CHRONIC TONIC posts on Thursdays at 9 EST, it is a place to share stories, advice, and information and to connect with others with chronic health conditions and those who care for them. Our diarists will report on research, alternative treatments, clinical trials, and health insurance issues through personal stories. You are invited to share in comments (and note if you'd like to be a future diarist). In addition to our weekly diaries, please join us for ongoing conversations at the Kossacks Networking site.
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Today's diary is a collaborative effort between Othniel and MsGrin
I almost entitled this 'They Surgerred Me' because that's how Othniel speaks of part of his ordeal which has now been going on nearly two months.
Our friend Othniel is in the hospital for the 4th time since the end of August. The short story now is that he's got one of those dreaded hospital-borne, MRSA staph infection which is resistant to treatment. He feeling a bit better, but he's in the hospital for a spell where they can treat it with IV meds and keep him from spreading the infection.
Othniel tells me he wants to be a hospitalist for Halloween this year after this current set of experiences. He explained to me that his current primary care physician is an OB/GYN - something of the irony in that must be why the idea of the costume is appealing - I love his grasp of absurdities in life.
The first hospital trip began with issues with rapid weight gain and edema. Cellulitis was diagnosed, but he was sent home without knowing the underlying cause of the troubles.
A subsequent trip during which he was ‘surgered,’ and a ninety pound abcess was found in his left leg and drained - so that explained a lot of what's going on now.
Then there was a readmission when he was throwing up blood (through the esophagus) which involved more intervention followed by an ICU stay and something about a shunt (I'd be pretending I understood to say more...).
And then he fell in the middle of the night which resulted in the current admission and the finding of the MRSA infection described above.
I visited Othniel when he was in intensive care during the third hospital stay - they had given him ativan as part of comfort care. As I read what it is supposed to do, I see it had the opposite effect on him at that time - he was anxious and unable to focus and drifting in and out of lucidity, and very interested in being moved to a regular floor. He recovered from the procedure they'd done to stop the bleeding and been sent home.
On that visit, I was able to see the beautiful quilt Kossack Rain made for him with greetings from Kossacks and Street Prophets.
Although he's been back in for several days now with something which does need attention, there was a night and day difference. He was up and about and fully lucid and his wonderful, conversational self - just he tires, of course, but if it weren't for the way these infections are treated, he would be able to be at home.
Having done a round or two of my own with hospital stays, and had my health turned upside down once or twice, the most beautiful and reassuring part of visiting Othniel is seeing the love shared between him and AusTex54. He has been posting updates and keeping friends and family apprised of all changes on this rollercoaster ride they've shared - what a blessing for Othniel that someone is there to hold his hand at every step as these medical mysteries are uncovered and addressed. It does my heart good to see them support each other and take joy together in the mini victories of a day gone well.
As Othniel described his delirium from an earlier stay and how it felt to be cared for with such love and appreciation:
I knew that this person was my mate, but I could not have told you his name or my name or that this person was taking care of me and that this person loved me and I loved him.
May we all be so blessed in our time of need. We all send you our very best Othniel - much comfort and good health to you very, very soon. Be home with your family where you are loved and belong!
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