It has been a hot minute since I have published a blog post here.
And by hot minute I mean since 2016!!
2016!??
Story Time
Covid-19 2020
From Oregon to Iowa and back and to Idaho and Back several times during the pandemic
lock down and not getting sick on any of the trips.
So Lets talk Covid-19
March 2020 Lock Down Began in OR and other states soon followed. Fast Forward to May 2020
................................. May 2020 we took a road trip to Iowa for a Funeral/Celebration of Life.
July and Aug we were in Idaho waiting the birth of our grandson who was born Aug 1 2020. Spent a lot of time with our granddaughter who was about to turn 2 and the new baby. All this during lock down.
We were so careful and diligent with hand sanitizers, masks and disinfecting everything we needed to. We remained Covid-19 free until Nov 2020. Hubby tested positive. I was having a saliva gland infection since the beginning of October 2020 that wasn't responding to meds when I got my first Covid-19 test the first part of November. It wasn't back yet when I ended up in the hospital. (because of the saliva gland infection.) I ended up in the emergancy department in Madras Oregon I couldn't take the pain in my jaw anymore and the infection was worse then ever. The hospital emergancy department did the rapid test and I was Covid-19 positive three hours later my first test came back positive which was about 5 days prior to the rapid test. I started out at my local small hospital and then transferred by ambulance to Bend Oregon to the reginal Covid-19 Hospital just in case my health declined.
I was Covid-19 symptom free, I could taste, smell, no cough just my normal occasional hoarseness. The odds were against me from the get go. I had been taking immune suppressants daily for years and get an infusions that suppresses my immune system even more. I also have the early stages of coronary artery disease so I take a blood thinner and two cholesterol medications daily. And since I have a rare autoimmune disease Behcet's, well lets just say I am the poster child for underlying conditions that kill most Covid-19 patients.
At this time only the right side of my face was my issue. It was swollen by my right ear and it was very sore to open and close my jaw because the infection was so large. I was on IV antibiotics and steroids for the gland infection for three whole days and looking forward to being able to go home. Three days they told me and I then could go home with either IV or oral medications.
Day three, I was so excited I was going home!!! They just needed a chest X-ray because a nurse thought she heard crackling in my left lung. I found this out after the x-ray. It was when my infectious disease doctor came in my and told me I wasn't going home for at least 4 more days, that I had Covid-19 Pneumonia and the treatment normally would take 5 days at least if not longer but since I already were on the IV steroids that they could possibly let me go home in four more days as long as the treatment works. (That would make my hospital stay a week awhole 7 days) I was devastated. I wanted to see my husband, pets and my adult son who can be a pain but nope it wasn't to be.
I missed my home. Hubby by this time had cooperated, and was no longer quarantined. But I wasn't allowed visitors yet. It was a very lonely and isolating time. The only people I saw were hospital staff. Very lonely!
Flowers From Hubby
I laid back and said in a very snarky mad voice, well I guess I am staying for sure now. Feeling defeted and even more alone. After the nurse came in got me cleaned up, the bedding changed and fresh, drugged up with more steroids, antibiotics and then the IV Covid-19 Biological drug, Benadryl, pain meds, and anti-puke meds, a new IV sight cause my veins don't like IV drips I finally allowed myself a cry.
Since I was already in the hospital the staff caught the pneumonia at the early stages and treatment protocol worked quickly and I didn't get extremely sick. I had to stop all my immune suppressant medications and infusion in October, which means my immune system had kick into over drive. The meds from that alone took a huge toll on my liver then add the Covid-19 pneumonia protocol and my liver and kidney's took a huge hit not to mention that now my lungs were fighting the Covid-19 virus. But now I am also in a full Behcet's Flair.
I had ulcers upstairs and down stairs. My gut which was irritated because my liver was very angry is now dealing with the effects I get with a Behcet's flair. My Face hurt, mouth hurt, my gut hurt, my bum hurt. Hydromorphone became a need even if it made me so itchy I wanted to tear my skin off. Benadryl does little to help with the itching.
While I give the hospital nurses and staff my kudo's God had a huge huge part in my healing. My faith kept me strong and it was God's healing hands that healed me.
On Day 4 of my hospital stay they moved me to the Covid-19 wing which was starting to get busy.
I hurt, I was lonely, and now the room I had that felt safe to me was gone. I now moved to an isolated area of the hospital. I didn't want to admit I was sick enough to be in the hospital but on Day 4 I felt weak and sick. Day 4 I got to see my husband in person. Facetime is wonderful just not the same it lifted my spirits to know he was ok and I got to hug him.
Day 5 I prayed that I could leave on day 7, and that was the goal to be well enough to discharged on Day 7 of
Day 5 my stay hubby came and saw me again. Blood Ox levels dipped a little during the night so by now I had on again off again oxygen. I was determined not to let this set back get to me.
My lungs were responding to treatment and not getting any worse, my saliva gland swelling was starting to go down. The steroids' weren't helping much at this point. but I pressed on and prayed and did online bible study to pass the time. I watched a lot of videos on my phone inspirational stories, and watch funny Tic Toks.
Day 6 lost my taste and smell senses, I panicked. I prayed that I wasn't getting worse, blood tests were off the charts and by now they have used most of my viable veins up. I blew Iv's 2s a day. I was beginning to look like I was beat up. I was being stuck with needs 3 to 4 times a day trying to keep the Iv's flowing.
