Difficulty breathing, chest infection.

[Mick]

Hope you are all trying to keeps safe and well in these difficult times.

My reason for posting this is that earlier this month,I started wheezing, coughing and hard to breath. Dr said it could be chest infection so put me on a course of steroids and anti-biotics. Followed by a chest xray, blood test and a referral to hospital for a colon endoscope.

Chest xray clear but blood test was low iron, but reluctant to put me on iron tablets until I had the hospital appointment. Cleared up and back to old self.

Hospital phoned to say due to corona virus ALL exams cancelled but would send out a bowel cancer kit.

The day after it arrived once again started coughing wheezing and hard to breath, my wife phoned 111 and went through details and said somebody will phone back. They went through my details and problems and said to call 999.

Paramedics arrived did ecg, pulse and O2 level etc, only problem was low O2, put me on O2 and breathing eased, but still decided to take me to hospital.

Quickly through A&E to be admitted to ward. 2 days on O2, anti biotics and O2 back up and breathing better. Day 3 discharged BUT trouble getting home so son had to drive my car and his fiance followed in his car...so I could drive home. That`s the problem with living a village 3/4 hr drive from hospital...not eligible for transport and not on bus route. Plus results of virus test not back.

3 points left to say. 1) if you get admitted into hospital take ALL essentials (wash kit, phone charger, pj`s, etc) as nothing or visitors allowed in. 2) Check discharge papers....mine said pancetitus but I didn`t have it. BUT more importantly mine said DNRCPR and it had been discussed with me....Not true, got that all sorted and off my recorded as that letter also goes to Dr. 3) When I got in my car to drive back.......crack in windscreen in lower drivers vision......Oh well home now problems solved, windscreen due to be replaced next week

NOW IN 14 DAYS isolation.....

Sorry for being so long but these are difficult times with hospital closed for general problems, no visits or items handed in. Be careful out there and all the best to everybody.

[Mikey2711]

Morning Mick. Well you have been through the mill. I have been in and out of hospital 4-5 times, had a number of scares and at least a dozen day procedures since my OC op. 6 years ago. I have learnt to check all paperwork, and bring a list of details including medicines and next of kin each time, it makes things so much easier. As for isolation, I have not found it too bad, other than missing my children and grandchildren. but thank heavens for NETFLIX, SKY & BBC. My wife and I like documentaries, The quality of TV these days is for the most part excellent, I kid myself it is educational. I do hope thing are going well for you, Take care and best wishes to you and yours..Mike

[Mick in reply to Mikey2711]

Hi Mike, we all seem to have problems now and again. Most of the time I get used to the problems and put up with them.

The difficultly in breathing was a bit worrying but hopefully after hospital treatment and meds I should be on the mend.

Only trouble is I`m not one for sitting around, prefer to be doing something, gardening, cleaning/messing in the garage, so isolation for 14 days will be had.

Look after yourself take care and be safe. Mick

[Animalmadwoman]

Oh Mick! How stressful for you and your family! Thank you for posting this ! All really useful advice. May you make a good recovery. Would be interesting to see if you had virus! Keep well! 🙏

[Corrinesue1]

Hi Mick - thanks for the tips quite often the staff involved when you are just taken in are not involved in your case and don’t really know.

I will ensure I take all that info with me.

Keep strong - my op has been cancelled so more chemotherapy.

Best

[Mick]

Good news....checked with hospital yesterday...result came back negative, so just a bad chest infection. I`m been on 2 anti biotics, iron tablet and the odd paracetamol since I came out.

Only problem is there is 1 tablet that leaves me with a horrible taste in my mouth and also the odd reflux bring the taste up again. Well if it gets rid of the infection...he-ho.

Breathing is a lot better now and wheezing just about gone.

Being in isolation, i`m sleeping in a spare room, fially having a good nights sleep with the wedge pillow and 2 pillows. For the first time since I retired in 2009 I`ve been having a lie in.....09.20 am today.

Once again take care out there, please do check your hospital notes as my wife was quite upset when she saw the DNR on my discharge paperwork.