That's One Way to Lose Weight...

Had I known you could drop several pounds in just a few days I would have tried to contract the flu earlier!

To make a long story short, I was in the hospital for a few days this week after testing (+) for influenza A. I had been feeling sick for a few days over the weekend but the problem that loomed over all the others was my rapid heart rate and breathlessness as those few days progressed. I went to the ER Monday night because I just couldn't breathe and my heart was pounding. At the ER my pulse was 140 and I could not catch my breath. I have never experienced this feeling before and it is absolutely the most desperate-feeling thing in the world.

The ER sent me home after a few hours of testing, they could find nothing wrong, as labs and CT scan of the chest was normal. They asked me if I suffered from panic. I was going to go through the roof if they told me I was just having a panic attack! I came home with cough syrup and anxiety pills "to keep my heart rate down" (???). They just didn't know what to think.

Tuesday morning I was no better so my boss/dr admitted me, which is when I tested (+) for the flu. I was put into isolation and had a zillion vials of blood drawn. That was the beginning of the worst illness I have ever had in my life. No kidding. I can see why millions of people have died from the flu over the decades. Had I not had the care I did, I don't know that I would have died but I would have come close I think. My heart just wouldn't have been able to keep beating that fast, plus I was hyperventilating every chance I could get because of it.

So I'm doing a lot better, but I'll tell you what, I have a new appreciation for the ill. The muscle and bone pain was more than I could bear at times. Thank God for morphine. And thanks, Mom, for having to put up with wearing a mask all day while you sat with me. To Judy and Phil, who happened to have Sher and Eth in Wichita this week, I am so grateful that you have them safe and sound! To Jon and Taylor, thanks for watching Evan and putting him to bed those nights we were gone. And to Phil, I couldn't have made it without you. You balanced home life, work life, and me all at the same time - I am blessed to have you.

And hey, on the bright side I dropped those pounds I had wanted to lose anyway.
I think it will be business as usual in a few days....maybe I'll even start blogging again.

Amy