A Trip to the ICU

I just wanted to give everyone an update on my health. Last week on Wednesday night, I had symptoms of hypotension (low blood pressure) and high rate also known as tachycardia. This is opposite of how my body is during the night while lying in bed. Thursday morning I decided to go into the ER to see what was wrong. They had to bring me by ambulance because I couldn't sit up in my wheelchair due to the low blood pressure. In order to use the stretcher, they had to come down the side of my house to bring me out.

Since it was still covered with snow and thick ice, it couldn’t be hand shovel. When the cops got here first, they called the fire department to shovel it out. In the meantime, a nonemergency ambulance showed up and another EMS team to help bring me out. Once I was finally in the vehicle they hooked me up to oxygen and I was able to bring my home ventilator with me which was nice. I forgot how bumpy those ambulance rides are!

When I got there, they did a chest x-ray and an EKG of my heart. Based off the results I was admitted to the ICU. I stayed overnight on IV antibiotics while they monitored me. Friday morning I had a CT scan done and a small infection was found in my lungs. Then they did a bronchus copy of my lungs which will indicate what strain of bacteria it is.

I was discharged Friday evening and was feeling much better. Saturday during the day was the same although during the afternoon and throughout the night I started needing oxygen for support along with multiple suctioning. However things turned around Sunday afternoon and right now I'm only using oxygen when needed and feeling much better! Because the results weren’t back get yet, they prescribed me with a broad spectrum oral antibiotic so hopefully I continue down this path without intervention.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I still have some healing to do. Thanks!

Jenni

Historic Snowstorm

This is my aunt snow blowing our sidewalk in the backyard!

This weekend we had the worst snow storm in history here in Minnesota. I believe we got at least 15 inches of snow in my area although I know of other parts of the state that got a lot more, and to think it’s the middle of April! We’ve had snow in April before but nothing like this which I have posted about before. They are calling it a "Historic Event" because it was that epic.

I’m lucky to have such dedicated nurses working for me. My night nurse worked Friday night and stayed over Saturday, worked Saturday night, stayed over Sunday, worked Sunday night, and then same thing with Monday. She was able to go home Tuesday since some of the snow was cleared away and it had stopped snowing. Also, the nurse that worked during the day had to leave her car here and had someone pick her up to bring her home. Same thing with Sunday!

I haven’t been able to go outside for a walk/roll with Brody because of it. I think he is having seasonal depression right now because of the weather. He won't even get off coach when I call him which is unusual. We're supposed to get more snow in the middle of the week although it’s starting to warm up and melt so hopefully soon I will be able to. I'm definitely looking forward to spring to actually arrive.

Jenni