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%.

[ROYC75]

Thanks all, well full my 1st day in full rehab was a real challenge and very depressing.

Something so simple as raising your arm was so hard to do and yet depressing.

Be thankful daily CP gang and the

[ROYC75]

Originally Posted by MahiMike

Did you get MRSA from the dog?

No, started in my right knee where the last knee replacement took place 1.5 yrs ago.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

That's pretty remarkable that you were dispo'd with altered mental status and obvious signs of joint infection and inflammation

[SuperBowl4]

Living proof that all the casino cash in the world doesn't mean anything unless you have your health. Drink plenty of water.

[GloucesterChief]

That is some scary shit. Glad to hear that you got through it.

[A8bil]

Effing crazy...my mother died of sepsis. No joke: I told the doctors to check her for sepsis based on her symptoms. They said it was not sepsis for 2 days but on the third day, a different attending physician came in diagnosed her immediately with sepsis, put her on IV antibiotics and took her to the ICU, but it was too late. Organs shut down from infection and she passed. Can't believe the sheer incompetence of the attending physician. So many very good hospitals have crap protocol when it comes to diagnosing sepsis.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Superturtle

I mean, I'm not a doctor but MRSA and Sepsis? That shit doesn't just pop up in a day.

I don’t know about sepsis but the MRSA abcess I had went from 0 to nuclear in like 36 hours. I think I posted pictures in the nope thread awhile back.

But yeah. Should not have been discharged.

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

That's pretty remarkable that you were dispo'd with altered mental status and obvious signs of joint infection and inflammation

Especially with a replacement. Dad had both his done and he said they lectured him pretty hard to get his ass in if they get hot or red because if you get an infection that’s where it is settling. FFS he has to take a round of antibiotics before he gets his teeth cleaned.

Bad business.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by ROYC75

Thanks all, well full my 1st day in full rehab was a real challenge and very depressing.

Something so simple as raising your arm was so hard to do and yet depressing.

Be thankful daily CP gang and the

So how are you feeling otherwise? My deal was basically a big zit compared to yours and it knocked me on my ass for quite awhile.

Don’t get down. It’s easy to do when you feel like garbage relentlessly.

[Rasputin]

Remember you can be an inspiration to those around you and those also who go through shit in life. Hang in there one day at a time God be with you and let the Force be your guide!

[HemiEd]

Glad you are on the mend now Roy, it has been one heck of a rough stretch for you

This getting old stuff is not for the weak, that is for sure

Hang in there, wish you all the best

[cmh6476]

ditto on the good thoughts from everyone here

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

So how are you feeling otherwise? My deal was basically a big zit compared to yours and it knocked me on my ass for quite awhile.

I went through that about a decade ago. It started with some relatives and eventually worked its way around to me. The first one was a painful lump in my armpit. The other one ended up being on my neck. It sucks having a doctor practically on top of you squeezing out that grey/green/white ooze. He didn't want to lance it for fear of hitting my jugular. I don't remember it causing me to be sick, but it was extremely painful. That ordeal was not fun at all.

[ROYC75]

Originally Posted by A8bil

Effing crazy..my mother died of sepsis. No joke: I told the doctors to check her for septhe organs do sis based on her symptoms. They said it was not sepsis for 2 days but on the third day, a different attending physician came in diagnosed her immediately with sepsis, put her on IV antibiotics and took her to the ICU, but it was too late. Organs shut down from infection and she passed. Can't believe the sheer incompetence of the attending physician. So many very good hospitals have crap protocol when it comes to diagnosing sepsis.

My condolences.
When you get to sepsis shock, the organs do start shutting down, blood pressure start falling, you go from a 50-50 to a 20-80 odds on life.

While transferring hospitals, I only had a 20% chance to live.

I'm just thankful I have/had A Mighty Big God on my side.

[Mr. Kotter]

Well, I'm glad you figured it out and survived. Hang it there! Best wishes for a full recovery.

[ROYC75]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

So how are you feeling otherwise? My deal was basically a big zit compared to yours and it knocked me on my ass for quite awhile.

Don’t get down. It’s easy to do when you feel like garbage relentlessly.

I'm good, been a tough year for us.

Spirits good, with God on my side, I'm/ we're going to whip all of this, one day at a time until complete health returns.

Thanks buddy.