Georjean Parrish
I am a survivor of septic shock, complete organ failure, and fungal infection – the result of a doctor who accidentally punctured my intestines during surgery. (Sepsis and Fungal Infections, Sepsis and Surgery) My family says I was swollen like a balloon. I remember my hands and feet peeling so badly and my hair falling out.
My story:
I had surgery on Dec 17, 2008, to remove my kidney for what we were told was advanced stage kidney cancer. We now find my doctor’s records show only renal mass, presumed TCC (transitional cell cancer) of the kidney, and not a single biopsy done before or during surgery that confirms any cancer. And, my family was told immediately after surgery I was cancer free. Then, just the other day after our twelfth request for ALL medical records (I don’t understand why this is such a struggle), we again, found even more disturbing information.
I never saw any oncologist that my PCP (primary care physician) and urologist clearly told us I was seeing. I was only seen by my PCP, urologist, and a radiologist. Now we are finding information that just turned up in my latest records: a request showing an ultrasound I had on November 11, 2008 that clearly indicates NO left or right renal mass, and a urine cytology (test) shows negative for cancer cells. This is, though, another traumatic story, so I will stop and discuss the septic shock trauma from this surgery.
December 17, 2008: During surgery for left laparoscopic nephroureterectomy, left aortic and interaortocaval lymph node dissection, right iliac and obturator lymph node dissection, my intestine was accidently punctured.
December 17 to 19, 2008: I laid in the hospital in terrible pain for two days, begging for help. I was told by nurses and doctors that I was being a baby and they just gave me more pain meds. I also found out that no blood work had been done except for hematocrit and hemoglobin – and they were both low. My urine output was very, very low, maybe something that could have been a clue for the future: How about total blood work after a major surgery?
On December 19, 2008, the last thing I really remember for many, many months was looking into the eyes of my husband and telling him I was dying. He rushed to get help and general surgery stepped in and rushed me to emergency surgery. I was in Septic Shock. I spent 20 days on life support in ICU and survived only to be discharged quickly on January 16, 2009, with tubes and open wounds – and the doctors’ and hospital’s knowledge that I had another huge 9 cm abscess in the left flank that they couldn’t reach through the abdominal incision. I also had major respiratory issues, among other things. Well of course, my husband had to rush me back on January 21, 2009. Then, more drains were inserted until they finally did a flank surgery on January 23. I also had, over the course of my treatment, many blood transfusions, mix-ups in my treatment orders, and various other traumatic events.
I finally left the hospital early March 2009 and had home health care. My husband nursed my wounds at home for months, until all drainage tubes, wound vacs (a method to help wounds heal) and open wounds healed in late July 2009. Since I am a strong willed person and a fighter that has never let anything get me down (but this trauma), I fought my way out of the bed, wheelchair, and walker. I was told by my doctors to walk, walk, walk. I then found out around Sept/Oct 2009 that the additional pain I was now noticing was my abdominal wall, tearing in the lower pelvic area, was because of the infection. The next month, they found two more inguinal hernias and we don’t know how many in my upper abdomen.
My doctor didn’t feel I was physically or mentally ready for another major surgery to repair them until after the 2009 holiday, but then the problems started as I was out of work for a year and lost my job and insurance. So there went my multiple hernia repair surgeries and all care. I think that was the point I started wanting to know more about all that had happened to me; I was then told I had to ask questions through their risk manager and was never able to talk to any of my doctors and I was labeled “CRAZY.” I know this as the nurse thought she hung up the phone when she called to cancel an appointment and continued talking to the office personnel on my voice mail about how Georjean Parrish, this CRAZY person, will be calling upset we cancelled her appointment.
I knew I wasn’t crazy for thinking they should be responsible for completely fixing all the medical issues they created, but since I couldn’t pay and had no insurance, I was sent numerous letter asking me to quit asking questions and that as of April 30, 2010, I needed to find new doctors. I didn’t even understand all that had happened to me to be able to explain to a new doctor. My PCP basically acted ignorant to all that had happened to me and never referred me to any needed services, for right lower lung paralysis, aspirating from being intubated twice, blood issues, etc.
The last PCP I found to treat me, after my medicare started, got frustrated with my questions and didn’t have enough time in her schedule to accommodate me, so here I sit home bound with no life, no car to find a doctor, and no correct abdominal supports. Since now the doctor I discussed surgery with is worried it has been so long that there will be issues with scar tissue and adhesions, until something ruptures or my intestines get incarcerated/strangled, he said to leave well enough alone.
OK, I can kind of agree that God has gotten me this far, he wouldn’t let me down now. But days when I am so sick, I get scared. I struggle to pay for the medicines I take, since medicare doesn’t cover and AZ doesn’t offer supplemental plans if you’re under 65.
I live on daily Miralax and now a very limited diet: low carb, low fat, low cholesterol, no caffiene, no dairy, only water, water and more water. I have one glass of tea per day. I can’t eat a lot of meat with my hernias and have been told last month my blood work is terrible and my one kidney is compromised. I feel like I am limited to bread and water and don’t dare try and ask for more specific info as to why for fear of losing another doctor because I ask too many questions.
Yes, I thank God everyday that I survived septic shock, so I can be here with my husband, children and grandchildren, I just wish I could get completely well and feel better and have my life back.
So much for life after Surviving Septic Shock, I really do try to stay Positive and Hopeful, but that doesn’t seem to be working very well some days. I just want to be healthy again and able to LIVE my life. (Sepsis and Post-Sepsis Syndrome)
Thank you for listening.
