Me Since the 4th! (or: the story of I almost died twice)

[Memnir]

Hey there everyone! :)

Sorry I've been gone for.... well, longer then I intended. Just as an upfront - this is a very me-focused thread. So, if I'm one of the forum-folk who annoys you, please consider perusing another thread or three in the meantime. Won't say ya have to, just wanted to open with that disclaimer.


As some around the forum may recall, in 2010 I had a duel pulmonary embolism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulmonary_embolism) that sidelined me for about a week. These are nasty events that have killed off many of those who befall them. The survival rate is about 26%.

Well, on the 4th of this month, I had another one. This was a smaller one this time, but they are always fairly seriousness.Only partially blocking one lung. However, I was pretty shocked when the Doc discharged me the following day - and without discussing my secondary symptom of a numb area at the base of my back. He said it was nothing.


All well and good until about four hours after I was discharged. As my wife was out and about picking up the meds the Doc had proscribed for me, I passed out while walking up the stairs. I woke up on the floor, bleeding from the nose, mouth and forehead - the small of my back feeling like it was on fire. My two teenaged kids were also freaking out - one of whom called 911. The paramedics got me in the ambulance and checked my pulse-ox levels. It read as 40%. It should never read below 90% - trust me, machines in ICU will alarm if it dips to 89%.

The small clot that was partially blocking my left lung was now a massive one, blocking the whole lung with some tendrils going to the right. But to make matters wholly worse, it seemed I now also had a nasty case of pneumonia nesting in the right as well.

But I didn't know any of that till this past Monday, the 19th. I was quickly sedated in the ER to put me on a breathing tube. I was kept knocked out as my situation became clear to the doctors. I was well and truly screwed. The treatment for either symptom is time and some heavy drugs. I had both - and the treatments conflict. My wife was told to gather anyone who might regret not being there - and nobody thought I'd shake the pneumonia, let alone the clot. My fever hit 104, and I was being cooled via ice packs being applied right to my skin. The fever broke but I was, at the ICU docs' figuring, way too weak to recover breathing function in that lung - let alone too fight off the clot that was still looming.

On Monday, I woke up - suddenly and to the surprise of the docs. The clot is gone, and I am officially one hell of a lucky human being. I know that because of the sheer number of medical personal who dropped by my room and said they were nothing short of amazed I was up and talking. I stopped counting at 25.


So, I'm back! :D
Have I missed anything amazing or otherwise since I've been gone?

[Zraack]

Welcome back. If I was you I would buy a few lottery tickets. You seem to be on a roll.

[bvermeul]

Welcome back Memnir, and glad you pulled through.

Don't give your family another scare like that :p

[Phoenix-daBard]

Welcome back to the living.


Well, on the 4th of this month, I had another one. This was a smaller one this time, but they are always fairly seriousness.Only partially blocking one lung. However, I was pretty shocked when the Doc discharged me the following day - and without discussing my secondary symptom of a numb area at the base of my back. He said it was nothing.

Remember they are only practicing medicine. When a doctor says something is nothing make sure they have a good explanation of why it is nothing. And if they can not give you one demand a second opinion. I've had a couple of bouts of medicals gone nuts thanks to a cancer now gone and this is the lesson I have learned.

Take care and remember no doctor can take as good care of you as you can.

[Hendrik]

So VERY glad to hear you are better Mem!

I'm scared for you just reading your post can only imagine how it has affected you and your family.

Never experienced, and don't want to, anything like what you have with your lung/clot. Unfortunately, I do know what it is like to have some lung issues. After 4 spontaneous lung collapses, surgeries, and a problem section removed, I do have some insight to what I might have been like - not nearly as bad though.

Glad you are still with us and sound like you are doing better all things considered.

Stay well friend!

/thoughts and prayers.

-Hen

[xxHazexx]

Good too see you stabalized bud glad to have you back in the ranks, also didn't really miss out on anything too interesting. :D

[Marcus-Hawkeye]

Wow. Did you buy a lottery ticket?

That's pretty crazy. Glad to see you are well.

[rokes]

I'm glad you're better now Mem.

Welcome back !

[Rumbaar]

Wow, sounds like you've been through a lot. I wish you well, and that it never happens again.

