Julie's Story

This all started on a Saturday morning during the last week of October when I woke up with some weird body aches. I took a bath hoping to relax however once I got out of the tub I got a massive headache. This went on all day on Saturday. Finally early Sunday morning (my sister lives with me and my husband) my sister came home (she is a practicing Physicians Assistant) and felt my head and said I was burning up. Needless to say I had a 104 degree temp and went to the Doctor on Monday.

The Doctor said it was too early for the Flu but, felt that is what I had. I expressed to the Doctor that I felt some kind of pressure in my left upper lung. The Doctor felt it was Pleurisy. So I went home with directions to keep taking Tylenol and to rest and if I don't start feeling better by the weekend to call. By that Friday I couldn't walk and I had a hard time breathing, as well as my right lung now felt weird.

My sister took me to my Doctors office and they called an ambulance and took me to the hospital. I was diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs. All I remember was the next night at the hospital (Saturday) was me yelling at the doctors to do something about my breathing. Cause all they were doing was giving me 100% oxygen and it wasn't helping. After that I didn't remember 10 days because I was in a drug induced coma. When I woke up I was in ICU with a ventilator..tubes in the throat and all.

I never had any dreams, infact I don't remember anything. My family has had to filled me in on how everything was. I almost feel that they took more of a blow emotionally than I did. From what they told me I was only stable laying on my stomach. That I couldn't even be touched. I was very sensitive and would start coughing with my whole body. My body filled up with fluids. I was told I looked like I got into a car accident. When I cried, blood poured out of my eyes. The whites of my eyes were blood red from all of my coughing. I almost died twice. However, from what I understand my Family got people from all over the U.S. to pray for me. GOD must have heard their prayers...I am still here. I am forever grateful for everyone that has taken care of me and prayed for me. I am very very fortunate!!

I was in the hospital for a total of 3 weeks. I lost 23 lbs while I was in there....already gained back 9 lbs. Ahh...not really the way to lose weight but, I have to admit its kinda nice being thinner..hahaha!

Anyhow, I think the worst part of it all was that I couldn't cry while on the vent. The tubes hurt too much to do such a function. Or how about....(one word) SUCTION..boy did I hate that. As well as being put in "The Chair" for the first time....and how about walking for the first time! Once I finally got the vent out and everything else attached to me removed they got me up to walk and I only was able to walk 20 feet....Man did I cry. Another one was hearing the nurses crack open a soda can..what I would have done to have a sip! As of last Sunday it has been 2 weeks since I have been off the vent. Yah Hoo! And I am getting stronger every day...thank GOD!

I just saw my Pulmonary doctor yesterday and he said I am doing well...there is however a circular thing on my lateral x-ray which he thinks it could be a cyst or scar tissue....he didn't seem to worried about it and felt it will shrink. I will be worried about it till my next appointment. He has me homebound for a month. He wants to make sure I don't come into contact with anyone that is sick.

I am still short of breathe when going up stairs...getting better though. This whole experience just blows me away. I never ever thought I would be in a situation like this. I would love to hear from people with similar experience as well as how their recovery is coming along.

Thanks for listening.

Julie