BajaNomad - Double Pneumonia!!!

Double Pneumonia!!!

estebanis - 6-25-2012 at 07:53 PM

Well I am all better now but nearly croaked a few weeks ago!
I went down to my Campo in Erendira Monday June 4'th. I left my place south of Smell-A at O'Dark Thirty to avoid the San Diego traffic. I felt fatigued but just figured it was not enough sleep.
When we arrived at our Campo our amigos had already set up everything. This was the first time we had them set up camp before we arrived and it was great. We just had to unload the rig and put the food and stuff away as well as share our treasures we brought for them. I was still tired so excused myself to take a nap and ended up sleeping for 3 hours.
Next morning up at 5AM to watch them go clamming. My bird dog assisted by fetching the clams as they threw them to the surf line. One of the kids then dropped them in the bucket. GOOD BOY Simon the Wonderdog.
I didn't really get chilled as it wasn't that cold.
Upon return to camp I smoked/bbq'ed a Beef Brisket and Pork Butt to share with our amigos. They turned out really good.
We met up later that afternoon and that’s when the fever from hell hit. My daughter had a bad fever over the weekend and I suspect I caught it from her.
Nasty fever that I figured was a flu. Shivers and high Temp. Weird dreams etc. I just curled up in their back room and took some acetaminophen that helped the fever.
We headed back to the Camp and I just tried to tough it out. On top of all this my back was out before we started down and all that laying around caused it to really flare.
On Thursday I drove into San Vincente and got some meds. A flu pill and something for my back. Turned out the flu Pill had 100mg of Caffeine and I took two of them that led to a night of tossing and turning with the back pain.
Come Friday I got one of my Amigos to take me up to Maneadero to the Sabadero. I like to call them Huesero's. He did a great job popping my back in place and he only wanted 200 Pesos.
Back to bed for another rough night. I was starting to have a bit what I thought was a chest cold and I wore my CPAP which helped me breath easier. Turns out that could have helped my keep my airways open and kept my from starving for O2 as much.
Now it's Saturday and once again I just toughed it out as we were leaving the next morning.
Next morning I drove up to the border and was stoked that there was only one car ahead of us at Sentri. Declared the 2 dogs and some fish and was on our way! At that point I had my wife drive when we stopped to exchange our remaining pesos. I ask my wife to drive and slept. I also asked her to go ahead and take me to the Kaiser Urgent Care up in the O.C.
Once there I was given a chest X-ray and they started getting pretty worked up. They hooked me up to an IV and pumped some Anti-Biotics into me. Then sent me home to come back in the morning.
Next morning when I checked in they got pretty serious and sent me by ambulance to the Kaiser Hospital in Irvine near Sand Canyon.
From the ER to a regular bed then I was moved to Critical Care. They never were able to get a culture but diagnosed it as Bacterial Pneumonia. One guess is that the bacteria came from cleaning out my pigeon coop and breathing in the bacteria. Once the fever hit it lowered my imune system so the bacteria flurished. I was below 90 on the pulse Oxygen. That was Monday night. I couldn't even talk I was so short of breath. Thankfully I responded to the O2 and meds and by Wednesday was starting to feel better. I pulled the O2 on my own early Thursday and was glad to see that my Pulse Oxygen stayed steady at 96-97 on straight room air. That's one tube gone.
They kept me all the way until the next Monday and then I was released. I took it easy the rest of the week except for a few jaunts to visit my friends at the Marina for coffee and to Leisure World to fix a bunch of electronic stuff for a lifelong friend. I also fixed his cherished Electric Bike. I have been keeping that thing running for over 10 years. I looked over at him as I went to test it by hitting the throttle and said " You are sure glad I lived".
Went to work today and feel pretty good. I could have milked it for another week early but I am so blessed that I love my job. I look forward to retiring and coming right back as a double dipper. I will be able to take more time off to pursue my adventures yet make plenty to pay for the Gas and Bait...
Esteban

Couple more things

estebanis - 6-25-2012 at 08:08 PM

The Kaiser Hospital was great. It is very new and all the equipment is too. Rooms are private.
This was my first time in an ambulance and the first time admitted to a hospital.
I am 58 1/2 and not looking forward to worrying about being a "Lunger". Seeing as I dive, Duck hunt and fish among other early morning cold and clammy pursuits.
I am glad to be only 3 hours from Kaiser in San Diego. In the future it is nice to know I can get to my $20 Kaiser for care. That is unless 3 hours is too much time to save my A**...
Esteban

Ateo - 6-25-2012 at 08:26 PM

Esteban, man....a scary story and could've been a potentially deadly situation had you ignored the warning signs. Glad you're feeling better. A good lesson to all of us that if we feel wrong, head to the doctor!

estebanis - 6-25-2012 at 08:46 PM

Guess I know the difference between a Fever/Flu and Pneumonia now... :wow:

KaceyJ - 6-25-2012 at 08:57 PM

Estebanis,

Try wearing a dust mask when you're in the coop

More than just bacteria can be stirred up in the dust and can put you down

glad you made it!

willardguy - 6-25-2012 at 08:59 PM

what do think would happen if you were in obvious bad shape and just wanted to get across the border for help, and didnt have sentri pass and used the sentri lane? would our guys let you die in secondary???? :?:

Ateo - 6-25-2012 at 09:10 PM

Yeah, does anyone know if, say you were literally dying and pulled into Sentri, would they let you pass no problemo? Guessing they would or maybe take the medical line? Just wondering.....

estebanis - 6-25-2012 at 09:56 PM

Pneumonia often mimics the flu, beginning with a cough and a fever, so you may not realize you have a more serious condition. Symptoms can vary depending on your age and general health.

The signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include:
Fever
Lower-than-normal body temperature in older people
Cough
Shortness of breath
Sweating
Shaking chills
Chest pain that fluctuates with breathing (pleurisy)
Headache
Muscle pain
Fatigue

When to see a doctor
Because pneumonia can be serious, see your doctor as soon as possible if you have a persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fever — especially a lasting fever of 102 F (39 C) or higher with chills and sweating.

Skipjack Joe - 6-25-2012 at 11:14 PM

All of those symptoms are the same as Valley Fever. My experience in March matched yours except that it kept me in the hospital for 3 weeks and bed ridden for 2 months. And the fatigue is still there.

Most valley fever cases are initially misdiagnosed as pneumonia because the symptoms are so similar. You wake up every night with your tee shirt completely drenched from the fever. Had to change them 3 times a night because once the shirt cooled down it would put a real chill into you.

I can sympathize with what you went through.

SFandH - 6-26-2012 at 12:59 AM

Here's your new hero:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Fleming

Before him you'd probably be 6 feet under now.

I had a big patch of worm like bacteria taking up residence in a lung once, it's the definition of being sick.

A microbiologist I know told me the best two inventions ever were antibiotics and garbage trucks.

mtgoat666 - 6-26-2012 at 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by estebanis
The Kaiser Hospital was great. It is very new and all the equipment is too. Rooms are private.
This was my first time in an ambulance and the first time admitted to a hospital.
I am 58 1/2 and not looking forward to worrying about being a "Lunger". Seeing as I dive, Duck hunt and fish among other early morning cold and clammy pursuits.
I am glad to be only 3 hours from Kaiser in San Diego. In the future it is nice to know I can get to my $20 Kaiser for care. That is unless 3 hours is too much time to save my A**...
Esteban

you are lucky you have health insurance. in a few days many people may lose there's

Mexitron - 6-26-2012 at 06:35 AM

Glad you pulled through---I had a round of pneumonia in 2003---started out with the flu but being self-employed I kept going to work since we were so busy...wrong, wrong, wrong---morphed into pneumonia, had the chills so bad I could barely walk. I just go to bed if I get sick now!

Pompano - 6-26-2012 at 07:35 AM

estabanis, that dog needs you around...so keep making those good choices. Very glad you are here to tell Nomads about your successful battle with a known killer, pneumonia.

Muchas gracias, amigo...You have given us all another arrow for our medical quivers.

LancairDriver - 6-26-2012 at 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

you are lucky you have health insurance. in a few days many people may lose there's

Not much will change. Insured or not,head for the hospital emergency room of your choice.As always, in the US they will not turn you away.

DianaT - 6-26-2012 at 07:46 AM

Very glad you were well taken care of and are well! We are considering changing to Kaiser and it is good to hear positive reports. While you are back to work, I hope you will take it easy so you do not have a relapse!

While you are bit under the suggested age, for some of us a bit older they suggest the pneumonia vaccine. I am not sure what type of pneumonia it protects against --- but I think it is worth having. Pneumonia is a real killer of older people.

vandenberg - 6-26-2012 at 08:31 AM

Estebanis,
glad you came through this in one piece.
I had a similar event last year. Had to go to Sacramento in mid winter to look after a rental and, living in Loreto full time, had no winter garments. Winter there can be rather nasty and I came up with a bad persistent cough. Some times so severe that it almost made me pass out, not too good when you're driving. Anyway, went to visit friends in Phoenix , who insisted I'd see a doctor. Had double pneumonia. Pumped me full of AB's. Was bad enough that the doctor called me several weeks later in Loreto to see how I was doing. And now for the latest: wrote my doctor in Sacramento about my swelling feet and eyes and trouble carrying stuff up the stairs and the reply:" sounds like heart failure" Just what I love to hear. So, back to Sacramento we go to see a cardiologist. I know I deserve better at 76, but then again, maybe my lifestyle was a contributor. :bounce:

BajaBlanca - 6-26-2012 at 08:55 AM

swelling feet and eyes has to do with heart failure ??? I had no idea ... very important information and thanks for sharing.

get well, everyone !

BajaBlanca - 6-26-2012 at 08:57 AM

estebanis - glad you are better too. it sounds like one of the most defining symptoms you had, right from the get go, was excessive tiredness. again, another heads up on how to recognize the signs of a possible pneumonia.

