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[Gl76]

Hi I would like to share what I've encountered the last 6 months and would love some feedback from anyone I fell ill back in late June 23 It seemed like a cold or flu coming on which turned into pneumonia in both lungs followed by a anti resistant bacterial infection baumanni that led to ards sepsis and 5 weeks in medical induced coma in which I was flown to my country of origin as I live overseas I had to re learn to walk and had serious bed sores and unable to talk I'm still in recovery now keeping up with physio at home all up I was in hospital 3 months my support network was so amazing and I the main reason I'm hear today I don't know how long my healing process will take or if I will completely recover all I know is I've been given another chance

[Sepsur]

hey @G176

It’s a helluva recovery ride & it sounds like you’re doing all the things that will get you a fighting chance of recovering well. There are so many unknowns about how much you can retrieve of your old self - some of it, you might not want.

I’m still incrementally improving April this year will mark 8yrs since I was in ICU.

[Lux95]

It certainly sounds like you are on the road to recovery. It is a journey for sure.

It has been two years this month for me, coming up on the anniversary of my release. I was in a similar situation, though only for a month - flu turned to pneumonia - viral, bacterial and then fungal, on the ventilator for 2 weeks, then trach.

Learning everything again was a challenge for a while, but I'm probably as close to normal as I will be now. A few side effects still linger, and my stamina seems like it will never fully recover, but I stick with it.

It sounds like you have the right perspective on recovery - thankful to survive, and realistic about taking time to recover. Be patient with yourself, and others who might not understand that we don't just walk out of the ICU and get back to a normal life.

Certainly feel free to ask any questions, now or as you continue recovery.

[BigH63]

Hi G176

Well I’m glad you are an ICU survivor! Like the rest of us.

Well like the old adage says (How long is a piece of string) I’ve just passed my first year of when I arrived in ICU, I’m still recovering, the standard answer for how long will it take to get back to normal ( normal has new connotations once you’ve been in ICU) is 12-18 months, but you will hear here that that’s a starting point not enclosed end point.

Keep doing what you’re doing it’s a slow marathon that wins this race! I have been in physio over a year now for my arms which were affected with Neuropraxia during my stay in ICU while being turned in bed in a coma and a induced paralysed state and I’m still no nearer getting this sorted. Plus lung recovery amongst a Myriad of other issues. But things do get better slowly. Recovery and will I get back to normal, you might have to face the fact that it might be a new normal which is hard but a fact you might have to face.

Bed sores are not nice but again with good hygiene and good dressings will get better

And what you say about given another chance resonates with all of us

Keep going at it you’re get better than you are now

Good luck

[Dolly78]

Hi. So glad to hear someone else having the same questions as me. The support in hospital was amazing but now I'm home I feel very much alone. I was in a coma for 5 wks too, I dnt remember myself crashing but all my organs shut down, I had liver failure and pneumonia. I had a trach and then after 2 wks came home which my family all feel was too soon. I'm learning to walk again I was incredibly weak weighting just 6 stone. I'm getting better but feel like I'm picking up every cold and bug around atm and it gets me down. I dnt like to complain and remain upbeat and positive around my family and friends. They have been on this journey with me, twice rushed to my bedside because the doctors didn't think I'd survive. I can't imagine what they went through. Im blessed to be alive, I just want to feel like me again. I wish u well in your recovery xx

[Sepsur in reply to Dolly78]

have a look at what this charity can offer you cc-sn.org

[Gl76 in reply to Dolly78]

I wish you well to it sounds to me like we where both in the same boat I would love to keep in touch and feel free to contact me if you want 🙏