Subdeacon Joe Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 SHE'S HOME!!!!!!!!!!! I spent last night in the hospital with her. We are both whipped to the raw. Thank you all for your prayers and support. Find below the original post and updates to it. ================================================================================================== Late Tuesday night my wife, Lisa, go some sort of insect (spider?) bite on her stomach. Wednesday morning it was little sore, but we didn't pay much attention. Wed. night there was the bite area, kind of raised about the size of a dime, but a red and slightly tender area about the size of a playing card around it, and she was kind of lethargic. This morning it was VERY tender, both on the surface and deeper, and the hot and red area was a little bigger than a paperback book. So, off to ER we went. She was admitted, had blood drawn for tests, put on some heavy duty antibiotics. Might just be over night, might be a few days. Your prayers would be much appreciated. UPDATE: Early Fri. morning (maybe around 2 or 3) her temp shot up to about 104. Flurry of activity, many ice packs. When I got there about 9, she was doing pretty good. Temp about normal, lucid, articulate. She is on three or four high power antibiotics. About 4:30 her temp went up again, she had a bout of nausea. That was about half an hour after they hung a different antibiotic for her IV. I think it was a side effect of the antibiotic stew they are pumping into her. They are running several cultures, still haven't figured out what she has, other than the catch all "cellulitis." Please keep the prayers and good thoughts coming. Joe The redness on the surface has spread a little, not much, but still it spread. I was in there when the doc came in, the first cultures indicate it is a Staph aureus (S. aureus), now they need to refine it to which variant. Said that it might be another 4 to 7 days in the hospital. He also mentioned the possibility of surgery. Good news, the pump for her IV was beeping about an occlusion in the line every time she bent her arm even a little, so for two nights she wasn't getting any quality sleep. Not to mention if she did manage to fall asleep and not have the thing beep, someone would come in for vitals, or to check on something. And the IV in her arm HURT, I don't think she realized how much. They moved it to the back of her left hand, so now she can use her right arm without the pump screaming at her. Just that, and not having the pain in her are really improved her attitude. She lost the tightness around her mouth, was sitting straighter, was perkier, all around improved attitude. Thanks again for all the support. It is very much appreciated. Good news, the S. aurea isn't a resistant form. And the docs finally got around to lancing it to help with the drainage. We are both persons of substance, so where the infection is on her doesn't get a lot of blood flow. Still not responding well to the antibiotics, but maybe now that it has been lanced things will improve quickly. They did move her to ICU because when she got up to use the head at Oh dark30 she kind of got tangled up in all the cords and lines and took a fall. Couldn't convince them that she didn't pass out, but was just half asleep and got tangled up. On the other hand, in ICU if she falls asleep they let her sleep rather than sticking doggedly to a schedule of checking her vitals. So, your prayers are helping, and much appreciated. It is and Adventist hospital, and so religion isn't a forbidden subject. I printed out James 2:18 "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." in a fancy font, along with a little note that everyone on staff we had met was a personification of that, and thanked them for their compassion, professionalism, concern, and selfless efforts. Quietly left a copy at the nurses station and on the bulletin board by the chaplains office. The red area, which yesterday AM had expanded to about 3 fingers above her navel has receded to where it was Thursday afternoon. I think lancing the infected area and letting it drain did the trick. Bad news is that she has picked up a touch of pneumonia - kinda common in hospitals. So, things are looking up even though we still have no idea when she will be set free. Thanks again for all the support. It means a lot to the both of us. I just now got home. She needed me with her for moral support today. Just to hear my voice, or my gentle snoring (HEH!) when I nodded off when she napped. And make snarky comments about a kitchen that thinks a meal of 4 oz of fish, a cup and a half of white and wild rice pilaf, a cup of steamed carrots, a large slice of very dense whole grain bread and black coffee is a good meal for someone with Type 2 diabetes. With so many blood draws, and the way Lisa tosses and turns in bed, plus having to get up because of the diuretics, all the usual sites on her arms for sticks of various types have become useless, so they put in a 'central line.' They couldn't make the turn at her clavicle after three tries, so they gave up on that and went for the jugular. Literally. And that took several tries, plus bringing in the ultrasound rig to find the vein they needed. What should have been 20 minutes stretched to about 70 minutes. At least now she can move her arms. Good news, the redness is almost gone, maybe about 3/4 the size of a playing card now. And it is draining well. Her white blood count is almost back down to normal, the pneumonia is almost gone. Well, looks like I missed a few updates. She had a change of doctors, one went on vacation and another stepped in. There was a bit of friction between Lisa and this new doc, he wanted to have everything, including BP and sugars within 100% normal range before he would consider releasing her, and wanted to do it with only IV rather than dialing in oral meds that she could take at home. She mentioned that as far as she was concerned once the infection was gone, the wound drained and healing well, all the other stuff could be dealt with on an outpatient basis and if all he was holding her for was the BP and sugars she would check herself out. He looked at her and said that is his 40 years experience, and as one who had done his residency at Mayo, he knew that 99% of people who checked out of the hospital against medical opinion were either drunks wanting to get back to the bottle or addicts wanting to get back to their needles. That did not sit well with her - basically calling her a drunk and addict. That was Wednesday. Yesterday (Thursday) he was all sweetness and light, actually told us what was going on, exactly what he was doing and why, and same deal today. We think someone mentioned to him that his high handed, tin plated dictator act was not a good way to deal with people. Heard him laying down the law to someone else today - although that patient was trying to rip things out, so maybe a tough guy act was called for there. We also found out quite by chance that one of the cultures from the site of infection grew a critter that is more usually associated with oral infections. She has had a mild gum infection for bit - a tooth broke and the sharp edge sometimes cuts into the gums - which she told the people in ER when she was admitted. And was promptly derided "You can't possibly know it's infected." implying that no one who is not a medical pro can recognize an infection. Anyway, the end may be in sight. He hinted that she will be discharged on Tuesday proximo, and Tuesday only because too many things are closed Monday, and he wants to arrange to have someone come in once a day to change the dressings on her stomach. Never mind that a few years ago I was packing her incision that went bad after an appendectomy, but, if they can get a pro to come in, I'll not argue. After all, I'm not a medical professional, so I can't possibly know anything about wound care. Thank you all again for the expressions of love and concern, and of course the all important prayers. Well CARP! Lisa's white count in normal, her BP and sugars are getting under control, but her creatinine levels are a bit elevated. Might be from some of the drugs she was on, might be from the infection, might be from who knows what. So it looks like a few more days in the hospital. One day? Four days? Who knows. But, at least the doctor who came on tonight actually talked TO us rather than at us. Told us what was going on, what normal levels of everything are, what her levels are, why he is doing what he is doing, and where he hopes to go with it. Please keep up the prayers. And thank you all again for all your support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Phil Peeno #50923 Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Praying and hoping all is well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Threebars, SASS #35671 Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Prayers up fer her quick recovery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackwater 53393 Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Got 'em comin' for you and your better half. Prayers up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Absolutely prayers are up... and will continue! