On Monday, October 11, I didn’t go to work. I had a sore throat and laryngitis. I did go to the local pharmacy and picked up an OTC dayquil/nyquil combo pack and some cough drops. On Tuesday, I didn’t feel any better so I stayed home again. On Wednesday, I went to the doctor. Clearly something was going on. When I arrived at the doctor’s office, he took one look at me, checked my blood oxygen, and called 911 for an ambulance to take me to the hospital. When I arrived at the hospital, I was put on a ventilator, feeding tube and central line from Wed 13th thru Thurs 21st. I have no memory of anything between arriving at the hospital and waking up from the ventilator 8 days later. I’m told I nearly died, but you couldn’t prove it by me. I was released from the hospital late yesterday (10/24). There’s this stranger living in my body. She doesn’t smoke. She doesn’t even breathe very well. She uses portable oxygen. She gets winded walking from one end of the house to the other. But she will continue to improve every day.
My daughter is here from Texas. My sister had a POA while I was incapacitated. My living will is missing, likely the victim of a burglary last spring when my strongbox was stolen. I won’t be going back to work before Thanksgiving, according to my doctor. I’m very glad I have AFLAC.
Mo K.
Oct 25, 2010 @ 12:17:49
Good lord, Lorrie!!! What a horrific ordeal!! I’m relieved that you’re home and recovering. And whatever could have brought this on? You’re in our prayers.
MorningGlory
Oct 25, 2010 @ 14:54:56
Most likely brought on by 40 years as a smoker, and burning leaves the weekend before.
Laura
Oct 25, 2010 @ 12:40:31
I AM SO GLAD YOU ARE BETTER! I missed you and when I was told how sick you were my thoughts were with you ( that’s probably what saved you because I am very close to T Rex. Just sayin’.) Take it super easy and take care of yourself, girl! I’m glad your daughter is with you. Now GET BACK TO BED! or soap operas, whichever,
MorningGlory
Oct 25, 2010 @ 14:57:38
Your intervention with the T-Rex tribal council has been noted and appreciated. Michelle told me she did her best to keep you and Jeffro up to date.
Tom Leonard
Oct 25, 2010 @ 17:06:26
Hey Lorrie, take it easy and please get better. Kind of missed all you posting on Facebook. Glad you are back home resting. It must have been a really big “scare” for your family. Get well soon!!!!
Michelle
Oct 25, 2010 @ 17:14:00
I am glad you are home. I will call soon.
Jeffro
Oct 25, 2010 @ 20:48:03
Whew!
Don’t do that. Again.
Glad you’re on the mend – my stop smoking regimen involved installing the zipper in my chest, so I guess we’re stubborn?
It bears repeating – glad you’re on the mend!
MorningGlory
Oct 26, 2010 @ 12:03:16
stubborn. Yeah Jeffro, we’re stubborn. Or stupid. Either way, I won’t be going through this again. My fracken throat is still sore, and I’ve been off the ventilator 6 days.
Larry
Nov 16, 2010 @ 19:49:59
Continue to mend!
aithne
Nov 21, 2010 @ 17:46:33
Whoa! That is really scary! Take all the rest you can get. You were in the hospital so long.
How is recovery going for you?
Cripes Suzette
Nov 23, 2010 @ 10:00:22
Geez Louise. ARDS. I don’t know that I’d blame a history of smoking on the sudden appearance of this situation. My suspicion is viral pneumonia as an aftereffect of influenza.
I wish you were on TV because I do my best remote diagnostic work for people who appear on TV. The only time I was only wrong was about Jerry Lewis.
Do you have a webcam? Crank it up. Hold your cat up to the lens and I’ll diagnose her too.
MorningGlory
Nov 23, 2010 @ 13:53:25
Suzette, the final decision was that the leaves and straw I’d been burning were moldy, and inhaling the mold spores is what set off the respiratory failure. I’ve had COPD for several years, which is undoubtedly from smoking. The good news – I haven’t smoked since it happened (October 13 – 40 days and counting). It was the most frightening thing that has ever happened to me.
Karen
May 06, 2011 @ 12:43:13
Lorrie, I’m just first reading about your health scare in October. Wow. Who would think that mold spores could do so much damage? I’m glad you’re feeling better now, they stuck me in the hospital last year, too, and when I got the bill, I almost needed to go back in. Wow, again; it was the fastest I’ve ever spent money in my entire life.
I hope you are feeling much better now. And I’ll be much more careful when I’m burning stuff from now on.
MorningGlory
May 06, 2011 @ 13:07:17
Karen, even with EXCELLENT insurance, I still have bills in excess of $5K. Before the insurance, the hospital bill alone was over $93,000. Just for the hospital. Not the doctor. Or the X-rays. Or the pharmacy, respiratory therapy, anesthesiologist, or anything else.