Skipjack Joe - 6-26-2012 at 09:32 AM

BTW, wind can really weaken your immune system. Once you get acclimated to wind it stops being an issue. But these short vacations from say, the LA basin, to baja's pacific coast can make you vulnerable as you age.

Every time I've been to Erendira it's blowing pretty hard. Perhaps that contributed to your onset of pneumonia.

Cypress - 6-26-2012 at 11:40 AM

estebanis, Glad you survived. You were lucky! Hope I never have to deal with a similar health issue.

Your right AKU Jose!

estebanis - 6-28-2012 at 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

Every time I've been to Erendira it's blowing pretty hard. Perhaps that contributed to your onset of pneumonia.

Winds were light that week. I have been using this site to pick my fishing days ahead it's been pretty accurate.
http://forecasts.surfingmagazine.com/#place=31.704803074739214_-116.685791_8_1577_height_none_Sat_-1

DavidE - 6-28-2012 at 11:58 AM

BajaBlanca,

GOOGLE:

CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE

A good thermometer should be part of any first aid kit. Fever of 101F+, and sore throat or coughing means time for me to see a doctor.

durrelllrobert - 6-28-2012 at 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by willardguy
what do think would happen if you were in obvious bad shape and just wanted to get across the border for help, and didnt have sentri pass and used the sentri lane? would our guys let you die in secondary???? :?:

2 years ago a friend of mine down here was near death and his son picked him up, wrapped him in blankets and put him in the back of his pickup and headed North at 3:00 am. When they got to border in regular lanes he realized that he forgot to take his dad's passport so they sat in secondary for close to 2 hours. His dad died on the way to the hospital after that. :!:

DianaT - 6-28-2012 at 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert

Quote:

That is really SICK--- can't believe he was that sick and they kept him in secondary for 2 hours? Passport or no passport, there are no words to describe how wrong and inhumane that was. :fire:

[Edited on 6-29-2012 by DianaT]

Holy S--t

captkw - 6-28-2012 at 06:45 PM

I would have run the damn gate and get pulled over than had a escort with lights to the hospital..thats ME !! f-rules for the sheep !!! :fire:

DavidE - 6-28-2012 at 06:46 PM

durelllrobert, you are saying a U.S. citizen, who spoke with an obviously American twang, that simply did not have a valid passport, but did have a wallet, or other I.D. was held up in secondary? If he was unconscious it is policy to get that person to a hospital. One that treats illegal immigrants at the least, maybe under guard, maybe even handcuffed, but to let somebody gravely ill just sit in secondary???

durrelllrobert - 6-28-2012 at 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidE
durelllrobert, you are saying a U.S. citizen, who spoke with an obviously American twang, that simply did not have a valid passport, but did have a wallet, or other I.D. was held up in secondary? If he was unconscious it is policy to get that person to a hospital. One that treats illegal immigrants at the least, maybe under guard, maybe even handcuffed, but to let somebody gravely ill just sit in secondary???

The night before he was still able to speak and his wife was making arrangements for an ambulance from Ensenada to take him to the border for transfer to a US ambulance, but "Doc" said he would refuse that option and insisted that she call his son to come and drive him. She did that but his son was living in Grass Valley and by the time he got to Punta Banda it was 2:30 am and Doc was completely incoherant and barely able to speak so they just loaded him up and took off without any form of ID. When they got to the border his son DID NOT even mention that his father was in the back and near death. When ICE found him wrapped up they assumed it was an attrmpted human smuggling and that the old man was just faking the inability to talk, according to the son.

DavidE - 6-29-2012 at 08:36 AM

Man I am sorry for his and your loss. If you have an emergency, I mean someone REALLY bad off, use any damned lane you can to get to near a booth but stop about twenty feet short. Yeah they will come and they will be pi$$ed off but when they see a bona-fide emergency case, they will call an ambulance. RIGHT THEN. The right thing to do is to offer to return to México yourself. They may or may not put you through and on to secondary but at least the ill person gets to a hospital. Just ask the Customs Agent "Which Hospital". U.S. Customs, shudders at a headline of "U.S. Citizen Dies Because of CBP Neglect". You are on US soil a few hundred feet before getting near the Customs booth so the ambulance will drive up to the car. The agents will probably tell the driver "Well we really do not expect to see you again doing this. It is a is a blah, blah, fine, blah blah. You are lucky this is a real emergency blah, blah". Pi$$ed off or not they wouldn't dare cite you because the headline "US Customs Levies Big Fine For US Citizen Bringing Gravely Ill US Citizen To Border Inspection In Wrong Traffic Lane" would be high up on the list of the next headline they wouldn't like to see in Washington. The Port Directors know this, there are procedures in place for dealing with it, and yes the driver's name and car license number goes into the TEC 2, or 3, CPB computer database. That just raises the subsequent entries to a level II. It does not mean anything except a slight delay as the agent reads the notation, before deciding whether to send you to secondary.

I have no connection whatsoever to the US government or law enforcement. The above is a result of interviews with Customs Agents.