Vicki Therriault

Hi friends, colleagues, and family,

Many of you have the had pleasure of working with and/or getting to know Vicki, or Dr. T, as we say in our house. The last year has been extremely difficult mentally, physically, and financially for Vicki as she has struggled with COVID-19 and the many awful side effects which come along with this horrible disease. I will include Vicki’s hospital updates below for those of you who are unfamiliar with her battles. At this time, Vicki has moved into a care facility where she has been able to begin occupational and physical therapy, but she still has a long road to recovery. She has been unable to work since November 2022. If you are able and willing to provide financial support to help cover the rising costs of her care that is not covered by insurance, she would be ever so grateful.

Hugs,

Ashley

From Vicki’s updates:

December 2021: mild case of covid despite being vaccinated/boosted/masked

January 2022: pneumonia (debatable if it was from covid or an additional infection)

March 2022: sinus surgery (I can breathe through my nose again - but those lungs were still causing issues) ct scan continued "pneumonia" that's not responding to medications

April 2022: hospitalized for 2 days, no sign of improvement for lungs despite every antibiotic thrown at it; bronchoscopy and lavage of lungs; further testing needed

June 2022: wedge biopsies of lungs taken; shows interstitial lung disease and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (not an active infection pneumonia)

September 2022: worsening of shortness of breath upon exertion = oxygen concentrators are now part of my daily routine and "Bruno" goes with me everywhere

November 7, 2022: nearly pass out in shower, while getting ready for work. Advised to call 911. Super amazing neighbor came down to sit with me and calm me when I made the call and made sure the critters were taken care of and my place was locked up. Tested positive for covid (again) and scans show covid pneumonia wasted no time. Spent 4 nights in the hospital receiving Remdesivir and higher doses of steroids (than those that I've already been taking since June).

Update:

Hopefully finally over the fevers and looking forward to getting back to work with my students and amazing colleagues (so thankful for them!), with "Bruno" by my side of course. My PSA: this holiday season, be thankful for all that you have, even the little things, and continue to be considerate of others. If you're able to, get those vaccines (flu, covid, etc.), and mask when you feel it prudent to do so.

Update:

My eternal gratitude continues for those in the healthcare field (EMS, nurses, doctors, techs, etc.) and to my supportive family and friends.

The fevers never went away.

November 28: called for an ambulance as oxygen levels depleted

Admitted to ICU at CDH

December 1: transferred to Northwestern Medicine ICU in Chicago

Despite covid's grand attempt, didn't die, but spent 10 days in purgatory/ICU

Now, 12/14, have a regular bed at Northwestern, working through breathing treatments, physical therapy, and occupational therapy to recover abilities that covid has taken all while awaiting to see if my lungs can and will recover.

My PSA: this holiday season, be thankful for all that you have, even the little things, and continue to be considerate of others. If you're able to, get those vaccines (flu, covid, etc.), and mask when you feel it prudent to do so.

Update:

My eternal gratitude continues for those in the healthcare field (EMS, nurses, doctors, techs, etc.) and to my supportive family and friends, as well as those sending positive vibes, prayers, and thoughts my direction.

After spending a month at Northwestern, I've finally made my way to Kindred in Sycamore, so that I may continue my recovery alongside my support system and family, and not feel so isolated. It is here that I hope to continue to wean off of oxygen as my lungs continue to slowly get stronger and to continue working on physical and occupational therapy so that I may return to home and work soon. I've also begun taking the medicine CellCept, which I've been waiting for, as I taper off the high amount of steroids that I've been on for about 10 months now. It is the hope of the pulmonologists and neurologist, that this medication will convince my body to stop attacking the good, allow my lungs to recover fully, while also treating/preventing the progression of the multiple sclerosis.

My Christmas was definitely not traditional and I coined it my "never have I ever" Christmas, knocking things off that i haven't yet done such as staying in the hospital during the holiday and finally watching the movie "Elf" for the first time. I was surrounded by some of my favorite staff here though and I enjoyed hospital-style holiday mocktails and Christmas cookies. Oh, and for a bit of a medically-inspired Christmas miracle, I began weaning off of oxygen Christmas evening and have so far been tolerating it well. My eve of the new year was spent listening to at least 70 ambulances drive in to the ambulance bay with blaring sirens throughout the night and early morning. Pro-tip: if you're ever in a hospital or nearby hotel over the NYE holiday and you treasure sleep be sure your room is nowhere near the ambulance garage.

Lessons learned: I cannot control everything, sadly, and this experience has taught me that it is indeed okay to ask for and accept help from others. I've also learned that not having all of the answers to all of the questions is okay, even if it annoys me.

Wishing everyone a happy and HEALTHY 2023! ❤

Update:

After just 5 days here at Kindred I've been able to have family and friend visitors each day and my soul and heart are so happy and this is assisting in my recovery greatly. For example, today after my occupational therapy session of practicing my pretend kitchen skills I decided to challenge myself with the 5-step staircase in the room and I was able to make it up and down them; not incredibly gracefully, but still successfully. My lungs continue to have incredibly low endurance and I'm exerted by super simple tasks. I realize now that I took the ability to complete these tasks so simply and naturally before forgranted and shall never do so again.

My continued gratitude to all of those who are supporting me through this; it really means the world to me and I can feel your positive vibes, thoughts, and prayers each day. ❤️