The Case of the Missing Blog

Dear Fods,

Some of you may be wondering what happened last night to the blog. The accused is sitting here typing this for me, as he can not be trusted to type on his own and I am still too weak to type. The accused posted a short blog letting everyone know what bad shape I was in ( which is true) and his frustrations at the some of the staff. The accused was intending to make another, behind my back call, to our special friend because of my inability to eat anything at any time, nor for any reason (there he goes again!). So I read the blog at about 8:30 and tried to edit the post with the help of my accomplice Jester, and she edited the offending lines. Then lo and behold, while we were looking at our screens and talking on the phone, the entire post vanished!

Prior to this vanishing act, I had called the accused to voice my objections to his offending post and forbade him to have an intent to make a behind the back call, and I surmise, because he will not admit it, that in a fit of rage the accused deleted said post, willfully and with malice ( aren't my dictations skills improving?? Not !!! ) So we kissed (absolutely against the regulations -- no skin to skin contact -- Thank God for small favors) and he has agreed to be my lackey typing slave for the afternoon.

Here is the abridged correct version of ICU as opposed to Joe's inaccurate version. In truth, I was very ill, I had no blood pressure, very low hgb, requiring 3 units of blood, low platelets, requiring 20 units, and my max fever was 104.6. This is called spetic shock. It was an emergency situation when I got to ICU and there were at least 6 doctors in the room, doing an ultrasound of my abdomen, sticking me sixteen times in the neck and clavicle in order to insert a second line in case emergency "resuscitation purposes". You can imagine the scene with low hgb and no platelets. I "chose" this moment to become claustophobic. The doctor had my face covered in towels and I had to keep my face to the right. Bear in mind that I still had the rigors (ask Fod Eileen) when I finally told him to stop because I could not take it any longer, I raised my hand, broke the sterile field, the doctor agreed and he stopped the procedure.

I was then taken down for a CAT scan in the bowels of HUP for a scan of my chest and abdomen. Mikey T was there for me for that journey. Of course, I had gown, mask and gloves on for the journey through the bowels of Penn to get to the CAT scan department. Once there, they put me in the machine, which is actually open -- not an MRI where you feel entomed -- and no sooner shad they tarted the scan when I started banging on the walls to get me out of here. They couldn't hear me because I was so weak, but they heard the banging. Does low bp cause claustrophia? Eventully, they got the CAT scan done and it showed massive fluid build up in the abdomen, inflammation of my bowel, a stone in my gall bladder, thankfully not the duct, and pneumonia. The blood cultures came back, gram negative rods in my blood. Most likely from a uti, they continued to pour fluids into me and 500 cc's per hour for the next twelve hours. All of my lab work was abnormal, kidney and liver abnormal, and even my bleeding times were off, requiring vitamin K. With the support of my family and all of your prayers, I somehow got through that awful day.

The next day my bp was much improved, the dopeamine came off, but now they wanted to "tap" my belly to get the fluids out! By the way, the doctors who are suggesting this look like they are in high school. One even had freckles and braces. A child progidy who wanted to poke my belly for some experience. I said no way buddy! Our friend Mary Ellen was there as well as Kava, the pastoral minister that I have become very close to. I was beginning to feel like a lab rat and started to cry when who walks in but Dr. Porter! If I wasn't so weak I would have jumped up and kissed him, but there is the no skin to skin rule. He calmed all of my fears and told me that it would probably take 1 week to feel much better. Everything was not going to turn around in a day.

The ICU docs wanted to keep me until Friday, but Doctor Porter convinced them that if my labs were better, that I should go back to Rhoads 7 on Thursday, which is what happened. I had one of the kindest nurses ever in ICU who took great care of me and was kind and considerate to all of my needs. Initially, all I wanted was a bottle of water and some vaseline, which the nurses could not provide. I was not allowed to drink and they never found the vaseline.

I returned to Rhoads 7 on Thursday a very weak puppy, but never so happy to see a toilet and sink. I gained 25 pounds of water weight which has mobilized in my belly making me very uncomfortable. It is difficult to breath and impossible to eat. Each day now though I am improving. I lost 4 pounds over the night and am finally starting to wee wee. I even ate some breakfast and lunch today, in small amounts which seems to have placated the accused.

They now think that they will take out my central line because they think that it is now infected from the blood infection. So probably tomorrow, I will have a PIC line inserted into my arm.

When I was not able to pray anymore myself, I felt the love and prayers from all of you carrying me through this difficult time. Jessie came to visit on Friday and Saturday and Walid watched the kids alone. What a great Dad! Thank you for all of the funny stories and jokes, blogs, cards and gifts. Joe or Mikey have been reading the blogs to me when I cannot read them myself. This blog has been a God send and my link to all of you until we can visit in person, which I hope will be soon on this journey to my recovery.

I love you all immensely and pray for you every day.

Love to all,

Debbie, as transcribed by the accused.