Donation for AZ patient
Donation protected
At the end of October I came down with a dangerously high fever ranging from 101-104.8. As is my usual course of action, I bought every kind of OTC medication and put myself to bed to sweat and rest it out on my own. The morning of the 4th day of no improvement I had a change for the worse and my lungs started hurting with every breath I took. I rushed to urgent care and they turned me away and advised I go to the hospital ER.
Upon arriving at St Joseph ER, they immediately took my stats and blood pressure was dangerously low so I was taken back to a room right away. I’ve never been to a hospital for myself, let alone the emergency room, so at this point I’m starting to freak out. The room flooded with activity and doctors and nurses and they started hooking me up to multiple machines. At one point they put a mask over my face to help get oxygen to my blood, which caused my anxiety to sky rocket and I started to panic and get claustrophobic. I’m told it was at this point I started trying to pull things off and IVs out of me and combined with the test results showing I had aspirated, was in sepsis, and my organs were in danger of shutting down, they decided to intubate me and put me into a coma.
The next 2 weeks have been filled in for me by family as I was unconscious. In the beginning, the doctors told my family they didn’t know if I would make it, and if I did, I most likely would have to be on permanent breathing assistance and need to relearn everything.
My only memory from this stage is of my sister Tamara and nephew Max visiting me...at first I didn’t recognize them and thought I was dreaming. Then I recognized Max and started crying for putting them through everything and scaring them. My sister told me it’s ok, they love me, just get better, and I went back to the darkness.
I awoke to a room in ICU, but of course had no idea where I was or why I was there. The first noises I heard were the soft consistent beeps from machines, then the hushed voices of nurses. As my vision came into focus I looked around the room and recognized I was in a hospital. There was a white board on the wall and I saw the date, November 13, and couldn’t believe it. Last thing I remember was making plans to go to haunted houses, the fair and my gf Maria’s birthday party...I remember thinking, “did I really miss 2 weeks?!”! My next thought is, of course, “Ok, I’m awake now, how do I get out of here?” Within minutes, the first nurse I was to meet on this journey, Kelsi, rushed in and started asking me questions to see (I’m guessing) how much I remembered, how I was doing, how much damage had been done...it took all my energy to focus on her and communicate “yes I remember getting to hospital, no I don’t know what happened after, yes I know the date and year cuz it’s on whiteboard lol...” I couldn’t talk at first, my voice was incredibly weak which was hard for me because I LOVE to talk and sing and hum and talk...! I had no strength in my arms, hands, or legs...when it started setting in just how bad the situation was and I wasn’t going to just get up and walk out of there I got really upset and started crying. I was scared and sad and bewildered how a flu could make me end up in this position?? And as my sight got better and clearer I saw the pictures and cards left by my family and was once again I was reminded of the scare I must have put them through and I let the grief wash over me and fell back asleep.
The next couple days there was a flurry of activity...visits by friends and family...physical and respiratory therapy...I was determined to do whatever it took to regain my strength and get the hell out of there! And every day I made improvements and my “numbers”
got better and better until they removed my feeding tube, took me down level after level on oxygen masks, took catheter out (that was fun...not!), stood up with help, stood up on my own, got from the bed to sitting position in a chair, walked from the bed to room door, went to the bathroom at the potty next to my bed, went to restroom all by myself lol....WENT OUTSIDE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A WHEELCHAIR TO THE HEALING GARDENS with a nurse and my sister Tamara!!! As soon as I was able to go outside and breath fresh air and see trees and flowers and the crisp blue sky I was more determined than ever to get home! Every day I had multiple nurses stop by my room to tell me how great I looked (have they seen me??) compared to when I got there, and they couldn’t believe my recovery! Within 3 days I was cleared to transfer out of ICU...on the 5th day, instead of going to a rehabilitation hospital I was cleared to GO HOME AND HEAL! I was super excited and slightly scared to leave my proximity to the amazing nursing staff at St Joe’s, but it was time for me start my healing journey and get back to life!
