Patricia Keating
On 1/05/14 I developed cramps. I am a woman at the age of menopause but I’ve missed only two periods and I thought perhaps this was my period making a reappearance. I want to preface this by saying I have been accused of being a health “zealot.” I am very conscious of what I put in and on my body and believe in taking oral supplements. I had recently begun to experiment with some different herbs that had been purported to aid with stress and menopausal symptoms.
I noticed that my urine had changed in odor. I attributed it the herbs as I was otherwise feeling fine and fully active. So on the 5th, I did not get my period but I began to have increasingly severe pain in my lower abdomen, particularly on my left side. About 5 or 6 years previously, I had kidney stones and they too were painful but the pain presented in my lower back, and this recent pain was entirely in my abdomen. On 1/06/14, I dragged myself to urgent care. I explained my symptoms and the doctor asked if I had experienced chills. Indeed I had. His conclusion was that I had diverticulitis.
He did take a urine sample, which was very difficult for me to provide, and he said it didn’t look normal and that he would culture it. He declined giving me anything for pain stating that it would be constipating. The best thing he said to me was that if I continued to have symptoms I should go to the hospital. I had a night of uncontrollable chills that were excruciating.
That next morning I asked my husband to drop me at the ER. Going in, my temperature and blood pressure did not present with sepsis. I am forever in debt to Dr. Miller at Mercy hospital in Des Moines who listened carefully to what I told him and then went the extra step to verify this suspected diverticulitis. After drinking the contrast, I was able to keep in down for the CT scan and then lost it. I vomited, and became short of breath while talking to my critical care nurse. She took my vitals and apparently my blood pressure was dropping.
The CT scan indicated kidney stones and Dr. Miller said there was an infection behind those that was beginning to spread throughout my body. (Sepsis and Kidney Stones) Things began to move very quickly. I had a stint placed in a kidney and was given more antibiotics than I ever knew existed! I spent the next 5 days in the hospital, constantly receiving IV antibiotics. I am home now, just over 24 hours and I am filled with gratitude. I will have another surgery to remove the stones and I continue to take unpleasant antibiotics in order to combat this infection, however….I know I am lucky to be alive and still intact with my hands and feet.
My love and support goes to the families who have lost a loved one. I have read some of your stories and my heart breaks. I send prayers and strength to my fellow survivors, grow not weary in your battle to regain your health. To Dr. Miller, the critical care nurse, Dr. Kellerman, and the other members of the team that saved my life….you all are incredibly outstanding in your practice. You are conduits of life and light, may God continue to bless you.
