Select the person
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Jenn Matheson
iw8forsno@yahoo.com
In June 2009, I
went into the
hospital with
pneumonia. They
said I would be
there 3 to 5
days. I took a
turn for the
worse and was
intubated three
days later, then
had a
tracheotomy two
weeks later. I
was then
diagnosed with
ARDS. I was in a
drug induced
coma for six
weeks, in ICU
for 3.5 months,
and in rehab for
another six
weeks. I had to
relearn how to
sit, stand,
walk, talk, eat,
and function
again. I have
been recovering
at home with
lots of PT and
OT, and I will
go back to work
in August 2010.
I am still on 24
hour a day
oxygen, but my
strength and
spirit has
returned!
posted 7/11/2010
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Michael DeCastro
mdecastro@ingts.com
I went through
chemo starting
in June 2008. By
my fourth
treatment, my
immune system
was very weak
and I acquired
double
pneumonia, which
led to ARDS. I
was in a coma
for over 2 weeks
and spent a
month in
intensive care.
While in the
coma, my family
was called in
and doctors told
them I wasn't
going to
survive. Then
one day after 16
days or so, I
just woke up. It
took a year and
a half before I
actually started
feeling better.
posted 6/30/2010
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Valentina Ammons-Lawrence
vlawrence14@gmail.com
On November 18,
2009, I was
admitted to UPMC
Passavant's ER
for pneumonia
related H1N1
influenza. I was
told, "it's just
pneumonia..
you'll be home
in 2-3 days." On
November 20, I
took a turn for
the worse,
having developed
ARDS. I was
intubated and
life flighted to
UPMS
Presbyterian,
and remained
intubated until
December 11,
2009. After
rehabilitation,
I was able to
leave the
hospital on
December 28th,
40 days after
initially being
admitted. I was
unable to go
back to work
until mid-May,
due to a nasty
bedsore acquired
while in ICU.
posted 6/24/2010
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Susi Glatczak
mousie56@charter.com
I was diagnosed
with sepsis and
ARDS in July
2006. It's been
a long hard
journey and I am
left with many
long-lasting
stoppers. I am
not the person I
was, and that in
itself has had
many effects. I
am on many
medications and
still trying to
find out "why am
I still alive"?
Please let me
know some of the
struggles that
you all face,
both physically
and definitely
emotional
conflicts and
changes.
posted 6/22/2010
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Adora-Marie
Higgins
amhiggins@cox.net
I got ARDS in
1991 as the
result of sepsis
from an IV while
16 weeks
pregnant. I lost
the baby. I was
on a ventilator
for 3 months and
experienced many
of the things I
have read about
in the Pen Pal
section. It's 19
years later & I
cried reading
the stories. I
have 40%
diffusion
capacity in my
lungs and a
tremor and
occasional aches
in arms & legs
from
Heterotrophic
Ossifications.
All else is fine
and I live a
normal life. I
was an ICU nurse
and went to
medical school
after the ARDS
because I was
mad when they
told me in rehab
that my "brain
was not thinking
well." I still
get short of
breath and still
have some
insomnia and
PTSD from my
experience. I
had a baby a
year after ARDS.
I think the
anxiety and
stress response
I hear about
from many of the
survivors is the
very reason we
are alive
today--because
our bodies could
mount a stress
response like
few others. I'm
interested in
how long-term
survivors of
ARDS are doing.
posted 6/21/2010
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Barbara White
barbwhite77@centurytel.net
On December 31,
2009, I went to
the ER and was
sent home. I
went to my
family doctor on
the 5th and was
admitted in the
hospital ICU
with double
pneumonia. I was
ventilated on
the 8th and
diagnosed with
ARDS and sepsis
with very little
chance to live.
It's a miracle
and thank
goodness God
answered my
family and
friends prayers
or I wouldn't be
here! I spent 37
days on a
ventilator and
trachea in a
coma. After 7
weeks in ICU and
2 weeks in a
Rehab hospital
building my
strength to walk
and talk, I am
finally back at
home working
towards my
freedom from
oxygen support.
I'm back working
full time. I get
tired easily,
but my
concentration is
much better now.
posted 6/20/2010
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Teri
terimorales@cox.net
I survived ARDS
that struck me
on December 9,
2003. I was on
the verge of
death for almost
two months. I
had not been
feeling well for
a while and I
had already had
been diagnosed
with pneumonia
four times that
year. I had been
a lifelong
asthmatic and
diabetic and
just noticed
that my lung
function had
rapidly
deteriorated to
the point that I
did not even
have the
strength to dry
off after a
shower. With my
husband deployed
to Iraq at the
time, my health
was on the back
burner until the
evening I could
hardly move.
This was the
most terrifying
time in my life.
I still am
scared out of my
wits to think
back on the time
I was in the
hospital and the
bits and pieces
that I remember
while sedated
and the things I
remember after
coming off the
vent. I was left
with severe lung
damage from
winning the
battle with ARDS
and other health
problems and now
need a double
lung transplant.
I did RT, OT, PT
afterward for
months and was,
at one point,
off O2 for a
year and a half
until having a
reaction while
on the vent
during a
operation in
2006, and my
lung function
once again,
never having
been what it
once had been,
has gotten worse
and am now on
4-5 lpm of O2. I
am now remarried
to a wonderful
man and actually
got pregnant
after giving up
hope for another
child after 3.5
years of ART and
carried him to
term and he is a
wonderful happy
little guy that
happened
naturally with
no assistance
2.5 months after
being told I was
being put on the
transplant list.
Despite warnings
to my and his
health, it all
turned out fine
thanks to our
wonderful
doctors. I still
have severe
issues with
insomnia,
nightmares,
brain fog, math,
anxiety,
depression,
pain, my own
mortality and
lots of other
things that I am
working on.
posted 6/6/2010
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Charles Chesteen
chesteen@vzw.blackberry.net
After
contracting H1N1
that progressed
into double
pneumonia is
both lungs, ARDS
set in. I was
intubated
immediately on
arrival at my
local ER and
eventually a
trach was put
into place. I
ended up in a
medical coma
from 12/23/2009
until 1/31/2010.
I spent 27 days
in the ICU and a
total of 70 in
the hospital and
rehab.
posted 6/4/2010
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Jamie Kay Seratt
jamies@mountainburg.org
It all happened
so fast. I
stayed home from
work on February
15, 2010 because
I didn't feel
well. By noon I
was in an
emergency room
and being
admitted with
pneumonia. My
family says I
developed ARDS
two days later
and couldn't
breathe and was
transported to a
larger hospital
and put on a
ventilator. I
was in the ICU
for three weeks
in a drug
induced coma. My
total hospital
stay was 5
weeks. I had to
go a rehab floor
for over a week,
and had physical
therapy at my
parent's home. I
lived with my
parents for six
weeks getting
back on my feet.
posted 6/3/2010
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Donna
mcueto@comporium.net
I
had ARDS in 1997
and was in a
drug induced
coma for two
months. I was
sick again in
2008 with ARDS.
posted 5/24/2010
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David Lewis
davidlewis1@nhs.net
I
had a
respiratory
arrest following
chest surgery in
January 2008. My
ARDS resulted in
5 weeks in ICU.
Now, in mid
2010, I have
been working
full time for
the last 18
months. It is
sometimes
difficult
because of my
chronic lung
problems.
Working as a
family doctor, I
am constantly
reminded how
lucky I am!
posted 5/23/2010
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Bev
skuas@yahoo.com
In December
2009, I came
down with H1N1,
which quickly
turned into
viral pneumonia.
On Christmas
Day, I was
medevaced to
Anchorage,
Alaska for
treatment. I
woke up on New
Year's Eve in a
strange city 700
miles from home
and could not
remember the
previous 5 days.
Luckily I have
friends in the
city that were
able to be
present while I
was on the
ventilator. I
was told that I
had ARDS as a
result of the
pneumonia. I was
in the hospital
for another 7-10
days and
probably should
have stayed
longer, but I
wanted to go
home. At first I
took it easy,
but recently it
seems that I
have hit a
plateau and I am
not improving.
Everyone says I
have to be
patient and it
might take 6
months to a year
to fully
recover. I am
starting to have
some PTSD
symptoms and
reading the
articles on this
site have helped
me understand
that I am not
crazy regarding
mental gaps and
memory issues,
PTSD, fear that
I can't breathe
when I
experience
shortness of
breath,
hallucinations
when I first
came off the
ventilator. So
thanks. I
appreciate all
that you have
shared. It
really does
help. This is
the first that I
feel I can even
read about ARDS.
When I first got
out of the
hospital and
found that only
60-75% recover,
I was very
scared. But now
I am a survivor.
I have asthma
and am concerned
that this could
happen again. I
guess that is a
fear I share
with others.
posted 5/12/2010
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Melissa Thayer
looking4dr@comcast.net
I went to bed on
January 30 and
woke up in the
ICU and it was
February 12. I
had been
intubated for 12
days. On
February 1, my
husband came in
to check on me
and found me
gray with blue
lips. My sat was
37%, my
temperature was
103.7, and they
couldn't get a
blood pressure
on me. The ICU
doctor told my
doctor that I
was going to
die. That's a
lot to wake up
to.
posted 4/20/2010
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Brandon
Lagerquist
brandonlagerquist@hotmail.com
I drove myself
to the ER on
October 24, 2009
with severe
breathing
problems. They
sent me to a
different
hospital via
ambulance and
the last thing I
remembered was
having a tube
shoved down my
throat. I woke
up about a month
and a half later
and did not
leave the
hospital until
March 31, 2010.
My lungs failed,
my kidneys
failed, my liver
failed, and my
heart had
palpitations. I
contracted
numerous
infections
including MRSA.
I also got a
pulmonary
embolism. I lost
so much strength
that I couldn't
lift my arms or
legs. My wife
went through
hell as the
doctors
repeatedly told
her I would die.
I had numerous
intense and
vivid
hallucinations
that took me
months to
realize that
they didn't
really happen. I
find myself
constantly
reliving those 5
months in the
hospital, I
can't get it out
of my mind.
posted 4/16/2010
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Jeaneen Oscamou
joscamou@aol.com
I went to Aruba
for my 25th
anniversary and
I believe I
contacted H1N1
most likely in
Miami on the
plane. I got
back and went to
my doctor to
check out some
sea urchin
bites. I was
fine and 2 days
later I could
not breathe and
hardly walk. My
husband took me
back to Kaiser
and they
immediately sent
me to ER. My
husband went
home to get the
mail and feed
the dogs,
returned and the
doctors said I
was most likely
not going to
live through the
night. I did and
they put me in
ICU, which I was
in for a month.
On the 21st day
they took me off
the respirator.
I was in an
induced coma for
the entire
month. I went
home as soon as
I could with
oxygen. Today I
am walking and
doing well, but
I am very
depressed and I
am beginning to
have dreams
being in ICU.
There were other
people around me
who had ARDS,
but they did not
make it. I think
because I had so
much love and
support and no
pre-conditions,
along with
always
exercising I
made it. I also
had a Jin Shin
Jitsu healer
come to my
bedside. The
doctors call it
a miracle. I am
however still
very very
depressed. Love
to all of you.
posted 3/16/2010
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Brynda Gerhards
bsgerhards@msn.comh
On
March 5,2005, I
came home from a
doctor's
appointment
feeling fine. I
had an ear
infection and
was given an
antibiotic. The
next morning I
awoke feeling
tired. I decided
to stay in and
negotiate a real
estate deal. The
next thing I
remember, I was
in a cold room
with my husband
looking into my
eyes telling me
I almost died. I
am in a hospital
with a row of
doctors at the
foot of my bed.
My daughter and
a dear friend
are also there.
I can't
understand the
concern and
smiles on their
faces. I have an
open wound in my
neck. I smell an
awful smell. My
body feels
horrible. I
don't understand
if I am alive or
dead. Could one
feel this
horrible and
still be alive?
It becomes night
and things were
swimming in my
head. I am
frightened. I
was fearing what
was around me
and what was
inside me. I am
told it is May.
I am told there
is war. Kelly
Clarkson. Should
I know her? I
cannot walk and
can barely
stand. I talk,
but no one knows
what I say.
Everything
hurts. Even my
hair hurts. I
cannot read. On
Memorial Day
weekend, I am
home. It's a
holiday. I don't
know what it
means. I cannot
lift the milk to
pour on my
Cheerios. I am
afraid to
swallow the
cereal dry. It
may come out the
gape in my neck.
I get into the
bathtub. It hurt
so much to bend
my knees to sit.
The warm water
feels so nice. I
cannot stand. I
cannot, no
matter what I
do, get out of
the tub. I sit
for 4 hours
until someone
comes to my
home. There is
skin hanging off
my arms and
legs. I think I
am dying. Or I
have died and
didn't know it.
ARDS. Sepsis.
Ruptured
appendicitis and
peritonitis. I
don't
understand. I
was in a coma
for more than 60
days. I almost
died four times.
And I am angry.
Why? What did I
do?
posted 3/2/2010
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Frankie
McCormick-
Cooper
penelopefinch1@yahoo.comh
In July 2009, I
had a routine
ERCP. As a
result I
suffered an
acute
pancreatitis
attack and spent
3 weeks
intubated in the
ICU. This
resulted in full
blown ARDS. My
life as I knew
it is no longer
existed. I am
thankful to be
alive, but some
days it is
really hard.
posted 3/1/2010
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Heather Schreen
hschreen@gmail.com
On October 16,
2009, I was a
healthy wife,
mother and
second grade
teacher. I
started feeling
sick while out
shopping. I went
to the urgent
care on October
19th, and was
diagnosed with
bronchitis. On
October 21st, I
was admitted to
the hospital
with double
pneumonia and
H1N1. Two days
later, I was air
lifted to
Decones Hospital
on life support
and in a drug
induced coma due
to ARDS. I spent
53 days in the
hospital, most
of which was in
the CCU on a
vent and
unconscious. I
left the
hospital with
39% lung
function, oxygen
and using a
walker. I
started physical
therapy, and my
strength
improved, but
when exerting
(even walking),
my heart rate
goes up in the
140's and oxygen
levels go to the
low 80's. After
being home for
six weeks, I
got double
pneumonia (early
stages) and went
back in the
hospital for 9
days. While in
the hospital, I
started having
irregular as
well as rapid
heart beats. I'm
home now taking
a lot of
medications.(Levofloxacin,
Medrol, Bystolic,
Potassium,
Diovan, Xopenex,
Cardizem, Nexium)
and wondering
how long this
recovery takes.
posted 2/20/2010
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Darcy
ddrennan2007@hotmail.com
In March 2009, I
was diagnosed
with pneumonia.
The doctors put
me on
antibiotics, but
one day later I
wound up in the
emergency room.
I really have no
memory of this
as my o2 sat at
that time was
56. I woke up 2
weeks later and
had no idea what
had happened!
Recovery has
been very
difficult and am
glad to find
people who have
experienced the
same thing. I am
interested in
hearing others
stories and
sharing mine.
posted 2/14/2010
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Geri
areinigerm@aol.com
I am terrified!!
I have had ARDS
twice and was on
life support
twice. I’m so
afraid of the
damage done to
my lungs and
that I am a high
risk for another
ARDS episode. I
don't even
remember what
happened to me
both times; one
was after a
surgery; I was
infected and got
septic. The last
occurred last
month. I had a
severe lung
infection and
the doctors
could not
diagnose it. No
antibiotics
worked. I am
lucky to be
here.
posted 1/31/2010
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Gayle
Charlesworth
gcharles966@msn.com
I
was diagnosed
with ARDS on
December 20,
2003. I was in
drug induced
coma for 3 weeks
and was finally
sent home after
a total of 6
weeks in the
hospital. All I
remember are
different dreams
I had. My doctor
was not able to
give my wife
much hope until
after the third
week. My chances
were less than
40%. I am not
the same as
before but I am
happy just to be
alive. I still
suffer from some
effects like
burnt muscles
from the
steroids used to
fight the
disease, loss of
teeth from
calcium
deficiency and
of course low
capacity in my
lungs. This is
not a disease
that I would
wish on anyone
nor do I want to
go through it
again.
posted 1/30/2010
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Linda Kaehne
marclewis17@yahoo.com
I went to the ER
with
complications
from a kidney
stone on
December 10,
2009. That is
the last thing I
remember, with
the exception of
the horrible
dreams, until
January 20. My
kidneys and
liver were in
acute failure
and I developed
ARDS. I know I'm
lucky to be
alive and would
like the
opportunity to
share my stories
as well as
listen to
other's stories.
posted 1/27/2010
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Michael Davis
funnyas@yahoo.com
I was in a
motorcycle
accident with a
punctured lung
that led to
subsequent ARDS.
I survived only
after the last
resort of being
inverted on the
bed for several
days.
posted 1/18/2010
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Sunnie Walden
walden.sunnie@unionps.org
During Spring
Break, in the
middle of March
2009, I had my
gallbladder
removed. I was
sent home the
next day, but
was dehydrated
and had a fever.
I have two
memories after
that. One was of
me vomiting and
the other was
someone saying
they would take
care of me. I
left the ICU in
the first part
of May, and
spent another 6
weeks in
critical care,
followed by
rehab. I went
home on June 10,
2009. After
waking from the
5 week coma, I
was not able to
move any part of
my body or
speak. It is now
Christmas and
almost 2010. I
am a second
grade teacher. I
make it through
ever day. I have
cognitive
issues. I ache
all the time. My
original
diagnosis was
aspiration
pneumonia,
sepsis and ARDS.
I am lucky to be
alive. But I
sometimes wish I
could talk to
someone that
would understand
what I am
feeling.
posted 12/26/2009
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Katherine
Culbreth
ga-babi40@yahoo.com
I entered the
hospital on July
7th with viral
bilateral
pneumonia and
ended up with
ARDS and in a
drug induced
coma. I was so
out of it that
my family was
told that I
would die. I was
very sick and on
a ventilator for
22 days. I woke
up 30 days later
and had to learn
how to walk and
feed myself. I
could not move
anything but my
head. I was in
the hospital for
2 months. My
lung capacity is
now at 73%.
posted 12/14/2009
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Patty Ingle
patty.itsshowtime@santel.net
After
complications
from removing my
gall bladder I
was diagnosed
with ARDS. Like
others, we had
no idea what it
was. Thank god
for family and
friends. I was
released from
the hospital
November 1, 2009
after 12 days in
the ICU. The
first days were
hard, but each
day gets better,
I still get very
tired, and have
no energy to do
things. When I
came home from
the hospital, I
was on 15
different
prescriptions. I
am now down to
6. It is nice to
see the stories
of others.
posted 11/30/2009
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Kim Baggett
fsquirls143@aol.com
I went to the ER
on September 27,
2009 with what
we thought was
the flu. I woke
up in the
hospital 4 weeks
later and was
told I had ARDS.
I had never
heard of this
condition and am
just now
learning about
it. I was
released to go
home in late
October, but had
to return for a
blood
transfusion. I
am back home
now, but hardly
back to my
normal routine
and am unable to
go back to work
at this time.
posted 11/28/2009
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Terri Farenga
brittanyladybug@aol.com
In 2006, I had a
hysterectomy.
Three days later
I was in the
hospital again
because my
appedix was
punctured. The
poisons from
this went into
my bloodstream
and into my
lungs. I was in
the ICU for 3
days and in the
hospital for 2
weeks.
posted 11/17/2009
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Lisa Boyd
lfox10@nc.rr.com
I woke up in the
ICU with no
memory of an
illness; I was
unable to speak,
stand or even
identify family
members. Three
days later I
could mumble
"please" and
"home." I
recognized my
partner, Mother
and Father. I
was allowed a
liquid diet but
only wanted
popcicles. This
occured in
February 2009.
I've recovered
my walking
fairly quickly.
I only stayed in
recovery 1 week.
