I pray no one has the week I've had

12 years ago

Actually it's been nearly three weeks, but this last one has been the week from hell.

Three weeks ago on a bright sunny 90degF day Jan and I went shopping. When we went in the grocery store at Walmart there were a few black clouds off to the west and I remember commenting to Jan that we will probably get a thunder bumper later this evening...was I wrong...Between browsing around in Walmart & grocery shopping we were in the store about 1.5 hours and by the time we came out the temp had dropped to about 60degF and it was raining like a hurricane storm. By the time we got our stuff in the car I was soaked to the skin and on the way home I started having chills. As soon as I got home, maybe 20 minutes later, I got dried off, changed clothes and was warmed up again so I didn't think anything abut it.

Later that evening I started getting a lot of mucouse in my nose and a few light sneezes, but I still didn't think it was a big deal because I have a super strong immune system and I can usually fight these things off in a day.

Now the stuffy nose was no problem because, as many of you already know, I have COPD. I just laid down on the bed and hooked up my oxygen with a nose cannula. That oxy blowing through the nasal passage tends to keep it dry and open.

The next morning I went out to the kitchen for my morning coffee and while sitting there I started sneezing again, only this time it was not those cute little sneezes we usually have. These were violent, body shaking sneezes and came a dozen at a time in rapid succession. Fast forward an hour and I started sneezing again, the same way. By this time my rib musles were so sore that even taking a shallow breath was an effort, so back to bed and the oxygen. I ocntinued to have those bouts of sneezes about once an hour until well into the next day. Add to that, I have a persistant cough from the COPD but even the slightest cough caused my rib area to hurt till I almost had tears in my eye and by this time the pain in my ribs was constant.

The next morning I was awakened because I literally could not breathe. I was still having the sneezes plus congestion had now settled in my lungs so I was coughing terribly. There I was sitting on the side of the bed, caughing terribly and gasping for air literally like a fish out of water, even though I had the oxygen on. I got my meter and checked my blood oxygen level and it was down to 79% even with the oxygen on. I managed to turn the oxygen flow rate up to about twice my normal level and I told Jan I needed to go to the hospital.

I ended up with 18hours in the intensive care unit followed by two days in the hospital taking respiratory therapy. When I first went in I told the doctor in the ER about the pain in my ribs and intercostal muscles so he sent me for an MRI. After I got out of the intensive care and was on the ward the doctor came in and asked if my ribs still hurt? And I replied that they were still killing me...to which he replied, "I don't wonder, the MRI reveals that you caughed & sneezed so violently that you broke one rib and crack two more on your left side, and cracked one on the right side, but what I am even more concerned about is that your diaphram was torn partially loose on the left side. It is not at a point where it can't heal itself, but you can be sure that area is going to be tender for about 4 to 6 weeks."

Then he said, "By the way, I got your lab tests back, you don't need to worry about taking the flu shot this year, you just beat the toughest flu there is."

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Comments (35)

jel48
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Owww.... lazypup, sorry to hear all that! I hope you start feeling better soon.
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Marilyn Sue
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
So sorry to hear you have been so sick. I hope Jan doesn't get it. Glad you are on the mend.

Sue
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dedtired
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You had a helluva time. I didn't know you could break ribs by coughing. Glad that you are on your way to recovery and next time please pay better attention to the weather, although you probably picked up a germ in Wally World.
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kathyg_in_mi
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Glad you're on the mend.
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wanda_va
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I am so sorry you have been sick, and hope you are well on the road to a full recovery. I can't imagine how much pain you were in with your ribs. Please take care of yourself and know that we really missed you, Frog and Nephew. I hope Frog took care of Jan while you were in the hospital.

Does Frog have any medical training, or can he at least take on a candy-striper's role of bringing you meals, etc.?
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katlan
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Good Lord, how awful. Good call going to the hospital, a lot of folks just refuse to do that for some reason.

Really sorry you were so sick, and very glad to hear you're getting better.

What's so scary is how fast it hit you, that's crazy.
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foggyj
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Well, that was quite an ordeal! Glad you are on the mend. Take care.
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marie_ndcal
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I knew something was wrong and I do wish you the best. Really miss Frog, but with a husband that has COPD plus other issues, kind of know what you are going thru. Just take it easy and our prayers are with you for feeling better.
Marie
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minnie_tx
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Glad you're on the mend.

