April 3, 2009: ALLERGIES, PNEUMONIA, & A TRIP TO CHICAGO

I thought I would give you the low down on me, my birthday, and the trip to Chicago. T’was not the best trip I have ever taken to the Windy City and Greg’s family.

I had a terrible allergic reaction to ampecillin the doctor prescribed back on March 10. When we landed in Chicago the morning of March 11, the medics and an ambulance met the plane to take me to the emergency room there in Evanston. I had swollen up terribly, and I was itching so bad I had clawed myself almost bloody. I stayed at the emergency room till about 5:00 PM. After several shots, x-rays, and IV’s, they brought the swelling down, and many of the huge whelps had begun to dissipate. They sent me home with a battery of medicines to take.

Greg has made reservation at the Field Museum for Members Night at the Field for Thursday afternoon and evening. I was feeling better, so we decided to go. The boys had a babysitter, so our evening was not stressed with taking care of the little guys. We used one of the wheel chairs the Museum provides, so we were able to go to most of the exhibits and downstairs fun. It’s the downstairs stuff that is so much fun because there is almost as much in the two lower floor as in the main Museum. Members have access to those floors on these special nights…such a privilege and very much a pleasure.

I did pretty well until I got up Friday morning (I don’t think I really slept much after about 3:00 AM Thursday night). My face was so swollen, my eyes had just about disappeared. I couldn’t bend my fingers, toes, or ankles, and those huge itchy whelps had returned.

This time we took me to the emergency room at Northwest Medical Center in Chicago. I was admitted immediately and stayed there until late Saturday afternoon when my heart behaved normally, I could swallow food, and the swelling had begun to go down again…at least you could see my eyes and I could bend my fingers. They changed the meds that were issued to go along with the ones from the other hospital.

Fred came on home Sunday, March, 15. I stayed up there until March 24 (my plane ticket was for that date), but I was not good for much. The itching continued for days (a bloody body once again), and then the joint pain that goes with this allergic reaction began. Anything below/beyond the affected joint was limp and useless. It affected every arm and leg joint at one time or another in a very random action. The joint/joints ache for about 36 hours before it quits in a matter of minutes. But, within 24 hours, I was in much pain somewhere else.

Poor Greg & Kelly had to help me through all this mess. I did enjoy the boys as much as I could. By the time for me to leave, I was doing much better (except for the roving pain which continued until the morning that I left.)

I came home on March 24 and had an appointment with Dr. Abdulla, my primary physician, the next morning at 8:30 AM. Due to an emergency, he did not see me until after 10:30. When I stood up to go into the examining room, I passed out…blood-pressure was 85 over 60. He worked with me for quite a while, apologizing all the while about giving me the penicillin product. I couldn’t fault him…I have taken penicillin products off and on all my life with not reaction. The last time was in 2002 when I had the bad lung infection. Between then and now I had become allergic. I was as surprised as he was.

I had to go back to the doctor Monday, March 30. Fred had to take me. I was so sick I couldn’t hold my head up or keep my eyes open. This time I am diagnosed with double pneumonia…shocker! (I took the pneumonia shot 2 years ago; they’re supposed to last 5 years.) He prescribed several things, and sent me home to bed. I slept all day Monday through to mid-morning Tuesday. Fred has been home for Spring Break, so he was my nurse.

Today, I made it outside for the first time since Monday. I did have a birthday, but it was not the best I have ever celebrated. Fred took me to Longhorn today for lunch. After eating, they served me an ice cream sundae as a special. I am not supposed to eat ice cream, but I ate it anyway. It was delicious!

So that is what my birthday was like. I have been able to work a few computer puzzles this week since I have my Mac laptop. It is so light and works wonderfully away from the computers on the lanai, even in my bedroom. Fred gave me the neatest computer table for use in bed…it tilts the laptop at an angle and the mouse pad is beside the computer support. I could play on the computer or watch movies…I did both. Time passed more quickly.

Today, I am not swollen, do not itch, but I am still running the low grade temperature that must GO before I can go out on my own. The pneumonia leaves you exhausted with any little exertion; I tire very quickly. My doc says that will last into next week when the pneumonia is gone.

I bet that was more than you wanted to know. I did take a bunch of pictures while in Chicago, but I have not printed any or transferred them to my Kodak page. Maybe soon, though, cause I really want to share my grandsons, Max & Ash, with everyone.