Thank you so much for your kind words, encouragement, and prayers regarding my post about being in the hospital with cellulitis. I’m still in the hospital, but there’s hope of going home today. The doctor will decide today whether I need more IV antibiotics or whether I can go home with oral ones. Much as I’d like to get home, I don’t want to leave too soon and end up back here. (Update: I am home now!)
I wasn’t sure earlier this week whether I’d have a FFF post or not–partly because I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to around all the hospital disruptions, partly because, frankly, I was a little down. But there are always blessings, always something to be grateful for. So I’m sharing today with you all and Susanne at Living to Tell the Story.
1. Improvement, though it has been slow. Cellulitis is a skin infection which is serious, and a nuisance, but can be dealt with. Its biggest danger is that it can spread quickly and then cause major problems. So when this experience involved more area than ever and looked deeper and “angrier” than I’d ever had, I was alarmed. Then when it seemed stuck at the same level for so long, I was discouraged. But finally it took a turn for the better.
Also, once I accepted the situation rather than chafing against it, my spirits improved. I might as well just lean into the chance to read, doze, and rest.
2. Good nurses. Most of the nurses and technicians have been great, a couple of them exceptional. Efficiency, cheerfulness, and thoughtfulness go a long way.
3. A nice view. I happened to get a room at the end of the hall which is a little bigger and has a lot of windows.
It’s been nice in the mornings to watch the light come up over the hills.
4. Humor. While still in the ER, they wanted to do an ultrasound on my leg to make sure there wasn’t a blood clot, which can also cause redness and swelling. There wasn’t, thankfully. When they brought me back from the ultrasound, Jim said, “Boy or girl?” 🙂
5. Camping. Jim, Jason, and Timothy were supposed to go camping this week since Timothy is off for fall break. I felt bad about derailing that. So I thought it neat when Jason sent pictures that he and Timothy set up a tent on their back deck and were camping out there.
Bonus: Hearing from a long lost friend. A good friend and I eventually lost touch when we started attending another church. It wasn’t deliberate–our lives just went in different directions and we didn’t have that weekly opportunity to touch base. She’s not on Facebook but heard from another mutual friend that I was in the hospital. She dropped a flower and card at the house, which Jim found when he stopped in to pick up some things. Then she sent me a couple of texts. My heart was so warmed to hear from her again.
And that’s it for this week. I hope yours has been good.
What a thoughtful friend to drop off the surprises. I love that.
I also laughed when I read the question Jim posed “boy or girl?” HA!!
I’m thankful you are seeing improvements. I know nothing about cellulitis although I’d heard of it. What causes it??? Is there a way to actually prevent if from happening again?
I continue to pray for God’s healing for you. Take care.
As I understand it, fluids tend to pool in my lower legs and then have trouble circulating back up. For some reason, that extra fluid makes me more prone to infection if I get a scratch or something, just from the normal bacteria we all carry around on our skin. I’ve been on a diuretic to help the fluid issue, but may need to go to something stronger.
The discharging dr said it may have something to do with vein problems. Something to ask about at my follow-up visit.
Barbara, I’m so sorry you are going thru this with your health. I’m glad you were able to find things to be thankful for thru it. If you have to be in the hospital that room looks like it would be the place to be, So nice that it has so many windows and you don’t just hve to stare at 4 walls. Jim’s comment made me laugh. Praying you are out today and your leg is well on the mend
Glad you are making progress. Praying for a final solution!
TT
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I’m so gratified that you’re seeing improvement — and that you’re writing a post on gratitude from a hospital! — and that you have that room! That’s a nicer look than I’ve ever seen in a hospital room, I think. I love that Timothy and his dad could still “camp” 🙂
Praying that your doctors can knock the cellulitis out and that you’ll soon be recovering at home!
I sure do hope you can go home today! I used to work in Home Health and frequently nurses would go into the home and administer IV antibiotics. Maybe that would be an option for you. I’m glad that Timothy and his dad still went camping. At least in their back yard. A good compromise. I’m so glad you reconnected with an old friend. I sure can understand how this whole experience would make you feel really down and I’m glad you were able to relax and have victory.
Wanted to share this video, as it gives a deeper dive into cellulitis…which is usually a symptom, not an actual diagnosis. A friend started taking oil of oregano and a probiotic, especially after being on antibiotics..Antibiotics wipe out your good bacteria as well..so that needs to be replenished. They were never told they had high blood sugars. But they actually did..the lymphatic system plays a role in skin infections too. Everyone is different, but the body’s smart and will always try to repair inflammation as best as it can. I had to go low carb several years ago due to becoming pre diabetic. After seeing a natural holistic doc, I was diagnosed with gluten ataxia..an inherited marker from my Dad. Our diet plays a huge role in overall health. Maybe d a fasting blood sugar check for a week or so, just to get an average of how your body is handling glucose. I hope this has helped.
I’m glad you were still able to find some good things in your week. I’m sure it has been difficult but hopefully by now you will be back at home while you continue to recover.
I’m so glad to hear you are home now! As the mom of an ICU nurse, I appreciate that you mentioned the nurses as one of your faves. They work so hard.
What a sweet thought and gift from your friend. And now you are back in contact again.
Heal well! Willow
YAY for being home! I’m so glad to hear this wonderful news. Prayers continue that the oral antibiotics will continue to clear up the infection. You’ve had such a rough year when it comes to your health. praying that all changes very soon.
Loved Jim’s sense of humor and I am glad to hear that you had good folks surrounding you with care.
Thanks for sharing that you were discouraged at one point and once you accepted the situation for what it was that you began to lean into the time to read, take naps, etc. I often forget that acceptance part and mutter around instead of accepting it for what it is.
So pleased to know you’re home — even though your room had such a pretty view. What a blessing to have good and even exceptional care from the staff. Hoping you’ll get some clarity about what triggers and possibly things you can do to heal. And praying you’ll recover from the antibiotics, too!
I’m so sorry to hear that you went through that. I hope that you are home now and on the mend. I will include you in my prayers. That is a beautiful hospital room! Wow! It looks like a 5 star Hilton hotel.
Well, only the windows looked like a hotel room. The rest looked very much like a hospital room. 🙂 I was able to come home Friday afternoon. Thanks for praying! I still have some healing to do, but I hope the rest of the way is smooth.