Oh wow! Reading this is like I’ve read something I have written about myself! I’m so sorry you’ve been poorly. I have gone through the exact same thing, apart from the pneumonia didn’t clear, and I had to have 3 chest drains inserted into my lungs and in the end an operation where they do keyhole surgery and suck all remaining infection out. Also lost a lot of blood, 37 days in hospital! They found another infection in my infection and that gave me a personal side room - little bonus. I’m home now, very weak, on a lot of meds! and still very reliable on my husband. I’m 43, and never had lung problems before!
Last April I went into hospital with a facial infection and sepsis.. I had to have an Iv- was in for 7 days.. awful put on a ward with others who were elderly. They think cuz your 60 your over the hill. No sleep had the same scary experience with patients.
Was woken up to have new anti biotics put in every 4 hrs.. by nurses who could not speak English very well.. 2 were nice ..1 was vile.
After 4 days moved to a ward where day patients stay -but only place to put me - was heaven to sleep. But the food was awful on both wards.. my hubs came in with fruit and yoghurt.
Never again.. do I want to stay in I said!! I broke my ankle in December and was in 2 days.. on a surgical ward .. in a 3 bed room with ppl my age .. a good stay.
We need our NHS but things need to change in these hospitals -
I have been in the exact same situation three times Andrea McLean . Once with viral pneumonia and the others with a urine infections. It took me a good year to fully recover back to my normal health. You need to be very vigilant going forward Andrea and keep any signs and symptoms in check, as you could be more susceptible to developing these conditions in the future. Keep getting stronger x
Thank you. I think what’s just been the scary part is how quickly it escalated, especially with us being healthy women, which you may have felt the same way.
I’m back to work today (I also work from home) a bit nervous I’m ready, but I’ve got to try. I know now if I’ve done too much my wounds hurt and I go out of breath, so just need to stay calm.
Oh my goodness, thank you for so eloquently articulating your experience and so very sorry that you’ve suffered in this horrendous way.
My husband and I are the opposite way around, as in he’s been the poorly one!
Flu like symptoms (very similar to your experience) at home, until intervention of the medical professionals was clearly needed and hospitalisation was required!
Bryan was diagnosed with Sepsis and Acute kidney injury. Thankfully his lungs remained challenged but functioning well. Fitted with a catheter, fluids, antibiotics all intravenously. X-ray, scans and tests galore
My husband could mirror your symptoms, treatments and horrors of the hospital beeping, lack of sleep etc etc…..
Reading through your story Andrea, felt as though we could have written this ourselves!
In a strange way it’s reassuring that we weren’t alone, assuming that your health was in a strong position before this illness took hold, as was Bryan’s.
Our time scale is also reflective of yours, hubby taken into hospital January 4th 2025, home late on the 10th. Regular blood tests ongoing, so fatigued and not fit to return to work yet.
He apparently baffled several doctors because they couldn’t work out why he was so ill.
His kidney numbers were only 16 when he was admitted and seriously low blood pressure.
I think I’m with you in saying I bloody hate January now too!
But fingers crossed the coming months will get better for us all and 2025 will turn out to be a super year.
Sending positive energy and huge hugs 🤗
Enjoy your writing, you’re clearly a naturally talented person on so many levels!
Take care lovely lady xX Please write a conclusion to your recovery, we’d love to hear how you’re all doing and feeling, thank you.
Gosh. I really feel for you. I so relate to the sensory overload thing. Bloody awful. You inspired me to write down how I coped as a MCAS (hyper-reactive) sufferer with recent hospital visits. Lordy. I hope you recover soon, and never have to go in again x https://micki839086.substack.com/p/hospital-visiting-and-mcas
oh wow this is awful, poor you Andrea. Glad you're on the mend and being looked after by your lovely husband, take care, spring will be here soon and you'll bounce back, I'm sure of it xx
Oh wow! Reading this is like I’ve read something I have written about myself! I’m so sorry you’ve been poorly. I have gone through the exact same thing, apart from the pneumonia didn’t clear, and I had to have 3 chest drains inserted into my lungs and in the end an operation where they do keyhole surgery and suck all remaining infection out. Also lost a lot of blood, 37 days in hospital! They found another infection in my infection and that gave me a personal side room - little bonus. I’m home now, very weird and still very reliable on my husband. I’m 43, and never had lung problems before!
