How I Came to be in a Rehab Facility

Thus goes the story of my life. . .

In my last entry, far too long ago, I warned you of the problems that can be caused by edema; most notably edema of the feet combined with tight fitting shoes which is what landed me straight into the arms of Dr. S at the Wound Clinic and on to her protocol of "no weight bearing" for the last 10+ months. MS is hard enough to deal with by itself; managing the secondary issues makes it all that much more difficult.

My journey into this 'short-term rehab' facility began with a Staphylococcus aureus infection in the pressure sore in my right foot that migrated to the bone. At the same time I had a persistant UTI.

Skip back to the afternoon of July 17. For the previous 20 hours or so, DH was worrying, taking my temperature, my pulse, and watching me sleep the sleep of the dead, until he finally tried to get me up and saw that I was slurring my words and not making much sense. My temperature was low for me at 95.5. My pulse rate was in the high 90's, and had been for hours. So off to the E.R. we went. They gave me a lot of tests at the E.R. and decided to admit me. 

I don't remember the first 2-3 days in the ICU; not at all. Apparently, for a while it was touch and go. Between day 3 and 5, I was coming out of it, but still having delusions. I was tachychardic (heartrate 110-114) for days, and I wasn't sleeping much.

The 7th day was my 60th birthday and I was scheduled for surgery to remove part of my right baby toe and lateral bone, to which the infection had spread. Dr.  F who contracts with the wound clinic did the job, and I am happy to say that my foot looks good as new (but looks are deceiving as I still can't put any weight on it, but I can walk in my thoughts and dreams).

 I was moved from the ICU and began improving quickly once the source of the infection was removed. After a couple more days I was getting close to normal and I could carry on a conversation and make decisions again. Dr. S, the internal medicine doc who had followed me from the start was beside herself with joy when she saw me. "I can't believe how well you are.  I almost lost you!" Then she went to the nurses' station and was nearly jumping up and down telling them.


At some point they had opted to put a pic line in, and I am so grateful they did!!! I am a hard stick, with baby veins that roll.  A GOOD phlebotomist who has worked with infants can get me on the first try.  But the pic line has saved me from being a human pincushion. Through it they are administering an antibiotic for a "staff infection of unknown origin" (a six week protocol).

So, said staph infection + daily IV infusions are the reasons why I am here in Orchard Park Rehab Center. I have been getting daily PT, OT, and Speech Therapy for two weeks; starting tomorrow I will be getting Restorative Care (?).


Getting tired of typing, so Good Night,