A Message To All!!

[progeezer]

Now that she's well on the road to recovery, I need to share with you what's been happening the past few weeks.

On January 24th (my birthday), Kay was admitted to the hospital. Because of her COPD, Asthma & Emphysema, the flu she contracted (yeah, she got the shot) turned into pneumonia and made her very sick. One of the antibiotic drugs they gave her to ward off further infection (Bactrim) was rejected by her body (she's allergic to far more antibiotics than she can take without a negative reaction) and caused a toxic infection in her liver and kidneys, as well as pancreatitis. She became extremely jaundiced and turned yellow and was not only weak, but was fading in & out of clarity. I was scared beyond belief. They did a liver biopsy and thankfully determined that it was a reaction to the drug rather than a Herpes 1 infection (which btw, would have been fatal!). She also on top of everything else broke out in hives at the same time from the allergic reaction.

She was in the hospital for 9 days before they let her go home. Once she was home, all the progress she had made in the hospital started to quickly erode. Part of her aftercare involved (& still involves) a home health nurse, physical therapist and an aide to help her bathe and do some minor chores to free me up. On her second day back from the hospital, the home health nurse told us, "She needs to be re-admitted. Her white blood cell count is way too high, and her temp is 101!"

The second time was 5 additional days as an inpatient, and the second time they got it right before they released her a week ago today.

She's much, much better and well on the road to recovery, but we didn't tell many people until now because she just needed to rest & recuperate (which she's still in the process of doing) without a lot of distraction.

This email (sent with her knowledge) is to let you know that distraction is fine now:-).

As a result of this, Kay will need to be on oxygen more frequently, and we'll be waiting a while before Kay does any flying (risk of infection as well as the pain in the ass of arranging oxygen for flights (especially international).

We BOTH plan on being at Rosfest, since we have always driven & oxygen isn't an issue in the car. Kay is already talking about being well enough by autumn for us to go to Paris, and right now WE still plan to make the 2014 trip to Norway, etc. There certainly is still the "we'll see" element when it comes to flying, however.

There you have it peeps!

Old Tired Caregiver Geezer

[MudShark22]

Prayers and well wishes winging your way Geeze!

- T

[Lino]

All my best to Kay for a return to good health!!

[Scott Bails]

Very glad to know that she's improving, Steve. Hope the rest of her recovery is swift and that she then has no limitations.

[Klonk]

Shouldn't this be in the 'Illness and Injury' thread? ;)

Glad she's doin better, buddy! :up

[Rarebird]

My best wishes to her from me as well. Still remember the Antaflu you bought.

[progeezer]

My best wishes to her from me as well. Still remember the Antaflu you bought.:lol So do I now!

Thanks to all of you from the patient:).

[walt]

Glad to hear Kay's doing better.Best wishes to her for a full and speedy recovery.

[NogbadTheBad]

Glad to hear she's doing better.

When will you be in Paris? There is a Soleil Zeuhl festival in Paris on the 18th of Sept.

[Sunlight Caller]

Sounds like a hellish time, so good to hear things are looking up for you both.

[progeezer]

Don't know yet IF we're going to Paris, Ian. If we decide we can based on Kay's health I'll be talking to you about that. Thanks.

[WHORG]

I'm glad that she's better and back home.

~jk

[VickiLynn]

Healing energy and strength sent Kay's way :D

[Brian Griffin]

Good stuff - thanks for sharing!

BG

[beano]

Best wishes from my family to yours..:up

[Trane]

I'd be most happy to meet Kay and you in Paris if you come to the SZ festival... or f youdrop by in Brussels during a w-e...

BW for her recovery

[progeezer]

I'd be most happy to meet Kay and you in Paris if you come to the SZ festival... or f youdrop by in Brussels during a w-e...

BW for her recoveryFiled away, mon ami!:)

Thanks again to all from both of us.

[Jefferson James]

I am overjoyed to hear this news!!!!!

[Ribo]

Steve, I don't know you and Kay personally, but the two of you are pretty alright in my book! My best to Kay for a speedy and full recovery. And to you... even us progeezers need a break now and then.

[Jerjo]

Whew! You hinted at this in another thread and I had one of those "what the fuck" moments. Glad to hear she's out of the woods and soon you two will be able to travel.

[Sharp]

Glad to here Kay is doing better Steve. Sounds like a horrible ordeal. Give her my best.

[jglfan]

Wow, glad to hear she's feeling better and you've gotten a bit of a break! I'll look forward to saying hi to you both at Rosfest.

[JKL2000]

So what you're saying is even when you guys are ill, you still travel way more than I ever will! :mad

Sorry to hear about all that, and glad Kay is doing so much better now. You guys are both troopers!

[Shadow]

Sounds like what I went through with my mother last month. It's always nice when things are starting to look better. Maybe Lorraine and I will take a ride up to ROSfest to see how you guys are doing. I thought nuns had some kind of inside track to the guy that fixes all this stuff. ;)

[progeezer]

Sounds like what I went through with my mother last month. It's always nice when things are starting to look better. Maybe Lorraine and I will take a ride up to ROSfest to see how you guys are doing. I thought nuns had some kind of inside track to the guy that fixes all this stuff. ;):rofl True, but not nuns who wear make-up, toenail polish & toe rings :).

[Planechant]

Best to you and Kay, Buddy.

[Polypet]

i'm relieved to hear she's ok but wow what a scary ride! take care of each other, Steve.

you are, of course, in our hearts always :)

Kim

[Don Arnold]

You know you're part of a special online community when members share these personal anectodes, and many many folks respond, and in a very "we're all family" kind of way.

Good to hear the health scare is behind you. Hope you make it to Paris!

[enpdllp]

Wishing Kay a full and speedy recovery and lots of strength to you during your caregiver role.

[MoodsWings]

My goodness, Geeze....

Wishing the Lady Kay a successful recovery.

And you take care of yourself too.

[Garion81]

Wow what a scare Steve. All of our best wishes for you an Kay. Hope the worst is behind and it doesn't sneak back!

[Duncan Glenday]

Good God, Steve, you and Kay have been through the wars!

You'll both be in Arhlene's and my thoughts and prayers.

Bloody tragedy that I won't be able to see both of you at ROSfest this year, even though I'll be less than 10 miles from you at one point :(

Please Keep us on her progress - good or bad.

[ronmac]

I don't know her, but it's good to see she's recovering.

Just a side note: There are two strains of the flu going around. The vaccine is for the weaker one. The one she, apparently, got is the other, for which there is no vaccine.

It's pretty scary out there.

[meimjustalawnmower]

Best to both of you. Stay positive. :)

[progeezer]

Again, thanks to all of you from both of us. For all the shit we give each other, we really are at least some sort of a "family".

And I'm glad there's life and concern in Hamilton;)|).

[Amy]

So glad that Kay is doing better - what an ordeal! I wish her (and you too, Caregiver :-)) well. Looking forward to seeing you both in May. :-)

[Shadow]

:rofl True, but not nuns who wear make-up, toenail polish & toe rings :).

I was talking about Kay, not you Steve. ;)

[MoodsWings]

And I'm glad there's life and concern in Hamilton;)|).

Always :)

[WHORG]

I'm really glad she's getting better . . . but . . .

Tell Kay to stop calling me on my cell phone . . . I see her name and number on the caller ID, but she's just silent and does not say anything ???

I mean it was only one time - but WTF ???

[Jimmy Giant]

Sending our strength and energy your way, wishing for a speedy recovery.

Jim & Lila

[Hunnibee]

OMG! I am so glad she's better, Steve. We are always so worried about YOU, but you are stronger than we realize. I hope Kay recovers so you two can go to Paris. There's always a boat, you know. (Just avoid any that say "Titanic" ;) )

Remember to take care of yourself, too, Mr. Caretaker.

[progeezer]

Kay is really happy to receive all these encouraging words right now. A week ago, nah!;)

Thanks for the really kind words, Ms. Palmer!:)

[Oreb]

Best wishes to both of you.

[Vic2012]

Hoping for the best Geez. Positive vibes are being sent up from sunny Florida ;).

[Yves]

That's quite the domino effect! Well wishes to you and Kay from Barb and I...

[roddenberry]

Very sad to hear Kay had an awful time. Glad to hear she's on the mend. And I'm sending good vibes to you and Kay, I can imagine any positive stuff will help you both. Take care old friend.

Robert

[SteveSly]

Just saw this tonight. Glad to hear she is doing better.

Steve Sly

[Lopez]

Hi Steve,

Back on PE here after a couple days off. Wow, what an ordeal. Glad to hear she's on the mend. Hope that she and you can still make it to ProgDay.

[progeezer]

Thanks once again to all:D.

[gryphs also]

I think Cynthia will keep a close eye on Lady Kay during Rosfest. She sure can keep her thumb on me when I want to have fun....