This is so crazy. I was admitted to hospital last year for something I would never have expected in a million years. Went to a & e begrudgingly & wasn’t allowed to leave for 2 weeks - having all sorts of procedures during that time.
I tried to explain the nights & what went on but it was so difficult & everyone thought I was exaggerating. You have it exactly- 10pm & then all hell breaks out. There was a woman who watched Disney videos ( loudly) night & day whilst at the same time shouting that her feet were falling off - all night long.
Oh Andrea, that is horrendous what you've been through but I totally get it. My son has pancreatitis, the severe kind, and has been in hospital since 16th October. He's had 2 stints in ICU with sepsis and pneumonia but I'm pleased to say we got home 3rd Jan and he's recovering slowly. It's going to take months.
Like you, I hardly slept for 3 months. How can you sleep when your son is critically ill?
He has autism and learning difficulties and not once has he complained.
I send you all my love and the biggest hug for a speedy recovery ❤️
Just reading this in bed with flu, feel like utter rubbish, shivers, aches, painful throat, painful cough, we just think we have to battle through but so hard to know when the line is crossed and you need more help xxx
Oh wow! Reading this is like I’ve read something I have written about myself! I’m so sorry you’ve been poorly. I have gone through the exact same thing, apart from the pneumonia didn’t clear, and I had to have 3 chest drains inserted into my lungs and in the end an operation where they do keyhole surgery and suck all remaining infection out. Also lost a lot of blood, 37 days in hospital! They found another infection in my infection and that gave me a personal side room - little bonus. I’m home now, very weak, on a lot of meds! and still very reliable on my husband. I’m 43, and never had lung problems before!
Be kind to yourself and take your time.
Sarah x
Oh my goodness - I'm so sorry, this sounds awful! Glad you hear you are home now. YOU take it easy! x
Bless you Sarah Digby!
Another story with a similar sting. So sorry for your terrifying experience.
Hoping you recover to full health in the fullness of time, take care x
Last April I went into hospital with a facial infection and sepsis.. I had to have an Iv- was in for 7 days.. awful put on a ward with others who were elderly. They think cuz your 60 your over the hill. No sleep had the same scary experience with patients.
Was woken up to have new anti biotics put in every 4 hrs.. by nurses who could not speak English very well.. 2 were nice ..1 was vile.
After 4 days moved to a ward where day patients stay -but only place to put me - was heaven to sleep. But the food was awful on both wards.. my hubs came in with fruit and yoghurt.
Never again.. do I want to stay in I said!! I broke my ankle in December and was in 2 days.. on a surgical ward .. in a 3 bed room with ppl my age .. a good stay.
We need our NHS but things need to change in these hospitals -
Get well soon Andrea.
I have been in the exact same situation three times Andrea McLean . Once with viral pneumonia and the others with a urine infections. It took me a good year to fully recover back to my normal health. You need to be very vigilant going forward Andrea and keep any signs and symptoms in check, as you could be more susceptible to developing these conditions in the future. Keep getting stronger x
Thank you. I think what’s just been the scary part is how quickly it escalated, especially with us being healthy women, which you may have felt the same way.
I’m back to work today (I also work from home) a bit nervous I’m ready, but I’ve got to try. I know now if I’ve done too much my wounds hurt and I go out of breath, so just need to stay calm.
Take care
Xx
Oh my goodness, thank you for so eloquently articulating your experience and so very sorry that you’ve suffered in this horrendous way.
My husband and I are the opposite way around, as in he’s been the poorly one!
Flu like symptoms (very similar to your experience) at home, until intervention of the medical professionals was clearly needed and hospitalisation was required!
