Recovering

Earlier this week I was released from my sixth hospital stay in 6 months. I’m recovering comfortably at home with Cheddar.

In December I was admitted with a UTI and finally after my 6th hospital visit, I’ve figured out why I keep getting sick lately. First, you can catch up here and here.

I was diagnosed with Klebsiella Oxytoca every time I was admitted. I was given various antibiotics through IV in the hospital and released with a PICC line twice (because of sepsis) and on oral antibiotics. The antibiotics worked, but after 3 days to a week or two later, I’d get sick again.

The reason I’m writing this update is because I recently commented on a post asking for advice for someone who will be attending the hospital in the near future. My advice was to be your best advocate. Tell your doctors and nurses what you need. Explain yourself so they understand what you’re feeling.

I said this advice and I wasn’t even using it myself. The antibiotic I’m on now is the best antibiotic for Klebsiella. Why didn’t they give it to me during my first 4 stays? I’m taking Levaquin. I’m allergic to Cipro, which is in the same class of antibiotics.

Had they asked me early on in my earlier stays, I would have told them that I’d taken Levaquin in the past and it didn’t give me (extreme) issues. Had I shared more of my story and told my newer doctors who don’t know my (HUGE) medical history, maybe I could have beaten this months ago.

I know I’m finally getting the antibiotic I’ve needed for months. I’m going to get better. I’m going to stay better. The life and times of LilMatt….

Thank you all again for your support, prayers and love.