Me too.
Hope FROG and nephew are giving you a lot of TLC
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lisa_fla
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hope you are feeling better each day. Do you think you caught the flu at Walmart and it came on that fast?? Yikes! You really did have pure misery with all of that. Be sure to rest and eat right while you recover. I bet Frog is going to be jealous of all the attention you are getting!
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glenda_al
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Sounds like one miserable episode.

Hope you recover and back to your fun bouncy self!

Take it easy and get well!
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amyfiddler
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Walmart makes me sick too. That sounds awful...so sorry you were down that bad...!
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nanny98
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You have been missed and we are glad to learn that you are well on the way to recovery. Some Flu!!!!! Continue your Rest and recovery while I seriously think about an early flu shot.
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matti5
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Lazypup I am so sorry you've had such a awful time of it. I'm wishing you a speedy recovery.

I was hit hard by whatever bug is going around and ended up in emergency as well. Nasty stuff!

I hope Frog and Nephew are taking good care of you.
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chisue
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Guess we know one thing: You are a survivor! Keep on keeping on -- and *mending*!

(I've cracked ribs by coughing too. Ow!)

Much as we hope there is no 'next time'...Next time, don't wait that long to go to the ER. Write it down so you'll remember.
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ravencajun Zone 8b TX
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
oh man that was some serious stuff you got there. I have had a few of those coughs that could break ribs so I know what you mean.
Glad you are doing better and have made it through the worst part.
Take care!
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kacram
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
wow. I'm sorry you've been in so much pain.
Glad you are on the mend!
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Fun2BHere
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Sending you healing thoughts...
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patti43
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Glad to hear from you and glad you had the sense to tell Jan you needed help. Men aren't know for that trait so I'm happy you did!

Take care and get better. Hope those ribs heal soon.
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lydia1959
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
What an ordeal! Hope you are feeling back to your old self soon!
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emma
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Sorry to hear that. My son has severe problem with every cold he has. He was advised if he caught a cold go immediately to the ER, it may save your life.
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hounds_x_two
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
So sorry you were "under the weather" and had such a stormy bout. Hoping for a rapid recovery.
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jannie
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
My Mom had COPD, I know it's awful! Hope you are getting enough rest and that Jan and Frog don't catch this from you.
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Georgysmom
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Now that's what I would call a REALLY bad week. Glad you're on the mend. I had a friend who coughed so hard she cracked ribs also. She was in her ninth month of pregnancy and had to deliver that baby with the cracked ribs. I'm surprised she had another one after that. LOL
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nizza
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
So sorry to hear about your ordeal. I hope you now have a full and quick recovery.
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cheryl_ok
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Gosh Lazypup, you sure had a rough go about! Hope you mend soon!
Take care of your self
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lindaohnowga
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Oh ouchy, double and triple ouchy. It's amazing isn't it what hard sneezing and coughing can do to our bones, muscles, etc. Your own muscles can break bones.(Hubby had that happen to his foot.) You've been through quite an ordeal. Praying everything heals quickly for you. Rest is the best for you right now. Thanks for letting us know what happened to you. We kept wondering where you were. I sure hope Jan doesn't get it next.
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sjerin
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow, that sounds positively frightening, LP! I'm very glad you are doing alright now.
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drewsmaga
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
OMG, Lazypup! Glad you are healing! Jan and frog and nephew must have been so worried.
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stellawinslet
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Sneezing made your ribs break and crack?? That's something I have never heard before. Anyways, now that you are on the road to recovery, I wish you luck. Stay healthy, fit and fine, forever.
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susanjf_gw
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
i've heard about breaking a rib before but the diaphram??wow...hope you're resting and healing...

stella my mother was told to be very careful with muscle spasms in her back as they could do the same thing...

my fil was taken to er and they found he has copd, among other things..he just got back home yesterday (2 day stay)...he's mad they put him on advair, at $65! told him if he uses it correctly along with his oxygen, and other meds he might get benefits of NOT going back to er!
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eileen101
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Oh My Goodness....What a time you've had!!
Eileen
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FlamingO in AR
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Feel better soon, that sounds very painful!
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rob333 (zone 7b)
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Oh Lazy, I am so sorry! Get well soon.
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Jasdip
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow! When you do something, you really do it don't you!!
What a week, I can't imagine.

I hope Frog and Nephew are comforting you. Get well soon, big guy and take it easy.
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I pray no one has the week I've had

Comments (35)

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