Surgery cuts into holiday plans
Hope everyone had an incredible holiday season, and that you are happy and healthy.
Been out of the picture the past few weeks here at The Brazil Times. I've spent the past couple of weeks recovering from an unexpected surgery.
It started around Dec. 10th. Didn't think much about it at the time - I mean, who thinks about a simple pimple on your shoulder being a big deal?
It had opened while taking a bath and was immediately covered with a bandage and antibiotic cream. So what, right?
My head was elsewhere. I was excited about going away a for a couple of days in Indy with my husband, doing some Christmas shopping, looking at the big city lights/decorations and attending the Pacers game. It was going to be a great three days, starting Dec. 14th.
On Dec. 11th, there was pain in my right shoulder, but I kept going on with my life. My daughter was concerned enough to mention going to see a doctor when i couldn't pick up Booga. I didn't.
However, by Saturday morning, Dec. 12th, the pain was so bad in my shoulder blade and in front of my chest that I couldn't breathe. It was warm to the touch and felt like I had a stake driven into my back. At the hospital ER, it was diagnosed as MRSA and I underwent a series of antibiotic IVs. Apparently the wound had not reached a point to drain it.
My husband was like "We can stay home."
If you know me, you know I'm stubborn.
We were already packed, room waiting, Pacers tickets purchased. All I had to do was relax while my husband went to his conference and then enjoy the evenings in Indy.
We arrived early, which let me take a nap before we went out for the evening to enjoy the game. Dinner was great. I was a little shaky, but we started the walk toward the stadium.
Remember how I'm stubborn? We didn't get three blocks before it started to hit me. The heat felt overwhelming, and really wsn't. My legs wobbled and I couldn't go any further. We turned back, trying to give away our tickets so at least someone could enjoy the game, but had no luck in doing so.
At the hotel, I was done in. While my husband went to his conference in between checking in on me, I was miserable.
On Wednedsay morning we left early to come home to go straight to the doctor's office. I was supposed to work, but all I could do was call people and tell them I was sick, try and reschedule appointments and let my employer know what was happening.
Approximately 48 hours later, I was wheeled into surgery as an outpatient, then ended up staying most of the next day before being able to go home. Since then I've been recovering, with my husband dealing with my medical care.
When I asked my doctor for details about the surgery, he explained the MRSA, which is usually a pocket of pus that either erupts on its own or is lanced and drained, solidified in my shoulder blade and was about the size of his palm. I have a 3-4-inch-wide hole that is about 2 inches deep in my shoulder. It still feels like there's a stake back there, and I am still wobbly, but I'm on the mend and coming back to work.
Usually I don't write about my personal life, but I am today to make sure people are aware this can happen to anyone at any minute, and escalate quicker than you realize.
There's no definitive event where I can say "This is how I got MRSA."
If you live in the world, this can happen to you too.
My only advice if it does, don't be stubborn like me. Take it seriously.
Posting a comment requires free registration:
- If you already have an account, follow this link to login
- Otherwise, follow this link to register