Irishlass is Under the Weather

[sillywilly]

Hi all...

It's Sillywilly, Irishlass's daughter. I just wanted to let you know that yesterday IL was admitted to the hospital. She was diagnosed with pneumonia. She had been fighting a nasty cold basically ever since Grandpa's funeral. Of course, she was run down in every sense of the word - physically, mentally, emotionally... She'll probably be in the hospital over the weekend and then be released to go home to continue her recovery and antibiotic regiment.

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. I'm planning on going in to visit her later this morning... I'll post an update later today.

[Virgo6]

Thank you so much Sillywilly for letting us all know. Kind of figured she was getting rundown during that period before your grandfather passed away.
She was concentrating on everyone else but herself which seems so natural for her. Of course she will be in my thoughts and prayers. Let her know we are thinking of her. ((((hugs to Irish))))

[pocket]

I'm sorry to hear that, sillywilly. I hope she gets plenty of rest and recouperates well. Poor Irish was spread thin and fair game to an opportunistic bug, I'm afraid.

((((Get well soon, Irish))))

[Mouse9]

I'll keep her in my prayers for a speedy recovery. I ditto Virgo's response, though. It is just like Irishlass to think of others and then put herself last.

Thanks for letting us know.

[Fuel]

Wow, this is surprising news. Hope she gets better soon.

[patchiepoopoo]

:hug2:

Sending hugs & get well wishes for a speedy recovery to Irish.
Sorry to hear you are ill.

[Gabby]

:hug2:

Feel better.

:hug2:

[sillywilly]

I was able to visit with IL earlier this afternoon. She was in good spirits and being a good patient. I took her some reading material to help her pass the time. I think that the rest will do wonders. It's hard to rest when you're at home... at the hospital, you don't have a choice.

I'll pass along all of the well-wishes!

[tahitisweetie]

She's definitely in my prayers. Thanks again for letting us know.

[Slitter]

Thanks for filling us in, Sillywilly. You're right about the enforced rest. Hopefully she will get plenty of it this weekend. Even so, that's a heck of a way to take a vacation! :eek:

I hope you are soon feeling back up to snuff, Irish.

[AvecLion]

Irishlass - sorry to hear you're feeling sick,
And I hope you start to feel better real quick -
'Cause this place just isn't the same
When there's no posts with your name.
After all, you're the master of the limerick.

[TigerLily]

So sorry to hear she's so sick. I sure hope they keep her an extra day if she needs it. Resting is the best thing when you're so run down.

Hugs and prayers Irish.

[poppy]

Hope you are feeling better soon Irish:hug2::hug2::hug2:

[snip the elf]

oh my gosh!
Irish...hope you get better real soon! I bet you'll be back ojn your feet in no time!
Thanks for letting us know sillywilly :thumb:

[sillywilly]

Just wanted to update you all again...

We went up to visit Irishlass yesterday evening. She was in great spirits and had just finished a wonderful (well... for hospital food anyway) dinner. She is still carrying a fever and is still on oxygen, but she has completed the I.V. round of antibiotics. When we were there, they started her on the oral antibiotics. The doctor wanted her to take a "test" walk without her oxygen on after we left. She flunked, to put it mildly.

So, she is still enjoying the accommodations at the hospital. She might get released tomorrow. If so, it looks like she will have to remain on oxygen at home for awhile.

I've passed along your messages. She has really enjoyed hearing from everyone. I know that she's looking forward to getting back in front of her monitor at home...

I'll let you know what happens tomorrow...

[pocket]

Thanks for the update, sillywilly. Yeah, it sounds like recovery is going to be a slow process. We'll be waiting for news, and hope it's better every day.

[Slitter]

Bummer news. I was hoping to come here tonight to read she was comfy at home.

Please tell her to be sure to study for her next test! ;)

I hope you are feeling better each day, IL. :hug2:

[Gabby]

Oh my -- I was expecting better news.

Hang in there, Irish!!!

[Virgo6]

Thanks Sillywilly for the update, though I was hoping for better news.
Its probably better for her to be monitored in the hospital another day or two to make sure she is well enough to go home. Get better soon Irish, we miss you. Keep those spirits up and soon you will be home.

[frawniemae]

Been away for a few days and was sad to see this thread. Take care Irish! You are missed!

[sillywilly]

Monday evening update...

