Tuesday, October 04, 2016

Catching up

You don't get much of a view for the money...
A week ago, I was in the hospital.  This was a first for me.  I have had two surgeries, the latest last January, but both were out-patient.  This all changed surprisingly last Monday when I woke at 3 AM, thinking I was coming down with the flu.  I was sweating and freezing while my body ached, classic flu symptoms.  I moved to a recliner at 6 AM, having drenched my bed-sheets.  I sent a few emails out, redoing my schedule as there was no way I was able to make meetings scheduled for the morning.  As I was getting ready to take Ibuprofen, a little before nine in the morning, I decided to take my temperature.  It was 104 degrees.  I called my doctor and he said go straight to the emergency room.  30 minutes later, I had IVs dangling above me as they pumped fluids and antibiotics into my body.  My heart was racing (up to 125 a minute), my white blood count was around 18000, and I felt like crap.  They began treating me for sepsis.

Six days earlier I had a simple procedure.   The doctors didn’t think it was going to be anything to worry about but since my PSA levels (which is released by the prostate) had been rising, they thought it advisable to have a biopsy.  It was a mildly uncomfortable procedure, with the doctor shooting something through the wall of my anus into the prostate.  When it was over, I felt like someone pushed a shotgun up my butt and fired a round of birdshot.  But by the next day, I felt fine. I was back at the gym, on Friday I took a decent bicycle ride.   Even as late as Sunday night, when I was at a reception which I was to give a short talk, I was feeling well.  But that changed on Monday morning.  The urologist had warned me to get back to him if I had a temperature over 100 degrees F in the 48 hours following the procedure, but I was well beyond that window.  I stayed two nights in the hospital, eating crappy food and watching an even crappier Presidential debates (heaven help us if this is the best we can do).  On Wednesday, they sent me home with lots of antibiotics, which I’ll be on for another week or so.  I go back the middle of next week to see the urologist.
    
I am trying to take this week as vacation.  I was going to be in the middle of the Okefenokee Swamp for several days, but being that far from care if something arises (along with the unpleasant side effects of the drugs), I cancelled that as well as a bike trip.  Then I planned a road trip to Warm Springs and Plains, GA, places I haven’t been, but now I’m waiting to see if Matthew is going to visit.  

The good news.  As I was getting out of the hospital, my urologist stopped by and said the biopsy had come back clear.  At least I won't have to worry about that!  More later



20 comments:

  1. That sounds scary. I hope you get better soon and can treat this week as a sort of vacation. Just relax and heal.

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  2. Well you've certainly had an eventful couple of weeks! I hope after all that, that your biopsy comes back clear. I know PSA tests can produce false concerns, so hoping that's the case for you.

    Praying Matthew stays far out to sea.

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  3. I'm sorry to hear of your health problems. I hope you are feeling well again soon. I hope you are able to dodge any damage from the hurricane too.

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  4. Goodness, I am so sorry to read about your health problems, may you be well on the road to recovery now.
    Stay safe ...

    All the best Jan

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  5. Im so sorry you were so sick Sage.
    Yesterday I remember you and I think I have to see how is him !
    Well here Im and Im noticed you were so sick.
    Thanks God you are better.
    Take care Sage.
    Hugs.

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  6. First thought was appendicitis and I am glad that was wrong. Dude, hospital infections pre & post surgery and just by being in them--nightmare. So how was the biopsy? Everything good?

    3 words to remember "Aging is hell"

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  7. Thanks everyone. I have edited the story to note that the biopsy came back clear! That's good news. Currently watching Hurricane Matthew and trying to figure out what's going to happen (living on an island we'll probably be evacuated). Chrys, I hope you're safe down in Florida!

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  8. Wow, sepsis is dangerous. So glad that you realized something was really wrong and called your doc. Hope you feel better soon and don't have this sort of problem again.

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  9. Well that's an interesting update from you! Seems as if you are on the mend now. And good news on the biopsy. Couldn't agree more about the presidential candidates. Watched the VP debate last night and find each of them much more likable than their would-be bosses. I only question the judgment of each in aligning themselves w/ them.

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  10. I wish you a full recovery. Fortunately your (very wise) body alerted you before you went on your trip.

    Greetings from London.

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  11. That is terrible! At least the results of the biopsy were good. When I had mine I described it a little differently. It felt like they drove a submarine up my butt, and fire torpedoes through to get the biopsies. I'm glad you are feeling better. Hope the storm isn't too bad for you.

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  12. That is very scary! I'm glad you didn't wait around to see if you got better before calling the dr.

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  13. Wow! Watching Mathew seems kind of tame compared to the previous few days!

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  14. Hi, Sage! I'm so glad that you are recovering from all that has happened, but especially that your biopsy is clear. I've been thinking about you as Matthew approaches, and I hope that you are well beyond its reach!

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  15. Best wishes for continued progress, Sage.

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  16. So glad you are OK! And also that you and yours are safe from the hurricane's path.

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  17. Good grief! That's some scary stuff. Sepsis is nothing to take lightly. . .well, none of what you've been going through is. Here's to a return to health and some good outdoor activity.

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  18. Ghee, friend Sage, what a different kind of journey this was for you ... but I am proud for you though, that you went to see a doctor ... cuz many men don't until it is too late ... Wishing you happy trails from now on ... Love, cat.

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