My memory has
suffered the
most. I require
assistance with
writing and
spelling. I am
currently listed
as disabled. My
doctor says I am
much better and
a miracle. I
have vivid
nightmares,
panic attacks,
difficulty
concentrating,
phantom pains
and a
frustration
level that is
through the
roof. People
tell me my
initial O2 sats
or blood gas
were 37. I don't
remember. My
friends don't
come around
because I am
different. I cut
grass, clean
house and make
myself useful.
I'm sorry, but
my memory is
still dim.
posted 11/11/2009
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Marilyn Thompson
jtmrthompson@pivot.net
Within 24 hours,
I was blue in
color, had an
increased
temperate and
high blood
pressure. My
complete
negative blood
work and cxr
were positive,
but my breathing
was labored. I
was put on a
respirator and
air lifted to
CMMC in Auburn,
ME. I was on the
respirator for 4
days; now I am
slowly
recovering and
building up
stamina 4 weeks
later.
posted 11/5/2009
|
|
Tracy
tspires@bright.net
In March of
2009, I went to
urgent care
thinking that I
had pulled
something in my
back. The pain
was so severe, I
described it as
child birth
without pain
medications. I
was admitted to
the hospital,
and told I had
lung cancer.
Then I do not
remember
anything until
the end of April
2009. I was put
into a paralytic
coma, diagnosed
with CA-MRSA,
had ARDS, was on
a ventilator for
the maximum
time, and then
had a trach. I
had OT, PT, and
speech therapy
to help me
recover. I was
in the hospital
for over 6
weeks. I spent
all of the
summer in
puliminary
rehab. I also
have the hair
loss issue; my
doctor says it
is Telegen
Effluvium
(caused by the
trauma) and it
is temporary. I
have
attention/concentration
issues that I
never had
pre-coma. I also
had 'dreams'
while in a coma,
but for the most
part, they were
not horrible.
However, the
'dream' events
still do seem
real. I am alive
and it is a
miracle. God and
prayers are why
I am still here.
However, I
fatigue very
easy and am not
capable of what
I used to be
able to do. I
was also told
that it could
take 1 to 1 1/2
years to get
back to myself
or as close as I
am going to get
to my old self.
I would very
much appreciate
talking with
someone who has
had a similar
experience to
mine. I am also
TERRIFIED of
getting sick
again. Reading
that others have
had ARDS more
than once is
very scary to me
since it has
only been 7
months for me.
posted 11/2/2009
|
|
Jenny Deatherage
jennydeatherage@gmail.com
My name is Jenny
Deatherage and I
am an ARDS
survivor (times
2). I am 38 and
3 years post
ARDS. I
originally had a
laparoscopy of
the abdomen to
look for the
reason I was
having abnormal
vaginal
bleeding.
Everything went
fine and I was
sent home after
the procedure.
Three hours
later I had
incredible pain
in my abdomen
and stopped
breathing. An
ambulance was
called and I was
admitted for
respiratory
distress. They
soon found out I
had ARDS and I
was placed on a
vent. I woke up
6 weeks later
after “going” to
Aruba on a crazy
dream. I got
well enough
eventually for
them to tell me
I had cancer. I
really weird
rare cancer
called
Endometrial
Stromal Sarcoma
and needed a
hysterectomy. So
I had that
surgery and then
3 days later I
developed ARDS
again. This time
it took me out
for 3 or 4 weeks
and I “traveled”
to the Old West
looking for my
family through
another crazy
dream that
seemed to last
the entire 3
weeks. I have
since recovered
from the ARDS
however have
several serious
health issues
that I didn’t
even realize
were due to the
ARDS until I saw
your website!
Chronic pain,
sleep issues,
concentration
problems,
mobility &
coordination
issues etc. I
was particularly
interested in
contacting Robin
as her ordeal
seemed to mirror
my own. I would
love to talk
with anyone who
has gone through
this very
strange ARDS
process. I am
also very
interested in
any therapy
available for
people that have
had this
disease. I am 3
years out, not
even 40 yet and
feel like an old
woman. I can’t
travel above
3500 feet – if I
do, my lips and
fingers start
tingling and I
fall asleep from
lack of oxygen.
My sats when I
go into the
doctor vary from
88 to 92 percent
and he doesn’t
feel oxygen is
necessary, but I
still feel like
I’m breathing
through a straw.
I would really
like to share
stories &
discuss the very
real, sometimes
frightening
dreams that
occur. For years
after my ordeal
I still have a
hard time
believing some
of the things
that happened in
the dreams were
not real. Please
contact me if
you'd like to
talk.
posted 10/7/2009
|
|
Michael Lum
manapua4457@aol.com
I had ARDS on
January 2, 2004.
I was in the ICU
for one month on
a medically
induced coma. I
almost
"flat-lined" 3
times. At one
point my body
swelled up and
my extremities
turned black and
blue. I just
missed having
four limbs being
amputated by one
day. A priest
was brought in
to administer
the "last rites"
because everyone
thought I was
going to die. I
was on a trach
for the next 2
1/2 months. I
had extensive
P/T & O/T for
the next 8
months, but was
able to enjoy
Thanksgiving &
Christmas.
Everything was
looking better
until May 2005
when I was
diagnosed with
Guillain-Barre
Syndrome, which
was re-diagnosed
to CIDP 2 months
later. This is
another story...
posted 10/6/2009
|
|
Jenny Deatherage
jennydeatherage@gmail.com
I had 2 bouts of
ARDS within 3
months of each
other. The first
following a
laparoscopy of
my abdomen. I
was in ICU on
vent support for
6 weeks. The
next one was 3
days after my
hysterectomy
(due to
Endometrial
Stromal Sarcoma)
and lasted 3
weeks.
posted 10/2/2009
|
|
Trey Rogers
teresamrog@yahoo.com
I am 15 and had
exploratory
surgery for what
they thought was
appendicitis. I
came out of
surgery and
everything was
fine. Fiften
minutes later,
the
anesthesiologist
told my parents
I had stopped
breathing and
had non-cardio
pulmonary edema.
I was on a
bi-pap for 4
days. Is this
the same as
ARDS? There is
no information
in my hospital
records of this
and I am not
sure why it
happened. All I
remember is them
trying to put
the tube back in
a couple of
times. If you
have any input,
please let me
know.
posted 9/24/2009
|
|
Erika
retw@embarqmail.com
I had ARDS in
2004, and then I
had it again in
2006. It was the
scariest thing I
have ever been
through. I still
have nightmares
about it. I
would love to
talk to others
who have gone
through it and
hear their
stories. I will
be waiting.
posted 9/18/2009
|
|
Kathy Flannery
kathyanne3@yahoo.com
I was listed as
Kathy Reynolds
but since have
married. I am
now 9 months
past ARDS. I had
horrible hair
loss and now
have hair coming
in frizzy all
over. Has anyone
experienced
this? It
is now in a bob
cut and the
texture is fine
and fly away. I
still have some
lung issues,
with a lot of
phlegm at times
and a tickle in
my throat that
makes me cough
and sneeze. My
knee joints ache
and my feet
still swell.
It's horrible
what ARDS leaves
us with. Any
help would be
much
appreciated.
posted 9/7/2009
|
|
Deborah
Aldrich-Watson
daw@umsl.edu
I was diagnosed
with ARDS in May
2002. No
definitive cause
was established
for the onset of
the disease--no
lung injury,
trauma, etc. I
was in the ICU
for one month;
then suddenly I
was breathing on
my own again.
Six months
later, my
husband and I
adopted our two
young sons. I
have no lasting
effects from
ARDS, but
recently I've
been wondering
if the frequent
fluid build up
in my ears,
causing frequent
insertion of
tubes, is due to
ARDS rather than
to any
infections my
kids may bring
home from
school.
posted 8/28/2009
|
|
Matt
maddmatts@bigpond.com
Here is a
timeline of my
story:
*24 June
09-Swine flu
with 39.8 temp
*Weirdly dizzy
and listless
*Waited too long
to see doctor
and went to a
small hospital
and sent in
ambulance
straight to Base
hospital. (oxy
saturation
sitting at 86)
*Isolated in ER
for 2 days
*Admitted to ICU
and put on ECMO
(called 'Elvis')
*Major midnight
panic attack and
midnight induced
coma
*Died and
revived twice
with adrenalin
*Awakened from
coma- told of
ARDS condition.
First I'd ever
heard of it.
*Memories of 10
day coma
*3 days of
hallucinations
coming out of
coma
*4 weeks in ICU,
2 weeks in ward,
6 weeks care at
parents home
*Worried family
and friends
*Rehab and
change to work
and lifestyle
THIS IS WHAT
HAPPENED TO ME
AND I HAVE HAD
GOOD MEMORIES
DESPITE THE
ADVERSITY.
Despite how sick
I got and after
the panic
attack, I never
let this get to
me and took it
all in stride.
If you want to
chat or need
some support or
any details of
any of the above
story, feel free
to contact me.
posted 8/26/2009
|
|
Janice Eary
janice.eary@btinternet.com
I live in the UK
near Manchester.
In April 2008 I
went in to
hospital for
bowel surgery;
during the
surgery my small
bowel was nicked
in 2 places.
This caused
peritonitis
which went
undiagnosed for
6 days. I
developed severe
ARDS. I was
ventilated and
spent 6 days in
a coma. I then
had a trach, and
was woken up.
Then followed
the worst 8
weeks of my life
while I remained
on a vent in ICU
fully awake in
severe pain and
frequently
vomiting. In
total I spent 3
months in the
hospital. Those
are the bald
facts behind
which lies a lot
of pain
physically and
mentally. My
case is
complicated by
the fact I also
have post polio
syndrome. I
would love to be
able to talk to
someone who has
experienced both
conditions. I
have found it
helpful to read
others
experiences, but
at the moment I
find it very
difficult to
talk in detail
about my own. Do
other people
feel like this?
posted 8/25/2009
|
|
Suzanne Lee
suzanne@rsi.brcoxmail.com
I'm 31 and
barely survived
a bout with a
staph infection
that led to
septic shock,
multiple organ
failure and ARDS
right after my
30th birthday. I
was on an
oscillating vent
in a coma for 3
weeks then
switched to a
regular vent for
about another 3.
I had a
trash...the
whole nine. I
had to learn to
walk, eat, dress
myself again,
etc. I am pretty
much back to
normal except my
body and bones
are weaker than
they were
pre-ARDS and I
have suffered a
broken heel and
broken finger in
the last 4
months doing
non-strenuous
activities. I
have been
through hell and
back with this
and would like
to extend my
help to anyone
who needs it.
posted 8/19/2009
|
|
Julie Isaac
julie_isaac2000@yahoo.com
My daughter is 6
years old. Where
do I begin? She
was diagnosed
with a brain
tumor after many
months of me
begging for help
to find out what
was wrong with
her. She then
perforated her
bowel two times
and spent 6
weeks in a coma,
with kidney
failure and
ARDS. She had to
heal from the
inside out from
the perforated
bowels. Ivory
had a trach for
6 months. This
all took place
last year, and
Ivory is now
cancer free. We
do MRIs every 3
months and see
many doctors due
to everything
that has
happened. Ivory
continues to
have a lot of
problems with
her lungs.
posted 8/8/2009
|
|
Keith Lipman
keith@azjoey.com
We packed for a
6 day trip to
Chicago and
wound up there
for 40 days! 37
of them in a
hospital, 2
weeks of that in
a coma and 7
days of that
pronounced
clinically dead.
Now I am home
now for 2 weeks
in recovery, The
doctors still
don't know what
did this to me.
Thank god I had
my partner there
to support me. I
am now trying to
walk to the
bathroom without
getting winded.
The "bug" also
did damage to my
ventricle push
in my heart, and
I just can't
seem to cough up
the mass in my
lower right
lung. I was just
removed from my
antibiotic drip
and put on
Aygmentin for 4
weeks. More
tests, including
a CT and EKG,
are scheduled
for next week. I
am in PTSD for
sure; I cry all
the time. I just
finished crying
about how hard
it is just to go
to the bathroom
and my partner
told me to go
here and write
about it and
find someone to
talk to. So here
I am in Phoenix.
Thanks!
posted 8/2/2009
|
|
Tammy Fife-Trout
1tammy@comcast.net
I ended up in
the ER twice on
Jan.1, 2009. I
thought I had a
bad case of the
flu. It turned
out to be
Legionella
Bacteria. That
went into double
pneumonia, then
to ARDS. I was
put in a
rotoprone bed
for 21 days, on
a vent for 41
days, then had a
tracheotomy. I
was taken out of
the rotoprone
bed, then to a
sports bed, then
to a regular
room for about 5
days. I was then
moved to rehab
for one week.
This was a
miracle in
itself; they
expected me to
be there a
couple of
months. My
family, doctors,
nurses, friends
all call me a
pure miracle.
Thanks to GOD,
many prayers and
faith, I
survived. It is
now six months
later. I suffer
with joint and
muscle pain,
depression,
exhaustion,
major hair loss
and other
symptoms. I was
told it would
take a year or
longer to get
better and I may
never be back to
my old self. I
did return to
work on June
1st. This is
probably the
best therapy for
me. I do cry a
lot and I am
afraid of
catching any
kind of
sickness. I
don't want to go
back there ever
again. I had
horrific
hallucinations,
and I couldn't
walk alone in
the beginning. I
could barely
feed myself
because of
severe tremors.
Since I came
home, I have
celebrated my
daughter's 18th
birthday, my
son's 16th
birthday, my
husband's 50th
birthday, my
daughter's high
school
graduation and
open house and
now she will be
going to college
in less than a
month. I have
good days and
bad days, but I
am so thankful
for a second
chance at life.
posted 7/25/2009
|
|
Keith Greer
keithbgreer@yahoo.com
I had ARDS about
five years ago.
I was playing
football for the
University of
Idaho in the
first game of
the season
against
Washington
State. Late in
the game I took
a helmet to my
shin which ended
up breaking.
About a day
after I had
surgery to
repair my broken
leg I was
diagnosed with
ARDS. I was put
into a medically
induced coma for
a month. The
recovery process
was helped
greatly by my
friends and
family, which I
am very grateful
to have. I
eventually made
it back on the
football field 5
months after
being released
from the
hospital. I
wasn't 100% by
then, but I
eventually got
there and even
had a short
stint in the NFL
with the New
Orleans Saints a
couple years
later.
posted 7/22/2009
|
|
Cheri Crider
Kyprianou
cheri.criderkyp@gmail.com
I was 21 weeks
along with
fraternal twin
girls when my
water broke. One
of the twins had
an infection, so
I went into
early labor and
delivered them
both deceased. I
was released
from the
hospital and 3
days later was
back in the ER
with a high
fever. I ended
up getting
sepsis and then
ARDS from the
birth. I have
been out of the
hospital now 4
weeks, but am
still
recovering.
posted 7/20/2009
|
|
Kathy Reynolds
kathyanne3@yahoo.com
Well this is my
fourth posting.
I am now almost
9 months post
ARDS. If anyone
else has had
this issue, I
would appreciate
a reply. My hair
fell out in
handfuls; it is
growing back and
looks fine, I
just have shorts
new hairs
everywhere.
Anyone else had
this issue?
posted 7/11/2009
|
|
Jenni T.
utahqt_2005@yahoo.com
I am a 35 year
old mother of 17
and 10 year old
boys. I went in
for intestinal
surgery in March
2009. On the day
I was being
discharged, the
nurse over
sedated me. I
remember 6
people around my
bed trying to
wake me up
saying I wasn't
breathing. Next
I remember being
rushed through
the hall on my
bed to the ICU.
They tried a
Cpap, but
decided to
intubate. I
awoke 9 days
later. My doctor
told me that my
chest x-ray was
a TOTAL
WHITEOUT!!! The
worst x-ray ever
seen by the head
of the pulmonary
department. For
7 days there was
no change. Then
finally I pulled
through. After a
20 day stay in
the hospital, I
returned home on
oxygen. I was
taken off after
a week and now
here I am.
During a
follow-up visit
with my surgeon
and primary care
doctor, I was
told that they
didn't think I
would survive.
Not only was my
x-ray the worst,
but they never
found a cause
for the ARDS.
They thought I
aspirated, but
there was no
bacteria or
virus in my
lungs. They
don't know how
or why it
happened. It's
just a good
thing that I
hadn't been
discharged yet;
I would have
gone to sleep
and never woke
up. I am feeling
pretty normal
now, but I am
still frightened
to think that
simply...I
almost never
came home. Thank
God for letting
me live. The
more I learn
about ARDS, the
scarier it is. I
am feeling
healthy and
preparing to
head back to
college in the
fall. I am
interested in
talking to other
survivors. Wow!
I'm a survivor!
posted 7/7/2009
|
|
Elizabeth Spelce
ejspelce@yahoo.com
I am a 17 month
survivor of
ARDS. I had
surgery on
2/1/08 to remove
my spleen that
was attached to
my pancreas. I
woke up 3 1/2
months later in
a bed in the ICU
where I actually
work as a RN.
The pancreas is
not a good organ
to mess with (my
doctor said -
God hid it for a
reason). After
126 days on the
vent and 2 rehab
hospitals, I was
able to learn to
walk again. The
pain from stiff
ankles and feet
is really tough
to handle some
days. The
doctors say that
I will get back
about 75% of my
lung function. I
try to live a
normal life --
but am not
really sure what
that is
nowadays. I do
things slowly
and space them
as much as
possible. I know
that I am here
for a reason. At
work they call
me the Mercy
(name of the
hospital where I
work) Miracle.
It is amazing
that many
survivors are
going through
the same things
that I am. Even
though I feel
alone at times
(my family and
friends really
don't
understand), I
feel very
connected with
other survivors.
One thing that
gets me through
my day: my
husband said
that he never
doubted for a
minute that I
wouldn't come
home.
posted 7/6/2009
|
|
Patrick Scott Mc
Carrel
gwyneth3@optusnet.com.au
G'day. My name is Patrick Scott Mc Carrel. I'm from Australia and I'm a survivor of ARDS. I developed ARDS last year after being diagnosed with mild pancreatitis. I was in induced coma for 4.5 weeks with a vent; altogether I was in the hospital for 8 weeks. For 7 weeks, I couldn’t remember anything. It has been 18 months since and I'm doing ok. I still have headaches and sore joints and muscles, but I think I'm one of the lucky ones and had a very good medical crew looking after me.
posted 7/1/2009
|
|
Kathy Reynolds
kathyanne3@yahoo.com
I am now at
almost 8 months
of recovery from
ARDS. It has
been a long
journey but I am
doing better day
to day. I am now
able to go to
the gym and
weight lift
again. Cardio is
more of a
challenge. I had
total lung
failure on
November 10,
2008 and 30% on
December 23rd
when I came
home. I was at
50% in April and
now up to 76%.
So I hope it
continues. I do
have weird
things though.
My feet swell,
and my hair fell
out in handfuls.
Has anyone else
experienced
this? Let me
know, and God
bless your
journey.
posted 6/29/2009
|
|
Sister Anne
Marie Mc
Laughlin
sam8724@aol.com
I am a
Franciscan
Sister and work
in the
Archdiocese of
Saint Andrews
and Edinburgh.
For about a
year, I felt
really unwell
and was
constantly
vomiting. Last
September a deep
cough developed
and I was asked
to have a
hospital checkup
by my General
Practitioner. I
was admitted
immediately and
placed in an
oxygen tent with
suspected
Legionnaires
disease. My
consultants then
placed me in an
induced coma for
six weeks. On
awakening from
the coma, I was
paralyzed from
head to toe
having developed
ARDS and
neuropathy. I
remained in
intensive care
for two months
followed by a
lengthy hospital
stay. Learning
to walk and talk
again was quite
a challenge
after my
tracheotomy
operation. My
sister Clare was
my mainstay
during all my
trials as well
as other family
members, devoted
friends,
religious
sisters, and
priests with
whom I lived and
worked. All in
all life is
good; my
recuperation is
moving along and
I simply savor
life, which is
so much more
precious with
all aspects
especially
nature being
heightened to me
now. My short
term plan is to
write a book to
help other
sufferers of
this ferocious
illness. I am
very fortunate
to belong to the
Franciscan Order
in that I have
marvelous
consolation and
support through
my own faith.
posted 6/14/2009
|
|
Staci Lister
bsazn5@yahoo.com
I am a mother of
three boys and
one baby girl
that I had March
23, 2009. On
March 30, 2008 I
went into the
hospital with
really bad pains
in my stomach. I
was diagnosed
with
pancreatitis. By
the third day,
the hospital
staff had to put
me into a
medically
induced coma
because of ARDS.
I was in really
bad shape and
they did not
think I was
going to make
it. I was told
that I should
have been dead.
They thought
they were going
to have to put
me on the ECMO
machine, but
luckily they did
not have to. I
was in my coma
for 30 days and
in the hospital
for 38 days. I
am always so
scared that if I
get sick again,
I will go though
the same thing I
went through
last year, but I
won't come back
from it. By the
end of June
2008, I was
pregnant. I was
scared I was
going to give
birth and then
something would
go wrong and I
would die. Even
though this last
year has been so
hard, I feel
better then I
ever did.
Because of what
I went through
last year, I no
longer smoke and
I am living my
life better and
taking better
care of myself.
I have to give
thanks to God
and the people
who prayed for
me to get
better. And I
have to thank my
husband because
no matter what
the doctors told
him, he stayed
positive and
told everyone
that I was going
to be fine and
home soon. Even
though you may
feel down and
hate life and
things are hard
right now, keep
your faith and
trust in God and
pray and hope
for the best.
And try to find
something you
can love about
life again.
posted 6/9/2009
|
|
Adam Lee
pseudocyst@gmail.com
In late November
2006, I was
admitted to my
local regional
medical center
in Prescott,
Arizona for what
was ultimately
diagnosed as
acute
hemorrhagic
pancreatitis.
After an initial
positive
response to pain
management and
intravenous
nutrition, I
began third
spacing fluid,
and was unable
to breathe on my
own. I was
intubated and
immediately
airlifted to St.
Joseph Hospital
in Phoenix where
I was diagnosed
with Ventilator
Acquired
Pneumonia and
ARDS; my family
told that I had
a 10% of
surviving the
night. Luckily
after a week on
the vent and
multiple
procedures to
drain fluid from
my lungs, I was
brought out of
sedation and
extubated. I
remained in the
ICU for another
28 days and
slowly moved
from a CPAP to
Oxygen Mask and
finally off of
Oxygen entirely.
After the ICU I
spent an
additional week
in hospital and
then remained in
Phoenix for
another month as
my doctors were
unsure that I
could function
well at my
home's altitude.
While I still
suffer some
anxiety from my
time in the ICU
and have noticed
some cognitive
changes (focus,
memory, etc.) as
well as reduced
lung capacity, I
am fortunate and
thankful to have
recovered and
owe my life to
the aggressive
and thoughtful
treatment of my
doctors (doctor,
surgeon,
infectious
disease), the
amazing
respiratory
therapists who
brought such
needed relief,
and the nursing
staff who really
became a second
family and
always treated
me and my family
with such
amazing care and
respect. I will
forever be
grateful to
them.
posted 5/6/2009
|
|
David Lewis
davidlewis@doctors.org.uk
I had a heart
attack on
September 17,
2007, then
quadruple heart
bypass surgery
on September 21,
2007. I had a
complication
requiring chest
surgery in
January 2008. I
had respiratory
arrest the day
after surgery
with 100%
aspiration
causing ARDS. I
needed another
operation for
bleeding in the
chest, followed
by 3 weeks in a
medical coma on
ventilator
support with a
trach. I was
discharged from
the hospital
February 28th
after 5 weeks in
ITU. I had the
surgical closure
of the trach on
April 1, 2008.
My lung capacity
is now 60% or so
of predicted. I
exercised on the
treadmill test
yesterday for
9.5 minutes, but
my oxygen
saturation falls
to 88%. I am a
family doctor in
the UK and
working full
time, and
married with 3
teenage kids.
posted 4/17/2009
|
|
Vicki Middendorf
vickimidden@meltel.net
I wish I could
tell you that I
survived a
really BAD
HORRIBLE disease
and that I am so
happy and
healthy, but in
reality LIFE
SUCKS. I never
have enough air.
I can get along,
but I can't
plant flowers, I
can't ride my
bide, I can't
tickle my
grandbabies. I'm
glad to be
alive, but life
sorta sucks.…
posted 4/1/2009
|
|
Gina Moore-Smith
bestestfriend26@yahoo.com
On
January 11,
2009, my husband
found me on the
floor gasping
for breath. For
the next 3
months, my life
has been a
whirlwind. I
woke up from a
coma, was on
life support and
now I am
learning how to
live again.
posted 4/1/2009
|
|
Martha Henderson
m40jh8@hughes.net
I started
running a high
fever the
weekend before
Thanksgiving
2008. I felt
horrible for
about 2 weeks
and do not
remember much
until I woke up
around January
1, 2009. I hurt
so bad. One
nurse could not
understand why I
could not stand,
feed myself,
push myself up
in bed, etc. I
finally started
standing and
walking around
on January 23,
2009! I am still
not able to go
out on my own,
and need to have
someone with me
when I get weak,
but THANK GOD he
has let me
live!!!
posted 3/23/2009
|
|
Kathy Reynolds
kathyanne3@yahoo.com
I am now post
ARDS 4 months. I
have done great
but seem to pick
up bugs that in
turn go right to
my lungs and
cause pneumonia
and put me back
on O2. I am
climbing back
out of a bout
with sickness
and am getting a
cardio version
done on March
31st because
ARDS caused me
to get arterial
fibrillation.
Other than that,
I am lucky to be
alive and can
help others who
may need some
advice.
posted 3/21/2009
|
|
Michael DeCastro
mdecastro@ingts.com
I developed
Pneumonia after
going through
Chemotherapy the
summer of 2008.
I was admitted
to the hospital
on Sept 2, 2008
after playing
golf and not
being able to
breathe. I
remember going
in and not
coming out for a
month. I was in
a drug induced
coma for 2 weeks
with ARDS. For 4
days, they
didn't think I
was going to
make it. The
dreams while in
a coma were so
real, I still
think I was
there. I woke up
one night and
just got better
very quickly;
the nurses
called it a
miracle. They
couldn't believe
I was getting
better so fast,
let alone live.
I'm now working
on getting
stronger; short
of some memory
issues, I'm
doing great
according to my
doctors.
posted 3/2/2009
|
|
Courtney
courtney87@comcast.net
Exactly two
years ago, I
fell incredibly
ill after a
night of
drinking. I went
to the hospital
and was told I
had pneumonia
and a large hole
burning into my
lungs. I don't
remember any of
this, but
apparently I was
placed in a
drug-induced
coma after being
unable to
breathe. I had a
tracheotomy, was
placed on a
ventilator, and
from that
developed ARDS.
It took two
months in ICU,
one month at a
rehabilitation
hospital, and
close to a year
to recover. But
I have
recovered! ARDS
is difficult to
overcome, but it
can be done and
I am living
proof! I am back
in school, I am
healthy, and I
am even
participating in
grueling
aerobics
classes! Support
and staying
positive is what
got me through
ARDS, and I can
provide both
support and
positivity to
anyone who needs
it :)
posted 2/15/2009
|
|
Diana Trammell
teamtrammell@comcast.net
I was
admitted to the
hospital
recently for
pneumonia and
released after 2
days. I was
readmitted
within a couple
of days with
complications,
later to be
known as ARDS. I
was ventilated
for a few weeks
and was lucky to
have the
ventilator
eventually
removed. I am
currently
struggling with
how I am feeling
as I continue to
try to recover
from this. I
thought being
able to talk to
someone who had
lived though
this or
family/loved
ones who had
survived might
help. I realize
I was only
discharged 2
days ago but
it's a lot
harder then I
thought it would
be.
posted 2/13/2009
|
|
Leslie
lorr@dishmail.net
First, I watched
my father die of
ARDS after a
knee
replacement, but
he had blunt
trauma to the
chest. He was
vented for 1 day
and passed away.
I am an
ARDS/MRSA
survivor. I was
vented for 26
days and had 7
collapsed lungs
with my right
lung glued to
the chest wall.
I spent 3 months
in the hospital.
I am now home on
oxygen. I had to
learn to walk,
eat, etc. all
over again.
posted 2/9/2009
|
|
Josh Swann
snjd430@gmail.com
It all started
on December 17,
2008 when I was
at home and
started bleeding
internally. I
went to the ER
and was admitted
immediately.
They found where
I was bleeding,
which was a
blood vessel
that had
erupted. I was
in the ICU and
my oxygen had
dropped after
having
exploratory
surgery. I was
placed on a
respirator mask
to try to help
my breathing.
Since it wasn't
helping, they
decided to put
me on the
ventilator. They
told my family
that they
couldn't decide
if it was just
pneumonia or
ARDS . After
several days,
they decided
that it was in
fact ARDS. I was
on the
ventilator for 7
days and finally
taken off. When
I was in this
medical induced
coma, I had the
most spectacular
dreams about
taking a yacht
all over the
world, and
proposing to my
girlfriend.
Needless to say
I will have to
make a movie out
one day about my
dreams. I
finally got out
on the 13th of
January. I
missed Christmas
and my birthday,
which was on New
Years Day. They
say that I am
very lucky to be
alive and I
thank God and
everyone who
supported me.
God is the
ultimate healer
and my family
never gave up
faith. I am
doing very well
now at home with
my now fianc�e.
We will be
getting married
in the next week
or so.
posted 1/21/2009
|
|
Elizabeth Spelce
ejspelce@yahoo.com
I am 49 years
old. I am an RN
employed in an
ICU in San
Diego. I had
surgery 2/1/08 -
a spelenectomy
(but the spleen
was attached to
my pancreas).
After surgery, I
went in
respiratory
distress. I
ended up with
ARDS and on the
ventilator for
126 days. After
being
hospitalized for
8 1/2 months, I
am at home. I
have severe
joint pain and
stiffness. I
have been out of
work for almost
a year with the
hope of going
back in the next
6 months. I find
myself wondering
if I will ever
be back to
somewhat normal.
I would be
interested in
communicating
with others
about their
experiences.
posted 1/9/2009
|
|
Alison Webster
peko4u@comcast.net
On October 8,
2007, I went to
the emergency
room with flu
like symptoms,
and found out I
was having a
major heart
attack. I was
then transferred
to Adventis and
was given an
emergency stent.
The next
morning, I had
quadruple bypass
surgery. The
following day I
ended up with
double
pneumonia, which
led to ARDS. I
slipped into a
coma for 32
days, and I flat
lined twice.
Upon awakening
and recovering,
I figured out I
had no memory of
a lot of my
past. At times,
I am a little
angry and
questioning why
I didn't just
stay dead.
posted 1/5/2009
|
|
Dawn Smeby
dsmeby@mlecmn.net
I had ARDS in
2003 and lost 6
months of my
life. My husband
was wonderful
for me the whole
time. We decided
after my
recovery to live
life to the
fullest, which
we did before
this. We bought
the full-dress
Harley my
husband always
dreamed of.(We
have been
married for 21
years) We met
lots of good
people on rides
for charities
and had great
times together
on the bike. On
August 16 2008,
I lost my best
friend, my
husband, to a
person who ran a
stop sign while
my husband was
riding his bike.
What I am
feeling right
now is a lot of
guilt towards
buying the bike
because I wanted
him to be happy
after the hell I
put him through
while I was
sick. PLEASE
help me get
through this!!!
Dawn
posted 1/1/2009
|
|
Kathy Reynolds
kathyanne3@yahoo.com
I just got out
of the hospital
after 50 days
with ARDS. I am
home and still
on 2 liters of
O2 with
activity. I
would like to
communicate with
others with
this.
posted 12/29/2008
|
|
Kim
k1m.haynes14@gmail.com
I lost 6 weeks
of memory due to
my battle with
ARDS, which
began November
2007. I am
having great
difficulty
coping.
posted 11/23/2008
|
|
Mary McCrady
cradym@sbcglobal.net
I was diagnosed
in July 2008. I
had all the
symptoms,
treatment and
came home on
September 3rd.
I'm very lucky
to be alive, but
my activities
are limited and
I am now very
depressed. Can
anyone give me
support on how
to handle?
posted 11/17/2008
|
|
Janice Carroll
cattraveler@hotmail.com
I realized that
some of you may
have tried to
contact me on my
MSN or hotmail
account and I
may have deleted
you because I
thought you were
phishing. If so,
I apologize and
please try
again! I can use
support as we
all can.
posted 11/16/2008
|
|
Michelle Harbor
thetinytornado@bigpond.com
I went to
hospital for
gallstone and
bladder removal
and things went
very wrong.
posted 11/1/2008
|
|
Amber McCrea
falsified_memories@yahoo.com
At first I
couldn't talk
about it. I
was... ashamed
that I had
survived. Maybe
I should start
with my name. My
name is Amber,
and I am 21
years old. In
July of this
year, I went to
the ER for
abdomen pain. It
ended up being
my gallbladder,
which was
successfully
removed that
day.
Unlike normal
gallbladders,
mine was 16
inches long, the
size of a
football. The
average
gallbladder is
the size of an
egg. After
removal, I was
coming out of
anesthesia, and
had a panic
attack. I was
struggling to
breathe. They
rushed me to ICU
where I had
completely
stopped
breathing. They
hooked me up to
the ventilator
where I was in a
coma for 8 days.
They found that
I had severe
pneumonia in
both lungs. I
also had MRSA
multiple-resistant
Staphylococcus
aureus)
surrounding BOTH
lungs AND I had
ARDS. The
doctors gave my
family 6% chance
of survival
through the
coma. THIS is
the only time I
am happy with
the army, for
they let my
husband come
stand by me
through the
whole thing. The
day I woke up,
the whole place
was quiet with
nothing but
sobs. They don't
know how I did
it. During
recovery at the
hospital, I had
a total of 26
doctors, and a
handful of
nurses just come
to say hi to me.
I was even
called their
miracle numerous
times. The
follow-up
appointment
after I was
released from
the hospital was
the biggest
eye-opener that
what had
happened wasn't
a dream, but
reality. When
the doctor
walked in the
room, he flat
out said "Wow,
you almost died,
Amber, and I
didn't know what
to do." That's
when it hit me.
That was a few
months ago. I am
doing better,
but I still
struggle day to
day with
reality. They
are "guessing"
that the reason
WHY I made it
out alive is my
age, but they
made it clear
that they are
still unsure how
I did it. Thanks
for taking the
time to read
about my
survival. I lost
2 family members
to ARDS and my
family isn't all
that good at
talking about it
with me, so
that's why I
turned to you.
posted 10/28/2008
|
|
Susan East
seast318@aol.com
I had felt like
I was coming
down with a cold
for about 2
weeks before I
was diagnosed
with ARDS. On
July 3, 2008, my
daughter came by
my home and
could tell that
I was in
distress. I was
fully awake and
did not want to
go to the
doctor. She
begged me to go
and get a chest
x-ray. When I
got to my
doctor's office,
my pulse ox was
39. My daughter
is an RN and
thought the
machine was
broken. They
transported me
to my local
hospital and
within about 30
minutes they had
done a blood gas
and that was 42.
I was in the ICU
for six weeks. I
was on a vent
three different
times for a
total of 28
days. I am
having
difficulty with
my muscles. I
feel very
fortunate to
have survived,
but still do not
understand how
that happened to
me.
posted 10/24/2008
|
|
Erika
retw@embarqmail.com
My name is
Erika. I was
diagnosed with
gastroparesis in
2000, and they
put a gastric
pacemaker in me.
In 2004, I got
ARDS, I was on
the ventilator
for a while,
then I was put
on the trach. I
spent about 4
months in the
ICU. In 2006, I
got ARDS again.
Both times it
was from
aspirating. I
have had 7 chest
tubes and am on
oxygen 24/7. In
2006, they said
I had ulcerative
colitis and
would never eat
again, so they
put feeding
tubes in me. Now
I am in and out
of the hospital
all the time
with vomiting
and chronic
pain. It has
been awful and I
don't know what
to do anymore. I
have a wonderful
husband and
great Christian
family support,
but it is hard
on me and my
husband. I would
love to talk to
somebody who
understands. I
have a lot of
dreams about the
coma and am
afraid to go to
sleep and wake
up on the
ventilator
again. That is a
brief history of
my life.
posted 10/20/2008
|
|
Andy Klein
foxlynx@sbcglobal.net
I had 2
esophageal
ulcers that had
burst, and
started to throw
up blood. I
aspirated and
ended up in the
Akron City
hospital. I was
treated for the
ulcers, but I
also ended up
with ARDS in the
process of
aspiration. I
spent 3 1/2
weeks on a
ventilator, and
I was
unconscious the
whole time. In
all, I spent 32
days in the ICU
and am lucky
enough to have
survived this.
posted 10/18/2008
|
|
Janice Carroll
cattraveler@hotmail.com
In August
2008, my husband
found me
semi-conscious
on the floor. I
remember nothing
until I was
taken off the
vent. I had
terrible dreams
while on it, and
I knew that my
hands were
restrained (but
I did not know
it was so I
wouldn't pull
the tubes out).
My husband and I
had not been
getting along,
and after a week
home he decided
I was as good as
new. He also
told me that
part of the time
that I was on
the vent, he
thought it would
be better if I
died. We are now
separated, after
38 years of
marriage. While
in ICU, I had
aspiration
pneumonia,
respiratory
failure, sepsis,
and congestive
heart failure. I
feel like such a
loser and so
alone.
posted 10/15/2008
|
|
Lanette Banks
ards.girl@gmail.com
My name is
Lanette and I am
an ARDS
survivor. While
unconscious in
the ER, I
aspirated and my
condition became
critical. I was
taken by
helicopter to a
hospital in
Mobile, AL where
I was placed in
the Critical
Care Unit. Due
to the
aspiration, both
of my lungs
burned and then
collapsed. I
could no longer
breathe on my
own and I was
placed on life
support. I was
so sick I could
not even survive
long enough
without life
support to
receive a
tracheotomy. My
family
immediately flew
in from the west
to be by my side
while I was in a
coma. After 10
days of constant
support by my
side and no
response from me
physically or
mentally, my
family went home
to pray about
how long I
should be on
life support.
After 14 days on
life support,
the medical
staff were going
to remove the
life support to
see if I could
breathe at all
on my own.
Miraculously, on
the 13th day, I
literally
coughed up the
ventilator tube
which went about
10 inches into
my wind pipe. To
the medical
professionals
recollection,
this has never
happened before.
In addition, it
usually takes up
to 2 weeks for
someone to talk
coming off life
support, and I
woke up talking.
I am so grateful
to be alive and
seem to be
having a fairly
quick recovery
considering I
was on life
support and in a
coma. I can't do
the things I
normally did and
took for
granted, so I
will use my blog
to track my
progress and
hopefully give
hope to others
who have
suffered the
same life
threatening
condition that I
did.
posted 10/12/2008
|
|
Kelley Byrd
kbturtle5@aol.com
At age 33, I was
diagnosed with a
MRSA staph
infection
believed to be
picked up from
the surgeon's
office I worked
at. I was placed
on a double dose
of Bactroban and
subsequently had
a severe
allergic
reaction
resulting in
toxemia. The
toxemia brought
on ARDS. I was
taken to the
emergency room
by my husband
and 8 year old
daughter on June
10, 2006 in a
semi-conscious
state. I
regained
consciousness
almost three
months later at
an ICU unit in a
Long Term Care
Facility. I was
still on a
ventilator with
a trach and
feeding tube,
but my husband
and children
never gave up
hope on me.
