Post by: Oddjob on August 18, 2025, 01:43:14 PM
I'm home but still very poorly. I have decided to do a detailed post on what happened so it warns other not to ignore the symptoms like I did, this thing is a KILLER.
Over Easter this year we had a new bathroom fitted, one of the fitters had Covid and infected me. It was bad and really did a number on me, I thought I was on the road to recovery but my immune system was really weakened. Tried to get some antibiotics from the doc but they don't like giving them out these days. Eventually one sent me for a chest xray which showed I had fluid on both lungs. Another Xray and a course of antibiotics later and it was getting worse. I was rushed into hospital in an ambulance, all the time saying I was alright and I'd shake this off. Fairly stupid of me looking back but I hate hospitals.
I was taken to Intensive Care straight away, which sort of made me pay attention as I didn't expect that. After an assessment I was given the bad news, I had Bacterial Double Pneumonia in both lungs and even 15% oxygen wasn't helping me breathe, my oxygen levels were dangerously low and I was told I would have probably died in my sleep that night if I hadn't gone into hospital. News like that really makes you pay attention. They decided the only chance I had was to put me in an induced coma and give my lungs a chance to rest and heal, I remember the needle and slowly sliding under whilst wondering if this was my last thought ever.
After that I remember vey little, approx 3 weeks later they woke me up, things looked ok but then something happened and they were forced to put me back under. At this point I knew I was dying but there was nothing I could do to stop it. After a further 2 weeks of being under my family was informed that unless I showed some improvement in the next 7 days they'd just let me go. After 5 of the 7 my eldest daughter whispered in my ear, "please Dad start fighting", I was hearing things all the time whilst under but it was gibberish and whilst I knew they were talking about me I couldn't respond or even make any sense of it. However her whisper came through very clearly. 13 hours later I opened my eyes for the first time. I was intubated with a tube down my throat, catheter for peeing, one for oxygen in my nose another for food. I couldn't talk or move, all I could do was smile and let them know I was knew who they were. Many days passed like that we me getting stronger each day, now I could do a thumbs up but still couldn't talk just form the words and see if they could lip read. Then came the day to remove the breathing tube, if I could breathe on my own I'd most likely make it, if not, well no real alternative really. I managed to take my first breath unaided for 7 weeks and the looks on everyone's faces will stay with me forever, the relief on the nurses and doctors faces was easy to read. They said it was a miracle I'd pulled through, I really surprised them.
At this point I could just about move my arms but couldn't talk, I had to learn how to swallow liquids again, the first taste of watered down Ribena was just divine even if it was on a sponge. I had my tracheotomy removed well before they thought it was possible, my progress was surprising everyone. I had to pass a test to be able to drink fluids, which I flew through, I few days later another test to allow me to eat without choking, passed that no problem.
At this point all I could move was my arms, my legs tried but they were to weak to respond.
A few more days and I was able to move about the bed by myself. Eventually I was moved to a general ward to recuperate. It was hell. Eventually all the tubes were removed and my wife took me for a long overdue shower, I'd lost a lot of weight and looking at my body was a shock. I had hundreds of bruises, some had scars or holes next to them and they were everywhere.
Time moved on and I convinced them to let me go home ( actually I begged) and that's where we are are right now, I'm learning to walk again due to muscle wastage, I'm extremely weak and just typing this post is taxing me. The worst thing however is my sense of taste. The antibiotics I was on were so powerful they have temporarily (I hope) altered them. Food I love tastes like the bottom of a bird cage, I'm having to try all sorts to see what I can stomach, I'm sleeping downstairs as I can't get up the stairs.
I'm getting there, it's just slow. Thanks for all the support and messages, I read them all with tears in my eyes, it meant a lot to me.
So if you're ill for gods sake go to the doctors, don't do what I did and think you can just shake it off, we ain't spring chickens anymore guys.
Post by: JamesH on August 18, 2025, 02:20:19 PM
Post by: Spitfire on August 18, 2025, 02:27:10 PM
I know better now.
Take it easy, do as the medical people advise, don't rush your recovery.
