It's Personal

I tried to have discretion.

I decided to keep something somewhat private and to myself...then I contracted a severe staph infection and everyone is left bewildered.

So, this is what happened...

Jared and I planned for me to go into surgery for hernia/abdominal repair on March 18th.  There were two hernias; one small, one rather large. 

Since it was located near my "girl area" and same day surgery, we decided to just let a few people know if it would affect them.  Like my volleyball team, the Y, our families (to help with the kids) etc. Otherwise, it just seemed personal.

The procedure went great.  I was home within a few hours sound asleep in my bed.  No worries.

Monday, Jared and I took the kids to the Legends.  Tuesday and Wednesday we met the Coker's at the park.  While out, I did my required 20 minutes of walking and then just sat and enjoyed the warm weather.  I felt really good and had no signs of what was to come.

Wednesday night at church I was feeling really run down.  I assumed it was due to going to the park, Goodwill, then church.  I planned an early bedtime and dismissed it.

Right before class started, I went into the restroom to check my site.  I had a small hole that I was to keep antibiotic ointment on.  It had looked fine for days, but all of a sudden it was red, warm, and oozing (I know, ewww.  Sorry).

I went home and decided to lay down.  I fell fast asleep in a chilled haze.  Jared came home a hour later and I was on fire.  I don't really recollect the next few days.  In fact I thought I went into the hospital on Thurs, but Jared told me today that it was Fri.  Thursday I had an appointment, they agreed it was infected and they gave me oral antibiotics.  If I wasn't better by morning they would reevaluate.

The infection had spread and my fevers were very high.  They admitted me Friday around 11:30 but there was not a room for me until 6pm.  We waited...and waited...and waited...  I was very sick and crying...a lot...

Over the next 72 hours I had IV antibiotics in both arms around the clock.  In the first 24 hours with the IV's I was still getting worse.

I have never been so sick, so scared, and so out of control of a situation.  Praise God, the doctors flushed my wounds (my most painful event to date) and between this and the antibiotics I finally started improving. 

I finally came home today.  I am so thankful to be feeling better and away from the danger of the infection.  I want to thank everyone for their kind words, prayers, food, emails, and Facebook comments.

If it weren't for our parents we wouldn't have made it through this.  Thank you so much for all your help with the kids and the laundry.  My house was clean when I arrived home!