After returning
home, I stayed
on oxygen for
almost a year
and still
require it for
any type of
cardio, such as
walking. I have
severe
interstitial
fibrosis and
osteopenia due
to the ARDS and
the steroids
that saved my
life. But there
is not a day
that goes by
that I don't
appreciate
looking at my
loved ones.
posted 10/12/2008
|
|
Annette Saenz
annetteLsaenz@aol.com
On 02/27/08, I
came down with a
fever (102
degrees). I
thought I had
the flu, but
over the next
couple of days,
my condition
deteriorated. My
family doctor
treated me with
Tamiflu, a Z-pac
and Albuterol
treatments. On
03/03/08, a
chest x-ray was
performed, which
revealed a
complete "white
out" and I was
diagnosed with
pneumonia. I was
breathing with
only 5% of my
lung volume. I
was admitted to
the hospital,
placed on a
bi-pap machine
and admitted to
ICU. On
03/05/08, I was
intubated. On
03/11/08, I was
extubated and
released from
the hospital on
03/16/08. During
my admission, it
was determined
that I never had
pneumonia, but
had sustained an
adverse reaction
to Septra (a
sulfa type
drug). It was
extremely rare
and only a
couple of known
cases are
documented. I am
6 months post
ARDS and I'm
recuperating
well. Currently,
pulmonary lung
function is 80%.
Some fibrosis is
noted, but I
pray that I will
continue to
improve.
posted 10/8/2008
|
|
Gary
Higginbotham
baseballapro@gmail.com
I started off
with Kawasaki
disease, which
is rare for
teenagers. The
doctors didn't
believe it was
Kawasaki, but
the Infectious
Disease
Specialist knew
that it was. I
had three doses
of gamma
globulins
(purified
antibodies). I
also had six
blood infusions
and I am the
rarest blood
type in the
world (AB+).
Only 4% of the
world has my
blood type. I
began to show
signs of
improvement, but
a couple of days
later, I was
rushed into the
ICU with ARDS.
That whole week
is just a blank
memory to me.
They put me into
a sleep like
sedation and I
was on life
support for a
week. When I
woke up a week
later I couldn't
walk or talk
because of the
tubes down my
throat. I am
currently at
home doing much
better, but I
have to get
blood work and
echo cardiograms
every month.
posted 10/6/2008
|
|
Misty Cross
crssmsty@yahoo.com
The doctor
thought I was
having an asthma
attack, but it
turned out to be
worse. I was 8
months pregnant
at the time.
They induced
coma and flew me
out. The next
day they did an
emergency
C-section. My
daughter is
fine, but they
told my family I
was not going to
make it.
Surprisingly
enough, after 9
days in a coma I
was better, and
I did survive. I
now have asthma,
but other then
that all is
good.
posted 10/4/2008
|
|
Khendra
khendraclassic@tx.rr.com
I contracted
ARDS after
plastic surgery.
My case is a
little
different. I had
a fat emboli.
October 2008 is
my 2 year
anniversary of
life. It has
been difficult,
but I'm happy to
be here. Be
happy with your
body, plastic
surgery is not
worth it.
posted 9/18/2008
|
|
Shelley Brummer
shelleyb@vodamail.co.za
I was very ill
for 2 weeks,
undiagnosed (by
2 doctors), then
could not
breathe properly
for 7 hours. My
husband rushed
me to the
hospital as my
lips were going
blue. My SATS on
arrival were 58%
and going down.
I was intubated
and in the ICU
for 10 days, and
the hospital
another 15 days.
It took me
months to
recover, and I
think I suffered
some brain
damage as I can
not remember as
well as I used
to. I have also
developed
osteoarthritis
really bad and
am much weaker
than I used to
be.
posted 9/3/2008
|
|
Bela Maranhas
bela.maranhas@comcast.net
I started out
with a broken
ankle that
needed surgery.
The day after
the operation, I
developed a sore
throat and then
a fever. It kept
getting worse
until I had to
be moved to the
ICU. To this day
they cannot tell
me what caused
ARDS. I did have
a double
pneumonia. They
had to induce a
coma and give me
a paralytic
agent. I was on
life support and
eventually had a
tracheotomy.
Various organs
failed, and I
went into heart
arrhythmia
twice. At one
point they told
my husband I had
a 15% chance of
survival. Pretty
much everyone
had given up.
Then there was
some very slight
improvement and
my chances went
to 20%. Within a
few days they
were bringing me
out of the coma.
I was then moved
to Rehab. I
stayed there for
four weeks. When
I left, I still
couldn't walk. I
went into the
hospital for the
ankle surgery on
2/21/08 and
finally came
home from Rehab
on 5/16/08. I am
still in
outpatient
therapy.
Yesterday I was
able to walk for
2.1 miles in 50
minutes.
posted 8/27/2008
|
|
Michelle Lofton
MLoftonRN@aol.com
I woke up one
morning very
short of breath
and weak. I
called 911 and
was taken to the
emergency room.
I remember the
ride to the
hospital but not
entering the
emergency room
doors. The next
thing I recall
was 6 weeks
later. I was
being
transferred to
another long
term hospital,
closer to my
daughters. I had
a trach, oxygen,
PICC line for
IV's, feeding
tube and a foley.
I was on the
ventilator a
total of 4
months. I lost
almost all of my
hair. I had
every infection
possible and
some of the
germs colonized
and will always
be present but
hopefully not
active
infections. I
went to
inpatient rehab
for 2 weeks and
I am home now. I
have been
getting PT and
OT in the home
and am slowly
becoming
stronger. I
spill or drop
(or both)
everything I
touch! I am
walking with a
walker, continue
to have the
feeding tube
(not used) and
trach for oxygen
and suctioning
secretions. I
use the
nebulizer every
4 hours. I am
finding myself
becoming
increasingly
depressed and
angry. I do not
sleep well at
night, and the
meds do not
help. I am
looking to talk
and exchange
with others and
their daily life
and adjustments
due to ARDS. I
struggle with
the smallest of
tasks and know
networking can
be so helpful.
posted 8/27/2008
|
|
Christina
Loveall
chjloveall@comcast.net
I got ARDS in
August of 2005,
and am still
recuperating. I
was in a coma
for a month, and
suffered damage
to my brain due
to lack of blood
oxygen and high
fever. I have
trouble with my
speech, and I am
wheelchair/walker
bound. I don't
have much memory
to what happened
from weeks up to
my
hospitalization,
to a month after
I was awake and
sent to a
rehabilitation
hospital.
Besides the fact
I cannot drive
or walk well,
the change of
who I am upsets
me the most.
posted 8/25/2008
|
|
Erika
retw@embarqmail.com
I first got ARDS
in 2004. I was
intubated and
had a trach, and
was in the ICU
for almost 4
months. The
doctors said the
cause was
aspiration. I
had a slow
recovery, then
was diagnosed
with ARDS again
in 2006.
Altogether I
have had 7 chest
tubes, a trach,
and feeding
tubes. The
doctors
discovered I had
ulcerative
colitis and
gastroparesis,
and that was why
I aspirated. The
feeding tubes
had to come out
because I kept
getting a staph
infection. I am
able to eat with
restrictions,
but not after
about 3 in the
afternoon. I am
on oxygen 24/7
now and it
sucks. But the
Lord has decided
to keep me
around for
awhile yet. I do
get depressed
sometimes, but I
have a great
husband and that
helps. I think
this has been
harder on him
then me
sometimes. Well
that is a little
of my story.
posted 8/18/2008
|
|
Kathy Nabors
khnabors@earthlink.net
In June 2002, I
was diagnosed
with pneumonia
in 1/3 of one
lung. Three days
later I was in
ICU fighting for
my life. The
pneumonia had
filled both
lungs and I
developed ARDS.
I was life
flighted to UTMB
in Galveston and
was on ECMO for
13 days. During
that time I had
36 transfusions,
suffered a blood
infection, and
developed
pancreatitis. I
was successfully
weaned from the
ECMO machine but
did not wake up
from my drug
induced coma. A
CAT scan showed
a brain bleed. I
didn't wake up
for 10 days. I
was released
from the
hospital in
August, spent 10
days in a rehab
hospital, and
walked out on my
own without
needing
supplemental
oxygen. On
September 11,
2002, my
pulmonary
function tests
were normal. I
have experienced
no cognitive or
physical
problems other
than a
propensity to
chest congestion
with a cold. I
have no memory
from the time I
was admitted for
pneumonia until
the time I woke
up in ICU in
another
hospital. I
thought that I
had been moved
to a new room
overnight
because the
wallpaper border
was different.
My friends and
family filled in
the blanks for
me.
posted 8/17/2008
|
|
Robin
comagirl@bust.com
I contracted a
viral pneumonia
13 years ago
when I was 25.
Within 36 hours,
I was taken by
ambulance with a
20% O2 sat and
intubated. I
woke up 36 days
later and
remained on a
ventilator for
another two
weeks. The road
back was tough,
but I'm 100%
better
physically,
emotionally, and
mentally.
posted 8/11/2008
|
|
Steve Moe
srm1540@bellsouth.net
I have had ARDS
four times since
1990. The last
time was 2000. I
was on the vent
twice and bipap
the other times.
I still have
chest tightness,
and a slight
wheeze. I take
Spiriva,
Albuterol and
Advair Discus.
My physicians
think I got ARDS
as a result of
aspiration or a
mold or spore. I
have not had
ARDS since I
quit smoking.
This disease has
taken a
significant toll
on my overall
health. I would
like to hear
from others with
like
circumstances.
Thanks.
posted 8/3/2008
|
|
Debbie Herring
livelovelaugh0821@yahoo.com
My name is
Debbie Herring
and I am 40
years old. I am
an ARDS
survivor. I
really don't
know what to say
other than I am
so happy to find
this website. I
had pneumonia
that developed
into ARDS. This
was two years
ago. The only
memory I have
was being in the
emergency room
and the next
thing I know I
woke up (after
the worst
nightmares you
can imagine) 6
weeks later and
couldn't talk
because of the
trach. I could
hardly move I
was so weak.
They had put me
on life support
in a drug
induced coma
because I
couldn't breathe
on my own. I
developed blood
clots in my legs
and had to be
put on Coumadin,
and was on
Haldol for
hallucinations.
I stayed in the
hospital for
about 6 more
weeks then, I
was transferred
to a nursing
home so that I
could learn to
walk again. When
I finally got to
come home, my
Coumadin level
got too high and
caused internal
bleeding, so I
had to go back
in the hospital
for blood
transfusions. It
has been two
years now and I
still have
problems and
would love to
talk to other
survivors.
posted 7/18/2008
|
|
Suzanne Lee
suzanne@rsi.brcoxmail.com
I
am a thirty year
old ARDS
survivor. I was
admitted to the
hospital with
pancreatitis and
developed staph
through my IV's.
This led to
sepsis and
full-blown ARDS.
My family was
told I had a 0%
chance of
surviving but
the docs wanted
to try the
oscillating
vent. I was put
into a
paralyzed-induced
coma for three
weeks. I have
been told that
my progress was
nothing short of
a miracle. I
have recently
been discharged
and have
returned home. I
am off of O2
support, had my
trach removed,
and am able to
walk unassisted
now. This
process took
only 3 weeks
compared to the
9 months it
takes some
people- some
even longer. I
feel very
blessed and I am
convinced that I
wouldn't be here
if it weren't
for the constant
support and
prayers of
family, friends,
even strangers.
This is a
devastating
disease that I
had never even
heard of. A 17
year old girl
was admitted in
the ICU days
before I left. I
tried to console
her family and
give them hope
by witnessing my
recovery. I am
very sad to
report that she
passed last
night. I feel
what some call
"survivor's
guilt". Who
knows why I was
so fortunate and
she wasn't? I
suppose it's in
God's hands and
it just wasn't
my time. I did
have very
intense dreams
during my
comatose state,
I even saw and
spoke to family
members who have
passed. If you
or a loved one
is going through
this very
difficult time
please feel free
to write me. I'm
sure we would
have a lot in
common. If you
have a loved one
who is ill,
DON'T GIVE UP
HOPE!! My family
slept in the ICU
waiting room for
a month and
never missed
visiting hours
even once. They
spoke to me,
played music,
and kept a vigil
around me at all
times. I know
for sure they
gave me the
energy to fight
as hard as I
did. I dreamed
that I was dead
and all I could
think of was
coming back so
my family
wouldn't have to
deal with such a
terrible event.
It is so
important to
learn about ARDS
and to
understand the
options you or a
loved one may
have for
treatment. You
can never have
too many
prayers. Send me
an email about
your story.
posted 7/1/2008
|
|
Mobey
mobey23@yahoo.com
I'm from West
Africa, and
wish to be in
friendship with
others from all
over the world.
posted 6/29/2008
|
|
Deanie Bennett
dthebeanie@verizon.net
On May 4, 2008,
I went to the ER
at Upper
Chesapeake
Medical Center
in Bel Air,
MD. I was having
problems
breathing and my
legs where twice
their size with
fluid.
So I thought I
would get a shot
of antibiotics
and a water pill
and go home, but
that's not what
happened at all.
I was taken to
the CCU, and
that's where I
stayed for 8
days. I had a
infection of
some sort and an
oxygen level of
32%, which is
not good! I was
on a c pack but
that didn't work
so I went on the
ventilator. My
husband and my
children were so
afraid of losing
me. I was in a
drug induced
coma for 6 days
and all the
doctors and
nurses did a
great job with
me at the
hospital. My
family did what
the website said
to do, they
talked to me and
touched me and
no negative talk
or crying in my
room. My husband
brought things
from home for me
like my pillow
and blanket from
our bed. And he
was always
there; if he had
to go home then
the kids were
there with me,
so I was never
alone. I think
with all the
positive words
and prayers from
people that were
there in my room
with me made me
fight harder to
get better and I
did. I did have
not so great
dreams, but I
have just came
back from
vacation a week
earlier. Our
friends that
went to Mexico
with us had
brought pictures
to my room and
they were
talking about
Mexico and my
nightmares were
about Mexico.
I'm back to work
now; I was out
for 5 weeks. I'm
doing good and
haven't smoked
for almost 2
months. I hope
this helps
someone. Please
know that there
is life after
ARDS. Just
remember that
the love of your
family and
friends is the
best medicine in
the world. May
God Bless you
all.
posted 6/27/2008
|
|
Cynthia A. Cole
cacole56@earthlink.net
In June-July
2001, I was
diagnosed with
ARDS after
battling
pneumonia for 5
days. I was in
the ICU, rehab,
the whole nine
yards of
recovery. Thanks
to my incredible
doctors, nursing
staff and after
care
professionals
.... I am a 7
year survivor!
posted 6/25/2008
|
|
Elaine Connell
econnell@alltel.net
On August 8,
2001, I had a
bowel resection
that had a
massive leak.
Because I was a
post liver
transplant
patient, I was
transported to
UT Medical
Center at
Memphis. I was
very septic from
the bowel
leakage, but
that problem was
resolved when I
contracted the
ARDS. I was
placed on the
vent and later a
trach. From
August 8 until
September 17, I
remained
hospitalized.
posted 6/19/2008
|
|
Jon L. Brock
jon.brock@oesc.state.ok.us
On December 21,
2007, I received
a liver
transplant at
Baptist Integris
Hospital in
Oklahoma City.
The surgery was
an overwhelming
success and upon
waking in ICU I
felt great
except for some
expected
soreness. Within
two days I was
walking around
ICU and released
to a hospital
floor where I
continued to
improve and
walking around
the floor. On
December 24, I
began having
trouble
breathing and
was given
external oxygen.
Because my need
for oxygen
became so
severe, I was
readmitted to
ICU where I
remained for
nearly 50 days.
My oxygen
requirement was
as high as 15-21
liters per
minute. I was
intubated for
two weeks but
awoke being very
weak and still
requiring lots
of external
oxygen. During
the 82 days I
was in the
hospital, I lost
a total of 56
pounds.
Currently, I am
able to
exercise, have
returned to
work, and have
gained much of
my weight back;
however, I still
require external
oxygen with the
slightest
exertion. I
would like to
learn if my
experience is
typical for ARDS
and what are the
hopes for my
regaining my
former activity.
Granted, I have
come a long way
but there is
still a long way
to go.
posted 6/10/2008
|
|
Debbie
coleman3278@comcast.net
On March 2, 2008
I went to the ER
after being sick
in bed for
almost a week. I
was put in ICU
immediately. I
had bilateral
pneumonia and
sepsis. I was
placed on a vent
4 days later and
spent 15 days in
ICU. I came home
at the end of
March. I am
having a hard
time getting on
with my life! My
husband says I
am different and
he says I must
have lost some
brain cells. And
has also called
me crazy. I am
forgetful and
uncharacteristically
jealous. I would
like to talk to
people with a
similar
experience.
Thank you.
posted 6/8/2008
|
|
Nichole Kearse
nichole.kearse@excellus.com
On March 16,
2008 my fianc�
drove me to
Strong Hospital
for an asthma
attack at 2am. I
remember small
bits and pieces,
the rest was
explained to me.
I remember
walking in to
the ER and I was
very dizzy, but
walking on my
own. I filled
out my paper
work as Jason
parked the car.
I was taken into
triage and Jason
followed. the
next thing I
knew I woke up
in ICU sore and
tired. That was
March 27, 2008.
This is what
happened in
between. After
they took my
blood pressure,
I became
delirious,
coming in and
out of
consciousness
and not really
able to talk. My
oxygen level was
at 73, and they
treated me with
Albuterol and
oxygen
continuously,
with little
improvement.
They took an
x-ray and
discovered I had
pneumonia, so
they sent me to
trauma because
the treatments
weren't helping.
I was then taken
to ICU,
paralyzed, coma
induced and
intubated for 7
days. My fingers
and toes swelled
up so big from
the liquids, it
was hard to look
at. I was
restrained
because I tried
to fight and
pull out the
breathing tube
and IVs. I woke
up to 3 family
members in my
room and 6 more
on the way. I
had thought I
had been stabbed
in the stomach
and that was why
I was in the
hospital. I hate
hospitals and
pushed myself as
soon as I woke
up and was out
by April 1st and
back to work by
April 7th. I am
now part of a
study to see why
ARDS happens and
what can be done
to treat it. My
prayers are with
anyone who is
going through
this with a
loved one, or
has gone through
it themselves.
Feel free to
contact me to
talk.
posted 5/12/2008
|
|
Frank Paolini
cheftheman200020002000@yahoo.com
I had ARDS 7
years ago and it
has been hell
ever since. I
still cannot
work and have
medical
problems. I had
a cold and when
it led to ARDS.
posted 5/11/2008
|
|
Ruth Benedict
carsoru@yahoo.com
I was admitted
to the hospital
on March 6, 2008
with what was
thought to be
pneumonia. What
I had was
influenza "B"
and
staphylococcus
aureous that
rapidly
progressed to
pneumonia. I
became septic
and developed
ARDS. I was
placed in a coma
on the 8th of
March and had a
tracheotomy on
the 12th. I have
no memory from
the 6th until
the 24th; I
spent 4 weeks in
ICU. I believe
it was the 3rd
of April when I
was taken off
the ventilator.
I'm happy to say
I'm at home now
and look forward
to a slow
recovery.
posted 4/30/2008
|
|
Bill Prather
flughoffdia@hotmail.com
Two years ago, I
went into the
hospital for
knee replacement
surgery.
Something went
wrong & I was
moved to a
larger hospital.
While there, I
was placed in a
coma, had a
heart attack and
developed
Hospital
Acquired
Pneumonia. When
I came back, I
had to be
supported on
oxygen 24/7. I
was transferred
to a support
facility, and
sent home just
before
Christmas. I had
home care and
was eventually
released. I took
an exercise
class for
patents and
completed it. We
bought a
treadmill and I
was working out
on it as well as
using weights
and rubber
stretching
bands. Then in
August of last
year I woke my
wife up and said
I couldn't
breathe. I was
rushed back to
the hospital by
the EMTs and I
coded while in
the ICU. I was
brought back,
and started
bleeding from
the lungs. After
3 units of
plasma and 4 of
whole blood, I
was again placed
in a coma for
one week. When I
awoke, my hands
were so swollen
my wife had to
feed me. This
time when
released, I went
to 2 different
recovery
hospitals before
being sent home.
