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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
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MEDICAL LESSON LEARNED:
This past Monday the 28th of July, I went to bed at me regular time. (around 8 p.m.)
However, I woke up at 2 a.m. on Tuesday morning with some severe chills to the point that my teeth would not quit chattering.
I had a fever of 103, and my blood pressure was 108/60.
My wife finally got a hold of my home nurse at 5:30 a.m. and she said to rush me to the emergency room, which she did.
About two hours after the arrival to the emergency room, and several blood tests later (plus urine and stool samples, and chest x-ray), they still
could not figure out the source of the infection. Then they isolated the pic line the hospital had implanted in me a couple of weeks ago for a
portable IV that I used as a walking feeding tube for my nutritional needs.
The area around the feeding tube entrance was not red, and it was till in sterile condition, but the doctors decided to remove the pic line anyway and
sent it to the lab for cultures also. It would take about 24 hours for the cultures (all of them) to come back with some results. So back to
being admitted (again).
They now were pumping me with antibiotics via an IV.
Two days later, now, I find out that I had a severe blood infection from the pic line the hospital had inserted. So I had to spend another night in
the hospital hooked to three bags this time.
I was finally discharged last evening and given a prescription for 600mg of ZYVOX anti biotic that cost $7,000 for 28 tablets!
Lesson learned:
Even sterile implanted devices with an external (outside the skin) connection, appear to be susceptible to infections, as was in my case.
I am now back home and slowly recuperating from my blood infection.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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jeeezo...one thing after another. Doesn't seem far, does it, Udo.
Hang in there.
.
[Edited on 8-1-2014 by DENNIS]
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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Mexitron
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3397
Registered: 9-21-2003
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy!
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Yikes! Let's hope you've been through the worst of it.
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wessongroup
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21152
Registered: 8-9-2009
Location: Mission Viejo
Member Is Offline
Mood: Suicide Hot line ... please hold
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Thanks Undo ... every time I think I have it bad ... I've got you 
Get well ...
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3601
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
Member Is Offline
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THere might be some research on this type infection. I've heard it's a common way to get an infection.
Person doing the stick needs to be wearing gloves, needle/catheter package should be opened in front of you. Swab the site and swab again.
Something wasn't sterile -- could have been your skin.
Hey Udo? YOU are your own best medical advocate. DON'T trust anyone -- doctors, nurses, hospitals -- look at what's being done and question
everything.
Good luck on recovery and glad you caught the problem. Smart doctor who took the catheter out and had it checked.
What a stupid way to die.
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Gypsy Jan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4275
Registered: 1-27-2004
Member Is Offline
Mood: Depends on which way the wind is blowing
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Please get well!
Ask questions and demand answers.
GJ
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
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EnsenadaDr
Banned
Posts: 5027
Registered: 9-12-2011
Location: Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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That is the first thing doctors check for in the hospital if someone has a blood infection and usually remove it just in case. Good luck and smooth
sailing from now on Udo!! | Quote: | Originally posted by Udo
This past Monday the 28th of July, I went to bed at me regular time. (around 8 p.m.)
However, I woke up at 2 a.m. on Tuesday morning with some severe chills to the point that my teeth would not quit chattering.
I had a fever of 103, and my blood pressure was 108/60.
My wife finally got a hold of my home nurse at 5:30 a.m. and she said to rush me to the emergency room, which she did.
About two hours after the arrival to the emergency room, and several blood tests later (plus urine and stool samples, and chest x-ray), they still
could not figure out the source of the infection. Then they isolated the pic line the hospital had implanted in me a couple of weeks ago for a
portable IV that I used as a walking feeding tube for my nutritional needs.
The area around the feeding tube entrance was not red, and it was till in sterile condition, but the doctors decided to remove the pic line anyway and
sent it to the lab for cultures also. It would take about 24 hours for the cultures (all of them) to come back with some results. So back to
being admitted (again).
They now were pumping me with antibiotics via an IV.
Two days later, now, I find out that I had a severe blood infection from the pic line the hospital had inserted. So I had to spend another night in
the hospital hooked to three bags this time.
I was finally discharged last evening and given a prescription for 600mg of ZYVOX anti biotic that cost $7,000 for 28 tablets!
Lesson learned:
Even sterile implanted devices with an external (outside the skin) connection, appear to be susceptible to infections, as was in my case.
I am now back home and slowly recuperating from my blood infection. |
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Lee
...What a stupid way to die. |
JAYZUS, LEE !!!!! Nothing like cheering a body up !!   
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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vgabndo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3461
Registered: 12-8-2003
Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
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At the age when death becomes a more and more frequent visitor to our conversations, it seems to me, the manner becomes even more important than the
timing. I'm with Lee, if the timing isn't as I would hope, at least I don't want the cause to be someone's stupid error. 