It’s been rough since coming home. At first I was confined to the first floor because my legs were too weak to lift. Everything made me tired, walking to the restroom, petting my baby dogs (who about sent me back to the hospital they were so excited to see me lol), visiting with all the family that came to visit, updating everyone where I’d been and what happened to me...but as we all know, I don’t have a lazy bone in my body and the second I felt my strength coming back, I was working on getting back to normal. Fast forward to today, 2 weeks later, and I’m able to climb the stairs, I’ve driven, done light housework, and even cooked(cut food and microwaved) a few meals! My arms and legs are still incredibly weak, but getting stronger every day. And the 15 lbs I lost (mostly my butt) is starting to come back too!
I’ve had the most amazing support from family and friends, help with getting on a vitamin regimen, massage and reiki treatments, books and documentaries on getting and staying healthy so I have something to do while I’m forced to sit still and rest (which kills me), and just the prayers and loving healing energy sent my way to support me in my recovery has been the greatest gift I could ask for.
All that being said, I have missed a month of work and won’t be able to return full time for another month at least. I have some pretty major hospital and aftercare bills and my monthly expenses... I’m trying to figure out a way to deal with so I can stop worrying and stressing about keeping my phone and electric on and focus on getting better and healing so I can return to work. When all this happened I foolishly did not have 60-90 day emergency fund saved up and as much as it pains and embarrasses me, I don’t have many other options other than to reach out to family and friends for some help. If you’re able to send anything, $1,$5, $100.... everything helps and is greatly appreciated! My goal is to be working full time within 2 months and the amount requested gets me through till then. I’ve worked since I was 15 years old and never asked for help so this is almost as difficult as ending up in the hospital in a coma and almost dying lol
If you’re unable to donate and made it to the end of my story, thank you for caring and reading! I hope my experience helps you or someone you know...the flu is No JOKE! Any fever over 102+ you should be seen by a doctor RIGHT AWAY! I am still accepting prayers and healing thoughts as I’m not fully recovered yet and still battling fevers, muscle atrophy, and weakness...
I have so much to be thankful and grateful for! I’m amazed at how many people thought of me and prayed for me...I’m truly touched and my heart is filled with love for you all!
Thanks again for taking the time to read my story and for anything you’re able to send my way, be it healing energy, prayers, or financial, all support is welcome and appreciated!!
Upon arriving at St Joseph ER, they immediately took my stats and blood pressure was dangerously low so I was taken back to a room right away. I’ve never been to a hospital for myself, let alone the emergency room, so at this point I’m starting to freak out. The room flooded with activity and doctors and nurses and they started hooking me up to multiple machines. At one point they put a mask over my face to help get oxygen to my blood, which caused my anxiety to sky rocket and I started to panic and get claustrophobic. I’m told it was at this point I started trying to pull things off and IVs out of me and combined with the test results showing I had aspirated, was in sepsis, and my organs were in danger of shutting down, they decided to intubate me and put me into a coma.
The next 2 weeks have been filled in for me by family as I was unconscious. In the beginning, the doctors told my family they didn’t know if I would make it, and if I did, I most likely would have to be on permanent breathing assistance and need to relearn everything.
My only memory from this stage is of my sister Tamara and nephew Max visiting me...at first I didn’t recognize them and thought I was dreaming. Then I recognized Max and started crying for putting them through everything and scaring them. My sister told me it’s ok, they love me, just get better, and I went back to the darkness.
I awoke to a room in ICU, but of course had no idea where I was or why I was there. The first noises I heard were the soft consistent beeps from machines, then the hushed voices of nurses. As my vision came into focus I looked around the room and recognized I was in a hospital. There was a white board on the wall and I saw the date, November 13, and couldn’t believe it. Last thing I remember was making plans to go to haunted houses, the fair and my gf Maria’s birthday party...I remember thinking, “did I really miss 2 weeks?!”! My next thought is, of course, “Ok, I’m awake now, how do I get out of here?” Within minutes, the first nurse I was to meet on this journey, Kelsi, rushed in and started asking me questions to see (I’m guessing) how much I remembered, how I was doing, how much damage had been done...it took all my energy to focus on her and communicate “yes I remember getting to hospital, no I don’t know what happened after, yes I know the date and year cuz it’s on whiteboard lol...” I couldn’t talk at first, my voice was incredibly weak which was hard for me because I LOVE to talk and sing and hum and talk...! I had no strength in my arms, hands, or legs...when it started setting in just how bad the situation was and I wasn’t going to just get up and walk out of there I got really upset and started crying. I was scared and sad and bewildered how a flu could make me end up in this position?? And as my sight got better and clearer I saw the pictures and cards left by my family and was once again I was reminded of the scare I must have put them through and I let the grief wash over me and fell back asleep.