I was back at
square one and
had home care
again. Two
months ago I was
going to my
dentist and I
noticed I was
extremely short
of breath. My
doctor ordered a
CAT Scan and
diagnosed me
with bronchitis.
After a strong
dose of
antibiotics and
minimum walking,
I am once again
getting around.
At rest, my O2
is at 3 liters,
but when up and
walking it is at
10 liters.
posted 4/5/2008
|
|
Merle Gamble
mgamble@eznet.co.nz
I got ARDS in
2007 after being
admitted to
hospital with a
perforated
bowel. I
developed sepsis
and was sent to
the ICU straight
from operation.
They operated
three times
before they knew
I had ARDS. I
was in the
hospital for two
months. I am
still
recovering; I
take 2 steps
forward and one
back or so it
seems but I'm
sure I will make
it, I just find
it a really hard
battle
especially with
the lack of
support here. My
worst moments
are feeling lost
after being in
the ICU for so
long and the
nightmares. My
hair fell out
and my skin is
still peeling on
my face. Has
anyone else had
these problems?
I consider
myself very
lucky although
it may not sound
it as I have
survived and my
best friend has
just been
diagnosed with
pancreatic
cancer.
posted 2/3/2008
|
|
Cindy Williams
cindy_coleen@msn.com
I was in the
hospital with
ARDS from
10/23/06 to
1/4/2007. I am
home now and
trying to
function, still
on oxygen and
not getting much
support from the
family (husband
and 12-year-old
daughter). I had
moved away from
home right
before I got
sick, and my
friends are in
Denver. I am
awaiting
Medicaid and
Social Security
disability. The
doctor told me
not to even
think about
going back to
work for at
least a year. I
am taking care
of things around
the house, but
it takes a lot
of effort and
everything is a
chore. Any words
of encouragement
would be
helpful!
posted 1/28/2008
|
|
Audrey Broughton
audreyisblessed@hotmail.com
My name is
Audrey. I am a
55 years old
female. I had
eight hours of
back surgery in
May 2007 due to
a long history
of scoliosis and
back problems
that worsened. I
was moved to
ICU/CCU the
following day
and diagnosed
with ARDS. I do
not remember any
of this. I
thought I was
coming out of
surgery 25 days
later when I was
waking up off
the vent. I was
in the hospital
for 30 days and
transferred to a
a Rehab
hospital. I
could not stand
or walk, and had
no use of my
right leg and
thumb on my
right hand. I
was in a
wheelchair at
this time. I
came home from
Cardinal Hill
Rehab Hospital
using a walker
and later used a
cane. It has
been eight
months since my
battle of back
surgery and
ARDS. I do have
to use my cane
some days. I
have worked ten
years in a
factory and the
past twenty five
years in the
hospital
pharmacy in my
home town. My
plans after back
surgery was to
return to work.
Nine months
later I still
have trouble
getting up and
down, standing
long periods,
sitting long
periods, walking
long periods,
laying long
periods, doing
my shopping,
cooking and
housework on my
own. I have
trouble with
memory and have
forgot a lot of
things. I am
trying to
re-train myself
with the help of
others. I cannot
go to sleep
without the help
of sleep
medication. I
have days that I
only feel like
laying down. I
am not the same
person .I weigh
134 and I have
lost 22 pounds
and a lot of
muscle; I really
have aged in
these past
months and have
not gained any
weight back. Yet
I wonder what
the percentage
of recurring
ARDS would be?
Are ARDS
survivors always
afraid of it
happening again?
Will we ever be
the same? Are
any of you
experiencing any
of my fears and
symptoms? I
guess I have a
lot of
unanswered
questions in the
back of my mind.
My husband is a
great support
but I know that
it is hard on
him also having
to deal with
everything that
has happened and
everything
that's going on
now. I want to
take time to
thank GOD for
bringing me
through; without
him I would not
be here today to
tell my story. I
also want to
think my
husband, family
and my church
family for their
prayers. I would
like to say if
you are not a
Christian,
please give your
heart to Jesus.
You may not have
another chance.
posted 1/26/2008
|
|
Tina
tiny69_@hotmail.com
In Sept 2005, I
woke up with a
stabbing pain
right below my
right rib. It
would not go
away, so my
sister rushed me
to the ER. I was
diagnosed with a
2mm kidney
stone. They sent
me home with a
filter to catch
the stone and
pain medicine. I
took one pain
pill and went to
bed. I don't
recall anything
except for me
being rushed
back to the
hospital the
next evening.
And from there
waking up 2 3/4
months later. I
became septic,
had kidney
failure, had a
heart attack and
developed ARDS
and was put on a
vent. My family
had been begging
the doctors to
check my gall
bladder since
that's where the
pain originated,
but they kept
saying tests
were showing my
gall bladder to
be fine. Well my
mother finally
got her way, and
they took me
into surgery to
remove my gall
bladder. They
found out it was
gangrene, and it
fell apart on
the surgeon as
he removed it. A
few days after
surgery, the
doctors noticed
me getting
better. I was
off the vent and
sent home a few
weeks later. My
2 young boys had
to move out of
state to go stay
with there dad
while I was in
the hospital. I
had to learn how
to write, walk
and feed myself
again. I went
back to work 5
months after I
was released. I
am so thankful
to have a second
chance. The only
thing is I am
still struggling
from the scar
the trach left.
posted 1/24/2008
|
|
Noah Crouse
noahjcrouse@comcast.net
Following a
serious auto
accident, in
which a broken
femur resulted,
I was diagnosed
with ARDS.
Luckily the
doctors caught
it pretty early,
but it still
resulted in two
week stay in the
ICU (in a drug
induced coma &
on a ventilator)
and a month long
stay in the
hospital.
posted 1/23/2008
|
|
Christine Hills
firechild76@hotmail.com
On December 31,
2007, I was
diagnosed with
bilateral
pneumonia. The
next day I was
transferred to
Riverside
hospital from
Athens, Ohio and
was then
diagnosed with
ARDS. Five hours
after arriving
in Columbus, I
went into
respiratory
failure, and was
intubated, put
in a paralytic
coma, and on a
ventilator for
six weeks. I
lived in my
dreams as my
body fought to
stay alive. I
remember the
nightmares very
clearly to this
day. After six
weeks I awoke
and found I had
a trach and
could not speak,
eat, drink, or
walk. I was in
the ICU another
eight days and
then was
transferred to a
rehab center
where I learned
to walk again
and received
care. This
experience was
life changing
for me. The more
I learn about
how sick I
really was, the
more effectively
I deal with the
changes it has
brought to my
life. I am much
better now, but
live in fear of
getting sick
again. My lungs
are not well
today, some sort
of infection has
started brewing
in my lungs. It
is very scary.
Please share
with me and help
me to understand
what I've gone
through and
continue to go
through today.
Love, Christine
Hills
posted 1/18/2008
|
|
Kyetia Watson
kyetiaw@aol.com
On May 7, 2007,
I went to the
hospital with a
very bad
headache. I was
given morphine
and 2 loratabs
and sent home. I
returned the
next day and the
same thing
happened. I went
to see my
primary care
doctor and left
there in an
ambulance around
4 pm that
afternoon. By 9
pm, I was
intubated and
put in the ICU.
A headache is
the only symptom
I had, but it
hurt so bad I
could not open
my eyes.
Apparently the
emergency room
thought I was
just there to
get drugs and
just kept
sending me home.
While in the
hospital, I had
two heart
attacks,
pneumonia, and
sepsis. They
said I had a
urinary tract
infection that
turned septic
and I was put on
the ventilator.
I stayed in the
ICU for 8 days
and sent to a
unit for 3 days.
It has been
almost 8 months
since my ordeal
and I still have
some problems. I
can't seem to
get past the
memories, which
are very few,
but what I do
remember was
very very bad. I
have memory
problems, had
heart stents put
in, and my lung
function test
shows I have
only 60% of my
breathing now. I
have went
through long
periods of
depression and I
have the worst
fear of going to
the doctor or
hospital and
seem to dwell on
what happen to
me quiet often.
I just can't
seem to get past
it. My memory
has not improved
much since then,
but I am doing
pretty good and
very thankful to
be alive.
posted 1/7/2008
|
|
Debbie
Prosperie
dlynn1202@netzero.net
I was just
released from a
23 day stay in
hospital from
ARDS. I am now
at home
recovering.
posted 1/1/2008
|
|
Lucinda Snell
boosters75@gmail.com
I had an
infected
previous hernia
repair. This was
repaired on day
one, but on day
three, I was
diagnosed with a
ruptured bowel
and rushed back
to theatre. That
night I
developed ARDS
severely in both
lungs, from
sepsis of the
bowel. I spent
15 days on a
ventilator, and
needed further
bowel surgery. I
woke up and was
weaned off life
support. I am
home for 7 days
from the
hospital now,
and am still
scared but
hopefully
improving now.
posted 12/30/2007
|
|
Annemarie
Stannnard
minbinny@dodo.com.au
In October 2006,
I woke up with a
bad pain in my
stomach. I was
taken to the
hospital, given
morphine and
sent home. The
next morning, I
was still in
pain and went
back to the
hospital. I was
given an
ultrasound, and
they discovered
I had a mass in
my right ovary.
I was booked the
next morning for
a routine
operation to
remove the mass.
Or so I thought.
From this point
on I remember
nothing, just
what I was told.
Apparently, I
developed a high
fever and had a
bad cough and
trouble
breathing. I
then developed
sepsis. It got
so bad I was
intubated and
transported to
another hospital
that had an ICU
and respirator.
I was induced
into a coma and
put on a
respirator. My
mum and dad came
to see me and
were told to
"make some
plans�. I
remember none of
this, but I
remember, and
will never, ever
forget the
horrible dreams
I had. They were
horrendous, and
seemed so real
to me; there
were people out
to kill me in my
dreams all the
time. I had a
tracheotomy, and
remember at one
stage waking up
and wondering
why I couldn�t
speak. I had
daily injections
of insulin, my
body was
constantly under
assault, but the
nurses and
doctors had
saved my life. I
then had to
learn to walk
again.
Eventually, I
was able to walk
and shower
unaided, but I
was still very
weak. No one
explained to me
what actually
happened. My
poor mum just
didn�t want to
talk about what
I went through
and to this day
still won�t. I
feel I need to
talk about it. I
don�t know what
was going on
when I was in a
coma, or why
this all
happened to me.
I�m terrified of
ever having
another
operation.
Today, one year
later, I still
have terrible
memory problems.
I have chronic
back pain, and
I�m not the same
person that I
was before I
went in. The
only good thing
to come from
this is that I
gave up smoking
and it�s been 1
year since I had
my last
cigarette. I
think too much
happened too
fast, as with
ARDS it just
comes along so
swiftly and
before you know
it you�re almost
dead and putting
up one hell of a
fight for your
life, and you do
just that.
posted 12/5/2007
|
|
Margaret Sue
Moul
gfmoul@sbcglobal.net
My first ARDS
episode was in
February, 2005.
My recovery, as
everyone's I'm
sure, was rocky.
After going
home, I was
working with
physical
therapy. Now I
was diabetic,
and had thyroid
problems like
Cushing's
disease. I knew
that my thought
processes were
not back to my
pre ARDS state.
I "officially"
retired in
August 2005. I
was an RN,
Director of
Nurses, in a
large county
jail. In January
2006, I started
having hip pain
that progressed
in severity. I
went to the
doctor every
week complaining
of pain. In
March, an MRI
showed a
vascular
necrosis. I had
a hip
replacement in
July, 2006. I
thought "okay,
now I am on the
way to
improvement
because "things"
are fixed and
pain was
tolerable. On
September 14,
2007, I was at a
river campground
with my husband
in an RV. I woke
him up at 1am
because I was
having trouble
breathing. The
EMS met us on a
country road,
and transferred
me to the
nearest small
community
hospital, then I
was sent to a
larger city. I
had another
episode of ARDS.
Now it is like I
am starting all
over again, just
a little
smarter. It is
not any easier
on my husband
and family. But
now I know at
least more of
what to expect.
I think the
mental changes
are the hardest
for me. It is
also the hardest
to explain. It
is memory,
intellect,
emotions, they
are all out of
whack. I know I
am "lucky". So,
why would I feel
so deeply,
terribly sad at
times? I just
say once in a
while "I slip".
My family keeps
me going,
trying, working
to get better
every day. There
has to be a
reason I have
survived ARDS
twice. I have
started
communicating on
the internet
with other ARDS
survivors and it
does help.
posted 11/19/2007
|
|
Lorie Doskey
mdoskey@verizon.net
It was about
March 19, 2007.
I was so tired
and I couldn't
keep going. I
had been
battling a night
time cough for 2
weeks. I called
in sick to work
the next day and
went to the
doctor. My
oxygen was 70
and I was sent
to the hospital.
I couldn't catch
my breath as I
waited to be
admitted. The
next thing I
know, I woke up
on April 25th in
a high watch
area. I was
being weaned off
drugs from my
drug induced
coma. I had a
hole in my
throat, and
couldn't walk,
talk, or use my
hands. I
apparently was
intubated a day
after my
arrival, and put
in a bed called
a roto prone. My
kidneys had
failed, I had
congestive heart
failure, sepsis,
and as my
parting gift, I
got MRSA. The
good news is I
was discharged
on May 2nd. My
last PT
appointment was
in June. I went
back to work on
June 4th. The
good news is I
am alive. I love
my family,
friends, and
God. Without
them, I would
not be here. I
can walk and
talk you would
never know,
except for the
scars. My
friends and
family say my
personality has
changed. I have
hope and try try
try.
posted 11/7/2007
|
|
Kristal
livingonthered@yahoo.com
I started
feeling bad on a
Sunday. By 10 pm
on Monday, I was
on a vent. One
week later, I
went home for a
week with
oxygen. After
seven days at
home, I went
into the ER
again and was
intubated almost
immediately. I
woke up again in
early June. I
had kidney
failure and
other issues,
and went back on
the vent, and
was taken off at
the end of June.
All the doctors
were surprised
that I survived.
I had lost the
ability to move
and walk, and
spent two
additional
months in the
hospital to
learn to walk
again and
breathe better.
I'm still on
oxygen, as much
as 12-15 liters
to walk and
exercise, and
2.5 liters when
resting.
posted 11/6/2007
|
|
Krissy Bell
kriseebell@bellsouth.net
I went in for
gastric bypass
surgery on
February 6,
2007. I had a
blockage and was
given contrast
to diagnose the
blockage for a a
CT scan. The
doctor took me
to emergency
surgery on
February 9,
2007, and I
aspirated the
contrast into my
lungs while
under
anesthesia.
Today is October
26, 2007 and I
am alive and
survived ARDS. I
was hospitalized
for a total of 8
1/2 weeks, and
was on a
ventilator and
then a trach.
posted 10/26/2007
|
|
Dawn Lombness
perky0703@wi.rr.com
On July 16,
2007, I had a
partial
hysterectomy,
and went home
the next day.
Four days after,
I developed
agonizing
stomach pain,
and was rushed
to the hospital.
I don't remember
anything after
that until
Saturday, July
28th. I was
strapped to the
bed, with a tube
down my throat.
I was able to
breathe on my
own at that
time. I was told
I had sepsis
from a nick in
the colon, which
happened during
the
hysterectomy.
They had to open
me back up and
flush out my
abdomen. I was
in an induced
coma for 5 days,
and released 8
days after that.
I was in and out
for the next few
weeks, after
they FINALLY
found a nick in
my bladder too!
I have problems
with anxiety,
flashbacks,
memory, and
energy.
posted 10/16/2007
|
|
Shannon Lea
Miller
shannon932@hotmail.com
I was found
unconscious in
my bed by my
husband on
October 14,
2006. The
ambulance
officer's had
tried to wake
me, but without
response. My
principal
diagnosis was
pneumonia due to
staphylococcus.
I was in the
hospital for
over 2 months;
my additional
diagnoses were
Sepsis, ARDS,
Urinary tract
infection,
Escherichia coli
(E. coli),
Streptococcus,
Polyneuropathy,
Phlebitis and
thrombophlebitis
of other deep
vessels of lower
extremities,
Asphyxia,
Hypotension,
Acute renal
failure, Iron
deficiency
anemia,
Acidosis,
Hyperosmolality
and
Hypernatraemia,
Cholecyctitis,
Gastro-esophageal
reflux disease
with
oesophagitis. I
was in a coma on
life support and
unable to
breathe on my
own. My family
was told that I
may not make it,
but I'm here
watching my
beautiful little
boy grow up. I
am still trying
to cope with how
this happened to
me, but the
doctors are
unable to tell
me. I guess I
was just
unlucky.
posted 10/16/2007
|
|
Chuck
jarmonc@gmail.com
On 10/10/06, I
posted to this
page. At the
time I was
writing, I was
five days post
discharge from
the hospital
after
experiencing a
battle with
ARDS. Tomorrow,
9/18/07 is the
one year
anniversary of
my intubation. I
am happy to say
that I have made
a full recovery,
jog 3-5k three
times a week and
live life to the
fullest. The
love of my life,
Lada and I are
getting married
on 10/12/07.
posted 9/17/2007
|
|
Paris Parker
as8s@msn.com
I went in for
surgery on
August 8, 2007
for uterine
cancer. The
cancer was
removed, but one
of my lungs
collapsed. I was
taken off the
ventilator for 1
and 1/2 hours,
then put back on
it due to fluid
in both lungs. I
remained in the
ICU for 14 days
on the
ventilator with
ARDS and
developed a
staph infection
in my lungs. I
survived and am
at home, but
still have
problems
breathing.
posted 9/11/2007
|
|
Merle Gamble
mgamble@eznet.co.nz
I became ill
with ARDS after
being admitted
to hospital with
a perforated
bowel in March
2007. I was in
the ICU and was
taken there 3
times. I only
remember the one
I was put in a
induced coma and
had a
tracheotomy. I
came home in
late May after
39 days in the
ICU and then the
ward. I was
unable to walk
and get very
tired. I also
contracted
pneumonia. I was
very lucky and
no longer smoke.
I can remember
all the
hallucinations
in detail which
is very scary.
It would have
been great to
have had someone
at the hospital
to talk to.
posted 8/14/2007
|
|
Debbie Moroz
moroz@aol.com
My name is
Debbie, and this
is my story
about this
terrible
illness. I don't
remember
Christmas 2006
as I was so
tired and needed
to sleep. By
December 28,
2006, I was
unable to
breathe. The
ambulance rushed
me to the
hospital and I
woke up on
January 19, 2007
not able to move
and not
understanding
what the heck
happened! I
remained in the
hospital until
April and still
have O2. I have
had chest tubes
bilateral and
cuts to biopsy
my lungs. Could
someone help me
with unanswered
questions? I am
so scared of
this happening
again! Why did
it happen? I
have a hard time
sleeping even
now 8 months
later. Right now
my life has
changed and all
I want is to get
back to normal,
if that is
possible. Is
there a normal
life after ARDS?
posted 8/13/2007
|
|
Judy Young
jey59@hotmail.com
Hey everyone, I
am an ARDS
survivor just
like you. I have
written numerous
letters within
our pen pal
circle. I am
writing to
inform everyone
of a new product
on the market
(if you have to
use oxygen
24/7). I wear
glasses and this
latest product
that I've found
is great. There
are glasses that
allow you to get
your oxygen
through the
hollow frame. I
think it is the
greatest thing.
I no longer have
tubes on my face
and people can't
tell whether I
just got new
glasses or if I
got my nose
pierced. If you
want to know
more send me a
note. The
company is based
out of Colorado,
but I am sure
that if you are
interested, they
will work with
you. I love mine
and I have found
a new freedom.
Let me know. I
pray that
everyone is
doing well.
posted 8/9/2007
|
|
Sue Yearian
subru80@hotmail.com
I became ill
with lithium
toxicity and had
to have
emergency
dialysis to
clean the
lithium out of
my kidneys. I
then was
diagnosed with
ARDS. I tell you
this now because
I am being told
by my family
what happened
because I don't
really know what
happened. I was
in a drug
induced coma for
13 days, put on
and off the
ventilator
twice, and my
family went
through
hell...pure
hell.
posted 8/7/2007
|
|
Adam
bayfield31@hotmail.com
I developed ARDS
in May 2007. I
spent 14 days in
the ICU, and 10
days in a
drug-induced
coma. I came
very close to
death, but have
made a
remarkably
strong recovery.
