Well with 7 kids, a new grandbaby and owning my own business, I just did not realize how sick I had gotten. So over a 2 week period my husband takes me to the Urgent Care 4 different times. I was having breathing trouble, migraines, coughing. nausea and just overall could not get to feeling better. So on Wednesday last week was my husband and my 4th trip to the hospital. They did chest ex-rays again and came back to tell me they were admitting me to the ICU unit of the hospital, I was in critical condition. Both of my lungs were full of fluid, the Dr. said that just 4 days before when we were there the ex-rays were clear, now they looked so bad he did not know how I was breathing on my own. I spent 3 days in ICU and another 2 in the hospital. They checked me for the swine flu, stuck a q-tip like thing up both sides if my nose clear to the middle of my brain (or so it felt). It took 3 days to get the results, it was not swine flu. They took ex-rays everyday, drew blood 5 times a day, shot me in the stomach everyday (to thin my blood so I would not get blood clots), took my blood pressure every 15 min, had heart monitors going constant, o2 saturation levels were being taken constant, Did an ekg every day, and ran I don't know how many bags of antibiotics and gave me hundreds of pills. Oh yeah they also did ultrasound on my legs to check for clots daily as well. Besides pneumonia, with all those tests, they still do not know what caused me to become so ill so fast. I am home with family now and have several Dr. Appointments lined up over the next month so they can keep an eye on me. The Dr. says it may take months for me to regain my full strength. I did not know how weak one can get so fast. It takes all my strength just to get a drink, so for now the kids and hubby are all taking care of me. I am not used to having people do things for me, I always take care of everyone else. I do feel better and have lots of different things they want me to continue to take, so I can continue to get even better. I realized through all of this that life is so fragile, you never know what may happen to you or the ones you love. So spend every day as if it is your last. Don't go to bed mad, and don't put off things for another day or a time that may be better. Let your loved ones know they are loved, and take time to smell the roses. Life goes by in a blink. Cherish what God has given you, the great gift of life. Thank you lord for seeing me through this an allowing me to stay a while longer to love laugh and live. Amen.

"Let your loved ones know they are loved"

This is so true. Even if I'm so angry at my husband that I don't want to be in the same room as him [I'm one of those give-me-space-when-I'm-angry types], we NEVER leave without saying I love you. We never get off the phone without saying I love you. Same with my family and my best friends. I've just heard too many stories of someone leaving mad and never making it back home. So yes, make sure to let your loved ones know they are loved.

I'm sorry you've been so sick and I hope you get better! Take it easy and enjoy others taking care of you.. with 7 kids that has probably never happened before, huh. =]

Wow, Wendy!I'm glad you are on the road to recovery! I was starting to wonder if everything was okay with you, because I hadn't seen you around lately. How scary for you and your family! Please take care of yourself. You and your family will be in my prayers.

I was just thinking about you a couple of days ago also. I know we have never really talked, but I have read many of your post. I am glad you are doing better. I wish you a speedy recovery.

Get better soon Wendy!!!!!! Sometimes you just gotta sloooow down.

I feel your pain! I hope you recover quickly. I have been very sick for a few weeks now, but I got my xrays quickly, and I did not have to to to the hospital! I thought I was bad, and now I feel guilty! LOL

Let people take care of you... because that is another part of the whole "let people you love know it" thing! this is YOUR lesson from the experience!

Get better and keep posting, it's about the only thing you can do easily from bed w/o over exerting yourself! Positive thoughts going your way...

Oh boy! I am glad you are doing better and out of the hospital. I hope you are all well soon and get some answers. How scary!

HUGS

Wendy, I am so sorry to hear this. And so glad to hear you are on the mend. Let your family take care of you - they want to do something to help you get better and what better way then taking care of someone. Take things slow and give your body time to heal.

Hope you are up and around very soon. There seems to be so much illness lately ... it's really very scary.

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Originally posted by Rita

Wendi, I am so sorry to hear this. And so glad to hear you are on the mend. Let your family take care of you - they want to do something to help you get better and what better way then taking care of someone. Take things slow and give your body time to heal.

Hope you are up and around very soon. There seems to be so much illness lately ... it's really very scary.

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Rita, this is Wendy with the "y"...I am Wendi with the "i". Just wanted to clarify that. Maybe I should go by Molly instead! LOL!

Hope you feel better! You might have had the swine flu but after a few days in it does not test postive. I went through it with myself and my boys. I got tested 10days in but was told that I probably had it which led to my bronchitis and very sick for 3wks. It's a horrible virus as far as what it does to you afterwards. I am sure that's what made you so sick it kinda sucks the life out of you I guess. You feel okay one day then whammy you are terribly sick. Get better take vitamins it made my iron and potassium drop really bad. Eat bannanas and eat yougart since you were on so many antibiotics. Hope you feel better!

Thank you everyone for your kind words and prayers. I am taking it easy and my husband and children have been wonderful. My mother wanted to do something to help so she had us all over for dinner last night. It was nice of her and gave my hubby and older kids a break from the kitchen (although they pitched in to help her of course). We took the 4 youngest kids to an event for Halloween tonight, the first thing outside of the house (except to moms last night) since I have been sick. It was awesome to see them so happy, although I realize how weak I am, as I had to stop and sit several times. Our 2 middle school kids went to the school dance and my oldest and her son drove to the snow with her boyfriend to play. It was a busy day for everyone. I took a long nap when we got home and here I am awake and on the computer at 2:00 am. You may be right Tootles, I know I tested negative, but I have never felt this ill in my life and I did not know that you could test negative after like that. For Halloween I am going to go around with the children for a little bit. I have a full size electric scooter so I plan to bundle up and ride along with them. Then if I need I can leave Jerry with them and ride back home. Their costumes are so cute. I will write more and post pictures of them all dressed up A.S.A.P. Thank you all again for the prayers and well wishes, I appreciate all of you.