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
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As was in my case, Dr.
The ER Dr. removed the PICC line and immediately sent it for a culture, which 2 days and 2 confirming retests later, was tested positive.
| Quote: | Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
That is the first thing doctors check for in the hospital if someone has a blood infection and usually remove it just in case. Good luck and smooth
sailing from now on Udo!! | Quote: | Originally posted by Udo
This past Monday the 28th of July, I went to bed at me regular time. (around 8 p.m.)
However, I woke up at 2 a.m. on Tuesday morning with some severe chills to the point that my teeth would not quit chattering.
I had a fever of 103, and my blood pressure was 108/60.
My wife finally got a hold of my home nurse at 5:30 a.m. and she said to rush me to the emergency room, which she did.
About two hours after the arrival to the emergency room, and several blood tests later (plus urine and stool samples, and chest x-ray), they still
could not figure out the source of the infection. Then they isolated the pic line the hospital had implanted in me a couple of weeks ago for a
portable IV that I used as a walking feeding tube for my nutritional needs.
The area around the feeding tube entrance was not red, and it was till in sterile condition, but the doctors decided to remove the pic line anyway and
sent it to the lab for cultures also. It would take about 24 hours for the cultures (all of them) to come back with some results. So back to
being admitted (again).
They now were pumping me with antibiotics via an IV.
Two days later, now, I find out that I had a severe blood infection from the pic line the hospital had inserted. So I had to spend another night in
the hospital hooked to three bags this time.
I was finally discharged last evening and given a prescription for 600mg of ZYVOX anti biotic that cost $7,000 for 28 tablets!
Lesson learned:
Even sterile implanted devices with an external (outside the skin) connection, appear to be susceptible to infections, as was in my case.
I am now back home and slowly recuperating from my blood infection. |
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Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13051
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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dang Udo...that's really tough man...so sorry for all your suffering but the good thing is...it wasnt your day to visit the Grim Reaper! Animo amigo!
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by vgabndo
I don't want the cause to be someone's stupid error.
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You'll be the last to know.
Now...if we could just sue in advance, we'd have something.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
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So do I, my fellow Nomad!
This really has been quite an ordeal!
| Quote: | Originally posted by Mexitron
Yikes! Let's hope you've been through the worst of it. |
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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BajaRat
Super Nomad
Posts: 1304
Registered: 3-2-2010
Location: SW Four Corners / Bahia Asuncion BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Ready for some salt water with my Tecate
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Udo, I'm so happy you made it AGAIN ! I da Know but maybe they should wipe the bill....... no 
And I'm with Parry and Lee on this one , I don't wanna go from somebody else's mistakes, YIKES
[Edited on 8-1-2014 by BajaRat]
[Edited on 8-1-2014 by BajaRat]
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ncampion
Super Nomad
Posts: 1238
Registered: 4-15-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
Mood: Retired and Loving it
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It probably wasn't anyone's "stupid mistake". I would be willing to bet it was inserted competently and using good sterile technique. Infection is
one of the risks of PICC line usage. I think the national benchmark is around 4 per 1000 PICC line days. Our bodies are covered with bacteria and
we're constantly fighting them off. The PICC line just gives them one more opportunity to get in. Glad it was correctly diagnosed and properly
treated. Hope the recovery goes well.
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LancairDriver
Super Nomad
Posts: 1603
Registered: 2-22-2008
Location: On the Road
Member Is Offline
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Sorry to hear of your continuing ordeal Udo. Your perserverence is admirable and will carry you through this. Best thoughts for full your recovery.
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3296
Registered: 1-11-2007
Location: Buena Vista BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Tranquilo
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What, no pictures?
Just kidding buddy, hope you get better soon....
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65348
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Hang tough Udo... there is still so much more Baja for you to see! Let's make a plan for when you are mobile again!
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
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For sure DK!
I'll be using your services for our new place in Ensenada, when we move in.
We have a guest house for you and Lizabeth when you come down.
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Hang tough Udo... there is still so much more Baja for you to see! Let's make a plan for when you are mobile again!
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Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
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You are correct in your assessment of a small percentage of patients having a problem with their procedure.
But this is another example of my being one of the few who have problems or exceptions, or have a side effect to a drug.
I am batting 100% when it comes to having ill-effects to everything I have ever done with my health.
The only thing that has gone well for me has been that I'm not allergic to any drugs that I have to take.
| Quote: | Originally posted by ncampion
It probably wasn't anyone's "stupid mistake". I would be willing to bet it was inserted competently and using good sterile technique. Infection is
one of the risks of PICC line usage. I think the national benchmark is around 4 per 1000 PICC line days. Our bodies are covered with bacteria and
we're constantly fighting them off. The PICC line just gives them one more opportunity to get in. Glad it was correctly diagnosed and properly
treated. Hope the recovery goes well. |
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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