Two Bullets Dodged

Hello, its been over six weeks since I last blogged, so you must be eager for an update. To do so, I have to ask Chris, since I don't remember. The discharge plan from N.W. Hospital was decided to be home. No sooner had that been decided, than a change in plan was made based on the first of two life threatening events I experienced.

Blood Clots were forming in my legs and were creating a saddle pulmonary embolism that had formed in my chest and was expanding to block the airway to my lungs. The doctor encouraged Chris to call in family. According to doctors, usually people die from this kind of complication. In a foggy conciousness, I remember people standing around my bed and one doctor saying "Keith's being held up by "wings of angels".



Soon after recovering from the "embolism" I spiked a fever that in short order had my temperature up to 103 degrees. Three days of ice bags and the work of a great lab in finding the correct medication brought the infections under control.



I've now been at Oro Valley Rehabilitation Center for two weeks. I went swimming for the first time yesterday marking the high point of my progress. In spite of soiling my pants twice that day and having serious dizziness that cancelled my morning RT/OT sessions - SWIMMING MADE IT A GOOD DAY. Self propriety and vanity in a hospital setting all but disappear so I apologize for my reference to toileting however bathroom issues are such a big part of my day I just had to mention it and in particular the techs and nursing professionals who are a part of that nasty job of patient/bed clean up. Thank you for the amazing empathy and genuine care you provide.



I feel that not talking about those two critical hospital events other than in a newsy way misses the point of this blog being about me. Having two near death experiences immediately took me to a spiritual place where God has much more for me in life. Death, you learn, is not scary when you face it surrounded by the people you love. Each day forward is viewed as a gift where nothing is taken for granted. If you step back and look at the big picture, what you see is that a community surrounds you. That community gives me confidence that no matter what happens, our family will be ok.