It's now early
August, and I
have not yet
talked to any
fellow ARDS
survivors.
posted 8/6/2007
|
|
Tracy White
tontraclog@netzero.com
I went to the ER
on June 17th
with a high
fever and
abdominal pains.
After a CT scan
and blood work,
they diagnosed
me with
diverticulitis.
To make a long
story short, on
the third day,
they put a tube
into my stomach.
This is when it
gets foggy.
They tell me now
that the nurse
gave me too many
narcotics, and I
just found out
several days ago
when I got my
medical records
that she put the
tube too far and
it collapsed my
left lung. On
day 4, a central
line was put in
and I was put on
the ventilator.
My husband had
to call in my
family, and they
were told I had
only a 40%
chance of
living. I was on
the vent for 9
days and when I
awoke, I was put
in a regular
room. I couldn't
walk, talk,
write or even
feed myself. I
was discharged
after 14 days
and sent home.
When I arrived
home I fell and
had to have a
cast put on my
wrist. I still
have a hard time
walking. It's
been almost 2
months, and I
can't do the
things I use to
and struggle
daily just to
breathe.
posted 8/4/2007
|
|
Sasha
sashie822@aol.com
I had a pimple
on my butt. It
might sound
humorous, but it
ruined my life.
I developed MRSA
from this "pain
in the a$$" and
my world
collapsed from
there. I then
got sepsis,
double
pneumonia,
kidney failure,
double lung
collapse. I had
to have a
tracheotomy and
five chest tubes
placed. I was
hospitalized for
3.5 months
total,
drug-induced
coma & ICU for 2
months & in
rehab learning
to walk & do
everyday
activities for
1.5 months. I
still don't
understand why
it happened and
I'm still not
100% better, but
I'm alive and
proof that
people do
survive ARDS.
posted 7/27/2007
|
|
Debbie Moroz
debbiemoroz@aol.com
This all began
with me feeling
very very tired.
Due to major
shopping and
taking care of
my ill parents,
I thought there
was
justification
for this
abnormal
exhaustion. To
make a long
story short, I
crashed on
December 28,
2006 and woke up
from an induced
coma on January
20, 2007. I was
intubated and
all of the night
shift was
clapping as they
believed they
would never get
to meet me. I
was not to
survive this
illness that I
had never heard
of. Things only
went downhill
from here; I had
to be
re-intubated
after a biopsy,
and I was
completely
unable to move
any part of my
body. I have
been home from
the hospital
since April 2007
and pray this
nightmare is
over and will
not come back. I
am still on
oxygen daily
when needed but
my sats drop to
60 when I sleep.
I would like to
talk to others
about their
cases and
educate myself
concerning ARDS,
septic shock and
bilateral lung
infections.
posted 7/9/2007
|
|
Edward LeBlanc
leblanc_e@sympatico.ca
I had ARDS in
the beginning of
1990. I went
from 138 pounds
to 110 pounds in
5 days. My whole
left lung is
hemithorax with
extensive
fibrotic. I had
lower left
lobotomy
pulmonary
fibrosis,
bronchietasis,
asthma, to many
different types
of pneumonia.
But I'm here if
I can e-mail me.
One breath at a
time because you
never know what
tomorrow will
bring.
posted 7/8/2007
|
|
Debbie Fown
blueberryoh@roadrunner.com
I have
underlining COPD
and on November
6th, I was taken
to the hospital
in respiratory
failure. I spent
9 days in the
hospital,
6 days in the
ICU on a
ventilator and
every other tube
you can think
of. It is 8
months later. I
quit smoking 8
months ago and I
feel a lot lot
better, but
still can not
walk for very
long distances
such as
shopping.
posted 7/7/2007
|
|
Sherri Louden
sassyrn1966@hotmail.com
I was diagnosed
with Myasthenia
Gravis in July
2006, and was
being treated
with high doses
of steroids. We
were attempting
to wean me off
the steroids,
when I came down
"with the flu".
Fever/chills/vomiting
for 4 days. My
neurologist put
me on Zithromax,
as a preventive
treatment since
I had a fever,
and was
immunosuppressed.
That was
Thursday. By
Sunday, I was
unconscious,
gray in color
and struggling
to breathe (per
my husband). I
don't remember a
thing, except
being very cold.
He rushed me to
the hospital,
where upon
arrival my O2
sats were 32%. I
was intubated,
and sent to the
ICU, where I
remained in
critical and
unstable
condition for 4
weeks. I was
paralyzed, put
in a
drug-induced
coma, placed on
a high-frequency
oscillating
ventilator. On
day 5, they told
my husband I
wasn't
responding to
treatment, and I
wouldn't make it
through the
night. After 8
1/2 long weeks
(most of which I
don't remember),
I was discharged
home. It is 5
weeks later, and
I am still
recovering!
posted 7/2/2007
|
|
Bill Prather
flughoffdia@hotmail.com
I underwent knee
replacement
surgery on
November 1,
2006. That same
night, I went
into ARDS with
pneumonia. I was
placed in a
medical coma for
2 weeks during
which time I had
a heart attack,
respiratory
hemorrhage,
kidney shutdown
and many other
complications. I
was not expected
to live past day
4 in the
hospital. I was
finally released
on December 23,
2006 to home
care and follow
on medical
supervision. I
would like to
talk with others
with this
problem to help
me deal with the
medical issues.
posted 7/1/2007
|
|
James Greene
ardssurvivor@sbcglobal.net
I checked myself
into the
emergency room
at Kennestone
Hospital in
Marrietta, GA on
2/18/2001. I
remember because
it was my 20th
year at the
company I worked
at. I was on a
ventilator and
put into a coma
to heal. The
next date I
recall seeing on
a calendar was
May 16th. When I
woke up I
couldn't move
due to muscle
atrophy, and I
couldn't talk
because of the
trach tube and
ventilator. I
was sent to LTAC
and was there
for about three
months. I was
released in
August and my
younger brother
in Indiana was
kind enough to
take me in until
I could learn to
walk again. I
lost about 40%
of my lung
capacity and my
left leg has
permanent nerve
damage causing
drop foot. But
hey I'm still
here on June 30,
2007. So my
advice is don't
ever
quit...never.
posted 6/30/2007
|
|
Thaisae Libby
thaisae@aol.com
In February
2007, my
daughter came
down with the
flu. My husband
and I both
caught it from
her. The both of
them got better
as I got worse.
I had lost my
voice from all
the coughing, I
couldn't eat, I
slept all day
and was running
a fever of 104.
I was diagnosed
with the flu and
given a
prescription.
Two days later I
was being air
lifted to the
best hospital in
the state. The
flu had turned
to pneumonia and
then to ARDS. I
was in an
induced coma and
paralyzed for
almost 3 months.
It was one step
forward and five
steps back. I
was not expected
to live through
this. They
performed a lung
biopsy and gave
me a 50/50
chance of making
it though the
surgery. They
had called in my
family to say
their final
goodbyes.
Miraculously, I
shocked everyone
and pulled
through. I
finally fully
recovered from
the coma a
couple weeks
before mothers
day. I was moved
out of the CCU
shortly after
that. On
Memorial Day
they removed my
trach and that
Thursday, May
31, I would move
to a Rehab
center. I spent
almost one month
in rehab.
Determined to
get home before
my 1st
anniversary in
June. I made it
home 4 days
after. I have
now been home
for 1 day. So
far so good. I
am still on the
oxygen and am
moving pretty
slow. Being in
the hospital for
5 months, my
knee has become
calcified and I
now need to get
that fixed. It
seems like one
thing after
another. I don't
plan on being
depressed and
upset about my
condition. I
lost 5 months of
my life, but
have been given
a second chance
at it. I plan on
taking that
chance and
living life the
the fullest. At
age 28, I never
thought anything
like this would
happen to me so
young. It just
goes to show how
short life
really is. At
the hospital I
am referred to
as "The Miracle
Patient". The
doctors still
don't know why I
got sick or why
I got better.
All I can do now
is hope this
doesn't happen
again. I am
willing to talk
to anyone in
more detail
about my
experience.
Please feel free
to ask.
posted 6/29/2007
|
|
Rilee Looper
thehigs52@comcast.net
In 2004, I was
very sick lady.
I was walking
around for 3
months before we
knew how sick I
was. I was at my
parents house
and I told my
mom I was not
feeling too
well. On
February 15,
2004 my mom and
my friend James
took me up to
the hospital at
my local area of
Aberdeen. After
I checked myself
in, I had to go
to the bathroom
so my mom took
me. When I got
back to the
entrance of the
ER I passed out.
The doctor left
me on the table
for 4 hours
before they
would touch me.
They thought I
had overdosed on
pills. The
crisis worker
had to tell them
that I did not
overdose and
that there was
something wrong
with me. I guess
they finally
came in (this is
what my family
told me because
I never woke
up). They put me
on a ventilator
because I had no
oxygen to my
brain at all. I
ran a really
high fever and I
had bad case of
pneumonia, so
they put a line
in my chest on
the other side
and all kinds of
things were
hooked up to me.
I ended up going
to the ICU, but
continued to get
worse. They
transferred me
to Harbor View
Medical Center
when they
determined I had
ARDS. I stayed
in the hospital
for 10 days, and
at one point
they said I only
had a 39% change
of making it.
They also
discovered I had
a staph
infection and
ecoli. Today I
am a healthy
person from the
ordeal that I
went through. My
lungs are not
fully
functioning
right, but I do
OK. The hardest
part for me is
that when I
catch a cold it
a little harder
to breathe, but
outside of that
I am doing
great. It's been
3 years for me
and I wanted to
share this with
you to tell you
that I am a 3
years survivor
of ARDS. Thank
you for
listening.
posted 6/22/2007
|
|
Jane Jarrett
jjarrett@optilink.us
I am a survivor
of ARDS. When I
was 49 years
old, my husband
took me to the
emergency room.
It was my gall
bladder and the
next day, which
was Sunday, I
had the surgery.
I spent the
night in the
hospital after
the surgery.
According to my
doctor, spending
the night was
only as a
precaution. He
said I was doing
fine. My husband
helped me walk
down the hall, I
sat in a chair,
and I talked on
the phone. I
made 4 phone
calls. My
husband went
home for the
night. During
the night I had
trouble
breathing around
3 or 4 am. By 6
am I was taken
to SICU. By 11
am I was put on
the ventilator.
The date was
June 27, 2004.
On August 28,
2004 I was
transferred to
Emory ICU in ATL.
By the end of
September, I
woke up and was
transferred to a
long term acute
care unit.
Eventually I was
transferred to
Siskin Rehab
Hospital in
Chattanooga,
near my
hometown, where
I learned to
walk, and do
everything
again. I went
home on December
22, 2004. Six
long months away
from home. God
was with me even
when I did not
know anything. I
give Him all the
glory, honor,
and praise.
Thanks Be To
God!
posted 6/22/2007
|
|
A.D. Rankin
adeniserankin@hotmail.com
It has been 2
months since I
went to the ER
and was
immediately
intubated and
put in the CCU.
I had pneumonia
that turned into
ARDS. I had
bronchitis 2
weeks prior and
was put on lots
of medication
for that from my
primary doctor.
On a Saturday
morning, I woke
up and was
breathing heavy.
My husband took
me to the ER. I
only remember
going in,
nothing else for
9 days. I also
became septic,
which from what
I read only has
a 50% survival.
My father died
from it in fact.
My sister
luckily is an
ICU nurse and
knew exactly
what was going
on and could
inform the
family what it
all meant. She
told me that
they had me on
twice the
diprivan as a
normal person
and sometimes
had to do ativan
on top of that
to keep me down.
I stayed on the
floor for 5 days
and went home. I
had to use a
walker and
slowly gained my
strength back. I
am still not
completely back
to normal, and I
get tired
easily. I am so
thankful just to
be alive though!
And I had really
good doctors and
nurses.
posted 6/18/2007
|
|
Nicole
nicolery3@aol.com
It was a Tuesday
night, the night
the 2007
American Idol
was doing its
first auditions.
Although I did
not feel well, I
was still
looking forward
to watching it.
I had just had
my new baby
daughter 6 days
before. About
halfway through
the show, I
crawled up the
stairs to the
bathroom,
completely out
of breath. While
in there I
looked in the
mirror and my
lips were blue.
It was then I
decided to get
to the hospital.
Once it was
realized I had
ARDS and not
just pneumonia,
I was given
relaxation meds.
My saturations
were at 48%. My
husband was told
to prepare for
the worst and I
had a 50/50
chance to live.
I was put on a
vent for three
days. The doctor
told me that I
had a miraculous
recovery,
because just two
days later I was
released from
the hospital
with no
lingering
effects. I feel
so blessed to be
able to be home
with my amazing
husband,
beautiful new
baby and my
three other
wonderful
children. This
disease can be
beat and my best
wishes are with
those who are
having a hard
time with it.
January 16-
January 22, 2007
released.
posted 6/16/2007
|
|
Kent Bingham
kentbing@aol.com
I went snow
skiing on
January 26, 2007
and fell sliding
into a tree. I
broke my right
femur and was
taken to the
hospital where
they performed
surgery putting
two titanium
rods in my leg.
While there I
received four
units of whole
blood and then I
was released to
a rehab center.
After a few days
I got a
temperature and
I could not
breathe so they
took me back to
the hospital.
That is the last
I remember until
April 2007. My
family said I
was on a
ventilator,
dialysis, IV's,
and everything
else. I was
completely out
for the months
of February and
March. The
doctors said I
had pneumonia,
merca, ARDS, and
septa. I was one
sick pup. The
doctors brought
my family in at
one point and
said when do you
want us to
unplug him he is
not going to
make it. My
family insisted
on doing
something so
they moved me to
another hospital
that has an
excellent
pulmonary unit.
I was there from
April 1 until
April 26 then I
went to rehab at
the hospital. I
continued to do
therapy until
May 26 when I
was released to
go home. ARDS is
a difficult
thing to get
over. I have
come a long way
but I still have
a long way to
go. I am on 3
liters of oxygen
24 hours a day.
I can get around
with a walker so
things are
coming along. If
anyone has any
information on
the recovery
process, I would
love to hear
from you.
posted 6/1/2007
|
|
Laureli Morrow
laurmorrow@verizon.net
I had a viral
infection that
spiraled to
pneumonia and
sepsis with MRSA
very quickly. I
was 38 weeks
pregnant. On
3/16/07, I was
rushed to the
ER, intubated
and shipped out
- delivering my
son upon
arrival. I
didn't even know
he was born
until 4/21. No
one thought I
would live. It
is very hard, no
follow-up
provided, my
children and
husband and I
are trying to
process it all:
the nightmares,
the occasional
memory, the
anger at what
happened and the
damage from ARDS
as well as the
errors the
hospital did
(serious pain
and left side
nerve damage
from ill placed
chest tubes as
well as a
punctured lung).
We on our own
are seeking help
(pulmonary
respiration),
and the doctors
are no help. We
are both RNs and
can do this;
what about
people who
aren't?
posted 5/25/2007
|
|
Richie Roberts
typokiing@yahoo.com
I had been
fighting cancer
for over 4
years. I had
just finished up
a year long
round of
chemotherapy and
flew to Dr.
Anderson in
Houston for lung
surgery. They
resected part of
my right lung
and my
diaphragm. I
flew home three
days after being
released. Within
two days of
being home, I
had pneumonia
which developed
into ARDS. I was
on the
ventilator for
about 2 months
(10 weeks). They
kept me comatose
after the second
day because I
was fighting
against the
machine. None of
the medical
staff expected
me to survive,
and there were
many very scary
moments. When I
"woke up," every
muscle in my
body had
atrophied, I was
like a
quadriplegic.
I'm slowly
regaining
strength; I can
walk short
distances with a
cane and only
use oxygen when
I exert myself.
posted 5/19/2007
|
|
John Williams
onomonopeea@msn.com
While speaking
with my
pulmonary
physician, he
said that I
ought to know
what ARDS is,
because I'd been
through two very
serious bouts
and I should be
well aware of
its nature
rendering
effects on
survivability.
In 1998,I came
down with
Legionnaires
Disease and was
told that being
induced into a
coma was a major
factor of
treatment that
led to my
survival. That
experience was
enough, and to
my amazement,
I'm currently
realizing that I
was put into
another coma,
for fungal
pneumonia
putting my life
in serious
jeopardy.
Awakening from
this, I couldn't
walk, couldn't
even sit up,
needing to be
fed and drinking
heavy or
thickened water.
But, and I mean
but, I'm alive
and so very
happy to be this
way. We've all
shared these
monumental
events as I have
read here. If
you need to
share, contact
me to share the
breeze of our
recovery. Oh
yeah! I had a
tracheotomy too.
Alas,
alas....John W.
posted 5/6/2007
|
|
Michelle
msteph9@aol.com
I developed ARDS
after an
operation last
August to remove
my gall bladder.
At the time I
was 28 weeks
pregnant with
twins. After my
operation I was
taken to the
labour ward of
the hospital to
recover. I awoke
with a start
because I could
breathe in but
couldn't breathe
out. Frightened,
I pressed the
emergency
button.
Everything went
black, but I
could hear
people around me
shouting my
name, yet I
couldn't feel
anything. My
twin girls were
taken out by
c-section & I
was placed on a
ventilator and
placed in a coma
for my body to
heal. I awoke 16
days later,
unable to speak
due to the trach
in my neck and
experiencing the
worst
hallucinations.
I learnt I was a
mum. Now 9
months later we
are all doing
well and
enjoying life
again. To all
those people who
think it's not
possible to come
through it, you
can, because I
did.
posted 4/22/2007
|
|
Stephanie
stphnbrop@aol.com
I was put in the
ICU at the end
of October 2006.
I am 24 years
old and I was in
hospital to have
baby, and they
had to do a
c-section. The
next morning my
heart rate
spiked and I
stopped
breathing. I was
put on a vent
and they placed
a emergency
pacemaker in my
neck. I have 11
scars form all
of this. I'd
love to talk to
someone that
understands.
This illness has
caused seizures,
a heart
condition and
the inability to
bear any more
children. I have
a whole lot more
to my story so
email me to
talk.
posted 4/18/2007
|
|
Ryan Lochner
lochnerr@yahoo.com
I was feeling
fluish for a
couple of days
back in 1997 and
with no
improvement I
went to the ER
on March 31,
1997 (Easter
Day). At the
time I was a
senior in
college and
getting ready to
graduate and my
parents were
down to visit
that
weekend...thank
god for that. At
the hospital, my
pain increased
and my chest
x-ray showed
that one lung
was full of
fluid and the
other was
half-way filled.
At this point my
memories ceased.
According to my
parents I was
awake, aware,
and talking.
That night
things worsened
and I was put on
a vent. The next
day I was flown
via helicopter
to the Cleveland
Clinic. I
remained on a
vent for approx
60 days and
during that time
was on ECMO for
13 days. I had a
number of
hallucinations/dreams
that (after the
fact) I realized
were linked to
what was
happening to me.
They ranged from
joyful to
absolutely
terrifying. It's
been 10 years
since it all
began and
overall I am in
very good
health. Contact
me to share
stories,
concerns, or if
you need some
positive energy.
posted 4/8/2007
|
|
Sue Daugherty
srsd123@bellsouth.net
I had ARDS in
2003. I was on
the vent for 4
weeks. I thought
I just had a
cold, but went
to the doctor on
a Friday and was
told I had
bronchitis. I
really don't
remember what I
did on Saturday,
but on Sunday
when I tried to
get out of bed,
I felt like I
was falling. I
thought I was
having a
reaction to the
medications they
gave me for
bronchitis and
went to the ER.
