I Want To Go Home

The last time I was in my home was June 3!  That was the day I went to the Emergency Room due to a cellulitis infection, ended up in the Intensive Care Unit, very delirious and almost died. The month before I was in the hospital having a pacemaker/defibrillator implanted.  So, since June 3, I have been a patient at New Hanover Regional Medical Center and/or Silver Stream Rehabilitation.  Almost four months and I want to go home soon.

The good news is that the cellulitis ulcers and wounds are really beginning to heal nicely, but I still have  to have my left lower leg wrapped on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

I am still very wheelchair dependent and can walk only short distances with my walker.  At least I can make transfers now  between bed, bedside commode, and wheelchair pretty independently.

Anticipating going home soon, I have had a 35 foot wheelchair ramp built that goes from my front porch down to the driveway which includes two 90 degree turns. After the treated wood has dried out, the ramp will be painted green to match the house trim.

No doubt I will also have to make some modifications inside the house as well, such as widening doorways.

A Bit of a Setback this week . . .

With a return of the infection, I have been back at NHRMC for a week now.  Today, they inserted a PICC line for the continuing IV antibiotics.  So I should be returning to Silver Stream Rehab tomorrow.

Where I have been . . . .

in a word -- the hospital.  New Hanover Regional Medical Center [NHRMC].

21 March: to the ER for the cellulitis in my left leg, but was not admitted.

25 March -> 2 April: Cellulitis.  Irregular ventricular heart rhythm noted. 8 days.

14 May -> 30 May: Admitted with a heart rate of 171 bpm and had to be shocked [cardiac conversion].  Then had pacemaker/defibrillator implanted in my left chest wall.  16 days.

3 June -> 20 June: Severe infection in left leg with sepsis - staph. Admitted to CCU.  Became delirious for several days.  First PICC line had to be pulled due to blood stream infection.  IV antibiotics given via second PICC line for 14 days.  17 days.

Total NHRMC days so far this year = 41 days.

20 June -> present:  Silver Stream Rehab

When I was admitted to the hospital on June 3, I was ambulatory with my walker and able to get around inside my house using my chairs which are elevated.  Now with the help of two therapists, I can stand from my bed when it is elevated to a very high position.  Still cannot take any steps.  Very discouraged! Lost a lot of strength while in the hospital and my limb girdle muscular dystrophy seems to be taking over.