Live From The Hospital Jail Cell
I am laying in a hospital bed just down the street from my house. Thursday afternoon my ankle/foot started hurting and by Friday morning I could not put any weight on it.
This is the ankle I had surgery on exactly a month ago and it had gone really well (in comparison to previous surgeries I’ve had). Not to gross you out, but my incision had opened up and there was A LOT of yucky stuff coming out of my body.
I told my husband that we were either going to the ortho surgeon’s office or the ER, because the pain was that unbearable. So off I hobbled on crutches and they worked me right in.
The instructions that followed were not at all what I had expected - go directly to the hospital, admission for 3-4 days, surgery later on tonight to clean out the wound and IV antibiotics to treat it.
After several hours of admission paperwork, signing over my life and giving vials of blood and culture tests I found myself back in that cold operating room, with my arms strapped down and my body in the shape of a cross. I woke up in post-op shaking, crying and hyperventilating.
I didn’t sleep at all last night. My body bounced back and forth between chills and hot flashes. The infection finally caught up with me, as I ran a fever of 102 for a while. I reacted to the germs by throwing up anything that came close to my lips.
The combination of phenergan, percocet and morphine kept the pain minimal, but when they wear off it gets pretty bad. Thankfully, I have my own room, a flat screen TV and my laptop to occupy my jail time.
I’m now under the care of an infectious disease doctor (a new specialist to add to my list). My cultures came back positive for a staph infection and they are waiting to see if it is MRSA - which is methicillin resistant bacteria.
The specific type of infection will determine the course of antibiotics I’ll need. One possible explanation as to why a month later my incision would develop into this type of serious infection, is that I do not have a spleen (from the car accident) and it has left my immune system compromised.
Having internet access from a hospital bed may not be the best idea in the world. I read this about MRSA and started feeling sick to my stomach.
This lovely bed that moves up and down will be my friend for the next few days. At this point I’m thankful for single patient rooms and morphine! It’s the little things that make me happy. But I’m also thankful for a loving husband who is keeping me company and laughing, and my family who has helped care for our son and visited.
My name is Emily. I’m 30 years old. I have often been told that I ask a lot of questions, but I think I have more to say than ask.
Jeez, Emily… that’s awful. I’ve had ankle surgery, but was fortunate enough not to get an infection. Hopefully, you’ll get the care you need to fight this infection off and you’ll be out of the Big House soon.
But, at least you’re in a single with a flat screen. I don’t even get that!
(If you want cheering, you can always visit my place… I’ve got videos… they’re even funny through the percocet, I promise!)
Emily, I’ve been praying for you since I heard from your mom that you were in there this morning. I’m sorry that this has happened - I’m glad you have quite a few things to help keep you occupied during your incarceration.
Oh for good grief. Sorry you are going through this but glad you are in the right place to get better. Poor baby!
I am so sorry you are going through this after everything else. Will be sending you positive, germ killing vibes and prayers. No more surfing the internet for health info!
Holy Crap Emily!! I’m thinking about you! I hope you’re back in great health and back home real soon!
I am hoping this finds you feeling a little better and on the mend. Stay away from those damn medical websites. You know those of us in the medical field like to overwhelm you lay people with scary stories. Feel better- wishes and prayers of good feelings and healing are being sent your way.
Honey! It sounds just awful. I hope you get better VERY soon. Thinking of you!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. I often go to Dr. Google for medical advice too
Gosh, what an ordeal! Thanks for sharing with your internet buds…we’ll keep you company! Take care of yourself.
Crap Em! Email me what hospital you are in- I’m coming to visit.
Oh, BABE. this just keeps getting better…poor girl
Oh man that sucks! I’m sorry!
Oh no!!!! I’m so sorry you had to go back in! I hope that the beat the infection now and that you won’t have to see the hospital for a while. We were there last night with Zander needing tubes asap. Thankfully that was just in and out. You are SO right. Hospital does feel like a jail cell.
HUGS. Thinking of you!
Emily - all good healing wishes coming your way…I am so sorry you are in pain. I hope you have speedy recovery and get home soon.
Hi Emily, keep writing. I think extra Vit. C wouldn’t hurt. MRSA is strong, but it’s not incurable, thanks for sharing.
I am so sorry to hear this! Get well soon. And keep us up to date as you can. OKay?
Emily, I am so sorry for you. My sister who had her 3rd back surgery extensive..just had the same thing happen and after her surgery which was 5 or 6 hours she had to go back two weeks later for another surgery to cleanse and change everything becasue of her infection which after center for disease decided it was ecol i .which is from dirty something..
I’m wondering what horror I’ll have with my surgeries Friday there taking my gallbladder and my left ovary (fearing cancer) oh shit…the infection thing is the worst nightmare. I will pray for you after this comment every single time I pray for me. There is something wrong in our hospitals. What in the hell is going on?
My best,
Dorothy from grammology
remember to call gram
oh, wow. what an experience…but now, sit back and enjoy the morphine. and sleep as much as you can ..
OH MY!
You poor thing. I hope all gets better as scheduled and as soon as possible!
Heart goes out to you, you brave soul you!
(and yep, I’m keeping Jail Diet for my personal one and Swoozy Homemaker for my fun extra saucy side!)
Get well soon!! Trust me don’t google anything medical related, not that I’ve ever done that or anything, ahem.
Oh Emily…I’m so very sorry to hear that you’re back in the hospital with another surgery under your belt
Sending hugs and prayers your way for a very speedy recovery!
What can I say…you are a trooper. After all you’ve been through and now this. Makes my sniveling about my snow day home with the kids feel really silly right now. Wishing you well and a speedy recovery!
oh emily, I’m so sorry to hear of this set-back in your recovery. That just stinks. Lots of prayers headed your way and cyberhugs too (((((((((((HUGS)))))))))
You poor thing. I’m so sorry your back in the hospital… You have such a wonderful and supportive family. You are very strong, and will get past this, too. ((HUGS))
oy, Emily…that’s terrible. and scary. as is doctor google whenever one is stuck in a hospital bed…but you already know that and it probably won’t stop you.
and least you have the craftmatic to ride up and down in.
i whiled away many a long hour on bedrest seeing whether i could bend myself into a pretzel without moving my midsection. good times, i say.
you get better soon. will be thinking of you.
I’m so sorry, sweet Emily. I will send a little prayer your way.
Great site Emily. Tough luck with the ‘wheels’. Happy healing. I enjoyed the bio about your husband and you and Ethan. My wife and daughter (Emily) and newborn (Ethan) are similar. When she was hospitalized for several weeks with Ethan in utero, she photographed the inside of her hospital hoosegow so we can show Ethan some day what Mommy had to go through. At least your Ethan can see for himself! Good luck and get well.
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Oh, E. I’m so sorry! I hope you are on the mend and feeling better already.
Wow, I had to go back in your posts to find out why exactly you have this problem and all I can say is WOW. So sorry you are having to deal with this; it makes my ovarian cyst issues minor in comparison.
I wish you the best and pray for a hurried recovery.
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