Relapse

It seems I have relapsed :(

Waiting for doctor's orders for the tests.

#BeKind #StaySafe

What Really Happened

This will be my last post about my recent misadventure. I was hospitalized for a total of 16 days (4 + 12) last month. It was tonsillopharyngitis that turned into strep throat. The first admission should have dealt with it, but the vein where my IV line was attached swelled. It was really painful, so it was removed at around 4 in the morning (less than 48 hours after it was inserted). 

It was late afternoon before I was given my next dose of antibiotics. I was feeling a bit better and was discharged on day 4 without antibiotics (just Betadine, Difflam spray and pain meds). Two days later I started feeling unwell. I asked Sweetie to call the doctor since he said to call him if I had any issues after discharge. I started taking antibiotics again 3 days after I was discharge. I took it religiously but I fell very ill after my 6 am dose. I had a fever and severe chills. The boys wanted to bring me to the emergency room, but since I had meds already I told them I should be fine.

I felt a bit better by Saturday afternoon. I could barely eat though since my throat was very painful. It felt like a metallic object was lodged in it. I couldn't even drink water. Gargling warm water with salt and Betadine (separately) helped and I thought I'd be okay. I was very wrong because 15 minutes after I took my 6am dose on Sunday, I fell very ill again. I felt my heart was battling something. Miggy said my lips were turning blue. The boys insisted I should be brought to the hospital. 

The ER doctor on duty did a great job at hastening the process. I was immediately given pain medication, was swabbed, a phlebotomist extracted 11 vials of blood from both arms and I was x-rayed right on my ER bed. I was very anxious and couldn't lie down properly. I felt I had water in my lungs. Shortly after my x-ray I was given some Flumicil. It's a powder that's mixed in water and tastes like Sprite. They thought I may have pneumonia and they called in an infectious disease doctor to take over my case from EENT. 

It takes about 6 to 7 hours in ER before you're transferred to a room (if you're to be admitted). I was given antibiotics before I was brought up. The next few days were fuzzy and filled with more tests and vampire extractions (everyday!). It was later in the week when one of the doctors said that the bacteria was identified, Streptococcus. You get it from droplets from an infected person. And it was indeed a relapse.

I rarely go out (probably twice a month max). We all still wear masks whenever we go out. That week we went out and had lunch. The resto was very humid since their a/cs were not working properly. After brunch we went to the grocery and bumped into friends. Our friend said he also got sick a few days later. Miggy also felt unwell. We probably picked up the germs from the hallway to the toilet or the supermarket. 

My second admission stretched to 12 days because the doctors had to take a wholistic approach because I have other medical conditions. They had to protect my heart, my lungs and make sure the bacteria did not hide elsewhere in my body. The infectious disease doctor told me it's a good thing I was brought to the ER immediately. They were able to prevent the issue from progressing to pneumonia. Whew. I went through a lot of tests. It felt like a year worth of tests was squeezed in one week. 

I'm grateful for my doctors, the nurses (minus the one who blew up a vein), the med tech folks,  phlebotomists (minus the one who caused me two huge hematomas) and the kitchen manongs who tried their best to make my food palatable. I tried to write down all their names, but there were days when things were super fuzzy. I'm also grateful for all the prayers and food from family and friends. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

*Made this detailed post mainly for my benefit. I'm sure one of my doctors would ask for a detailed recount one of these days.

**Also grateful for a friend who helped connect me to her insurance agent. I went without medical insurance for 20 months! You never really know when disaster strikes, so it's best to be covered. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Discharged on Bonifacio Day

Finally got discharged today! Hooray! 

It's a good thing I gave feedback after my first admission because the discharge process was done before lunchtime. We were afraid we'd get stuck waiting for discharge until evening. We got lucky today and finished early.

Thank you for all the prayers and care 😘

One More Night

Thought I was going home today, but the Neuro doctor wanted to observe me for another day. We also have to wait for results of the scan. 

I'm feeling much better compared to yesterday. I'm still weak, but I think I'm ready to continue recovering at home. I've just been having nasty headaches since Friday. Doctors want to make sure it's not a clot.

Nonetheless I'm excited to go home! See the cats and kittens, my plants especially the orchid that's about to bloom, and just be with my boys. Christmas is also just around the corner! Before that though I want to celebrate Mom's 88th birthday. 

Grateful for all the prayers, love and care 🙏

Btw, my doctor said it's flu season until February, so best to wear a mask when you go out.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Can't Wait to Go Home

Still at the hospital. Neuro investigating the unusual headaches I've been having the past few days. Hopefully they'll clear me after the tests.

I miss being home and doing mundane tasks. I miss my plants, the kittens and my sewing machine. We were in the middle of decorating for Christmas when I was hospitalized. At least we have the tree up.

Can't wait to go home!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Hall Pass to SB!

I'm off the dextrose now! Yay! They haven't removed the IV though since I still need to complete the antibiotic treatment. Doctor has also given me a hall pass to go to Starbucks and the chapel. He said it should help me get back to my normal equilibrium.

I'm also able to eat properly now although I still prefer softer food. I've been eating mostly fish the past two weeks. Will need to avoid sweets until my throat heals.

Hope to go home soon!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Goofing Around

I thought I'd be discharged today. Obviously didn't happen. Haven't been shifted to oral meds yet. I trust my doctors and from what I feel, I'm not ready yet.

My poor boys are worn down too. They keep watch all day and night. I know I gave them quite a scare. We're coping by praying and finding simple joys.