I was told I had
pneumonia in
both lungs. I
was admitted to
the ICU and that
is the last
thing I remember
until 4 weeks
later.
posted 3/30/2007
|
|
Heather
heather2005_09@hotmail.com
In September, I
got
pneumonia-like
symptoms, and
ARDS developed
within 72 hours.
The doctor
diagnosed me
after 2 weeks
and intended to
send me home on
hospice. I was
flown to Mayo
and put in a
drug induced
coma. I spent
149 days in the
hospital and am
still trying to
recover.
posted 3/30/2007
|
|
Judy Otteson
motherofmajor@aol.com
In November
2004, I receive
a tiny nip from
a healthy, small
dog. The bite
was on the web
space between my
right thumb and
index finger,
and it hurt like
the dickens, but
I rinsed it,
applied an
adhesive
bandage, and
figured it would
heal itself.
Exactly 72 hours
later, almost to
the minute, I
slipped into a
coma. I had
developed sepsis
from the bite,
which was a
puncture wound
that introduced
a bacteria
common to dog
and cat saliva.
Usually, our
spleens filter
something like
that out of our
blood, but for
some reason,
this bug slipped
through and got
me. Friends took
me to a nearby
ER on that third
day where, three
hours later, I
went into
respiratory
arrest. ARDS was
diagnosed the
next day, and I
stayed on a
ventilator for
the next couple
of weeks. As a
result of my
blood not
coagulating (DIC),
the infection
had spread
rapidly and was,
of course,
life-threatening.
From severe
sepsis, my
kidneys shut
down, and my
heart stopped
twice. The blue
blotches were
hemorrhages
(from DIC) that
became 6-12"
blisters, then
open wounds. I
got gangrene in
both feet, as
well as my right
hand. The skin
on my legs
turned black and
died, and on the
18th day, I was
airlifted to a
burn trauma
center (Harborview
in Seattle) for
amputation of
the fronts of
both feet, four
fingers, and
removal of skin,
fat and tissue
on both legs.
Three months
later, grafted
with skin taken
from my back
(the only "good"
skin left to
take), I walked
out of the
hospital on
skinny little
bird-legs and
with scars from
the waist down.
I'm doing
remarkably well.
I returned to
work two months
after discharge
from the
hospital and
have had one of
the foot
amputations
redone since
then. I can
walk, but shoes
are now four
sizes smaller
and I'm able to
stand upright
for no more then
ten or fifteen
minutes. I can
still sit on a
horse, but my
legs and feet
remain painful.
I still
encounter some
awful bouts of
nausea from time
to time (as one
doc said, "kin
is skin. You
could be scarred
inside, too")
and have some
trouble with
temperature
regulation. The
remaining small
patches of
natural skin
left on my legs
becomes dry,
flakes or peels,
then becomes
swollen, red,
and itchy from
time to time.
There appear to
be no residuals
from the ARDS,
and my body
systems are in
perfect working
order once
again.
posted 3/17/2007
|
|
Ton Bogers
ton_bogers@hotmail.com
I was
hospitalized on
November 22,
2004. I spent 7
weeks in the
hospital, 6
weeks in the
ICU, and 5 weeks
in a coma. I had
septic shock,
ARDS, critical
illness
neuropathy,
kidney dialysis,
and an E-coli
infected (multi
resistant) left
big toe. The
cause was
Legionella, as
it appeared
after 2 weeks in
the hospital.
posted 3/4/2007
|
|
Name not
provided
iblvnangelz@aol.com
I survived ARDS
in 1999. I was
diagnosed with
it while I was a
little over 7
months pregnant.
I was placed on
a vent for 2
weeks and given
3 days to live.
My baby was
taken emergency
c section she
weighed 4 lbs 10
ounces. She has
done great. I
had one
complication
after another.
God healed me
and has let me
live to see my
baby girl
growing up. I
still have
hangups over
what happened. I
suffered from
post traumatic
stress disorder
and to this day
some things
still get to me.
I have a much
longer version
of this story if
you are
interested. It
took me a year
to get back on
my feet and that
was with caring
for my newborn
daughter. I
still don't feel
that I am as
fast of a
thinker as I use
to be. I can't
handle very many
things to think
about at once
anymore. I also
feel I am way
more emotional
over things and
I don't feel my
body is as
strong as it
was.
Congratulations
to all of you
who have
survived! I hear
we are miracles
to have survived
it at all. God
is wonderful. I
thank him all
the time and I
always give him
the credit for
me surviving
and being here
today.
posted 3/3/2007
|
|
Elizabeth I.
Ball
lizzybehaves@yahoo.com
I just recently
got out of
chemotherapy,
and I am still
facing symptoms
of ARDS. I get
the chills, and
a fever without
reason or cause.
While I was in
chemo, my
platelets were
low and my chest
felt like it was
going to
collapse on me,
which are
symptoms of
ARDS. I feel
that it was
induced by the
chemo drug I was
on. I mentioned
it to my doctor
and she said it
couldn't be?? I
disagreed with
her and still
do. I don't know
what to do about
it if the doctor
doesn't listen
to you?? Can
someone give me
some advice??
The heavy chest
occurred while I
was in chemo. I
do know that
ARDS is drug
induced. I am
due to have
another
procedure to get
rid of the
cancer, but I am
definitely
afraid of going
into another
drug induced
coma, which I
may not pull out
of this time.
The first time,
I was out for
weeks. I really
don't remember
how long I was
out, all I know
it was weeks.
The first time I
went into
surgery, I was
in for
exploratory
surgery for 8
hours; I had a
total
hysterectomy,
and part of my
colon was
removed. This is
only part of my
story. I will
post my story
and I am still
facing ARDS.
Thank you.
posted 2/19/2007
|
|
Jonathan Such
jonathancsuch@fastmail.fm
I am a Chemical
Engineer and
keen marathon
runner. In 1994,
when I was
working at
Fluor's offices
in Johannesburg,
I became very
ill with a
severe cough and
eventually
collapsed and
was taken to an
ER. Lung x-rays
showed white out
in both lungs
i.e. fluid
filled. I was
admitted to
Garden City
Clinic and given
oxygen therapy
in an open ward
and put on an
antibiotic IV
drip. I became
hypoxic and
delusional. I
thought I was
being pursued by
tsotsis
(gangsters) in
tunnels under
the city and
(apparently)
ripped out my IV
and staggered
out nearly naked
into a cold
howling winter's
gale in the car
park and tried
to break into a
doctor's car (to
escape??). I was
rescued by
security near
death and
ventilated in
ICU; after 4
days, I
recovered
consciousness. I
had survived a
serious ARDS
episode
apparently. I
was so weak for
months and had
to have lots of
physiotherapy. I
made a full
recovery thanks
to wonderful
nursing at home
by my wife, and
am still running
half marathons
13 years on.
posted 2/13/2007
|
|
Terry
tpaulmcd1966@cox.net
Back in 2001, I
went to the
Topeka VAMC on a
Monday and by
Friday I was in
the ICU. By the
next day, I was
on a vent. I
also had double
pneumonia. I do
remember some
vivid dreams.
Even though I
should wear a
CPAP for apnea,
it causes me
nightmares
remembering that
part.
posted 2/12/2007
|
|
Michael Calone
mikey1954@verizon.net
Hi everyone. I
contracted ARDS
right after I
started a new
job. I was out
of work for 6
months due to 2
shoulder
surgeries. When
I was released,
I found a new
job driving a
tractor trailer
hauling
construction
debris and
leaves. I would
go to local
towns that
collected the
leaves off the
street and I
would haul them
to a compost
yard. The first
day when I got
home I felt
tired and achy,
and just brushed
it off to being
out of shape.
One the second
day, I was
feeling worse,
with a rapid
heartbeat and
shortness of
breath. I came
home, took a
long hot shower
and then got the
worst case of
chills and
shakes ever. On
the third day,
my symptoms
doubled. My wife
rushed me to the
ER and I went
right into ARDS.
My sats were
down into the
60's, and my
temperature was
102. I spent 2
and a half days
on the
ventilator, 11
days in the ICU,
and 19 days
total in the
hospital. I
still have no
answers as to
what caused it.
Some people and
doctors seem to
think the
composting
leaves had
something to do
with it. I know
dead leaves give
off methane gas
and mold spores.
Has anyone ever
heard of this?
I'm still
recovering and I
was released
Christmas
morning.
posted 1/22/2007
|
|
Julie LaBrie
penguingirl12868@yahoo.com
In June of 2006,
I acquired a
severe infection
in my foot that
ended up in
sepsis. From
there I could no
longer breathe
on my own and
slowly all of my
organs were
shutting down.
My kidneys
failed, I was in
DKA, I had DIC
and was
diagnosed with
ARDS. My
condition was
extremely
guarded. No one
thought I would
make it; if I
did, I would be
facing 6 months
to 1-1/2 years
for recuperation
in the hospital.
I woke up from
the coma, and my
kidneys restored
themselves and
my lungs are
better than
ever. I was in
the hospital
only 48 days
compared to 6
months or
longer. I was
very lucky.
posted 1/21/2007
|
|
Jamie M. Bittle
djbittle@msn.com
I'm a survivor
of ARDS. In my
case it all
started with
staphylococcus
pneumonia. My
husband took me
to the emergency
room at about
3:00 p.m. on May
7, 2006. By
11:00 p.m. that
night, I was in
an induced coma.
The next day my
body went into
sepsis, and soon
after I got
edema. I went
from 125 to 350
pounds. From
there, I got
ARDS. I was in a
coma for 39
days, and spent
2 months in
acute rehab and
2 months in a
skilled nursing
home. I thank
GOD every day
for letting me
survive, and my
husband. He was
there with me
every day until
I came home.
Without him, I
don't think I
would of
survived. I'm
still recovering
from it all. I
go to therapy
three times a
week. I walk
almost on my
tiptoes, and I
have a hard time
writing. Could
someone please
email me back
and let me know
if you have
these same
problems as
well? If so,
have you fully
recovered from
them? Because I
find myself so
depressed at
times thinking
I'm never going
to get better.
Please email me.
Thanks.
posted 1/11/2007
|
|
John Williams
onomonopeea@msn.com
Tomorrow I visit
my pulmonologist
Dr. Killian. I
arrived home a
few days before
Christmas, on
December 14,
2006. My partner
and I
experienced a
different
holiday season
this year. We
celebrated being
home together,
along with the
kids (our
beloved pets).
Tomorrow I will
ask the doctor
if I've had this
"ARDS" condition
and then perhaps
I'll understand
what I've
encountered
these past few
months. At
present, I feel
very dingy and
am unable to
walk, along with
an array of
other physical
inabilities. I'm
trying to
convince myself
that I am still
living! I find
this truly
amazing! As of
now all I know
is what I'm
being told
concerning these
events that I
experienced
during an
induced coma and
resulting
incapacitation.
These are being
related to me by
others that
witnessed them
firsthand. They
say that I
wasn't given
odds pertaining
to pulling
through a
diagnoses of
intubation,
double fungal
pneumonia,
septic
shock/multiple
organ failure,5
blood
transfusions and
tracheotomy,
etc. All I
recall is
arriving at the
emergency room
by ambulance and
asking the
doctor to put me
out, as I could
not handle the
anxiety arising
from the
inability to
draw a breath. I
then felt myself
succumbing to
the drug
injection and
hearing someone
saying swallow
as a device was
thrust down my
throat as
intubation
began. During
unconsciousness,
I perceived
myself in a vast
dark blue-indigo
colored void
surrounding my
presence. I saw
brilliant white
sparks in front
and the same
piercing through
my being from
behind.
Accompanying
these sparks
were
multicolored
flashes much
like those
emitting from a
flashing
diamond. I had
an overwhelming
sense of silence
and well being
within this
realm
surrounding me.
Reflecting on
these events and
the prayers from
friends
requesting a
positive
recovery in my
behalf, I know
that with all
that's happened
during these
times, we no
longer ponder as
coincidence,
places us here
now with a
wealth gained to
our spirit,
ensuring a
future well
worth living. So
I'll continue
this recovery
and continue
prayers asking
deliverance from
anything
resembling this.
posted 1/7/2007
|
|
Dwayne Koenig
lamancha5k@charter.net
I was in the
hospital from
February 3 to
August 1, 2006.
I was in a coma
for most of it
and have no
memory of it
other then the
very real
dreams. I am
slowly
recovering at
home after weeks
of PT. I have
some problems,
both physical
and mental, and
would like to
talk to other
guys with the
same problems.
posted 12/31/2006
|
|
Ceilia
queenbee0065@yahoo.com
On July 9, 2006,
I was admitted
to our local
hospital for
double pneumonia
in both lungs. I
was at our local
hospital for 2
1/2 days. I
thought I was
going to get to
go home. I was
in the middle of
a breathing
treatment as I
also have asthma
and I had an
asthma attack.
The next thing I
know I am being
taken to the ER
so they could
vent me. That is
the last thing I
remember for 9
days. I was
transferred to
St. Vincent's
Hospital in
Indianapolis and
put in an
induced coma in
ICU. I remained
in the coma for
9 days. When I
was moved to a
regular room I
was asked what
day it was and I
thought one day
had only passed.
I was released
after 14 days. I
had Home Health
Care and PT and
OT for 4 weeks
at my home after
being released
and continued
with my PT and
OT for 6 more
weeks. I am now
back to work
full time but
still tire very
easily. I had
never heard of
ARDS until I was
in the hospital.
My doctor said I
was lucky to be
alive and that's
90% of the
battle with
ARDS. I still
find my short
term memory off
at times. While
I was in the ICU
I had an
experience that
I won't forget.
My deceased
grandmother was
motioning for me
to come to her.
I told her that
I wasn't ready.
I really believe
that and prayers
are why I am
here today. I am
on the road to
recovery but
realize it will
be something
that will take
awhile and
something I
don't want to go
through again.
In my therapy, I
had to relearn
to use my hands
again as I was
restrained while
I was in ICU.
posted 12/27/2006
|
|
Judy Young
jey59@hotmail.com
Hi everyone, my
name is Judy and
I am an ARDS
survivor. I have
been doing well,
but I have a few
sides effects
from ARDS. I
still have a
cough and I am
still on oxygen.
I was diagnosed
in February 2004
and was release
from the
hospital June
2004. If anyone
has any
suggestions
about what I can
do about my
cough, please
share. The
oxygen I am okay
with because I
figure I need
it. I am doing
well overall and
I thank God for
letting me live
to see Christmas
2006.
posted 12/24/2006
|
|
Sophia Marcello
sophia_marcello@hotmail.com
or
sophiamarcello@gmail.com
I was admitted
to St Vincent's
Hospital Dublin
on August 7,
2005 with a
Urinary Tract
Infection, left
flank pain and
left basal
Pneumonia.
Intravenous
antibiotics were
administered for
the next 8 days
and I was self
discharged on
August 15th. I
was admitted to
Mullingar
hospital on
August 30th and
was 29 weeks
pregnant with my
second child. I
had severe
septicemia and
respiratory
failure; within
24 hours, I was
incubated and
transferred to
the ICU in Mater
Misericordiae by
police escort.
My kidneys was
so swollen that
they leaked and
that led to the
blood poisoning.
My lungs had
collapsed from
pneumonia and
the doctors
didn't expect me
to survive the
night. My
diagnosis then
was Pyle
nephritis
secondary to
Hydronesphrosis
of left kidney
tract and
secondary Acute
Respiratory
Distress
Syndrome.
Critical care
therapy included
mechanical
ventilator, in
trope support,
antibiotic
therapy,
antifungal
therapy
nutrition
support, and
intravenous
heparin -
possible
pulmonary
embolus. I ended
up in a coma. On
September
1st, placenta
abruption led to
an emergency
C-section. My
baby boy was
delivered
weighing 3
pounds, 2
ounces, and was
then sent to the
Special care
unit in the
Rotunda Hospital
Dublin. I
developed severe
ARDS, left
preconscious
nephrostomy was
inserted on
September 7th,
and oxygenation
became
increasingly
difficult using
convention
ventilation.
Inhaled nitric
oxide was
instituted with
some effect.
High frequency
oscillatory
ventilation
therapy was
instituted with
initial
improvement in
oxygenation;
prone ventilator
strategy was
used again with
initial
improvement. On
September 19th,
bilateral
pneumthorax
developed
despite presence
of a chest
drain, which was
a major problem
despite
maneuvers to
minimize peak
aspiratory
pressures. On
September 24th,
a tension
pneumthorax was
associated with
dramatic
reduction in
oxygenation and
cardiovasculated
compromise. A
total of 7 chest
drains were
inserted. One
month passed
with HFOV
ventilator and
no resolution of
severe
ARDS. I was then
transferred to
Karolinski
University
Hospital Sweden
on October 8th
for Ecmo
therapy. It was
there that I had
a lot of
operations on my
lungs and I had
to get a metal
coil in my lung
just to hold it
together, There
is only myself
and one other
person in the
whole world that
has this. I lost
all ability to
use my muscles,
and I couldn't
lift my head,
write, walk,
etc. After a few
months I was
finally able to
function. I left
Sweden on
December 5th,
and went back to
the Mater
Hospital Dublin
until June 30th,
2006. I spent 10
months in the
hospital and I
am still on 24
hour oxygen.
posted 12/11/2006 |
|
Gina Sowards
gsowards3@aol.com
I was admitted
to the hospital
on 9-28-05 to
have
abdominoplasty
and a
hysterectomy. I
aspirated on
awakening from
anesthesia just
after the
breathing tube
was taken out.
Two days later,
I became short
of breath and my
oxygen
saturation level
was 32%. Yes,
32%. I went
straight to the
ICU and had to
be put on a
breathing
machine for 11
days. During
this course I
was on pressers
to keep my blood
pressure up so
that my other
organs could be
perfused. I was
also on a
continuous drip
of a diuretic so
my kidneys would
make urine,
along with
receiving blood
products. All of
my cultures to
rule out
infection were
negative. My
Critical Care
Specialist
Physician told
my family that I
had a chemical
burn to the
lungs. The
events of the
trauma, dreams,
hallucinations
and among other
post op recovery
issues were so
vivid in my mind
until a few
months ago. My
lungs recovered
after a few
months, but I
haven't been the
same since. I
have just
realized that I
have Post
Traumatic Stress
Disorder. Also,
a week after I
went home, I was
back in the ER
for shortness of
breath, and my
electrocardiogram
had major
ischemic changes
on it, even
worse than when
I was in the
acute phase of
ARDS. So I
underwent a
cardiac catheter
and thank the
LORD it was
clean without
any vessel
blockages. I
guess it was
just the stress
on my heart from
the ARDS. The
hardest thing
about it is I am
an RN and I work
close with the
docs that did my
anesthesia and
took care of me.
I take patients
to the ICU to
the same room I
was in when
sick. I continue
to be around the
environment that
it all took
place in. Can
anyone help with
PTSD? Are there
any studies? I
really need
help; I am not
the same
emotionally,
cognitively and
physically I
feel like a wet
noodle. I can't
even do my job
anymore like I
used to! Thanks,
Gina
posted 12/6/2006
|
|
Steve
ibehomer_gc@yahoo.com
I was in a car
wreck on
November 20,
2005 (that's
what they tell
me anyway). I
had a crushed
sternum, 8
broken ribs
4 crushed
vertebra, and a
broken pelvis in
2 places. I went
into ARDS in
full white out.
I woke up on
December 25th
and haven't been
right since.
posted 11/16/2006
|
|
Ester Ramirez
llamasgab507@aol.com
In April 2006, I
was 24 and 7
months pregnant!
Everything was
going really
well. I found
out that I was
having a girl
which was my
dream coming
true.... Then I
ended up in the
ER due to a
chronic cough. I
was in the
hospital for a
little over a
month. My baby
and I
survived�thank
the good lord! I
have lots more
to say and it
would help if I
could share my
stories with
anyone who will
listen.
posted 11/13/2006
|
|
Sharon Kidd
skidd70572@aol.com
One weekend, I
was disoriented
and tripped.