The next couple days there was a flurry of activity...visits by friends and family...physical and respiratory therapy...I was determined to do whatever it took to regain my strength and get the hell out of there! And every day I made improvements and my “numbers”
got better and better until they removed my feeding tube, took me down level after level on oxygen masks, took catheter out (that was fun...not!), stood up with help, stood up on my own, got from the bed to sitting position in a chair, walked from the bed to room door, went to the bathroom at the potty next to my bed, went to restroom all by myself lol....WENT OUTSIDE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A WHEELCHAIR TO THE HEALING GARDENS with a nurse and my sister Tamara!!! As soon as I was able to go outside and breath fresh air and see trees and flowers and the crisp blue sky I was more determined than ever to get home! Every day I had multiple nurses stop by my room to tell me how great I looked (have they seen me??) compared to when I got there, and they couldn’t believe my recovery! Within 3 days I was cleared to transfer out of ICU...on the 5th day, instead of going to a rehabilitation hospital I was cleared to GO HOME AND HEAL! I was super excited and slightly scared to leave my proximity to the amazing nursing staff at St Joe’s, but it was time for me start my healing journey and get back to life!
It’s been rough since coming home. At first I was confined to the first floor because my legs were too weak to lift. Everything made me tired, walking to the restroom, petting my baby dogs (who about sent me back to the hospital they were so excited to see me lol), visiting with all the family that came to visit, updating everyone where I’d been and what happened to me...but as we all know, I don’t have a lazy bone in my body and the second I felt my strength coming back, I was working on getting back to normal. Fast forward to today, 2 weeks later, and I’m able to climb the stairs, I’ve driven, done light housework, and even cooked(cut food and microwaved) a few meals! My arms and legs are still incredibly weak, but getting stronger every day. And the 15 lbs I lost (mostly my butt) is starting to come back too!
I’ve had the most amazing support from family and friends, help with getting on a vitamin regimen, massage and reiki treatments, books and documentaries on getting and staying healthy so I have something to do while I’m forced to sit still and rest (which kills me), and just the prayers and loving healing energy sent my way to support me in my recovery has been the greatest gift I could ask for.
All that being said, I have missed a month of work and won’t be able to return full time for another month at least. I have some pretty major hospital and aftercare bills and my monthly expenses... I’m trying to figure out a way to deal with so I can stop worrying and stressing about keeping my phone and electric on and focus on getting better and healing so I can return to work. When all this happened I foolishly did not have 60-90 day emergency fund saved up and as much as it pains and embarrasses me, I don’t have many other options other than to reach out to family and friends for some help. If you’re able to send anything, $1,$5, $100.... everything helps and is greatly appreciated! My goal is to be working full time within 2 months and the amount requested gets me through till then. I’ve worked since I was 15 years old and never asked for help so this is almost as difficult as ending up in the hospital in a coma and almost dying lol
If you’re unable to donate and made it to the end of my story, thank you for caring and reading! I hope my experience helps you or someone you know...the flu is No JOKE! Any fever over 102+ you should be seen by a doctor RIGHT AWAY! I am still accepting prayers and healing thoughts as I’m not fully recovered yet and still battling fevers, muscle atrophy, and weakness...
I have so much to be thankful and grateful for! I’m amazed at how many people thought of me and prayed for me...I’m truly touched and my heart is filled with love for you all!
Thanks again for taking the time to read my story and for anything you’re able to send my way, be it healing energy, prayers, or financial, all support is welcome and appreciated!!
Organizer
Larin Christensen
Organizer
Phoenix, AZ