Dear Everyone.

A quick update.

I've been to the hospital today and they gave me a thorough examination. The good news is those two ribs were cracked, not broken. That was such a relief because I had a terrible fear I'd puncture a lung. I don't know if that would have happened but I always think the worst.

My oxygen levels are now up to 92, which they are pleased with but I need to get them up to at least 95. The levels had dropped to 86 and I was in a dreadful state. I still can't walk without wheezing, and I still have that horrid cough. I can't seem to clear the muck off my lungs, so I must continue to take more steroids and use my inhalers more, and now I have a home nebuliser. I feel like a wrung out rag, but I know I'm improving.

What I'm here today to tell you all is, how much your kindness, your caring prayers and all the messages you've sent me, how much they have meant to me. I'll never be able to thank you all enough. I'm one very lucky lady to have you all as my friends.
Thank you. xxx

Author Notes

Thank you Teri7 for promoting this and putting a pump on it. You are so very kind. xxxx And another thank you to Pam (repsa) for putting pumps on. I am overwhelmed by the love you've all shown me. Thank you! xxxxx

 

Thank you, dear Friends.

I can't tell you how overwhelmed I feel after reading Debi's poem and all the lovely messages you sent me. The power of prayer is the best medicine ever.

I'd felt very tired for a while now, and had this persistent cough with wheezing. With the plight of our health system at the moment, it wasn't worth trying to call a doctor, you don't get one, but you have to answer their online questionnaire, which I did in the end. None of the questions dealt with my problem. So, I rang 111. Again, it was a questionnaire, which told me to phone 999. I did, and the operator told me she would get an ambulance crew to talk to me. I heard no more.

It was my hubby, Graham, and my son, Chris, who decided to take me themselves to the walk-in unit at the Southampton General Hospital. We all thought that I'd be given some antibiotics and sent home. But that wasn't to be. Once inside, my son went and spoke to a nurse, and moments later I was taken into a side room and given loads of tests. I was, in fact, very ill.

That has now blown any chance of me telling my family "I'm not that bad," in the future!!
I had three infections, and I also had acute asthma exacerbation, all of which had really worn my body out. I had a chest infection, which I'm prone to every winter, a blood infection, which I've now been told, was Septicaemia. It was lucky for me that Graham and Chris forced the issue and took me to the hospital.

 

They immediately started injecting loads of antibiotics directly into me, and put me on oxygen for my asthma. This continued over the next few days. As well as the antibiotics, they were giving me steroids and other medication. This, according to my doctor, was the reason I woke up Tuesday morning not remembering anything. My name, who I was, where I was. It was really scary. That didn't last long, thank goodness.

The third infection was one of the new viruses that have developed recently. All the drugs I was put on helped get rid of that one too.

The specialist said that due to the hammering I'd taken with three bouts of Covid last year, my immune system was shot to pieces, so anything could have walked in and taken over. I'm now having treatment to build it back up again.

I know for a fact that it was also your prayers that helped me, and I can't thank you enough. I have to say, I'm still very emotional after reading all your warm, loving words.

Ending on a bright note. I have been allowed home, but will be having home care until I'm fully over it. I can cope with that. At least I'm home and in my own bed.

I won't be posting a chapter of my book this week. I will try to write one during the week. 

You are a special group of people, and I love you all. Sandra xxx

 

*****

 

111 is a number we can call for advice on our medical problems when we can't reach a doctor.

999 is for emergencies covering medical, fire, etc. You are normally sent an ambulance straight away. Ours are on strike at the moment. 
 

Author Notes

My sincerest thanks to my dear friends, Robert and Pam Spice for giving me the pumps to put this on. There is no end to the kindness and generosity that has been shown me over this awful period. God Bless you, dear friends.

Chapter 4
A Short Break.

By Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

Dear Everyone,

 

I'm so sorry, I just can't get my head in gear at the moment. It's still in a fog. I've tried to write the next chapter, but it's not coming, I feel drained of all energy and enthusiasm.

 

As much as I hate it, I've decided I need to take my husband's advice and give myself a short break. Hopefully, it won't be for long, a couple of weeks (?) 

 

It's only now that it's sinking in how seriously ill I've been and why my son and husband took me to hospital; and even though I'm home now, I've been told I've still some way to to go before I'm 100% again. I'm being well looked after and I need to help the process by resting up. I don't think I've ever felt so listless before. 

 

I want to thank you all for all your kind messages, and prayers, I've been so deeply moved by them. Sending hugs and love to you all. xxx

 

 

Chapter 5
I'm Getting Better!

By Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

 

My dear friends,

Just a little update. My doctor is pleased with my progress, and I'm feeling so much better. I know it's still going to take me a while, but my breathing is easier and it's getting stronger, according to the blower test I have to use. My voice isn't so croaky now -- my nickname from my hubby is, I'm his 'cute little frog'! (I think he added the 'cute' as life insurance! Lol)

I'm still waiting for my lung test, so they can see if there is anymore damage other than what the Covid had already done. But, because the nurses, doctors and ambulance crews are still striking for more pay, along with so many others; trains, fire-fighters, to name a few, it means only the very urgent tests are being carried out at the moment.

The good news is, my brain is working again!!!!! I've started on my next chapter and hope to get it finished for the coming weekend. It's been ages! And, I'll be going for a short walk around the block today, if the weather stays dry. That will be a first since before Christmas! At least I'm heading in the right direction.

