Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Ever feel so sick you could die?

Just when you don't think things could get worse... they do. Which proves that it really doesn't pay to think.

Recap -- Husband: Flu and bad cough. Son: the dawning of the stomach virus and another ear infection (which would make it three in 35 days) or the flu. Me: Walking pneumonia. In other words, death warmed over. No. Not warmed over. Chilled. Very chilled. Or hot and sweaty. I really wish the owner of the fevers would make up their mind.

Anyway, my husband spent the entire weekend taking care of Hunter, which was a huge feat, because he was pretty sick, too. I drove myself to the Urgent Care on Sat morning, only to be told there was an hour wait. Feeling too weak and fainty-like, I turned around and went home. I went back at 5:30, thinking that since they close at 6:00, maybe I can get in and get out. I prayed the whole time that God would clear the path... and literally... I'm not kidding... I cried when I pulled into the parking lot and only saw 2 cars. Tears of joy, my friends. REAL tears.

So "in and out" came true, and the doctor sent me home with a prescription for an antibiotic and... zyrtec. Yeah. You read right. Zyrtec. That night, and the following couple of nights, my chills racked the bed, I went through 4 soaking wringing shirts alternating with my heating pad, down blanket and a heavy wool blanket. My nose was completely blocked -- impacted, if you would -- with a constant drip. Nice image, huh? I bet you didn't realize just how important it is to have a little bit of air in your nose when you swallow, cough, talk, etc. Monday rolled around, and after coughing blood up for two days, I saw my real doctor... who, after giving me a breathing test, informed me that the results showed that I had an obstruction in my breathing pattern, and he told me I had walking pneumonia, and sent me off with an inhaler, cough syrup with codeine, steroidal nose spray, and a script for a chest x-ray (which, fortunately, was negative, and ruled out full-blown pneumonia).

Now. Let's go back to the previous prescription for Zyrtec, which for those of you who are wondering... is an allergy medicine. Let me say that slowly... a.n. A.L.L.E.R.G.Y. m.e.d.i.c.i.n.e.

Can someone please explain what sense it makes to prescribe an allergy medicine to a woman so close to death? Seriously... WHAT SENSE DOES THAT MAKE???

Now that I've expended all my energy typing this and need another nap, I just wanted to tell you that we're okay... thanks to my awesome husband who is waiting on me hand and foot while recovering from his own bout of the flu and taking care of an overly active 2 year old at the same time, my wonderful sister-in-law (Auntie Sunshine) who took Hunter home to her home for the night Sunday night, and watched him Monday so my husband could recover a bit (as I lay limp on the bed), and my awesome in-laws who are watching him today because he stayed home sick. I'm exhausted just thinking about all they have done to clean and organize my home in the last two hours, and word can not even begin to express my thanks to them.

Finally, thank you all for your prayers and thoughts! I really appreciate them!

Must go and get medicine into Hunter--his fever is almost 103 degrees. Prayers. Lots of them.

10 comments:

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

Bless your sick little heart. I will say a prayer for you. I'm glad your hubby is helpful, when mamas' get sick life can go down hill pretty darn quickly.

Pam said...

Praying for you, dear one. May the time of rest give you strength for each day.

Crazy Urgent Care people. Some of them have just two scripts they write: Z pack or Zyrtec. You drew the short straw. So glad your real doctor knew how to treat you. Hope you have a speedy recovery. Praying for your sweet hubby and Hunter, too.

Sending love and hugs!

Rocks In My Dryer said...

Poor girl. Hang in there. If I lived closer I'd bring you a casserole!

Beth/Mom2TwoVikings said...

Life just stops for weeks like this, don't they? I'm so sorry for all you are going thru...praying.

Anonymous said...

I'll continue to pray. But in defense of the urgent care people - bronchitis and pneumonia are often made worse by allergies and it is the season.

Barb said...

I'm so sorry to hear how sick all of you have been, GiBee. Yeah, I've been that sick before and I know how miserable it is. It's even worse when everyone in the house is sick.

I kinda sorta understand the allergy medicine - I think it has to do with the histamine and how it clears your head out, but I might be wrong about that.

I hope you all get better really soon.

Donnetta said...

I've been on a break and now catching up! I will definately be praying!! My oh my what you've been through!!

And as for urgent care... UGH! Remember when my daughter ended up in the hospital literally staring death in the face needing emergent surgery? We had taken her to an urgent care where we were vacationing with her symptoms and they diagnosed a bladder infection and prescribed antibiotics???

Being in the health care profession myself I must admit I'm somewhat embarrassed and ashamed!!...

Praying you are all quickly on the road to recovery!

Sandy said...

Well, it's Friday and I pray you are better. Wish I could bring you dinner tonight. Ready my post today ...
HUGS!

Wretched Sinner said...

Wow, Gibee I've been really out of the loop for the past few weeks and I'm just getting caught up on things. Sorry to hear you (and the family) have all been so sick. I pray that the Lord will restore your health so you can serve him and bring him Glory. -W.S.

Anonymous said...

This is my first time reading your blog and amazingly enough, I am suffering from pneumonia at this very moment, too, also after being misdiagnosed at my local ER. We don't have an Urgent Care place in our town, so when doctor's offices are closed, the only choice we have is the ER and it is terrible.
They told me I did not have pneumonia and my influenza test was negative, so just go home and wait out the virus that I had.
Two days later I could hardly catch my breath and my doctor said I HAD tested positive for influenza and that I DID have pneumonia.
I think I understand what you're going through...