I was in SHOCK!
- Bee
- Oct 27, 2022
- 5 min read
Hey y'all, ME AGAIN lol
How are you guys doing? I'm hoping things are going great with each and everyone of you, and hoping life is treating you well. If you are going through it, remember to stay positive and keep pushing through. Things will slowly get better I promise.
So are you guys ready for the story?
I listen to a podcast that's called "This podcast will kill you". This podcast is hosted by two amazing women Erin Welsh and Erin Allmann Updyke. These two talk about different microorganisms that can potentially kill you. I love this podcast. I've learned so much about different bacteria and viruses. Plus I've learned to respect these small little suckers. If you get the chance please listen they do such an amazing job. (I promise they are not sponsoring me lol) Their recent episode talks about SEPSIS. Let me give you a short definition on what sepsis is. Sepsis according to CDC, is the body's response to an extreme infection and is life threatening. If you listen to their episode, they will explain this immune response with extreme detail. ANYWHO, last year around this time I went in to the hospital because I was experiencing right kidney pain and felt off. As a mom, i'd normally brush it off, but for some reason I decided to check myself in. Thank the gods I did, bc as soon as I walked into the ER, I was rushed back to a room and fluids were administered. My blood pressure was really low I cannot remember exactly how low, had a fever, heart rate was fast. The nurse started asking me a lot of questions. Questions I can't even remember because my memory was so foggy. The 3 most important things I was thinking at the time were...when am I going to be going home bc I need to go pick up my kids, what the hell is going on, and damn when can I eat?
All those questions were not able to be answered at the time. There was a long journey ahead.
What followed next were questions after the UA sample and blood labs.
I went to the bathroom and voided. That sample was no good because it was contaminated. Blood in the urine as well as other squamous epithelial cells.
The blood work came back and my white blood cells were elevated. I knew my body was fighting something I just didn't know what it was.
I gave them a second UA sample. That sample was good and they could run the culture.
Once the culture came back the doctors could make an assessment, there was more blood work ordered.
THE BLOOD CULTURES and the LACTIC ACID TEST.
Oh fuck (excuse the language), when they came and drew these babies I knew it. I knew that there was something more severe going on internally.
Blood cultures. I knew they were looking for bacteria in my blood I just didn't know what bacteria it was.
Lactic Acid that grey top tube haunts me to this day. This is used to test for lactic acidosis and to see if oxygen is reaching the muscles. I honestly cannot tell you how scared I felt at the time when I saw them drawing blood for that test.
The only thing I could tell the HOT nurse whose name I will not disclose was, two weeks prior I was on antibiotics for a UTI that I was diagnosed for. I've dealt with these my whole entire life. Nothing new.
While the blood cultures and lactic acid test were being run, I was casually being rushed fluids through my IV. Not a good sign for sure bc my blood pressure was so low.
I slept. I slept a lot during this process. (In SHOCK) but not Septic Shock.
I got a CT scan done and was also told I had passed a kidney stone. They asked if I knew. I told them I had no idea. I've never passed a kidney stone and I can assure you it didn't hurt. Well I didn't think it did.
The blood cultures came back. I had Escherichia coli AKA E. Coli.
I asked a million questions. I asked why didn't the antibiotic work for my previous UTI? Why, Why, Why? Is all that came out of my mouth for 10 mins. lol I asked what was the game plan, I asked when did I get to go home. Were the antibiotics going to be administered through my IV and were they going to actually help my cause. Was I able to have visitors (COVID restrictions). Was I going to be moved to a different room. When was I going to be able to EAT!
I had 3 doctors in the room trying to answer MY question. I was alone but I've never felt so cared for. The doctors were joking around and I'd joke right back. I was concerned for my health, but I didn't want to let whatever was happening scare me. I knew I was in good hands.
I was moved to acute care. Oh gosh, let me tell you guys it sucked. The CNAs, Nurses and Doctor at Kadlec all did an out of this world job at taking care of me. I had a great stay and recovery. I was in the hospital for a total of 4 days. I was also the youngest person on their acute floor which DID NOT make me feel special. Made me realize "FUCK, I ALMOST DIED".
While I was in acute care, I was on antibiotics (the strong kind), on an anticoagulants, and on tylenol. I was also asked to drink lots of water and the nurses had to make sure I'd void a certain amount and wasn't swelling. I also scheduled an appointment with my PCP and was referred to a urologist.
A very scary and learning experience.
After listening to the podcast this last week, I realized how lucky I am to be alive. I honestly would of never in a thousand years thought I'd be in the hospital for 4 days due to a UTI. Please Please Please take care of yourselves and never second guess your intuition. I don't know what would have happened to me if I would of disregarded the pain and gone about my day.
To this day, I am glad I am alive.
The whole time I was in the hospital all I could think of were my littles. Who was going to watch them. Were they going to be a burden. Just a lot of emotional thoughts.
Only my closest friends and family know about this crazy experience of mine, but since this episode came out I'd like to let others be aware that bacteria, viruses, and fungi can be life threatening. We should never underestimate them.
Hope y'all enjoy the story.
xoxo
Bee.
here is some websites I give credits to
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