Irishlass is still in the hospital. She finally was able to talk with the pulmonologist this evening. It seems that he wants her fever to go down more and her oxygen levels to come up more before she will be released to come home... that's what we were thinking. IL is sounding a lot better. Her voice is much stronger than it was a couple of days ago. I think that she is getting a bit stir crazy... who wouldn't be? She just wants to go home!

She did say that one of her nurses (or perhaps an aide) last night completely reminded her of Slitter. Mr. IL agreed. They both got a few chuckles out of that.

Mr. IL is hanging in there. Poor guy... he arrived back home last evening to find that one of the trees that is mere feet from their garage had been struck by lightning. The lightning had come into the house and zapped a couple of their circuits... IL's stove/oven seems to have taken a hit from it, too. If it isn't one thing, it seems to be a dozen others right now...

We're all hanging in there... I'm passing your thoughts along to IL. She misses you all!

[spf15]

Take care, all three of you!

[Fuel]

Good to hear that she is making progress, hopefully she'll be home soon.

Ack, lightning. Hope it didn't cause much damage.

[Slitter]

Man, when it rains it really pours. On a positive note, that lightning was the third thing. All this bad stuff should stop now. :luck:

I can imagine her just going nuts with boredom by now. Good thing she's got an amazing nurse (or aide) to keep her company. ;)

Keep on mending, IL. Slowly but surely you'll get there. I look forward to seeing you back here. And keep hanging in there Mr Irish. I hope you can get things all squared away on the home front with minimal trouble.

Thanks for the update, Sillywilly.

[sillywilly]

Tuesday evening update...

My DS and I went up to visit Irishlass this morning. She was carefully studying the menu to decide what to have for lunch when we arrived. She had already had quite a morning and was ready for a break. When the nurse checked her temperature during our visit it was normal... as it had been the last few times they had checked it! Wahoo!! Her oxygen level was still low, however.

I just talked to IL about an hour ago, and she was excited! The doctor told her during rounds that he (she?) was satisfied with her temperature being back to normal and that after verifying it with IL's regular doctor, she could go home!! So, hopefully she can sleep in her own bed at home tonight... if not, certainly she will be able to tomorrow night. She will have to remain on oxygen until her level comes back up. But, hey, she's thrilled to be able to just go home and finish recuperating.

Thanks for your support, everyone! I'm sure that IL will drop you a note as soon as humanly possible. She misses you!!

[Slitter]

That's great! :boogie::boogie::boogie:

[pocket]

Thanks for the good news! She'll get a boost just from coming home.

[Gabby]

:luck: I hope she's home!! :luck:

[tahitisweetie]

You have been super giving us daily updates. Here's to hoping she is home now and enjoying the comfort of her own bed.

[sillywilly]

Wednesday morning update....

Irishlass is HOME!!!!!!!

I just talked to Mr. IL (Dad), and he said that they arrived home last night around 11:30 p.m. Apparently, they didn't start the release procedures until about 8:00 p.m. There was a snafu with getting ahold of the "oxygen guy"... but, they finally connected and got everything taken care of.

Irishlass rested very well last night. She was up having a bowl of cereal and planning on going back to sleep. Mr. IL has gotten all of her prescriptions filled this morning and has a nice, little schedule created to help them in keeping track of everything.

We're planning on letting her settle in and rest all day today. Hopefully, we can all go up and visit her tomorrow...

This will probably be my last update. When she is up to it, I know that she'll be logging in to say hello.

Thanks again for your love and support. No wonder IL enjoys you guys so much - you're great!! :lovey:

[Fuel]

Great news! Being home is awesome....

[Gabby]

:offwall:

Great news. Home beats a hospital any day!!!!!!!

[Virgo6]

Oh I am so glad to hear you are home and feeling better. Take it slow Irish and in no time you will be back to your old self. It was great having Sillywilly giving us information on your status everyday.

[spf15]

Welcome back. Rest well.

[frawniemae]

Glad you are home and feeling better, Irish! Hospitals are no place to get rest so I'm sure you are really enjoing your own bed.

Thanks sillywilly for keeping us updated!

[Slitter]

Welcome home, IL! :D

I am sure you are enjoying the comforts of home. Rest up and get your wind back. We'll be waiting for you when you're ready to get back online. :hug2:

One last big thank you to Sillywilly for all the updates.