Sweetie thought it would be funny to outfit me with Miggy's old PE shorts and a matching school shirt. It was pretty comfy and I used it as my sleepwear. All my pajamas and jogging pants need to be laundered already, lol.

I'm also happy I encountered another great phlebotomist. Her name is Rosa. I barely felt the needle she inserted. Told her I'm putting her on my toplist. Hopefully Caloy will be back tomorrow. 

Praying Papa God will heal me soon.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Exhausted

Slept most of the day after a difficult night with the vampire. The failed attempt was really painful. Half of my hand bruised. Good thing nurse Ronnie took pains to find my favorite phlebotomist, Caloy B. He's the best I've encountered anywhere.

My doctor told me I would really feel exhausted because my body is battling the bacteria. They were able to finally identify it as the streptococcus bacteria. It causes strep throat. The treatment for me has been very aggressive to ensure it doesn't affect my heart.

I don't think I'll be discharged yet since I haven't been shifted to oral medication. Hopefully soon. I'm just really grateful and thankful for all the care being given to me by my boys, the medical team, the nurses and the kitchen staff who has been lately giving me yummy desserts. I had peaches for dinner! Yay!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Simple Joys

Day 6 at the hospital. Had a misadventure last night. My right hand finally had enough of hosting the IV needle and swelled up. They moved the IV to my left arm, TWICE. RN Mike successfully inserted the IV needle on the underside of my left forearm. Ouchie.

Another scan was done. Doctors are worried the infection may be hiding in another area. They want to make sure I don't relapse again in a few weeks. I haven't been poked this many times since heart surgery.

Looking at the bright side, there are joys to this misadventure. I was hoping the kitchen would serve me pancakes for breakfast. And they did! I was so happy and Manong said he can ask the kitchen to cook it for me. Yayyyy.

My right arm has recovered a bit now and I was finally able to brush my teeth properly. I had to rely on my left hand for five days and it was really hard. Even typing this post is easier now since I get to use my right hand.

Doctor also said I can eat anything I want. He even suggested to get some ramen, haha. Now that's something to be really happy about!

I'm looking forward to going home soon!

#BeKind #StaySafe

My Boys, My Rock

Day 5 at the hospital and I just wanted to thank my boys for taking care of me. The doctor on top of my case also said it was a good thing they brought me in at the right time. 

Google Photos made this compilation of our adventures. We've been very careful, but you never really know when a pushy, nasty bug bites.

I'm hoping to be discharged in a day or two. The doctor wants to make sure I'm fully loaded with antibiotics so I don't relapse again. They said that there's a strange increase in double infections.

Be careful everyone!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Day 4, Out of Danger

Thank you Lord, today my doctors informed us my heart valves and lungs have not been affected by the nasty bacteria. The doctors put me on high dosage antibiotics. They had to aggressively counter the bacteria to ensure it did not reach my heart. 

I felt my body battling the nasty germ and despite just being in bed I feel exhausted. It's alright, what's important is we win this battle. No idea yet when I'll be discharged.

Thank you everyone for the continued prayers 🙏

#BeKind #StaySafe

The Past 24 Hours

Lots of activity the past 24 hours. Doctors have been rushing to resolve the infection I picked up on top of the tonsillopharyngitis issue I originally complained about. The bacteria was likely hospital acquired.

Went through a flurry of tests. I had to be prepped in the wee hours of the morning, so I didn't get much sleep. Doctors though said my condition has improved. No idea when they will discharge me.

On happier news, Mama Brimsley gave birth to two kittens yesterday. They look exactly like Grogu when he was born. After scouting around our house she chose the box we left in the laundry area. We didn't want her to give birth in the garage again for safety. We think there's at least one more coming. We plan to have the kittens adopted when they are weaned away. Let me know if you're interested!

Thanks for all the prayers 🙏

#BeKind #StaySafe

Missing the Kittens

Missing our cat family at home. They're still very much feral, but it works for me since I can't really have pets. They just come whenever they want to, eat, then leave. Miggy though adopted the kittens. Mama Brimsley weaned them away already. We're still not sure if they will stick around.

I'm still in the hospital. Feeling a bit better thanks to the multitude of doctors and nurses taking care of me. They originally thought I had pneumonia on top of tonsillopharyngitis. It was luckily caught early and downgraded to upper respiratory track infection. They said I probably picked it up from the hospital last week.

We also got a better room in the other tower. I could actually see my old office, haha. The nurses on this section are much more responsive and happier. They remind me of the nurses who took care of in whenever I was warded in Singapore.

Not sure yet when I'll get to go home. Doctors are running more tests. I hope they'll finally catch this nasty bug.

Back in the Hospital

Woke up at 6 to drink my meds, then things went downhill. Boys decided to bring me to the ER. Did a gazillion tests.

Well at least I have a nicer view. Makes me feel like I'm in Singapore.

I guess the vampire nurse wasn't done with me yet. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Relapsed

Unfortunately, the throat pain relapsed. I guess they shouldn't have stopped the antibiotics immediately.

Resting for now.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Alive!

I got very sick after my last post and experienced being admitted to the hospital for the very first time in my entire life. I don't normally get sick and normally I get over things quickly with some meds.

After the DevFest I felt the exhaustion and all the stress that I went through to prepare for it. I hadn't planned anything for the weekend and thought that I'd manage to get some rest before another hectic week. Or so I thought.

So anyway, I ended up spending an entire week in the hospital. Horrendous (and very expensive) thing to do I tell you! Anyway, I just wanted to say I'm kinda back and will hopefully fully recover within the week.

Special thanks to my family, my friends, my doctors and nurses (yes even the evil nurse from hell) for nursing me back to almost good health!