Cheers
Dennis
Post by: Athame57 on August 18, 2025, 03:35:17 PM
I'm glad you are getting better, it will be while yet but you'll be swinging your leg over that saddle and riding again when you're good and ready! ;D
Yes, people should see the doc or hospital sooner. I had pnuemonia myself about a year ago, my neighbour called an ambulance in the end because I couldn't talk properly, the recovery was longer than the infection! I never got it nearly as bad as you though. I'm glad you're still with us mate.
Post by: Gromitdog on August 18, 2025, 03:43:12 PM
Great to hear that you're back home that's a massive milestone on its own 🤗 as the paper work and getting all the department to tick the boxes to let you out can be so frustrating at times, But your now home I bet that feels great well done mate.
It so nice to see your back on the forum and for taking the time to to explain what you and your family have been through over the past 7 weeks, Get your self well as that pension won't claim its self .......
Bacon sandwiches on tap now hope they don't taste like the bottom of the bird cage !
Best Regards
Nigel & Sheila
Post by: Gromitdog on August 18, 2025, 04:37:54 PM
Post by: Nurse Julie on August 18, 2025, 05:41:18 PM
Post by: Johnwebley on August 18, 2025, 05:53:43 PM
We are supporting you from afar,
Just so you're not infected by us low lifes
Sent from my SM-A546E using Tapatalk
Post by: andy120t on August 18, 2025, 05:54:58 PM
Post by: magpie114 on August 18, 2025, 06:14:23 PM
Best wishes
Alan
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Seabeowner on August 18, 2025, 07:01:56 PM
Post by: 3scs on August 18, 2025, 07:21:27 PM
Si
Post by: DomP on August 18, 2025, 08:05:12 PM
Post by: Johnny4428 on August 18, 2025, 08:09:53 PM
Post by: Laverda Dave on August 18, 2025, 09:36:57 PM
I assume one of tests you had to do to prove you were fit enough to go home included the polishing of a cast iron exhaust flange?
Take it easy on the road to recovery, have an extra Weetabix in the morning, I think you deserve it👍.
Post by: Rozabikes Tim on August 18, 2025, 10:14:19 PM
Post by: mickwinf on August 18, 2025, 10:39:14 PM
Post by: Bryanj on August 18, 2025, 11:10:43 PM
All the best
Bryan
Post by: taysidedragon on August 18, 2025, 11:54:23 PM
Such a relief for you and your family. Take it real easy and don't run before you can walk! 👍🏍😁
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on August 19, 2025, 02:33:06 AM
Take it easy for a while and build your strength up.
Cheers Ted
Post by: TezzerTel on August 19, 2025, 06:33:25 AM
Post by: neat street on August 19, 2025, 08:08:59 AM
Post by: Sesman on August 19, 2025, 08:22:55 AM
That was quite some journey and thank goodness you will make a full recovery.
Personally I’m extremely grateful as it saves the petrol I would have used driving over for your ‘shell collection’😁.
Get well and get that Honda finished…you never know how much time you have.
Best wishes always.
Post by: Laverdaroo on August 21, 2025, 01:08:04 PM
Hi, Ken.
That was quite some journey and thank goodness you will make a full recovery.
Personally I’m extremely grateful as it saves the petrol I would have used driving over for your ‘shell collection’.
Get well and get that Honda finished…you never know how much time you have.
Best wishes always.
#attention seeker
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Oddjob on August 21, 2025, 01:21:31 PM
Doctor came for a visit yesterday, said it may be months before I’m fit enough to ride again. Just in time for winter to stop me. Typical.
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on August 21, 2025, 02:08:03 PM
Post by: Johnny4428 on August 21, 2025, 02:43:51 PM
When my legs start to work again I’m gonna kick you up the arse Roo.
Doctor came for a visit yesterday, said it may be months before I’m fit enough to ride again. Just in time for winter to stop me. Typical.
Main thing is to build slowly Ken, even if it takes all winter. After all need to get that kicking leg up to strength! 😂
Post by: SumpMagnet on August 21, 2025, 06:53:05 PM
You are just being taken off the road for a winter rebuild...
