237 replies to this topic

[Mrs Wisteria]

Woooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhooooooooooooooooooooooo

Now get back home double quick and get properly well even quicker....
will be having one of these tonight for you and for Ms Winger too
take care
v
xx

[S&W Winger]

Thank you, Mrs. W.! Smiley is discharged!! She writes:



This would not have been possible without all of you! Your friendships, love, and support, has carried me through! Thank you, once again..

;-) <3

[Edinburgh Colin]

Brilliant news Renée, whatever YOU are doing keep doing it!

[rue2you]

Renee! This is SO wonderful!! God is answering prayers!

[greybeard]

It was a toss up whether you (on behalf of your deity), or WOF (he is rather god-like, don't you think?) would be the first to claim the credit for Smiley''s recovery.

Who or whatever was responsible, I think it was the large number of good wishes she received. But who really cares? It's just wonderful that she's improving.

[rue2you]

Oh, but I must thank God. Jim (Illinois boy) said it in the other thread when he said that if there was a God to do His (blank) job. I don't want anywhere near any claims on this. God gets it all!

I am touched so deeply by the outpouring of love she has received! I just love everyone here!! You know I love you!!

Edited by rue2you, 20 May 2011 - 06:07 PM.

[greybeard]

JIM!! JIIIMMMMM!!!!

Can you get him to fix my vacuum cleaner?

[rue2you]

greybeard, on 20 May 2011 - 06:31 PM, said:

JIM!! JIIIMMMMM!!!!

Can you get him to fix my vacuum cleaner?

[Smileyblue]

Lol.. Its good to be home!

My FIRST priority was to jump into my SHOWER! Lol.. There really is NOTHING like running water!

My puppies fussed over me and I over them for ages! What a homecoming!

Yes, I mistakenly thought I was a goner, and I didn't die.. I'm not going to apologise for that.. I still don't know which memories are memories and which were halucinations, and I guess I never will.. All I do know is I'm glad I got through this very frightening time with you all.. I have a new appreciation for friends, and for life because of it..

;-)

[dancin' johnny]

You have nothing to apologise for Smiley, whatever gets you through the night.
It's so nice to see the "huggy huggy" approach working.

[S&W Winger]

Welcome back, my friend! So good to see you up and posting! I completely understand that sickest feeling of impending Death from severe UTI, sepsis, etc., and make no qualms about your earlier post...

...just so very happy you are out of danger....and among the Living still...

[Soryfam]

Bev's word are exactly what my thoughts are also. And to think that the spasms are gone too!!!

Sandy

[Tetracyclone]

Smiley,

If spasms are down I would suppose this infection has been there and irritating your system for sooo long. As for everyone, i am grateful for your progress. i will keep on praying because it is so important that you not get another infection or a relapse of this last bug.

Vigilance in the spirit realm .

[viva disability]

is this real? like is it a real thread? did u say u were dying (or thought you were) from a UTI? really? did u really say that?

[Smileyblue]

Well, yes it is a real thread.. Mistaken, but real nevertheless.. UTI's are not to be messed around with, and I highly recommend seeking help before things get out of hand, as in my instance..

My kidneys are still not quite right.. I am seeing the specialist as soon as I can get an appointment.. Fingers crossed for my health to be as good as my new outlook on life..

;-)

[S&W Winger]

viva disability, on 23 May 2011 - 05:02 PM, said:

is this real? like is it a real thread? did u say u were dying (or thought you were) from a UTI? really? did u really say that?

Yes, this thread is real...our dear friend Smiley was quite ill...finally much better...but I will vouche for the ability of UTI's to kill, as I may still find out soon enough...

Smiley could tell you her own story...mine is simple: indwelling cath leading to UTI after UTI, multiple organisms at a time, all oral antibiotics useless, on IV antibiotics [via PICC line] since November...waiting for bladder augmentation/cycstoplasty with catherizable channel/stoma in order to intermittent cath.

[sh1wn]

Before antibiotics UTI's were a major cause of death for paras & quads.
Sepsis is no fun at all.
Glad you made it thru.

[hooplady]

Smileyblue, on 20 May 2011 - 08:45 AM, said:

There's an Afrikaans saying, roughly translated, "my heart beats chocolate" for you all.. You know that thick, warm feeling you get?

Thank you Smiley - for coming out of the dark side of this crisis, for loving your sweet puppies so much, for being so much fun in all the games, and for giving us that FABULOUS phrase!!

Welcome back. Now go ban Bev for something.

[Gabi&George]

Smileyblue, on 10 May 2011 - 11:05 AM, said:

I'm just wondering if I should be making my arrangements to take the long trip to nowhere land..

WOW what a fabulous forum this. I've been online since inception of the 'net and it reminds me of its "early days". Caring, sharing and a wealth of valuable, trustworthy information. WOW and thanks to all those involved in keeping it so.

Anyway, yes indeed a UTI is potentially life threatening.

George's turned into Sepsis some months ago.

Out of the blue one morning I couldn't wake him. He was helicoptered to the closest major city where Sepsis was dx'd and I was told that if he didn't show improvement "in 48 hours" the usual outcome was death. Guess he was out of the norm, he didn't regain consciousness for 7 days while his, (and my), life hung in the balance. (Without this man I can't imagine a life.)

We were blessed and he did recover.

Just wanted to add to those here who are stressing the point that yes, no kidding, what starts out as a UTI, seemingly commonplace to many and especially those with compromised immune systems, CAN indeed threaten your life and might just take it.

So pleased that this wasn't the case for you, SmileyBlue. Keep up the good work.