[Irishlass]

Home sweet home.............now I know what that means. It is sooooo good to be back home. The bed is better, the potty is better, and my private nurse (Mr. I) is better..............I feel like I've got a fightin' chance of returning to normal. I can't believe how weak I am, but I do feel stronger already and I haven't been home 48 hrs. yet. Sillywilly told me about this thread, but I had no idea how long it was. You people are the best, thank you for the thoughts and prayers (keep them coming, please). I'll be back later to share more of this experience. Again, thanks to you all. (((((Addicts)))))

[pocket]

It's good to see you posting, IL. Just take short trips to the bathroom and computer, and lots of rest. It'll take time to get your strength back. Take care.

We found out this week that my DH has bronchitis (no surprise) and pneumonia in one lung. He's been staying at home, but I can tell by his inactivity that he's still not feeling stronger yet.

[Virgo6]

Welcome back Irish. We all missed you. Keep getting better everyday until you are back full strength.

[Slitter]

YAY!! Irish is back! :D :clap: :bparty:

I know just being back at home will speed your recovery. I missed you!

[tahitisweetie]

IL ... back at the keyboard. All is right with the world now.

[patchiepoopoo]

:clap:

Glad to see you posting at the D&D thread.

Take your time to get well. Having had pneumonia 3 times I know what an ordeal it is to do even the simple things.

Welcome back Irish !

:welcome:

[Fuel]

I was hoping that I would see an IL post today, and I did! :boogie:

Welcome home, rest up, and get ready for the car convention in a month. It's hard to believe it's a month away.

[Mouse9]

Dittos to all the earlier expressed thoughts. Having your own personal nurse (Mr. IL) I am sure you will recover quickly.

I really appreciated sillywilly keeping us updated.

Keep getting better!

[Irishlass]

I'm just checking in to let you all know I'm hangin' in here. Each day brings some improvement, but I have a long way to go. I'm amazed at how quickly I get tired. Before you all jump on me, I'm not overdoing it, but it seems even the smallest task is exhausting.

Lion, I forgot to thank you for the limerick, I loved it. You really made me feel special.

Fuel, I'm not sure of the status of our Bucks County trip. If we come at all, we will drive the family car, not the unairconditoned DeSoto. That might make it easier for us to meet up. We have canceled our formal registration for the convention, but we haven't canceled the hotel reservation yet.

[UkraineMom]

I am so glad to hear you are doing better..... let me know if you need anything

Take care!

[mel]

I haven't been by in the past couple of weeks and now I feel terrible for not doing so. IL, I am so relieved you're home and on the mend. Take care of yourself!

[Irishlass]

If you remember, Sillywilly told you about the lightening strike our property took while I was in the hospital. These photos really don't do it justice, but I thought you might enjoy seeing them. Notice the rocks at the base of the tree. They were in a neat wall about a foot tall all the way around the tree. Some of them were thrown 5 or 6 feet away from the tree. If you look closely you can also see the hole that was blown in the ground. Even though that tree was 10 or 12 feet away from the house the lightening damaged two circuits and fried the control panel on my range. The electricians spent all day last Friday and part of Saturday checking all of the circuits in the house and making the necessary repairs. I'm so glad Mr. I wasn't at home when it happened. He loves to stand in that little garage door and watch when it storms. In the close up photo.......the little pile of metal in the lower right is what is left of some windchimes that were hanging in the tree.

I'm still improving every day. It is very slow, I want to be better yesterday, but that isn't happening. I'm trying to be patient but that isn't one of my best traits.

Thanks UK Mom and Mel (good to see you again).

[pocket]

I'm glad he wasn't standing there, Irish. When my youngest were still in their teens there was a strike close by, and it almost deafened us. We couldn't hear at all for a few minutes. It fried a few things in the house, too

Was your stove fixable, or did you have to get a new one? Glad to hear you're feeling a bit better every day, Irish.

[Virgo6]

First comment, very nice house. Second comment.......thank God Mr. Irish wasn't standing there. Holy cow. My parents and my middle daughter had lightning hit their houses and fried alot of their appliances too. Nature is just something that we can't control.

[Jordygirl]

Get Well Soon Irishlass - your in my prayers

[Fuel]

Amazing photos, so glad he wasn't standing in the garage.

[Irishlass]

I saw my doctor on Friday. I am doing well. My oxygen level is improving. I'm still on the home oxygen until I see the specialist on July 9th. Keep your fingers crossed that I can get rid of it then. I admit I've been taking it off some and seem to get along okay when I do. I told my doctor that I get tired very quickly and she said I should expect six weeks to two months of this........ugh! Keep the positive energy and prayers coming.