Thank you for all the prayers, I know they've helped me. Sending a big hug to you all. Sandra xx

Chapter 6
my replies.

By Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

Hi everyone, 

 

I'm so sorry, I'm just feeling so rough at the moment. I can't read, write or think. Please forgive me. I'll answer your lovely reviews as soon as I can and catch up with yours.  I HATE getting old! Old(ish)  Please don't bother to reply, I know. But thank you for reading. Love you all. xxx

Chapter 7
My results.

By Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

 

 

 

 

 

I'm sorry I've not told you all the results of my tests. I have Long Covid. That explains my constant tiredness, my voice keeping cracking up, (might even account for my brain cracking up!)

It seems to be going on like, forever! The doctor told me it will end, but it varies from each individual. The symptoms are:

Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
Voice problem
Feeling short of breath
Change to sense of smell or taste
Dizziness
Muscle aches and cramps.

 

The list also contains tinnitus, but I've had that for many years now, so I don't count that as one of my symptoms, but if any of you have suddenly developed that as well as others in the list, I think you should get it checked out. Long Covid isn't contagious. 

There are a few other symptoms if you want to check them out on Google, but those I've mentioned are some of the main symptoms I'm having to deal with.

 

The change of smell is disgusting, it drives me potty. Even putting a thick glob of  'Vic' under my nose can't stop it. The doctor asked me to describe it. How do you describe 'disgusting'? I told him that I would imagine it to be like my insides were rotting. He was quick to assure me they weren't.

Although sort of unrelated, I thought I'd mention it. I've been having nasty headaches lately and have trouble reading and watching the television. I booked for an eye test with a different optician, because the last one I had was useless. My new optician has prescribed stronger lenses for now as I have cataracts. Whilst they are thick, they are not thick enough to have laser treatment yet. So, he's keeping me under observation wanting me to see him six monthly now. At least that has stopped me thinking I have a brain tumour. I know, I'm an idiot. Lol.

And that's it for now! I really don't like this old age lark! I'll not be posting my new book, 'The Enchanted Arch' for a couple of weeks, I want to take it slowly. But I will be coming to review so you don't forget me.

Thank you everyone for always listening to my whinging! Sending you all love and hugs. xxx

 

Chapter 8
I'm Coming Back!

By Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

I've been really good. I've taken my doctor's advice and rested, and really enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles. I've even written out my Christmas present list! Well, when I look back to January, the time I spent in hospital, I can't believe it's already coming up to June!

I've taken some short walks with Graham; I'm trying to build up my step-counts again. I do have my 'bad days' too many at the moment, but I'm hoping they will get fewer as time goes on. Graham has been amazing, he's my everything. Love him to bits.

I have to admit to one part of me that refused to rest. The tiny part of my brain that likes to feed my imagination! After Graham put the idea into my head, that started the wheels of my mind rolling.

I will be posting chapter one, 'The Descendant' on Sunday. It's different from my time-travelling novels. This is about a young woman, Maddie, who unwittingly steps through a time portal and discovers she is not your everyday, ordinary woman she has always believed herself to be. Far from it! I hope you will enjoy reading it.

I'd also like to take this moment to thank you all for the prayers and encouragement you've given me during last year and right up to the present time. It overwhelms me at times to know how wonderfully caring you all are. Graham always knows when I'm thinking of you all, my eyes mist up! Thank you, each and everyone of you.

Chapter 9
My health update

By Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

I wanted to let you know my latest update, it feels like I have been ill forever. The infectious virus has gone, thank goodness and I am out of isolation. I think the pneumonia is clear, I'll ask the doctor when he comes to see me. My asthma is still bad and still need the oxygen 24/7 and I'm on the nebulizer 20 minutes each two hours.

 

I didn't realise how ill I was, Ian's death hit me hard which brought on my asthma attack and then that awful virus. The pneumonia followed. I desperately want to go home, but that's not happening yet. I have to be able to breath on my own first.

 

I want to thank you all for all your lovely poems and messages, and even more for your prayers. I know they have helped me a lot. I'm just sorry I've not had the strength to sit up and reply, but I will do as many as I can each day. You are my extended family, and even though we've not met in person, your kindness and love shines through your words in your posts to me. Thank you so much. 

 

I wish you all a healthy, happy 2024. Sending love and hugs to you all.  Sandra xxxxx

Chapter 10
Happy News

By Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

I am so very happy to tell you all I am finally home! The hospital has arranged home care for me, and with Graham to help me, I should be fine. I still have a long way to go to get back to my full strength, but I will do what is neccessary to get there.

I want to thank each and everyone of you for your prayers, and messages of support. I think they went a long way to help with my recovery. I am blessed to have such wonderful friends here. Thank you!

I have so many messages to reply to, and I will try my hardest to get to you all. Now I have to help Maddie get up that mountain!

Thank you again, I am so happy to be back with you! Happy New Year and God bless you all. xxxx

 

One of thousands of stories, poems and books available online at FanStory.com You've read it - now go back to FanStory.com to comment on each chapter and show your thanks to the author!

© Copyright 2015 Sandra Stoner-Mitchell All rights reserved. Sandra Stoner-Mitchell has granted FanStory.com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

© 2015 FanStory.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Privacy Statement