Post by: Bryanj on August 21, 2025, 09:31:52 PM
Post by: DomP on August 21, 2025, 10:43:24 PM
Post by: Bryanj on August 22, 2025, 04:24:09 PM
Post by: Oddjob on September 12, 2025, 05:51:55 PM
I can walk with crutches now, about 30 yards is my current limit. I can climb 12 steps, up and down. Still bed bound though.
I’m suffering quite a bit with survivors guilt, 99 out of 100 with my illness would have died I’ve been told, I still can’t figure out why I didn’t. My family were told twice to prepare for the worst but somehow I refused to let go. Finding that out when you wake up can really screw with your brain, I don’t sleep well anymore.
I’m not complaining, I’m still alive. I have found though that the drive I had before to do things has gone, temporarily I hope. So doing nothing on the bikes.
Bear with me and I’ll be back to normal asap.
Thanks all for the well wishes and thoughts and prayers, it’s appreciated.
Post by: SumpMagnet on September 12, 2025, 06:28:05 PM
Were you THAT close to buying a Royal Enfield Bullet?
Post by: Oddjob on September 12, 2025, 06:57:15 PM
Prepare for the worst? Damn.
Were you THAT close to buying a Royal Enfield Bullet?
I was ill not mentally ill 😀😀😀
Post by: Bryanj on September 12, 2025, 07:21:36 PM
But that asside glad to see you getting better and really hope absolutely everything gets back to normal?
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on September 13, 2025, 07:39:22 AM
Cheers Ted
Post by: neat street on September 13, 2025, 07:56:52 AM
Post by: Spitfire on September 13, 2025, 09:55:02 AM
I tend to treat every day as a bonus after surviving a heart attack 10 years ago and I try to make the most of them.
Cheers
Dennis
Post by: taysidedragon on September 13, 2025, 12:01:20 PM
Post by: Laverda Dave on September 13, 2025, 03:15:05 PM
Post by: Oddjob on September 13, 2025, 03:28:18 PM
They went missing after I moved out of my parents house.
Post by: Gromitdog on September 13, 2025, 09:49:33 PM
Get well soon
Post by: Rozabikes Tim on September 14, 2025, 09:25:20 AM
Source: YouTube https://share.google/Kt5kr8alFSmbbazS3
Post by: Laverda Dave on September 14, 2025, 09:39:21 AM
This is hilarious but the guy is a very skilled engineer with this and other projects.
Source: YouTube https://share.google/Kt5kr8alFSmbbazS3
;D ;D ;D
Post by: Gromitdog on September 15, 2025, 07:13:33 AM
What a absolutely brilliant engineer love his 70mph mobility scooter that would sort out shopping in Tescos no parking issues outside in the carpark straight in few dough nuts in the veggie area and straight to the check out , Then a quick drive home with your frozen shopping certainly won't defrost on the way remembering to slow for the 30mph speed camera 😂😂.
Post by: Oddjob on September 18, 2025, 08:46:10 PM
Finally finished physio. They wanted me to progress to one crutch then a walking stick but I thought sod that and decided to try to walk unaided. The good news is that it worked. I can walk again, not great and I walk like a zombie but that allowed me to finally get back into my own bed upstairs. Last night was the first, also allows me to use the toilet instead of a commode.
So things looking up.
Post by: Johnwebley on September 18, 2025, 09:24:09 PM
Best wishes
Sent from my SM-A546E using Tapatalk
Post by: Bryanj on September 18, 2025, 09:25:42 PM
Post by: Athame57 on September 18, 2025, 09:59:12 PM
Post by: neat street on September 19, 2025, 07:40:11 AM
Post by: Rozabikes Tim on September 19, 2025, 08:31:13 AM
Post by: SumpMagnet on September 19, 2025, 08:49:10 AM
Post by: K2-K6 on September 19, 2025, 09:08:00 AM
Climbing the stairs I always "bank" as one of life's virtually free contribution to health and fitness, not to be under estimated as achievement :)
Post by: Spitfire on September 19, 2025, 10:11:55 AM
Post by: Gromitdog on September 19, 2025, 11:58:23 AM
Post by: Laverda Dave on September 19, 2025, 09:45:35 PM
A couple more weeks and you stop watching Henry Cole on a continuous loop....
Post by: Piki on September 26, 2025, 03:40:09 PM