Did you enjoy the lovely hot weather we had a few weeks ago? I enjoyed the sun but unfortunately I became dehydrated, which led to a kidney infection and a couple of days in hospital. I should have managed the situation better, but controlling your hydration levels in 80+ degrees heat when you can’t drink fluids is tricky.
I hadn’t spent time in hospital for four years, so it was disappointing to break that run. The COVID pandemic has noticeably changed the way hospitals function. I went in to hospital by ambulance and passed a lateral flow test during the journey. Thankfully the paramedics were able to negotiate me out of having to spend time in a COVID red zone despite a very high temperature of 38.8. A blood test showed clear signs of an infection, particularly a CRP level of 129 (CRP = C-reactive protein, which is a sign of inflammation. A normal level is below 5). Further tests led to a diagnosis of Pyelonephritis, which I’ve unfortunately had before. It’s a kidney infection rising from the bladder and on both occasions was very likely caused by dehydration.
I was admitted and put into a side room rather than a communal area until a COVID PCR test was done. I was quickly put on intravenous (IV) antibiotics and I started to feel better after a day or so. I live on my own and due to COVID my life has been very isolated for the last 18 months. It was a pleasant change being around people again and being looked after rather than having to do all my own nursing as I do at home. I just lay in bed and watched the Olympics and even had time to do some reading. Visitors weren’t allowed, but my sister managed to sneak in with some supplies which was a nice surprise.
There were a few people with COVID in side rooms on my ward so I had to wear a mask the whole time and I kept a window ajar for ventilation, which both got pretty irritating. Thankfully I tested negative but due to the COVID risk they didn’t want to keep me in hospital for long. After a couple of days my temperature had returned to normal so I was allowed home with a five day course of IV antibiotics. Self administering IV antibiotics at home isn’t very common, but I’ve had a Hickman Line for ten years so they let me do such things. The antibiotics took nearly an hour to prepare and an hour to infuse, so it was a pain, particularly alongside setting up TPN and PEG feeding which I do everyday, but it was really good to be home.
At the end of the five day course I returned to the hospital for tests. My CRP level had dropped from 129 to 6.4, which was very good but not quite normal, so I was given another five day course of IV antibiotics. That was disappointing, particularly as somebody ‘normal’ would have just needed to take a couple of pills a day, but regular readers of this blog will know I’m a long way from normal. 🙂
A week after the second course ended I had another blood test which showed my CRP level was 0.4, so thankfully I didn’t need any further treatment for the infection. My potassium level was found to be slightly low which may need to be treated, probably with an IV supplement.
During this whole period I was unable to do my normal rehab exercises due to lack of time and energy. It’ll take me a couple of weeks to build my exercise levels back up to where they were. From start to finish this whole episode will have taken about five weeks, which is a big chunk out of my summer that I was hoping would be care free and fun. However I’ve had Pyelonephritis before as I said and it was much better managed this second time. You can read about my previous experience here: Twelve Days of Christmas …in Hospital.
When I left hospital I wasn’t asked to isolate and I hadn’t been ‘pinged’ by the COVID app, but as I may have been exposed to COVID I kept pretty isolated for twelve days. My self isolation ended just in time for me to see my Aunt and Uncle who were staying with my Mum for a few days. I hadn’t seen them for about three years, mostly due to COVID, so it was a lovely way to end a difficult month.
Thanks for reading, Ceri.
Phil Prowse
October 3, 2021 @ 8:37 pm
Hi Ceri,
It’s a while since I checked in to your blog, and it was good to see that you’ve retained your sense of humour, particularly over the past 18 months, which must have been more difficult than usual.
Your Dad finally called me recently, having gone “silent” for a while. Remind him to send me the video you produced of their band.
I did think of engaging in a discussion with him about Tottenham (Jimmy Greaves having just passed away), but he’s a “Gooner” isn’t he? And you support Tottenham don’t you? I haven’t seen Tottenham since the Greavsie days, but I suppose I retain a sort of loyalty. I was actually there in December 1961 when Jimmie scored a hat-trick debut. Great days!
Keep up the blog Ceri, we enjoy your news.
Phil and Helga Prowse
A Reluctant Contortionist
October 13, 2021 @ 9:58 pm
Hi Phil & Helga,
It’s very nice to hear from you. Sorry to be slow replying. I hadn’t logged into my blog for a while and only just found your message.
The last 18 months have been difficult, mostly by being very dull, but I’m getting by okay thank you.
Yes unfortunately my father is a Gooner, despite his son supporting Spurs. These days we commiserate with each other about both supporting rather poor teams. It must have been amazing to have seen Jimmy Greaves‘s debut. If we had just a couple of players with his passion for football it would transform our current side.
Click HERE to watch the film I made for my Dad’s band. I didn’t have much material to work with and had to source quite a lot online. But it was fun to make and the guys seemed really happy with it. Enjoy ?!
Best wishes, Ceri
Phil Prowse
October 14, 2021 @ 6:00 pm
Thanks Ceri,
We enjoyed the film – got our ancient toes tapping!
Hope we get to see the band again.
Phil and Helga Prowse
John Fuller
October 18, 2021 @ 5:05 pm
Hi Ceri
Always interesting to read your blog. You do write very well and I do hope it gets to people with the syndrome and to those who support and represent their interests. I am still a trustee at Disability Sheffield and I will remind Emily Morton the CE so that she can use her many contacts. Guess you watched Spurs yesterday beating Newcastle despite Eric Dier reducing the margin. I recommend the premier league app which allows you to create mixed teams where in this household I rival with Matt and Ben and you might thrash your Dad! I think there might have been signs of Romero and Emerson tightening up the defence, and NDombele’s final ball improving, which could release our strike force! Ever hopeful! Your video for the band was great if I havent said that before. cheers
john
A Reluctant Contortionist
October 20, 2021 @ 6:31 pm
Hi John,
Thank you for your kind message and mentioning my blog to the CE of Disability Sheffield. I enjoy writing my blog when I have time, and hopefully it helps a few people.
I hadn’t heard of the Premier League app, I’ll give it a try. I suspect beating my Dad would be fairly easy!
I watched the Newcastle game. It’s the first Spurs game I‘ve enjoyed watching for months. I think it was more a case of Newcastle being poor than Spurs being really good, but hopefully we’re improving. Romero I like, I’m not sure about Emerson yet, NDombele can be great but can be poor, a bit like our whole team!
The film for your band was fun to make, it’s great you all liked it. I’m just starting on a new film project now, if I manage to finish it in these odd times it’ll appear on this site.
I hope you’re well.
Best wishes, Ceri ⚽️