[frawniemae]

Glad to hear the good report but you need to keep that oxygen on!! Just turn it down. If you're at 3 put it on 2.5 then 2 after a day or so. Kind of wean yourself off. You can become dependent on it. I know it's a pain to have to lug the unit around (unless you are hooked up to a long hose). Mama HATED hers, but without it she just ran out of "gas" so quickly! That may be what is happening to you. Don't push yourself too hard!

[Irishlass]

LOL, I have a very long hose........I can go all over my house and even outside if I stay close to the house. Thanks for your concern, Frawnie. He has me on 2, actually I have it between 1 1/2 and 2. I really can't see that I get any more tired when I have it off for a while than I do when I leave it on all of the time. I promise to be good and not push myself.

[Slitter]

I'm also glad to read a good report. I can relate 100% to your frustration at having to wait for that full recovery. We will both just have to be as patient as we can. Hmmm, writing that makes me wonder if patience and patients are homonyms on purpose! The 9th is coming up pretty soon. It's be a big milestone of progress if you can shed the external oxygen then. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Please keep us posted.

[Virgo6]

Isn't it always the way the when you want a date to come it takes forever. (in your case the 9th) but when you are never want a day to come it is there before you know it. Glad to hear you are doing better. That upbeat attitude and your humor has probably added to the healing process. Slow and steady wins the race as the old adage states, so you too have to take things easy until you are back to full health. Reading about your long hose LOL is forcing me to get my butt out of this chair and go water my plants. We had rain but not enough last night. Hang in there Irish the 9th is right around the corner.

[Fuel]

The 9th will be here soon enough, like Virgo said. Take your time to heal there is no rush. If you aren't up to snuff by the time the convention rolls around, there is always next year.

[An-g_BB]

:hug2: Irish!!

you've been in thought a lot even tho ive not been on SA...lately. i am VERYYY glad to know youre home n putzin about!~(even if on a short 'leash'!!lol! ;p)

plz dont push yourself to get your strength back!! :nono:
(just out of concern!! ok! :) )
anywayyyyys... plz take care!!!!
:lovies:

[Irishlass]

Things went well at the docs today, except for the 2 1/2 hour wait to see him. :( My oxygen levels continue to improve and even after a walk up and down the hall a couple of times with no oxygen the reading was still acceptable. He told me to only use the oxygen during the day if I felt like I needed it and to use it at night for a couple of more weeks. I then mentioned to him that we were going to have to cancel a trip for next week and he wanted to know more about it. Then he decided to send me home with a moniter to wear tonight to see what my levels do while I'm asleep without extra oxygen. If that goes well and another walk in the hall goes well Friday I can get rid of the stuff early. Even if I have to use it at night, he encouraged us to make the trip. So, Fuel, be on standby, we may see you yet.

[frawniemae]

:luck: for good readings on your moniter! I hope the trip happens. You deserve it!

[Virgo6]

Keeping my fingers crossed that you can make a much needed trip.
Keep us posted.

[pocket]

I hope your O levels are where they should be. A little R & R sounds like just the thing to help with your recuperation.

[Slitter]

Good luck with the monitor tonight, IL - and for best wishes for a no-wait visit back on Friday. Geesh.

2 1/2 hours is insane. I hope he didn't have to check your blood pressure after being stuck cooling your heels for that long.

The best news is that it looks like you can make the trip. :) I know you will enjoy meeting Fuel - and vice versa!

[Irishlass]

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! ! ! I can't get to my pissed off smilies and I REALLY need them. As you've probably figured out by now my tests didn't go so well. The overnight monitor test, according to the tech, "didn't go too well". He couldn't tell me anymore because the doctor hadn't looked at it yet. That was yesterday. I had to go for another walking test this morning. I did one on Wednesday and did pretty good on it. I was a nervous wreck this morning, my level was pretty good with no O2 before I walked, but it dropped lower than they like after I walked. But guess what? The doctor is the one who wanted these two tests done early (originally he didn't want to do them for two more weeks) when he found out we wanted to leave early Monday. Today they tell me he hasn't looked at the sleep moniter results and he won't be back until Monday! His nurse told me to call her Monday morning so she can remind him to look over the results as soon as he gets the time. She had to idea what time on Monday that might be.

So, in a nutshell, it looks like there will be no trip to Gettysburg and no visit with Fuel at this time. I am not a happy camper. I'm feeling so much better, I know I should be patient, but I'm having a problem with that.

