This stuff is not a hoax, not left/right, not Trump/Biden. It’s not political, and it damn sure isn’t the flu.
For a couple of weeks, I had a head cold. Teledoc (whom I will never use again) gave me Prednizone… 10 days later, prednisone and doxycycline. Totally dropped the ball on that one.
By the 20th, I thought I had bronchitis, deadheading from Toledo to home was rough.
Went home, tried to sleep, got nowhere…..off to the ER. COVID positive and viral pneumonia. I stayed Saturday and got antibiotics, antiviral, COVID infusion, steroids.
Monday, my O2 level was good, so I can quarantine at home. Zithromax and albuterol inhaler every six hours. For three days I improved.
the nurse from the insurance company called, checking diagnosis, etc. and she asked if we had an O2 monitor for your fingertip…no but we should get one. Good old Amazon Prime, next day shipping.
By Friday I wasn’t doing any better, Saturday morning it was obvious that I was getting worse.
When the box showed up….took it out, batteries, turn it on, put it on my finger…..64%
“I’m calling the hospital”
Now I love my wife to no end, she is the strongest and independent woman I have ever known. But we were driving (fast) and this thing on my finger beeps…52% and I’m not moving. She thought she was taking my body to the ER. I scared the hell out of her, and I owe her diamonds. I don’t remember much after that.
x-ray…oh crap……..ct scan..oh shit. I’m breathing in a teacup. Transfer to Regional.
ICU doctors are called “Intensivists” now, in record time I’ve got two IVs, tube, mask, rebreather. Stripped, strapped and six monitors doing something.
“We have you on 90 liters of 90% O2 and hour blowing into your nose, it still isn’t working well enough. We are going to put you on your stomach, I want you to concentrate on breathing. If this doesn’t get your O2 up we will have to intubate you. You focus and ride this storm out till we get some space to work with”
Great, my doc is an REO Speedwagon fan.
Saturday through Monday is nothing I ever want to do again. A week in ICU and to get off the blower. From the 27th to the 6th of March I didn’t move. I’ve lost 26 pounds (I don’t recommend the diet plan) and my muscles have atrophied badly, my mouth is full of blisters from the heavy O2. They tell me I was hours from a complete respiratory collapse and cardiac arrest.
Today, I’m up with a cane and an O2 tube following me around. By the end of the week, they may be able to release me.
This is not a joke, it’s not a meme. Not a conspiracy by “them” to control you. The survival rate may be 98% but you can go through a lot of hell and survive.
TAKE THE DAMN VACCINE.
love all you guys, thanks for the texts and concern. I really do appreciate it.
I’ll keep working and get back soon
Ric