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%.

[FRCDFED]

Prayers to you and your family for a quick recovery Roy! God bless each and every one of you during this time!

[Otter]

Hang in there Roy!

[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.

[King_Chief_Fan]

Praying for you Roy.

[A8bil]

Just as a public service...for anyone who hasn't dealt with sepsis, it's initial symptoms can be hard to detect. It can be reflected in either low body temp or high body temp. Elevated heart rate or breathing can accompany it. The problem is that these symptoms are no uncommon for someone already dealing with an infection or illness, which can mask the onset symptoms of sepsis.

Where it starts to become obvious is when there is a drop in urine output, and dizziness/confusion sets in. That's the time to get to the ICU pronto. What Roy described is exactly how it can manifest itself...he's lucky to be alive.

So, if you see loved ones develop these symptoms, better to be safe than sorry. Get them to the hospital!

[JakeLV]

I'd be suing the first doctor for negligence.

If typing on a computer is difficult, you can look into speech recognition programs like Dragon Naturally Speaking to make things a bit easier on you.

Glad you made it.

[ROYC75]

Originally Posted by A8bil

You beat the odds! You must have a strong constitution to beat that. Must have hurt like a beotch though, but you're alive. So glad to hear of someone who beat it.

Thanks, it was a ride I wish not to go through again. I hope I can bring some awareness to all about this monster.

As my God was telling the devil No,not today, I can just visualize my wife with the hood of the Grim Reaper pulled over his head, taking the cycle away telling him to scram or she's going start cutting hair with it.

[ROYC75]

Originally Posted by JakeLV

I'd be suing the first doctor for negligence.

We are awaiting the medical reportsto see if there is a possibility.

[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.

[MMXcalibur]

Glad to hear you're doing better, ROYC!

[Skyy God]

Med mal cases are hard to pursue in many states that, like MO, have damage caps.

Tort reform is great until it screws you over, brah.

[DaNewGuy]

Glad you're alive man

[Chiefs4TheWin]

I wish you the best man. You've gone through more than I could handle for sure. Keep fighting the good fight!

[ROYC75]

Originally Posted by Cave Johnson

Med mal cases are hard to pursue in many states that, like MO, have damage caps.

Tort reform is great until it screws you over, brah.

Yeah, I'm not having much confidence in the possibility of this unless something so glaringly pops itself into our lap on the reports.

Slim chance of that a happening.

[scho63]

Life is nothing more than an individual obstacle course.

You are born and you begin your trek. Some things are minor to test your patience and character, some are major to test your will and fortitude and there are those that are monumental to see if you will finish the quest.

ROYC75 you have passed every challenge......