Good luck,

[Cauthey]

Wow! Glad to hear that you're back, and in good health! Don't let the door hit you in the face on your way back in! :D

http://www.lolwithme.org/wp-content/uploads/Cat_invisible_pet_door.gif
Srsly! Punch on through that mess! :D


I actually posted a couple of threads today that had snark and humor in them, and was thinking "I wonder what Memnir would say," and was wondering if you were around. I was really proud of this one (http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?p=4374581#post4374581).

Again, welcome back! Glad you're here! :D

[Memnir]

Thanks all! :D
No lotto ticket - my wife wants me to save up all the luck for when/if I need it again. lol



Also just wanted to mention something I forgot too... I won't be around as much on the forums over the month or so. I have a lot of a lot of new doctors to get acquainted with, meet the one's I'd already had in my circle to pow-wow with, and personal-trailers to arrange and see daily.

In short. I need to work to ensure that my recovery stays recovered. But I've missed y'all - and I wanted to let you guys know where I'd been over the past while.


Speaking of my wife - she cracked me up after I woke up by saying, "You've been Mostly Dead all week". Ah, just out of a medically induced coma and she comes out with a Princess Bride quote. Y'all should be so lucky fellas.... for more reasons then just that.

[Lilliana]

It is good to hear you recovered.
Best wishes for the future to you and your loved ones.
I'm sure, there are many picture postings left in you :)

[dunklezhan]

Speaking of my wife - she cracked me up after I woke up by saying, "You've been Mostly Dead all week". Ah, just out of a medically induced coma and she comes out with a Princess Bride quote.

Gratz!

And welcome back!

[arconalos]

Missed you Mem. Congrats on the recovery and amazing good fortune. Keep getting better. Peace be with you

[Windex69]

Glad you made it through and to have you back!

I thought there was a steady voice of reason missing from these boards the last few weeks.

[Lehmu]

You've been mostly dead (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d5Oxgc0BCc&t=21)?

Welcome back to the land of the living.

[gk_zone]

mem's medical staff hard at work...

http://www.hecklerspray.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Miracle-Max.jpg

Welcome back to the land of the living. Take your coat off and stay a while. :)

[ArcaneMelee]

Sounds like you rolled a 1 @ -9... next time pick the Diehard feat, willya?

Glad you're still with us.

[Krell]

Sounds like you stabilized at -9.

Welcome back!

[BitkaCK2]

Welcome back and congratulations on beating the odds!

/slight derail
When I was 16 I had an accident that left me paralyzed (quadriplegic). That first night the doctor told my parents I wouldn't survive the evening and they should consider unplugging me from the respirator to save the medical expense. Mom told him to go to he11. 30 years later he's 6 feet under and I'm still here.
/end slight derail

Doctor's error in your favor, you win
bitkaCK2

[Meat-Head]

and SOME people say the diehard feat is not worth it. pfffffft.


GL bro.

[cpito]

/cheers

[TEcarson]

I thought we were running low on funny gifs. :)

Welcome back Mem!

[Myrddinman]

Sounds like you rolled a 1 @ -9... next time pick the Diehard feat, willya?

Glad you're still with us.

Sounds like he has the Diehard feat! Holy Moley :eek:

Meh, he must be a Ranger :)

[Myrddinman]

Seriously though, that is some scary stuff Mem! I'm glad that you're okay and I look forward to many more obscure, but totally appropriate and winning pics from you!

Curious though, did your wife have Spawn Screen ready...just in case? :D

[uthanak69]

Glad you're alive and well dude!

[bhgiant]

I remember asking a guildy of mine questions for at least 15 minutes when he told me he got a cyst removed from his middle finger. As a med student, this stuff interests me but I will spare you the strain and merely say I am glad you are recovering and I am glad you are here. May your recovery be short, complete and speedy.

[TekkenDevil]

You should switch down the doctor that sent you home immediately. You don't need a PhD to know what he did was extremely irresponsible.

[Arnhelm]

Glad you made it through. Best of luck for a full recovery!

[grayham]

Holy fudgenoodles Mem....

Great to have you back with us, I always enjoy your posts. Here's to a full and speedy recovery (drinks).

