From Suzanne: It's been a while since we've posted anything. That is a good thing actually. Kim had been feeling really good and getting out to enjoy the summer. Last week, however, that all changed... I just spoke to Kim on the phone and wanted to update you on the latest. I will do my best to summarize the events of the past week.
At the beginning of last week, Kim started feeling ill and had a fever around 103-degrees. She was achy and decided that it must be the flu. As the week went on, her fever continued and she began feeling disoriented. Finally, on Thursday, a friend convinced her that she needed to see a doctor a.s.a.p. She went to Condell Hospital in Libertyville and was admitted. Apparently, she had a bladder infection that became a kidney infection and ultimately spread to her blood, i.e. she had sepsis. She was also very dehydrated, so they started administering fluids and antibiotics.
She was transferred to Northwestern hospital on Sunday, where she continued treatment. She was in ICU at first. Her heart rate was in the low 20's and they wanted to keep a close eye on her as sepsis is extremely dangerous. They did an ultrasound of her kidneys to see if the infection had caused any further damage & it seems like they are stable. She will have an MRI in the coming weeks to be sure.
Kim had a pic line inserted and will be coming home today. She will continue with IV antibiotics for 13 more days. Her heart rate is now in the 50's, which is low but acceptable. Not surprisingly, she has very little energy. She has also gained 24 lbs. in water weight since entering the hospital, so that is uncomfortable as well. It'll probably be 4-6 weeks until she's feeling back to normal. They want her to do physical therapy to strengthen the muscles in her neck. That should help with some of her pain.
Regarding the eye situation, that seems to be stable for now, although Kim says she sees "like crap." LOL She also recently had Part 1 of a root canal done & goes back for Part 2 next Monday. Poor girl never gets a break!