[Fuel]

Bummed. But your health is much more important, continue to rest up. Perhaps the convention will be close again.

[frawniemae]

Bummer! You can't use a portable tank?

[Slitter]

That's a real shame, Irish. In fact, it stinks. :crap:

What is this doctor's problem? He makes you wait 2.5 hours the other day and today didn't even review your monitor results befoe seeing you? If he's so busy, maybe he needs a reduction in his patient list. I think I'd be spitting nails if I were in your shoes.

So there is no possibility left of the trip or will Monday tell the tale?

Since your smileys are not cooperating, I will try to vent for you. Hope it helps.

:mad::chased::bash::burnup::grind::Punch::flame::censor::nuke::curse:

[Virgo6]

Oh that Sucks Irish. I would be pretty pissed off too especially him keeping you waiting like that. Hugs for you and a boo hiss to the doctor for not viewing your results. Like Frawnie asked "can't you take the portable tank?"

[Slitter]

Did you get anything from your doctor today, IL?

[Irishlass]

After the mess with the doctor on Thursday, I decided I wasn't going to sit at home all day today waiting on a phone call that might or might not come. Since Mr. Irish and I had to give up our trip to Gettysburg, we decided we would take a few "mini trips" this week. We got up this morning and headed out for the day, we did some antiquing and sightseeing and had a great lunch. When we returned home there was a message from the nurse at my doc's office. I called her, but evidently they stop answering their phone at 4:30 (I know they are there until at least 5:00). I'll give them a call in the morning.............after we get home from having breakfast with some friends. I'm not going to spend Mr. Irish's whole vacation sitting by the phone, we've had a horrible 6 or 7 weeks here and we both need a little fun in our lives. I'm still feeling better each day and the doctor did tell me to do whatever I felt like doing.

I'll let you know when I find out something.

To answer those of you who asked if I could take the portable tank. I could have, but they only last 4-6 hrs. I would have needed lots to make the trip and since we are new at this, neither of us really wanted to mess with it. Sli, I didn't see the doctor on Friday, only his nurse.

Slitter, thanks for helping me out with the smilies, I couldn't have picked better ones. ;)

[frawniemae]

Sounds like you're making the best of the situation. I hope you get good news soon and can forego the oxygen altogether!

[Irishlass]

Finally, I talked to the nurse this morning. The good news is I only have to use the oxygen in the daytime as I feel the need. So far today I havn't "felt the need" at all. WOOHOO! ! ! The bad news is I have to continue using it at night until the doctor reevaluates me in two months. I can live with that. The Irish's are heading out on another adventure in the morning. This time we're doing an overnight. We are celebrating our 43rd anniversary on Thursday so this little trip is extra special. I just made a reservation at a beautiful lodge in one of our state parks. Our room is overlooking the Ohio River. Slitter, I understand we will be able to watch the barges go up and down the river from our room. Who knows, maybe we'll see one of yours.

[Fuel]

That's great news. Glad you are able to take these mini-trips. I wouldn't have made it to Gettysburg, we are going to roast here this weekend.

[frawniemae]

Congrats on your anniversary! The lodge trip sounds really nice. I love waterfront views!

[Virgo6]

A lodge by the water.............how romantic. Congrats on your 43rd Anniversary. So happy to hear that you are at least making these nice mini trips. At least not all is lost and you both sure do need some nice "down" time after the last few weeks. Have a wonderful time.

[Slitter]

Happy Anniversary! The mini-trips sound like a very creative alternative. I'm glad you thought of a way to get away, relax and have fun in a way that works with the circumstances. It is entirely possible you'll see some of "my" barges go by on the Ohio. :) I'm sure you will see somebody's.

It sounds like you are doing a lot better with the O2. I hope it isn't hard to sleep with it or that two months will seem like a long time. Easy or hard, I'm sure you will enjoy taking that equipment back as much as I enjoyed returning my crutches.

Have a great trip and a super anniversary!

[Mouse9]

My daughter had to be on oxygen when she came out of the hospital for about a month. They have an oxygen making machine that you just plug into the electric, flip the switch, and use at night.

I assume you are taking that with you for the overnight??? Too bad about not knowing this before Monday.

I'd think since you are feeling so much better you would be able to tell if you needed it in the day time or not.

It sounds like you've found some other alternatives to see.

Thanks for keeping us up on everything.