Hubby was allowed to come up and see me again and I was exhausted, wore out and now my lungs hurt. I was scared I was getting worse but I fought on. Tomorrow was Day 7 my goal day. Nov 14 the day I wanted to leave the hospital. My goal day. I didn't get my hopes up though, by the end of Day 6 I felt defeated. I was totally wore out. I again reached out to God and prayed (begged Him) to heal me enough that I could go home tomorrow. I haven't slept more then 2 hours at a time. Pain and worry tried to take hold but God was there whispering "I got this, your safe and will things will get better. I love you my child I got you!"
Thank You God for your loving constant love. Thank you for teaching me to listen to your still small voice and training me to hear truths and to tune out the devils lies.
Flowers and Teddy Bear from my Sister in Law and Niece!
Believe me the devil was throwing everything at me trying to get my faith to waiver. The devil was trying to taking me back down a dark and dangerous road through a black tunnel that was depression. I kept the faith block the negative and gravitated and clung on to Gods words even more.
Day 6 was so taxing and tiring.
Day 7
In the hospital there is no such thing as sleep and all I wanted to do was go home curl up in my own bed with my fuzzy blanket, be with my family my pets and sleep undisturbed for hours on end. I knew though that the chances I would be discharged were in God's hands test results and the finial four IV's had to be done before the doctor would release me.
2am: bag 1 and steroids are started IV blew new IV an hour later and the drip started. 4am blood tests and time for bag 2. IV failed again. found another vein in a awkward sight but I prayed it would last the last 2 infusions. 10 am bag 3 the IV holding for now. 1pm was the final IV scheduled the IV had to last until then. Labs came back and Liver numbers didn't go up which was good and kidney numbers came down. Chest sounds clearer then the day before and my blood ox hadn't gone below 90 since yesterday morning. Things were starting to get better. Then I get the news my heart is acting up because my potassium levels had dropped. So at 1pm they added potassium pills with what I hoped would be my last IV of this hospital stay in goes the last biological drug and steroids.
Please God let my vein hold till this IV is over. Please let my next set of blood work be stable enough for me to go home. Most importantly though God thank you for keeping me safe and healing me so far. I will continue to sing your praises Father no matter the outcome today. Father God you are in control! Thank You Amen.
Sunrise November 14 2020
1:30pm the doctor came in and said the words I was praying for. "You can go home." But if you have any sign of breathing issues or plus ox goes below 90 or get I fever over 101f. You have to come back to the hospital immediately it could be life or death for you. Happy dance I was going home. Thank You Father GOD! Called Hubby who was already on his way. I was sooo thankful.
Packed and Ready to go!!
During my 7 day stay I had so many different staff attending to me. They were always gowned and masked and so I had a hard time recognizing each one from day to day. I hope I was always cheerful and polite around them, I hope my joking around helped ease the pressure they were under day in and day out and I hope I brought a smile to them even at feeling my worse. I am grateful for each and every staff member who cared for me during my stay. And even though I was a hard stick I appreciate the diligence to keep me as comfortable as possible throughout my stay.
The drugs they sent me home on were astronomical. Morning Noon and Bedtime I took lots of pills everyday for the next 14 days, antibiotics, steroids, potassium, Vit B complex. Vit C, cough medicine, magic mouth wash, stuff for the liver, sleep and whatnot wholly cow, there was a lot of meds. I didn't care I was going home.
Morning Meds
At home I slowly regained my physical strength. I was strong enough by Thanksgiving that I cook the main traditional turkey meal for my husband, and son all by self. my saliva gland took another whole month to heal with another strong antibiotic and my liver is still trying to recover today. Kidney's are great and my lungs have some scaring but 98% healed.
I stayed off my immune suppressant medication till the Mid December and slowly reintroduced it back to my system before Christmas I was starting to feel normal again!
I praise God everyday that I survived Covid-19.
With Covid-19 came so unexpected side effects or lingering issues. My hair thinned out really bad. At first I thought it was due to the immune suppressants but learned it was Covid-19 related.
My Voice is gone most of the time and by gone I mean I am so hoarse that 98% of the time only a whisper comes out. My doctors can't figure out why I am so hoarse and really tired of trying to find a cure.
I miss being able to sing and talk on the phone.
I try and not get frustrated that people ask me to speak up or repeat myself.
I try and not feel ashamed of my situation when people back away thinking
I am sick with Covid-19
I am just dealing with the issue day by day. I pray I can talk normally again but for now it is what it is.
Romans 15:5. “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.”
I struggle with the lack of energy and endurance a lot of the time. It's improving slowly but it is still a struggle.
And finialy I have to be extremely careful when I leave the safety of my house. Although I have had the virus, and I am fully vaccinated I am still at high risk to get Covid-19 again. My immune system is suppressed which leaves me at risk to get Covid-19 again. Now that the Delta variant is now out of control I am isolating myself even more then I did before I got Covid-19.
But I will continue to Rejoice in the Lord.
Thank You to everyone on the front lines of this pandemic. I pray for your health, safety, mental health, endurance and faith during this time of unknowns. May God protect you and your families. Stay Safe, Stay Strong!!!
THANK YOU!
If you are struggling right now. Please know you are not alone.
I know days can be dark and lonely.
They can be scary and uncertain I know I walk this path.
Please take note:
God will provide you with hope strength and healing!
Reach out to God, He See's you, He Hears your Cries.
Give yourself permission to cry if you need to cry.
Tears can be and are very healing!
It's Ok to not be OK!!!
Reach out to someone anyone ME even. You don't have to be alone.
Things in our world are really scary but we don't have to be afraid.
God has this. He has concurred all evil already. There is always HOPE!
Bible Verse Pictures that were used from CountryLiving.com
And are not my creations.
The other photo's are mine.
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