Bryan was diagnosed with Sepsis and Acute kidney injury. Thankfully his lungs remained challenged but functioning well. Fitted with a catheter, fluids, antibiotics all intravenously. X-ray, scans and tests galore
My husband could mirror your symptoms, treatments and horrors of the hospital beeping, lack of sleep etc etc…..
Reading through your story Andrea, felt as though we could have written this ourselves!
In a strange way it’s reassuring that we weren’t alone, assuming that your health was in a strong position before this illness took hold, as was Bryan’s.
Our time scale is also reflective of yours, hubby taken into hospital January 4th 2025, home late on the 10th. Regular blood tests ongoing, so fatigued and not fit to return to work yet.
He apparently baffled several doctors because they couldn’t work out why he was so ill.
His kidney numbers were only 16 when he was admitted and seriously low blood pressure.
I think I’m with you in saying I bloody hate January now too!
But fingers crossed the coming months will get better for us all and 2025 will turn out to be a super year.
Sending positive energy and huge hugs 🤗
Enjoy your writing, you’re clearly a naturally talented person on so many levels!
Take care lovely lady xX Please write a conclusion to your recovery, we’d love to hear how you’re all doing and feeling, thank you.
Gosh. I really feel for you. I so relate to the sensory overload thing. Bloody awful. You inspired me to write down how I coped as a MCAS (hyper-reactive) sufferer with recent hospital visits. Lordy. I hope you recover soon, and never have to go in again x https://micki839086.substack.com/p/hospital-visiting-and-mcas
Wow you’ve been through it, so glad you’re getting there, sounded awful and scary the ward you were in.
Take care and try and rest x
oh wow this is awful, poor you Andrea. Glad you're on the mend and being looked after by your lovely husband, take care, spring will be here soon and you'll bounce back, I'm sure of it xx
Oh wow! Reading this is like I’ve read something I have written about myself! I’m so sorry you’ve been poorly. I have gone through the exact same thing, apart from the pneumonia didn’t clear, and I had to have 3 chest drains inserted into my lungs and in the end an operation where they do keyhole surgery and suck all remaining infection out. Also lost a lot of blood, 37 days in hospital! They found another infection in my infection and that gave me a personal side room - little bonus. I’m home now, very weird and still very reliable on my husband. I’m 43, and never had lung problems before!
Be kind to yourself and take your time.
Sarah x
Oh boy…what a start to the year for you! (& Nick! 😉). I noticed you were quiet on Instagram and was hoping everything was ok!
Our bodies are wonderful machines however we absolutely take them for granted every day. When they break down…it’s a real wake up call.
Bet you’re so grateful to be getting stronger each day. 🙌🏼
Loved your hospital stories! Cannot imagine how challenging that must have been! 😘
Thanks Fiona - nice to see your smiley face here! x
So sorry to hear you’ve been ill, really enjoyed your first couple of posts x
Thanks Jo - when I said this column would be a ride, I didn't think it would mean in an ambulance! 🤣
This is so crazy. I was admitted to hospital last year for something I would never have expected in a million years. Went to a & e begrudgingly & wasn’t allowed to leave for 2 weeks - having all sorts of procedures during that time.
I tried to explain the nights & what went on but it was so difficult & everyone thought I was exaggerating. You have it exactly- 10pm & then all hell breaks out. There was a woman who watched Disney videos ( loudly) night & day whilst at the same time shouting that her feet were falling off - all night long.
I was soo glad to go home
Hopefully you’re on the mend x
Oh Andrea, that is horrendous what you've been through but I totally get it. My son has pancreatitis, the severe kind, and has been in hospital since 16th October. He's had 2 stints in ICU with sepsis and pneumonia but I'm pleased to say we got home 3rd Jan and he's recovering slowly. It's going to take months.
Like you, I hardly slept for 3 months. How can you sleep when your son is critically ill?
He has autism and learning difficulties and not once has he complained.
I send you all my love and the biggest hug for a speedy recovery ❤️
Just reading this in bed with flu, feel like utter rubbish, shivers, aches, painful throat, painful cough, we just think we have to battle through but so hard to know when the line is crossed and you need more help xxx
What an experience!! Hope you are getting stronger every day.
Welcome back!