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted August 25, 2011 Author Share Posted August 25, 2011 Thank you, Gentlemen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clay Mosby Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Prayers up for Lisa and for you. Praying the doc's can figure it out right quick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217 Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Yikes! That is scary. I hope she's better ASAP! Regards, Allie Mo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burly Bear Fred Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Prayers on their way Pard. Hope for a speedy recovery. † Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pit Bull Tex Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Prayers up from Texas for her healing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flint McCloud 3103L Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 My prayers for peace and complete healing... Wisdom, skill, and discernment for all of the medical staff... Comfort and understanding for all involved... Hang in there, SDJ... Vaya con Dios Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted August 26, 2011 Author Share Posted August 26, 2011 Thank you all. She was given some more antibiotics and the redness and tenderness seems to have decreased some already. Won't know more until tomorrow morning. Amazing how big and empty the house seems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Steel Duke Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Prayers up! BSD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskey Business Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Joe, your wife has my prayers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denver Don Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Prayers Up! For you and your Wife. Hope she Recovers soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Rick Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Joe, Be thinking about y'all and hoping for the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paladin Gun For Hire Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Just goes to show ya, We caint get along without them Joe. Prayers for a speedy recovery my friend. Peace be with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted August 26, 2011 Author Share Posted August 26, 2011 Just goes to show ya, We caint get along without them Joe. Prayers for a speedy recovery my friend. Peace be with you. The really amazing thing is that they haven't killed us long ago! Again, my thanks to you all. Sumpin' must be wrong with my monitor though, keeps getting kinda fuzzy when I hit this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calamity Kris Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Prayers for a quick and complete healing, SDJ. I hope she's better soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deadeye Doug Dalton SASS#65449L Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Prayers Up! For you and your Wife. Wishing her a speedy and complete recovery. Here's hoping you both return to your normal health and well being, soon. DDD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EE Taft Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Prayers up for her quick recovery and no lasting effects. When she's well let us know, but for now.......Stay by her side!! Prayers to you both!! ~EE Taft~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deja Vous Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Late Tuesday night my wife, Lisa, go some sort of insect (spider?) bite on her stomach. Wednesday morning it was little sore, but we didn't pay much attention. Wed. night there was the bite area, kind of raised about the size of a dime, but a red and slightly tender area about the size of a playing card around it, and she was kind of lethargic. This morning it was VERY tender, both on the surface and deeper, and the hot and red area was a little bigger than a paperback book. So, off to ER we went. She was admitted, had blood drawn for tests, put on some heavy duty antibiotics. Might just be over night, might be a few days. Your prayers would be much appreciated. you have my prayers Subs.. and give her a hug for me too.... Deja Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mace Bishop Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Prayers up for a full and speedy recovery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman T. Range, SASS #44722 Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Prayers on the way. Roman T. Range Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Dave Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Been on my mind this morning, any update? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted August 27, 2011 Author Share Posted August 27, 2011 Been on my mind this morning, any update? Thanks again. I posted an update in the original post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Dave Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 Thanks for the update. Hang in there. Grizz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackwater 53393 Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 Still doin' the prayer thing for yours and Grizz' too. Hang in there brothers. Were pullin' for all of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bama Red Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 You got it, Joe. Its done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 Got all my fingers crossed here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apache Hawk 60642 Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 Add my prayers to the Lord, Pard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okie Sawbones, SASS #77381 Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 Those cultures are the key -- it'll tell which antibiotic is best for the job. You can actually get drug fever, so getting the right antibiotic for the job is the goal. Sounds like they are on the right track. Hang in there, pard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denver Don Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 Thanks for the update joe still in my prayers and thoughts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted August 27, 2011 Author Share Posted August 27, 2011 Those cultures are the key -- it'll tell which antibiotic is best for the job. You can actually get drug fever, so getting the right antibiotic for the job is the goal. Sounds like they are on the right track. Hang in there, pard. Thanks, Bones. Two of the antibiotics that I remember, well, enough to recall when I saw them on a list online, are Vancomycin and Clindamycin. Seem like pretty high power stuff. Plus one or two others. Everyone else - thank you all very much for the prayers, good vibes, love, and support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 Joe, I just saw this post a few minutes ago. I have been on the walking wounded list me own self. You bet I will add her to my prayers tonight, and keep her there until we get the all clear signal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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