Lucky to be alive, just spent 3 weeks in ICU!

[ROYC75]

I can thank the Good Lord I'm alive, seriously.

Monday, June 4th, I awoke with the worst pain I have ever felt in my life, in my right leg, one of the knee replacements I had over 1 1/2 year ago. I could not walk, they had to call an ambulance to get me to the ER.

Once there, I told them what was going on as I'm passing in and out from the pain, with periods of talking nonsense, shit out of nowhere. Through the evaluations, test, simple blood test, they sent me back home with inflammation and a possible knee infection. I need to follow up with my knee doctor on Thursday, of which I already have an appointment.

I go home, go to bed, over the next 2.5 days, I'min and out of reality, at times awaking not knowing who or where I was. After losing my wife 2 months ago, they all thought I was worn out it was all catching up to me,so they let me rest but was concerned about me talking out of my head. My dog never left my side except to go to relieve himself outside a few times.

Thurs, June 7th, late afternoon my daughter somehow awakes me, gets me to the car, Of course I know none of what's happening. So away we go to the doctors office that installed my knees, while there, I'm out of it, talking deliriously. They tell my daughter to get me to the ER, I was having a stroke. Seriously Doc,have my daughter take me instead of calling for an ambulance? While at the ER awaiting to get me some help, she left me standing up in the doorway of the van. Well, I passed out, falling inward and landing between the buckets seats. It took 3 EMT's to drag me out of the car pulling on both arms that have with rotar cuff injuries. After checking to see if I was having a stroke, the ER doc on call was different from Monday, heard all that has happened and ran a test for 6 different infections, turns out I had MRSA and he suspected I had Sepsis. He started a central IV in my neck and started giving me 2 types of powerful antibiotics and a high rate. I was already going into shock stage with my organs starting to shut down. They had to get BP and heart stable in order to transfer me to Owensboro.

Within 4 hrs I was loaded up and shipped off where they were better equipped to handle this type of infections. It was spreading at an alarming rate cause I was upgraded within 2 hrs, sepsis, to a higher grade of sepsis and then to sepsis shock where your organs begin shutting down. I went from a 30% chance of death, to 50% to 80% within a 2 hour period. For the next 3 days I'm unconscious, out of it and when I came to at times, didn't know who I was,where I was, I hurt like HELL, serious body pain, my left arm damaged from the fall and the EMT's dragging me out of the car. But I knew none of this, I awoke thinking I am in a prison camp, being tortured, I have no clue why.

My family was scared that I was dying, especially after losing Carrie 60 days prior. Doctors on Sunday June 10th, came in and told me & the family the source of the infection and that they had scheduled surgery for Tues, June 12th. Plan was to go in, cut the old knee out,install a spacer and clean up as well as they could. I awoke June 13th late, was told a little about what went on, but not really knowing anything until Thur. the 14th. Each day I have gotten a little bit better while taking that same powerful antibiotics.

I have since transferred to a Managed Rehab Center in Greenville, the town I live in. I will be here until the end of July, all the time taking antibiotics by IV daily. If all is good with the blood test, I can have the knee opened up and have a new one put in again. All of this is whether they can get my left arm and shoulder to respond enough so I can use a walker again.

The plan is a new knee at the first to middle of Aug.

Rehab right knee over next 6 to 8 months.

When healthy enough, Repair left shoulder and arm, another 1 year of rehab

After that, Right shoulder rotator rebuild, another 1 year of rehab.

Next 2 years and 10 months are tied up, but I am alive!

A doctor told me off the record the 1st hospital dropped the ball on me and that I was lucky to be alive, easily within hours of passing if the infection grew with out the antibiotics given when they were given.

Count your blessings CP members, I was find on Sunday the 3rd and my whole world changed in less than 24 hours.

BTW, it took me 2 hrs to type this with 1 arm that is working about 50%.

[eDave]

I'm struggling for what to say. Wow man.

[BryanBusby]

Jesus christ, man.

[ROYC75]

Originally Posted by eDave

I'm struggling for what to say. Wow man.

Count your blessings an be thankful dave, sickness or accidents happen so quickly when your life is on the line,.

[HonestChieffan]

Originally Posted by ROYC75

Count your blessings an be thankful dave, sickness or accidents happen so quickly when your life is on the line,.

Sepsis is way too often deadly...Mr RoyC75, hope that your recovery continues on a good path. God bless the docs nurses and whoever at whatever pharma developed the life saving treatment you got.

[ROYC75]

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

Sepsis is way too often deadly...Mr RoyC75, hope that your recovery continues on a good path. God bless the docs nurses and whoever at whatever pharma developed the life saving treatment you got.

Around a 50/50 survival rate if it doesn't reach shock stage, if so, you have a 20% chance or less of survival.

Now this,there is a very good chance of sepsis to return at a later date.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Originally Posted by ROYC75

Around a 50/50 survival rate if it doesn't reach shock stage, if so, you have a 20% chance or less of survival.

Now this,there is a very good chance of sepsis to return at a later date.

My mother is 85 . She's had sepsis at least 3 times I know of. She
s always beat it SO FAR! Look out for symptoms and get to the Doc. Hang in there Roy , we want you around to watch the Chiefs Dynasty that begins shortly. Good vibes are abound for you.

[wheeler08]

Prayers to you brother. Sepsis is crazy. I had a co worker that wasn’t feel good out of the blue for a couple of days, she went to the Dr and just died there from Sepsis. Then same thing happened to my cousin out of the blue, I guess she caught it just in time like you, she was on her death bed for a long time but finally pulled through and she’s just fine now.
Godspeed!

[Mile High Mania]

That is a wild story and cannot imagine the emotional ride for your family. Prayers for everyone and have a safe recovery.

[ChiTown]

Holy crap, Roy! Glad you are back and praying for your recovery, Brother

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Wow, that is a hell of a ride after losing your wife. It sure puts things in perspective when we are worrying about daily BS that comes around. Hang in there Roy ,we're getting ready to have a lot of fun with football this year and you need to be able to relax and enjoy it.

Praying hard for you and your family!

[BigRedChief]

Glad you came out on the other side and survived. A lesson to us all that life is short. enjoy each day.

[Marcellus]

Holy cow! Good luck from here out Roy!

[tmax63]

My hunting buddie's son-in-law had the family pet scratch him/lick him type deal and a couple days later didn't feel well. He went septic and ended up losing parts of both legs to amputation to stop it from spreading. Thank the Lord that you are still alive and intact. Sounds like you got work to do. What you waiting on slacker... get after it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ThaVirus]

Glad to hear you're still with us.

Take care of yourself, bud.