First Getting Sick

Hello World My name is Paula and I am 44 years old. I am mom to two wonderful kids. And Wife to the most wonderful husband ever. Now let me tell you a little of my story. On December 22,2013 it was a wonderful day woke and got ready to attend my families Christmas party. I was especially excited because I had recently moved 2 hrs away to the country. My hubby put me in the truck to go meet up with my dad with was exciting because all our roads were flooded UGH. Anyway rode to the party with my dad and he is an avid smoker (His right and don't judge). Spent the day at the party had a wonderful time but half way through started getting sore throat thinking it was from riding with dad would clear up tomorrow.

Wake up the morning of 12/23/2013 the day our world changed although we did not know it yet. Woke up to sore chest, no voice, and very hard to breath. Again thinking just from being in the car with dad it will clear up. Waited couple days talked to dad he was sick too. OH must have been something at party and we all had the flu. Forgot to tell you at this time hubby still living at old house 2 hours away. He would call every morning. So about a week or so into fighting this stuff started to realize something not good. Messaged my sister on facebook yes my world revolves around facebook lol and asked her to make me a dr appt. Hubby called that morning and I said you have to come get me. He was there that night after work with no sleep. Went to dr. next morning diagnosed with Pneumonia and given dose of antiobiotics. Took them no improvement. Couple weeks later Mom takes me to Dr. for recheck. Can't breath so Can't drive and remember absolutely no voice. Dr. Says Pneumonia not clearing up second dose of Antibiotics. Take that and I get worse. Hubby has taken me back to new house where we have wood heat. It was a Wednesday night I think and I felt just awful messaged my sister again Please get me back into the dr. I can't breathe my chest is gonna blow up.

So I make my third or fourth trip to dr. They send me for more x-rays and and cat-scan. I thought I was literally going to die in Cat-scan laying flat. They took lots of blood and sent me home to wait for results. Well since 2 hrs from home we went to my moms. I had not ate all day I remember this so well FAT GIRLS Like to eat lol. So we got Penn Station I had just got my sandwich when Scott's phone rang. Get her to the ER they thought I had a pulmonary embolism. I looked at my mom and hubby and said I'm eating they will not give me food at hospital.

So off to hospital we went. I spent a week in that hospital on oxygen and getting so many tests I could not tell you what they were until it came the diagnosis that would change our lives forever. The Dr. came in and said you have double stranded dna. UMM Okay I thought. Then he said you have LUPUS.

I had no idea what Lupus was or how within the next month it would almost take my life. I spent a week in that hospital on oxygen but not really getting any better they released me with suggestion to see a Rheumatolist and follow up with the lung dr.

On February 20.2013 I followed up with Lung dr. I could not walk long distances at this time because I couldn't breathe. He was flabbergasted I used a wheelchair and couldn't understand why I couldn't breathe. Had me walk the halls of his office 3 times. My lungs were on fire, but they couldn't find a reason for me not to breathe. Basically all in my head.

On February 22 was my hubbys birthday. I felt so bad all day I couldn't do anything for him. By this time I was spending all day in a chair fighting for air. I could do nothing. I complained all day that I felt so bad there felt like there was a baseball in my chest. About 10 I started asking for Vicks Vapor Rub Hubby did not want to go get it. He had worked all day and was tired. I need a Vicks I even posted on Facebook begging someone to bring me some. About midnight Scott grouchly went and got me some over an hour round trip. He was so tired and I was a really bad wife at this time. LOL. So he comes home with the Vicks and I put it on. NO RELIEF NONE. At this point I knew I was in trouble but, Scott is back to sleep and he's soooo tired I think It will be better in the morning. At 6:00AM on 2/23/2012 I woke Scott up and said call 911. I knew I needed the hospital and I could not get up our hill. I barely could get dressed. I remember him being so mad at me and being like OH PAULA you can't go to the hospital for vicks LOL Funny now not then. I knew I was in trouble. I actually thought I was having a heart attack. He finally relented and called 911 and got me dressed. Yes he had to dress me. Waiting for that ambulance was the longest wait of my life. I remember looking at Scott and Thinking I will never see him again after I get in the ambulance. I knew I was dying.

So the ambulance comes and they first give me oxygen. and look at my hill and think how are we getting her up there lol. Six guys and a stretcher our hill is very steep. In the ambulance I am given nitro and the EMT looks at me and says don't you feel better. I didn't nothing he looked at me as if I was nuts. I was asked what hospital Saying Bloomington Hospital Probably saved my life.

I know this has been an extremely long post so I will break off here. More tomorrow. I will tell you how Bloomington saved my life.