After having my
ribs checked at
the local ER, I
was immediately
taken into the
ICU and remained
unconscious for
almost 3 weeks
while my doctor
fought the onset
of ARDS. I
lived. I am
currently still
in the hospital,
but will be
released soon to
deal with the
hallucinations
that will ever
plague my life.
posted 11/8/2006
|
|
Andrea
dandee19900@yahoo.com
I am a 34 year
old ARDS
survivor. I came
home from the
hospital on July
25, 2006. On
June 22 I came
home from work
with intense
pain from a
kidney stone. By
Monday morning I
was not able to
breathe on my
own and I was
put on a vent
and life
flighted to a
bigger hospital.
I am told I was
in a coma for
almost 3 weeks
and on the vent
for 4 weeks. I
spent close to 5
weeks in the
hospital. I am
still on oxygen
and unable to
work. Neither I
or my family
members had
heard of ARDS
prior to me
getting it. I am
very thankful to
be here today. I
am also very
thankful to have
a wonderful
supportive
husband...he is
the reason I am
here today.
posted 11/8/2006
|
|
James Burns
pawn16@yahoo.com
I'm arriving on
my 2 years of
ARDS survival.
My story is
listed below. I
know what each
and every one of
you have went
through. The bad
dreams, the
pain, the
continuing
health problems,
and much more.
Know we have
served for a
reason that we
can tell our
story and help
others. I would
love to meet and
talk with you
one on one. I'm
24 now and
living in
Tennessee.
Please email me.
posted 11/7/2006
|
|
Susan
icu_3angels@hotmail.com
I'm not exactly
sure on what to
write. My family
tries to pretend
it never
happened. Any
time I bring
anything up
about my coma,
this look comes
over their faces
as if to say oh
no here she goes
again. But they
don't know what
I know about
when I was in
the hospital and
they don't want
to talk about it
. I never had
any therapy with
any professional
to help me
through these
nightmares,
memories and
leftover side
effects. I can't
remember how to
spell anymore,
can't do my
housework, don't
want to go out,
my husband has
to talk me into
it. I wish the
real me would
come back. I
don't like who I
am .Can someone
please help me?
I was in the
hospital in
07/27/02. I
don't want to be
like this
anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Help! Susan
Doherty-White
posted 10/23/2006
|
|
Tibisay Prada
tibisay_prada@yahoo.com
I am 4 year ARDS
Survivor,
willing to
participate in
new clinical
research
programs.
posted 10/17/2006
|
|
Michele Cirillo
chelboudro40@aol.com
I am an ARDS
survivor. I went
into the
hospital for
outpatient
surgery for a
cyst in the
pelvic area and
the doctor cut
my bowels. I was
sent home for 5
days and
constantly
calling the
doctor and
getting no help.
I was sent to
the hospital and
sepsis was all
the way to my
heart and lungs.
I was put into a
drug induced
coma for 2
weeks, and I had
VRE and ARDS. I
came very close
to death and saw
some very
strange things
while in the
coma including
loved ones no
longer with us.
I am now trying
to put my life
back together
again. I not
only had a
birthday but got
a divorce while
in the hospital
for 7 weeks. I
would like
someone to talk
to.
posted 10/13/2006
|
|
Chuck
chuckjarmon@hotmail.com
I am a 38
year-old ARDS
survivor,
discharged from
the hospital
five days ago
after a
three-four week
hospital stay.
Here is my
story. I had
flu-like
symptoms with
high fever,
trouble
breathing, lung
crackles,
progressing into
bilateral
pneumonia. I was
intubated and
spent 9 days on
a ventilator
after developing
ARDS. I had a
bronchoscopy,
antibiotics,
etc. - ends up
being viral
white out
pneumonia; the
doctors were
uncertain if I
was going to
live, but I
turned the
corner. I was
extubated after
9 days. The
residual effects
include muscle
weakness, I need
PT and I've lost
30 pounds. I
credit the fast
aggressive and
progressive
treatment
received at New
York
Presbyterian
MICU in
Manhattan. This
experience has
changed my life
and was a
wake-up call to
focus on my
health,
exercise, never
again have a
cigarette/cigar
no matter how
occasional,
reduce stress,
get a flu and
pneumonia shot,
etc. I thank my
family and
friends for
their prayers
and support.
posted 10/10/2006
|
|
Shandrel
shandrelc@yahoo.com
I am a ARDS
survivor. I was
27 weeks
pregnant when I
was hospitalized
for what I
thought was a
bladder
infection. Over
the course of 3
days, my
breathing became
labored and I
had to be
ventilated and
put into a
medically
induced coma to
help me and my
baby live. I was
on a breathing
machine for a
total of 5
weeks. I had
pneumonia and
sepsis as well
as host of other
infections. I
consistently had
a fever of
107.1. My docs
had never seen a
case like this,
and I was sent
to UAB hospital
in Birmingham. I
fought this
disease with all
I had to save my
life as well as
my daughter's.
Although I went
into labor only
13 days after
being take off
the machine, I
am happy to say
that now my baby
and I are living
a happy healthy
life.
posted 10/9/2006
|
|
Michael Hurley
mishurle@iupui.edu
When I was 17, I
was diagnosed
with ARDS after
weeks of
horrible
coughing fits
and shortness of
breath. I was
admitted to St.
Vincent
Pediatric
Intensive Care
Unit on July 29,
2001, which was
my last memory
until September
11, 2001. This
experience has
been very
painful for my
family and me. I
find myself very
anxious and
depressed these
days, despite
the five years
since the
incident. I
would love to
share
experiences with
other survivors.
posted 10/4/2006
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|
Barbara Hutton
bg6681@earthlink.net
On Thanksgiving
2003, I started
having severe
pain under my
right shoulder
blade, and then
it became
difficult to
breathe. I went
to the ER (I
have scoliosis,
and they thought
it might be a
pulled muscle),
and they gave me
muscle relaxants
and a shot for
pain. By that
night, I was
unable to sleep
because it was
becoming more &
more difficult
to breathe. I
went to a
different
hospital and was
admitted. They
did a CT of my
chest & found
pneumonia and
emphysema in my
lung. I was put
in the ICU on a
vent, and put
under so I would
not fight the
tube. I was
prepared for
surgery, had
surgery and then
declined due to
ARDS. I woke up
two-plus months
later to
discover what
had happened to
me. It has been
a long recovery
but THANK GOD I
did survive. I
would love to
communicate with
other survivors
to compare
notes. I am
STILL on oxygen
at night due to
my
O2 level at
night.
posted 9/12/2006
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|
Cindy Cole
ciyon@earthlink.net
I was diagnosed
with pneumonia,
in the hospital
for two days,
the ICU for 14
days, then a
hospital room
for three days.
It started when
I was feeling
very low and
wondered if the
flu was coming.
I went to a
neighborhood
clinic and was
diagnosed with
viral pneumonia.
Over the next
four days, the
medication was
not working
...my system was
fighting it. I
drove myself to
the ER on Monday
morning due to
being short of
breath and
dizzy. I was
admitted and my
stay is very
blurred. the
doctors were
considering lung
resection to
find the
underlining
causation of my
illness. After
many days in ICU
and medication,
one doctor tried
another drug and
6 hours later
the surgery was
not even
considered. My
recovery was
hard. I had to
learn how to
walk, breathe
and get used to
the idea I now
have diabetes
due to the
steroids.
Depression set
in about 3
months later and
I am being
treated on an
ongoing basis. I
see my
pulmonologists
on an annual
basis and am
happy to report
with each visit
I have improved.
Upon being
discharged I was
told I extremely
close to death.
As a matter of
fact, I
"flat-lined"
twice while in
the hospital. My
prayers go to
the wonderful
staff and
knowledge of the
medical advisors
and teams I was
assigned to.
posted 9/3/2006
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|
Julie Branan
juliebranan@yahoo.com
I developed ARDS
due to
pancreatitis
after an ERCP. I
spent 5 weeks on
a vent in the
ICU at Henry
Ford in Detroit,
and one month in
an inpatient
physical therapy
rehab. I went
home on 4/28/06,
and have been in
and out the
hospital every
month since, but
generally
better!!!
posted 9/1/2006
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|
Amy Marie Martin
amariemartin@netscape.com
I am a survivor
of ARDS. and
still feel in
the dark on a
lot of medical
issues I have
faced these 5
years since my
illness. I have
had many
depression and
anxiety related
illnesses as
well as turned
to alcohol as an
answer to all of
the unanswered
questions I face
in my daily
life. I have
done research on
a limited basis
and keep finding
very few
answers. I know
I will never
fully
understand, but
could really use
help from both
survivors and
the medical
field to finally
have some of my
unasked and
misunderstood
questions
explained. I try
to use the
resources I have
locally and find
that there are
few specialists
who even know
what ARDS is.
posted 9/1/2006
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|
Susan
icu_3angels@hotmail.com
I have already
told a little
about my story,
but I need to
tell someone who
may be having
the same
problems I am .
I can't seem to
remember even
the simplest of
things. I know
my family can't
understand what
I am going
through, but I
really need some
one to talk
with. I fear I
am losing my
mind. I want to
get in my car
and just drive
far far away,
but I know that
is not going to
help me. I don't
know what to do.
If someone has
any idea as to
what I should
do, I would
appreciate your
suggestions.
Thank you for
reading this.
posted 8/22/2006
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|
Vicki
dsprint@meltel.net
I too am an ARDS
survivor. I had
a knee
replacement done
on February 22,
2006. Everything
went fine; I was
sent home on
Sunday, and
started therapy
on Monday. From
the time I got
home, I had no
appetite, and
just felt
crappy. I didn't
really have much
pain from the
surgery, but
just wanted to
lay around. Well
meaning friends
and my hubby
told me I had to
get up and get
dressed and
carry on as best
I could. On
Friday I told my
hubby that I
just couldn't
make it anymore;
I could barely
pull myself up.
I went my
regular doctor
and she ordered
chest x-rays and
a CT scan. My
lungs showed up
white, which was
not good. I had
sepsis that
caused pneumonia
and quickly
turned to ARDS.
Luckily I was
taken to St.
Cloud Hospital,
which has an
excellent ICU
unit. I don't
remember much
about anything
from Friday
afternoon on. I
was put into a
drug induced
coma for 62
days. I was on a
ventilator, I
had a feeding
tube, I had a
trach tube. All
I know is that
when I woke up,
I had missed 62
days...I
couldn't believe
it was the end
of April. While
I was in the
coma and for
about 2 weeks
after I came out
of it, I had
horrible scary
dreams. I don't
remember them in
detail any
longer, but my
reality and my
dreams were so
mixed up I
didn't know what
was true and
what was a
dream. I just
finished with
therapy, but my
hands are still
really bad,
stiff, etc., and
my shoulder
joints are so
still so sore I
can't put on or
take off a
t-shirt without
pain. I'm tired
all the time,
and I still
haven't gotten
off the oxygen
completely, and
my beautiful
thick dark brown
hair all fell
out (it's
growing back)!
But I'll tell
you a secret if
you promise to
take it to
heart- I'm alive
- so blessedly
alive. I know
that God and His
Son and Our
Blessed Mother,
and all the
saints in heaven
watched over me.
I had people
praying for me
all over the
world - from
California to
Africa and
beyond. I make
rosaries for the
missions and the
people who
receive the
rosaries pray
for the one who
sent them, and
my children and
my friends here
asked everyone
to pray as well.
posted 8/22/2006
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|
Micah Thompson
micahthompson@gmail.com
I went to the
local ER feeling
flu like
symptoms on
September 7,
2005. An x-ray
revealed full
"white out"
aspiration. I
was intubated
and flown by
helicopter to
the regional
medical center,
and
air-ambulanced
to the
children's
hospital in
Seattle. I spent
10 days on ECMO
and a vent, and
another 11 on
the vent alone.
I was
transferred to
UWMC for rehab,
transferred
closer to home
and came home 2
days before
Christmas. I've
spent the eight
months since
then getting
stronger and
dealing with the
horrible
hallucinations.
If anybody needs
help in dealing
with their ARDS
experiences,
please e-mail
me.
posted 8/20/2006
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|
Charlotte
sharlot_54321@yahoo.com
I was admitted
to the hospital
after initially
being diagnosed
with bronchitis
that did not
improve with
antibiotics,
then pneumonia
when I went back
to doctor two
days later. I
did not improve,
and began to
really have
trouble
breathing about
36 hours after
admission. I was
transferred to
the ICU,
intubated, and
was on a vent
for about eight
days. I am home
now, getting PT
to improve my
ambulation/balance.
I was on
Amniodorone, and
I think that was
the culprit. I
have yet to see
pulmonologist.
My thyroid was
way overactive
too.
posted 8/15/2006
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|
Brenda-Lee
brendalee100970@aol.com
I have so much
to tell, so I
will break it
down. I think
ARDS was a
byproduct of a
surgery I had.
On June 11,
2006, I had
Dumont stint
placed and
removed because
it failed in my
trachea. I went
home, but was
re-admitted on
June 13th for
breathing
problems. On
June 21st, I had
a tracheal
resection. I was
sent home on
June 30th. On
July 13th, I
collapsed in my
home and landed
on a vent for 4
days. I was told
it was a case of
ARDS. On July
27th, I was sent
home. I thought
I was over it,
but on August
2nd, I was
readmitted to
the hospital. It
looked like ARDS
again, but we
caught it in
time. I was
discharged two
days ago, on
August 7, 2006.
My breathing is
still labored,
but I am glad to
be home. It has
been tough. I
have two small
children, and it
scared me. I am
starting to
remember bits
and pieces.
posted 8/9/2006
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|
Ruth Mandry
ruthmandry@yahoo.com.au
I underwent a
relatively minor
surgical
procedure, a
laparascopic
fundoplication,
on 4th March
2005. This was
in an attempt to
bring under
control my
asthma. Two days
post op I
developed
pneumonia and
went into
respiratory
failure. I was
intubated and
put on a
ventilator. I
was put into a
drug induced
coma. I remained
in the coma for
three weeks as
each time the
medics tried to
bring me out of
the coma I was
unable to
breathe on my
own. It is now
5th August 2006
and still I
suffer the
aftereffects of
ARDS. Currently
I have two
stents in my
airways to keep
them open and
require mucomyst
to stop mucus
plugs occurring.
I eventually
suffered 10 plus
attacks of
respiratory
failure, with
the last one
resulting in my
heart stopping.
From this I
developed a
troponin leak.
Fortunately
though, the
damage to my
heart was
minimal. I am
still unable to
shower myself
independently. I
am finding
though that the
quality of my
life is very
very slowly but
surely
improving. I
also now have
trachio-malachia
and for this I
need oxygen.
ARDS is a
terrible thing
to have happen,
not only for the
person who
suffers it, but
also for the
family who has
to stand by and
watch.
posted 8/4/2006
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|
Susan
icu_3angels@hotmail.com
My name is
Susan, and I
have survived
ARDS. But I
often wonder if
I really did. I
really need
someone to talk
to about my
experience. My
family and
friends tell me
to thank God and
move on with my
life. But I
don't feel like
I have a life
anymore. I'm not
the same person
I used to be. I
can't explain it
to my family,
they don't want
to hear any more
about it. One
sister, says she
had hard times
and you don't
hear her
mentioning it.
Move on. I
really need
someone to help
me!!!!! I'm not
sure where to go
or who to talk
to about it. It
has been four
years now,
please help.
Thank you. Susan
Doherty-White
posted 7/21/2006
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|
April Snow
april.snow@va.gov
I got post-op
ARDS on 9/26/05.
I was in a
medically
induced coma for
15 days. Now I
am having all
kinds of health
problems and
need information
on what other
ARDS survivors
are
experiencing.
posted 7/20/2006
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|
Teri
nccadreamer@aol.com
I have told my
story already in
this forum last
year. I am
coming up on my
1 year
anniversary of
ARDS survival.
Most everything
is back to
normal. I still
find scars in
odd places that
happened during
the drug induced
coma, but that I
can live with.
The only problem
I'm having is
with the scar
tissue in my
trachea. I had
the tracheotomy
done a couple of
weeks into the
coma, and it
remained for 2
months. I have a
very quiet,
raspy voice now,
and tracheal
stenosis (my
trachea gets
pulled shut by
scar tissue).
I've had 2
surgeries to
stretch and
remove some of
the scarring,
but it comes
back. Has anyone
else dealt with
a problem like
this? I'd
appreciate any
input.
posted 7/19/2006
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|
Terry
tmcdonough4@cox.net
I entered the
Topeka VAMC on a
Tuesday, and by
Friday I was in
ICU with
pneumonia as
well as ARDS. I
spent 33 days in
the ICU, 19 of
which were on
the ventilator.
The first time I
was removed from
the vent, I
coded. After the
ICU, I spent
another 3 months
in rehab to
rebuild my
strength since I
was so weak. I
couldn't even
brush my teeth.
posted 7/8/2006
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|
Noah
noahjcrouse@comcast.net
I was involved
in a very
serious auto
accident. My
fianc�e and I
were hit head on
by an 18 wheel
gravel hauling
semi. I suffered
a spiral (almost
compound)
fracture of the
left femur, and
underwent
emergency
surgery at
Swedish Medical
Center in
Denver. The
surgery was done
out of fear that
the bone would
cut my femoral
artery. The day
after my
surgery, the
doctors noticed
spots on my
lungs, and I was
taken to the CCU
(critical care
unit). I spent
almost 2 weeks
in the CCU in a
"coma" and under
full sedation. I
was intubated,
and had a
ventilator and
respirator doing
almost all of my
breathing. I
have vivid
memories of some
of the events of
this time, but
do not remember
much. This
accident and
these events
occurred in
2002, and I now
have asthma as a
result. I do
have some short
term memory
issues at times,
but I feel that
I am finally on
the road to a
full recovery.
posted 7/5/2006
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|
Dave
dbuskirk@penncbo.com
I was admitted
directly to ICU
with double
pneumonia on
April 25, 2006
and intubated
the next day. I
was intubated
for 16 days and
have very vivid
hallucinations
of things just
not there. I
remember
virtually
nothing of those
16 days and I
have to rely on
family and
friends to
relate to me
what went on. I
went into
congestive heart
failure the
second week
there, but when
treated for
fluid retention,
I began to
rapidly improve.
I was extubated
on May 11th and
discharged on
May 16th. Some
memory issues
still occurred
and my legs were
very weak. My
daughter called
me her "scramble
head dad".
Things have
improved over
the past month
and seem to be
back to near
normal with some
PT for the legs.
posted 6/28/2006
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|
Susan
susanmdwhite@hotmail.com
On July 28,2006
it will be four
years of torment
and tears that I
was diagnosed
with ARDS. I
would really
like someone to
communicate
with. My family
and friends tell
me to just
forget it and
get on with my
life, but what
they don't
understand is I
can't get past
this nightmare
alone. My
husband
understands but
can't relate to
the nightmares I
had in my coma.
If someone out
there would like
to email me, I
would really
appreciate it. I
need help... I
can't even get
my domestic
chores
completed. I
also have short
term memory
loss. I continue
to ask questions
over and over
again. Please
help me. Thank
you, Susan
posted 6/23/2006
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|
Francine
frankee714@hotmail.com
In December
2005, had just
finished chemo
treatments for
stage 1 breast
cancer. I had
trouble
throughout,
involving high
fevers and then
the fateful day
found myself in
the grip of
painfully
horrendous
hallucinations.
It felt like a
bad sci-fi movie
so similar to
experiences
described by
many here. The
most awful
included body
parts being
harvested, and
blood drained
for beverages,
and often trying
to pedal to
death, and oddly
had a strange
sense of being
in this place
before. Anyway I
finally and very
slowly came out
of this state
after a couple
of weeks and was
told it was
ARDS. I had
absolutely zero
memory of how I
got to hospital
or the entire
week before It
took over five
weeks to walk
again without a
walker. I am
still often
going back to
that world of
delirium. Only
all of you know
what I
mean...Thank
you.
posted 6/14/2006
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