I'm interested to know what you found out about the green cath. Like is that a run, don't "walk" to the ER? I mean did you find out is that a for sure indication of sepsis?

All the very best for your continuing return to good health. Gabi.

[Smileyblue]

Thanks Gabi..

Yes indeed, I think the "run, don't walk" advice is definitely appropriate! Lol.. As far as the green, I believe it sure indication of pseudonoma overgrowth.. I think where the biggest problem came in was the constantly blocking catheter causing back flush to my kidneys..

One should NEVER, under ANY circumstances delay getting the proper medical treatment! Once your kidneys are gone, there's no growing another pair..

This has been a very frightening experience, but I hope that by having gone through this with all my friends online, it may come to prevent someone else going through this same crisis.. Or at least to make people aware of the dangers in delaying medical treatment..

My kidneys are still not quite right.. But I am waiting for confirmation of my appointment with the Urologist as we speak..

;-)

[Simba]

Smiley there is absolutely no reason why you should apologise for having said your goodbyes.

UTI's can be potentially life threatening especially with SCI and the spread to the kidney's as was true in your case (the blocked catheter would have probably contributed to this).

I am so glad you managed to pull through as I for one was very concerned to read about the dillema's you were having.

Lets hope the good news keeps on coming for you, a good recovery (please allow yourself some recuperation time) and a positive appointment with the urologist who will no doubt be able to advise on recommendations for improving or maintaining kidney function for you - be sure to ask. Stay vigilant to any changes.

Wishing you a good recovery - sure your puppies are over-joyed to see you home again.

[Smileyblue]

Thank you for the kind words Simba.. ;-)

I just got off the phone with the Urologist, but he remains unconcerned.. He says that they did do tests on my kidneys for stones and function and they were fine, and although not impossible, it is unlikely that either a stone or other damage would have occurred within such a short time..

He has requested to see me in a few days if it is not getting any better, and also to discuss my bladder management options in more details as the in-dwelling Foley is most likely the culprit for the repeat infections..

I will definitely have to find some way to better manage my bladder..

[S&W Winger]

Yes, Smiley, you know that balloon inside the bladder is the cause, as it is with mine, thus my plan for the surgery...please keep flushing, Smiley, with saline, at least, and Vetericyn also, if you are so inclined...I've added it to my flush now...


And to viva disability:

...back to the original post: Yes, and I will let you know soon enough, as they keep postponing my surgery...now the surgeon does not wish to accept the customary charges that BCBS is willing to pay...and since this is Floriduh, he could simply decide not to do my surgery...and there is not another surgeon, here or near able to perform this surgery...

...and if the UTI's themselves don't kill me, the IV antibiotics just may...and as soon as I try to stop the IV's, I am bombarded with organisms...even on IV's, I manage a few...thus, without the surgery, I cannot Live my Life as I am always sick...

I want my Life back, even the much smaller pathetic SCI'd one...!

Edited by S&W Winger, 24 May 2011 - 06:11 PM.

[Soryfam]

I'm so sorry Bev. Sometimes it would be nice if life just fell into place and things came easy. The constant fight to get what's needed, see the right doctors, get the right meds can wear us down just as the actual illness does. Know that I'm thinking of you and hoping for a helpful surgeon who will be able to stop the cycle of infection, antibiotics, fatigue, etc., that you are gong through.

Sandy

[Smileyblue]

Dearest Bev.. You WILL get it back! If anyone can, it is you! You fight for it! It is a struggle sometimes, but in the end it will be worth it!

I will keep my fingers crossed in the belief that you will receive your much needed surgery on time, with fabulous results!

We are all here for you too! You must know you can contact me ANY TIME, day or night, if you ever need to.. <3

Edited by Smileyblue, 24 May 2011 - 07:05 PM.

[twentieth]

Glad to see you made it back from your "Journey". We all know the old saying (and how true here), "that which does not kill you only makes you stronger". Welcome back!

[Snakeye]

Geez...I hope one can't die of UTI at least not easily since I presently have one...throwing down those antibiotics like a wild man...third one I've had in the past year...join the club I guess.

[Tetracyclone]

Bev-

Have you tried promising the surgeon you will make up the difference?
Afterwards, of course, you pay it off at $10/month...



this does not work is many situations, but sometimes has worked. My dad pulled it off and it was hilarious. It requires a bit of posturing and mention of your "investments".

Next there is blackmail...

Suggest we turn this into "Bev's thread..."

Edited by Tetracyclone, 25 May 2011 - 01:13 AM.

[S&W Winger]

Tetracyclone, on 25 May 2011 - 01:12 AM, said:

Bev-

Have you tried promising the surgeon you will make up the difference?
Afterwards, of course, you pay it off at $10/month...



this does not work is many situations, but sometimes has worked. My dad pulled it off and it was hilarious. It requires a bit of posturing and mention of your "investments".

Next there is blackmail...

Suggest we turn this into "Bev's thread..."

No way!! This is Smiley's thread...I am just an aside [only mentioned my own issues to commiserate with our Smiley]...and things will work out some way or another...seems via his nasty wife/office insurance liason, the difference is about $4000 and they want it up front LOL!...they are negotiating now...I am infusing...and the flowers are blooming...

Edited by S&W Winger, 25 May 2011 - 02:13 AM.

[Tetracyclone]

I disagree, Bev. I think the thread has become a very useful discussion of the gravity of UTIs, or the seriousness of living with a neurogenic bladder. Managing our bladder function is matter of do or die.

It will be useful to many if the thread periodically gets bumped up for review, and Smiley's story will really help educate.