what happened. So sorry you're going through this! I wish you a speedy recovery, my friend. Positive energies, thoughts and prayers heading your way.
Wow, Nancy. That's quite a horrific tale. I'm glad you're home and recovering. Sending you positive energy. It worked on ending my year of hell. It'll then definitely work on getting you all better.
I'm sorry to hear about this, but I'm happy that you are on the road to recovery. Thanks for sharing your experience. It reminded me of what's important.
Eep! Good luck with your recovery.
Thanks to all. I've been writing and editing today. I'll come by as I can.
Nancy
Dear Nancy,
I'm sorry to hear of your illness but your blog posting is bursting with life and energy. You're going to be back to writing in no time. My prayers are with you. Get well soon!
all my best
Bonnie Ramthun
Holy cow, Nancy! You've been through the mill. I sure hope you're on the mend now and I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed that your recovery is fast and the therapy very effective.
Crumbs Nancy .. that must have been so frightening for everyone - glad you're back and fighting to recover your fitness to the maximum possible - and I'm so pleased your hubby rallied round for you, as too your daughter ...
Look after yourself and thinking of you .. all the very best in the coming months ... Hilary
Thanks you all.
Nancy
Wow. Glad you got to the hospital in time. Not everyone who undergoes chemo loses her hair--although if you do, you could use it as an excuse to try out some fun wigs!
You're right Stephanie. Thanks for coming by.
Nancy
June 12th, 2014
Dear Nancy,
I'm reading this post so late, and hoping that your health problems have been resolved. But my guess is that you will need time to get back to your old self. What a scary time you must have had.
I have been thinking about a flash fiction you wrote some time ago about a woman who first meets a man when he is wearing dirty work clothes and then goes out with him and discovers his finer qualities.
I like the idea of a romance between two people who are not immediately beautiful, but who become better with time.
I am toying with a similar theme except in a science-fiction-context! A love story in a weird location. But I may not be able to pull it off. I just thought I'd let you know that you inspire me to give it a try.
I've recovered from my fall, but I've noticed that my smile has changed. I'm not sure if it is permanent damage. There is still a little swelling left.
Sorry to hear about your possible hair loss; but what a plucky idea to try a pirate style with a scarf and single ring earring! You're a real trouper!
Best wishes & hugs,
Anna
Nancy, OMG. I don't know how I missed this post! I'm so sorry to hear this but glad you are healing and going by more recent posts, are doing very well on the writing front. I wish you happy and health filled days...
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