Wednesday, September 3, 2008

I am Still Here...

i am sure that those of you who regularly stop by have just about given up on me this time..i am sure that i would have...i do have a good excuse for being awol...i have been really ill...


butterfly outside studio the day i got sick

when i was teaching a weekend class and a week-long class in north carolina the first of august, i developed bacterial pneumonia that turned into toxic shock syndrome (the one that killed jim henson of muppet fame)...

students from my weekend class

according to emedicine.com mortality is high with toxic shock syndrome or septicemia - "a toxin-mediated multisystem disease precipitated by infection with either Staphylococcus or Streptococcus. The clinical syndrome is characterized by a rapid onset of high fever, hypotension, diffuse rash, severe myalgia, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and nonfocal neurologic abnormalities."

according to my doctors, if i had waited another hour to go to the emergency room, there would have been nothing they could have done to save me...it was very scary because i was fine at dinner (6:30 PM)...during dinner i started to feel chilled...and for me that is very unusual because i am hot flash hot most of the time!!!

by 8:30 PM i was too sick to call for help or get an aspirin...i had body-wracking, teeth- chattering chills...severe pain throughout my entire body...i was confused and dazed...thank heaven someone returned to my lodging and helped me get to the hospital...and thank heaven the doctors and hospital were quick to act...

an angel watched over me

earlier in the day i thought i was getting a kidney infection...i was going to the bathroom a lot...and it was hurting worse than ever before with an UTI...i was teaching, so at noon i went and got some cranberry juice and some AZO tablets...they helped me make it through the rest of the class day...i was so very tired that i almost fell asleep at the teacher's meeting after class...i left early and went back to my room to rest...

i tell you about the UT symptoms because sometimes you can get referred pain from the lungs in the urinary tract...who would ever know that???

the first round of antibiotics and fever reducers did not work...i got much worse with a temperature over 104 degrees...that is when the ER doctor decided to get a chest x-ray...and the rest is history...i had to be in the hospital three days on two intravenous antibiotics... oxygen...fluids...and rest...

rest is the cure for pneumonia...and rest i am getting because i can't seem to do much else...

JCCFS musical saw students in concert

needless to say, i could not finish my week-long class...my students were wonderfully gracious and the staff at John C Campbell Folk School caring and kind...

i am back home in florida...recovery is slow...i am very weak and dizzy if i overdo...i am coughing a lot still and have chest pain...and lots of body pains due to the toxic shock...

a study for a portrait

however, i have been getting lots of work done for my future classes and workshops...writing a new book and starting a new magazine...and readying for a move sometime this fall...est of all, i have been doing lots of artwork and journaling...very therapeutic and meditative for me...

a self-portrait of me with my beloved sir chancelot

i am blessed to be alive and on the mend...and i have missed each of you...i will be around to see you soon...

10 comments:

qualcosa di bello said...

oh my gosh!!!! there is no way i would give up on you...visiting or praying for you & after reading this post, i am glad of that. i have held you in prayer each day, as i promised you & thank God you are healing from this. prayers will continue....

tlchang said...

I'm so sorry for your scary health episode! So glad you got care in time. Best wishes on your recovery - continue taking lots of good care of yourself!

Mary Timme said...

I have been concerned, but not giving up on you!

It is always something when you get some meds into a sick body, but rest is really when we get well. Take your time, now as you can relapse really easily. I'm so glad you got help in time.

Doe Grozs Art said...

Wow! You sure did have an angel watching over you.
I'm glad you are on the mend. Rest and be well and of course do some healing art :-)
sending you love and light,
Doreen

Lisa Oceandreamer Swifka said...

I have been checking here often and was happy to see a new post..BUT as I read I felt so distressed for you. I am so sorry to hear you've been so ill. I do think you had an angel watching over you to get you where you needed to be in time. Please heed the REST order.......rest, rest, rest and get 100% well. You are missed!
XOXOXO

Queenly Things said...

This is what happened to my mom last year. All you must do now is take very good care of yourself and be patient. We are all happy you are back with us.

Leslie said...

Oh dear, Rebecca! I have been coming by now and then. Wondered what happened to you. I'm so glad that you are okay. What a frightening experience!

xo

Linda O'Neill said...

Oh Rebecca...I am so sorry you've had to go through such a difficult time. You take good care of yourself and with each day you will feel better and stronger. Maisie and I send a big hug your way.xox

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

My goodness, you poor thing. Just what you didn't need, something else to struggle through!

Take care of yourself, so glad to hear you are slowly on the mend!

Blessings,
Melissa

Scarlet said...

I had no idea, and I am so happy to know you are doing better. Many blessings to you!!

Btw, your artwork has not suffered at all. I love the self portrait of you with your beloved Sir Chancelot. A beautiful sky, too!