Hello everyone!
I have apparently generated some curiosity from this thread due to my vagueness. I would like to respond here with more specifics (although still rather vague) so that you may have a greater understanding as to why I am so thankful. It's truly is a miracle that I am here to type this, please read on...
I recently attempted to be a tough guy and ignore what I thought was a pulled muscle or something in my back. I've never spent a night at or have been comfortable around hospitals. Typically, I only go when absolutely necessary. I awoke one morning at the end of last month to what felt like a knife piercing my lower back and and I was having difficulty breathing. I managed to drive myself to the ER with the pain getting increasingly worse by the minute. I was thinking that perhaps they would just take an X-ray, give me some pills and send me home. I barely made it into the front door and was immediately assisted as I was collapsing. I was having problems breathing and staying conscious due to the pain. Fortunately, I was able to text my boss and girlfriend to tell them I was at the ER before I started to slip away. I was overwhelmed with pain and not thinking clearly, therefor I never mentioned which Hospital I was at. My girl spent 2 hours on the phone before she figured it out. She immediately came to my side and remained there throughout this entire ordeal and never gave up on me, not even for a minute! She constantly informed/updated everyone of my status all be it good or bad. Had she not, I could have died all alone and no one would even have known. THANK YOU JACKIE, I LOVE YOU!:love1:
A few days went by as they were trying to diagnose my condition. They knew I had an infection in my chest but didn't know exactly what it was. The doctors threw a ton of different extreme antibiotics at it to try to knock it down, unsuccessfully. I remember the surgeon telling me that I had a very bad infection on the in/outside of my lung and that he would have to go in and try to remove it. That was one of the last things I remember. I guess the surgery went somewhat as planned. They removed tissue and some of the infection as well as 8-9 quarts of fluid from my lungs and installed some chest tubes. As I understand it, I failed shortly after surgery and I was placed on life support. At that time, they still didn't know exactly what the infection was or the exact antibiotic to use to treat it. Day after day I continued to worsen, everyone figured I was done. Doctors, nurses, family, friends... I was in the greatest fight of my life and loosing miserably. Every time an IV or drug was administered, a picture was taken and shared amongst friends here with expertise in the health care. I had a team of specialists amongst my friends constantly monitoring what was being done and checking on my progress. A BIG thanks to Dr. Hansy, Frodo, Juggy, and Kizzle for having my back! Many people were coming to visit me while on life support in ICU. Although no one was giving up on me, I believe some were paying their last respects and trying to comfort me in any way they could. Praying, laughing, playing music for me, giving me a peal necklace, painting my toe nails pink, making fun of me, etc. Doing whatever they could do to cope and help me. Nurses were getting upset because my room was overflowing into the hall and people were making noise. I remember awaking for a brief moment sometime afterwards, and having a little old cleaning lady come to my bedside and asking me who I was. She said that she had worked in that hospital for many years and had never seen so many people come and go through an ICU room. Although I was on life support, heavily sedated on some extreme drugs and totally out of it, I somehow managed to figure out a way to communicate through writing. She seemed so disappointed when I told her I was just a regular guy, not a rock star... no one rich or famous. So much happened in such a short period of time and I was totally out of it for much of it. I was overwhelmed, scared as were those around me, frustrated, in pain...I said and did things, I had and have absolutely no clue. I was on life support for about 5 days and slipping backwards. Somewhere along that timeline, a team of renown germ specialists (similar to those on the TV series House) identified the infection specifically. They started treating me with the correct antibiotics and I started to recover rapidly.
Apparently it began with Strep in my chest and over weeks developed into Bacterial Pneumonia and Empyema. I was off life support and out of ICU on Wednesday or Thursday. By Monday, I walked out of the hospital on my own power. I am still trying to heal, gain my strength back (lost over 20lbs. in 2 weeks) and get a grip on what happened.
This has been completely overwhelming on every level imaginable. I have feelings and thoughts that can not be put into words. God has blessed me with so much! MY LIFE, the Doctors and staff at the Hospital, my family and friends. So much love, energy and effort was put forth through prayer, presence, and support to get me better. So many people that I know and don't helped me... it has rendered me virtually speechless. All I want now is to get and stay healthy, and celebrate life with those around me every minute of every day. Life truly is a gift that is so easily taken for granted. Many of my closest family and friends have been made through this hobby and website. I can't imaging where I would be without them or RC.
I want to thank Helter Skilter and Mullet for continuing to take care of my reefs while I go through all this. They have certainly been life savers!
Sorry for the novel, but I just had to share my miracle with you. I am proud to say that I have quit smoking after having a 2+ pack a day habit for over 30 years in addition to giving up many other self destructive habits.
I will have a table at the CMAS swap tomorrow. Please take a moment to stop by, say hello and help me celebrate life!:bounce1:
THANK YOU!
Beefy