[Hobgoblin]

Speaking of my wife - she cracked me up after I woke up by saying, "You've been Mostly Dead all week". Ah, just out of a medically induced coma and she comes out with a Princess Bride quote. Y'all should be so lucky fellas.... for more reasons then just that.

you should consider keeping this one. she seems like she likes ya :)

hob

[Chauncey1]

Holy Carp!
Welcome back!
:D

[Kyrgan]

I am new and don't know you Memnir, but it is good to have you back and I am grateful that your family still has you. Be well and god bless.

[Braegan]

Wow Mem!

I'm really glad you pulled through, now take 'er easy and get well bro. :)

[2x4]

Memnir,

I have not spoken directly with you on the forums but I have enjoyed all of your posts and your great sense of humour. It looks like you and your wife have a wonderfull life full of laughter and is something very special. Very glad your family and you are together to enjoy it after such a scare.

The DDOverse is a much better place with you in it.

Please take care and get better quickly.

:)

[Memnir]

Thanks all. :)
Getting better every day - but still have a long road to travel to being back where I was before the hospital stay. hat is why I've been kinda scarce here on the forums and in-game.


But, I hope to be back more asap tho.

[RabidKoala]

seen your posts (haven't posted to you) yet gratz.

Live long and prosper.

[Lorichie]

Once again, another example to show that no matter how bad you think you have it, someone else has it worse. After four years and three rounds of prostate cancer, it's easy to sometimes feel sorry for myself and let it get me down...then along comes Mem and reminds me it can always be worsesterer.

Take time to cherish the family Mem, you now know how fast it can be over, and how little control you have over it....and gratz on the remarkable recovery.

R

[mystafyi]

glad yer ok in spite of yer doctor.

you need a new doctor. A vast amount of doctors are useless feks or on the take from drug or other various medical companies. Dont join momma and rely on a bad doctor...

[NaturalHazard]

glad to hear your alright, hopefully you stay healthy man.

[Fomori]

I just read your original post today...

Its good to see that you pulled through that. From a forum perspective your insight is something that would have been missed.

From a personal perspective my family had an amazing recovery moment as well. My dad needed a heart transplant a couple years back or he wouldnt have survived 6 months. When he was in surgery we got a call after only 4 hours, they said it would take 6-10, so we were very scared of the news. Instead it was he was in recovery with the fastest, easiest transplant the U of Chicago hospital have ever done.

I know what a relief that its probably been for your family, as it was for us. Glad to see you are doing much better.

[Talias006]

Just noticed the be in your sig line and clicked on it.
Been kinda out of it a while, and inside while I was miffed at the lack of Mem worthy gifs and other minutae, didn't occur that something was wrong.
Figured you needed a break from DDO for a little while, since it happens to us all.

I am very glad that you took that you pulled through that, it had to be scary.
Right now am dealing with a dear friend who is going through a tough bout after just getting rid of stage 4 cancer in her upper abdominal area, and endured a minor embolism in both lungs as well as having had surgery for complications caused indirectly by the cancer. :eek:

I'll keep my Cleric's, Paladins, and Favored Souls reciting prayers for your recovery as much as I do hers.

Good to have you back, gif's or no gif's. :D

[Psiandron]

Wow!

I haven't been reading the forums as much or as closely lately and I missed this when it was first posted.

Glad to hear you dodged that one and that you're recovering Mem. Profane luck bonus? :D

Take good care of yourself

[Elaril]

I'm happy for you. But moreso for your children and your wife. /salute

[RavenStormclaw]

Hey Mem,

Welcome back and glad you pulled through. If you want any sideline advice about what happened or what to do in the future feel free to PM me. I am dual boarded in internal medicine and pediatrics and have been doing ER work for the last 8 years. Any nagging quesitons your docs didn't anwer shoot my way if you want. Alway happy to help out a fellow DDO player.

[Coldin]

Great to hear you're alright Memnir, even if I didn't know anything was wrong! :)

[Uska]

Wow that is some serious stuff we had a patient die awhile back to one of those she was heavy and it wasnt properly detected they can be hard to find especially on really heavy people. Glad your alright and we don't like normally healthy people to have their O2 stats drop below 95% unless they have a condition like COPD.