She was back to the hospital on Friday, but that was a good thing. They felt they had the capacity to care for her. Remember, Monday the hospital was overrun with covid patients -- unvaccinated covid patients! -- and even though my friend has a fever, is 65 years old, and suffers from both diabetes and heart disease, they couldn't treat her!
After a day of tests, they concluded that 1) she has a tenacious uti that has caused sepsis and 2) she does not have covid. They didn't admit her, but sent her home with antibiotics and prescription-strength ibuprofen. Hopefully next week she will be strong enough to go see a specialist (in his office; not at the hospital). Her medical team wants to control any kidney damage that this prolonged -- nearly 4 solid weeks! -- period of fever and infection may have caused.
She's sleeping comfortably but sleeping a lot. Fortunately she's retired and doesn't have to add worry about missing work to concerns about her health.
I'm so relieved. But I'm still pissed. I love her, and because of irresponsible unvaccinated people, she didn't get the care she needed as soon as she needed it. The stat I heard on the national news this morning was that 65% of hospital beds are filled with unvaccinated covid patients.
Are people willfully stupid? The vaccine reduces the likelihood of transmission, hospitalization, and death. Just because you know a vaccinated/boosted person who got a breakthrough case doesn't mean the vaccine doesn't work. Did the vaccinated/boosted person you heard about end up in the hospital, or in the cemetery? No, of course, not. If you still don't understand, think of the vaccine and booster like a life jacket.
In the meantime, I'm just going to take comfort in knowing that the infection bedeviling my oldest friend is finally being treated. I love her very much.
I am so glad that your friend is finally getting the medical help she needs. I agree with you completely about people who refuse to get the vaccine for "political" reasons. We are back on a countywide mask mandate and in school tomorrow all students and teachers will need to be wearing masks 100% of the time. Our church leadership sent out an email telling everyone to "be good citizens and mask up" for church, but they also said that "no one will be turned away." That means that people would be in church without their masks. We've seen it before, so we are taking a few weeks "off' of church. I am never been so embarrassed to be part of a "community Christians" who supposedly "love their neighbors as themselves." So sad. Please keep up updated on your friend. She will be in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI am glad your friend got treatment. I will keep her in prayer. I think you said she is in So Ca. So am I. my daughter is vaxed and got it. We were all together for Christmas and no one sick. A couple of days later she started showing signs and she was positive. Then my son and his wife got it and they were vaxed. All our recovering. We are up to date and we have not gotten it that we know of. I don't think people are caring much now because they are told that this new virus is not as bad. But what if it mutates again and gets worse?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your friend has gotten help. Good for you for caring so much. UTIs in older folks can cause many health issues, especially if they go untreated. Hopefully now she can get the care she deserves and needs.
ReplyDeleteWhat a relief that she is starting to get the care she needs--and equally good she is retired and doesn't have to fuss with taking time off.
ReplyDeleteI may borrow your lifejacket analogy.