My Story

[AfterSchoolMom]

Whoa! You're amazing. So glad to hear that you're recovering so well after such an experience!!

[NeedaVaca]

That's an amazing story, take care of yourself!

[MCC]

Oh my goodness. I am so glad you are okay. I'll be praying for continued healing for you and your family.

[KDC]

So glad you are okay!! How scary, thanks for sharing your story. A little reminder that life is precious and delicate. It's a gift & it goes by so very fast. Find joy where you can.

You were missed!! Glad your back=)

[Jack Sprat]

Holy Sh#*! Very happy to hear you are on the mend!!! Prayers headed your way!!!

[littlemissmuffet]

Thank you all SO MUCH!! I am infinitely blessed to have you all rooting for me! :hug:

I am looking forward to reopening my childcare in May and spending more time here again!

My family and I appreciate the prayers and well wishes! lovethis

[has_my_heart]

Whoa, what a crazy, hard, and inspiring experience you had. Thank you for sharing, life is unpredictable and your positive attitude through a hard time is inspiring. God works in mysterious ways but He does work in our lives! Prayers for you and yours!

[MsLaura529]

Wow! That's amazing! You are one strong and brave woman. So glad you are home (again) and doing so well.

[austingwendell]

Hello ladies!!

You may have noticed I dropped off the face of the planet...
I fell ill the first week in February with what I thought was a regular cold. On February 7th I went to the hospital because I started to cough up blood and chunks of flesh...
I was diagnosed with pneumonia - given medication and sent home.

On February 9th I started having serious trouble breathing and again found myself in the hospital where within a few hours my lungs fully seized and I died. I was revived and told I would be intubated. I refused - two reasons...one, I had a 107 degree fever that couldn't be managed and was not in my right mind and two, I knew I'd lost massive amounts of oxygen over time and was continuing to - being intubated is difficult for anyone, my throat was severely swollen and I knew by the time they got a vent in I would have brain damage.

20 days later I woke from a coma... confused and extremely disoriented. I was in the ICU, tied down, had a vent down my throat (the doctor phoned my hubs and asked for permission to override my refusal) feeding tube, several IVs and I was coming down off of some very serious drugs. For days I was bewildered as family and nurses explained why I was in the hospital... H1N1, how I had died twice, how a machine called an ECMO was placed through my jugular to my heart to help oxygenate my blood due to complete lung failure, how if I didn't start breathing on my own on that 20th day I'd have been given a tracheotomy...and finally what a miracle I am...


Initially my mother and husband were told I'd only survive 3-5 days maximum and to call the rest of the family.

What those doctors didn't know was I had a little girl to get home to. A little girl who was also given a grave diagnoses once upon a time...and is now a bright, healthy and happy 15 month old.


So after several surgeries, 6 blood transfusions, over 100 needle pokes, 16 IV drips and 30 days in the hospital I went home. I survived pneumonia, H1N1 and sepsis.

After being moved from ICU to the respiratory ward we were told I would be in the hospital about 3 months before going home while I rehabilitated. I had to relearn how to walk, go up stairs, feed myself...even go to the bathroom. I was on the ward only 5 days...and I was doing well enough to leave.

Being home was amazing though challenging...all my muscle mass was gone, I'd lost about 50lbs in the hospital and I was extremely weak and often winded. My lungs are severely scarred and my heart was damaged because the first time the ECMO was put in the doctor did it blind in the ICU because I wasn't stable enough to be moved to the ER.

But...everyday I got stronger and built more endurance.

I was doing quite well but 10 days following my release I found myself back in the hospital with chest pain. It was discovered that I have very large blood clots in one of my lungs due to 3 week of immobility while in a coma.

The doctor said if I didn't go in when I did, I'd have died...again.

3 days later I was home again - with blood thinners to prevent any further problems.

I have been back home for 2 weeks now - I am stronger - probably at 85%. I will be good as new in no time.

My sister shaved my head while I was in ICU because it was all matted and filled with blood from my neck surgery. My hair was half way down my back.

My life has dramatically changed in more ways than just physically...I am much happier now, filled wiith hope, love and positivity. I have a new outlook on life and feel infinitely blessed to have been given a second chance at life. I am reopening my dayhome in May!

I hope everyone else here is doing well... let me know what's new!

That's unique. I would pray for you!!

[Hunni Bee]

I wondered what happened to you!

That is.....nuts. I am so glad you pulled through.

My MIL, the one I used to talk about, we lost her at the end of February. She went very quickly and I still don't know why.

I hate that all that happened to you, but I am glad you are getting back to normal! :hug:

[TwinKristi]

What an amazing story! I'm glad you're making some advances in recovery!!

I was once given a grave diagnosis, almost died twice and was put in a coma and woke up intubated and restrained to keep from pulling it out, etc. It was a very VERY hard time in my life. I was a young healthy mom prior to that. They still aren't sure what happened or why. Could have been a flu complication, but no one knows for sure. I ended up with PTSD about 6 mos later and had a really hard time. I sought counseling to deal with my anxiety and PTSD from the ordeal. Please don't hesitate to get help down the road if you need it. I went through a phase of recovery, then euphoria from overcoming such an obstacle and then depression and anxiety hit when I started remembering things. I would have nightmares and anxiety attacks. It was difficult.

I'm so glad that you made it and are here to tell the story!! :hug:lovethis

[LeslieG]

WOW!!! What a reminder that life is SO PRECIOUS!!! I'm glad you are doing better!! You are a strong woman!! :hug:

[Lyss]

Holy cow lady!! Wow... I'm so glad that you are doing well and have such a positive outlook! Amazing woman you are! And your family too, they must have went through some terrible times fearing they may loose you!

Sending thoughts and love to you and your family! :hughug: