There's not a lot to report. My oxygenation continues to be good and my colon virus appears to be gone. I'm eating more, which makes my doctor very happy. Marian even brought me a Sausage McMuffin from McDonald's this morning, along with some lovely orange juice.
But—who cares? My breathing is still so shallow I can barely move in bed, and there seems to be no improvement in either the flu or the pneumonia. That's what really matters, and none of my doctors has any clue how long they're likely to last. Another week? Two weeks? No one knows.
Hang in there, and get well ❤️🩹
I'm sorry, that sounds super frustrating.
Hang in there! Deep slow belly breaths.
Well, a good oxygen level is no small thing!
Hang in there Kevin. We are all thinking of you, and attempting to send positive thoughts of a smooth recovery, from this low point on upward.
You are doing a lot better than the Pope. Always look for the positives.
My comment a week ago was that I wasn’t prepared to lose 2 of my heroes, Kevin and Pope Francis, in the same week. We’re all pulling for you to beat the flu/pneumonia, Kevin. So happy to see you blogging again, but please prioritize your recovery.
Gute Besserung
Thanks for the updates.
Not having a time frame is very frustrating--but that's probably because they don't know. Covid means hospitals are better at looking out for complications now, so watchful waiting as the body to clear the virus (anti-virals?) and the pneumonia begins to fade.
Better for the docs to be honest. They can’t see the future.
Building up strength and appetite to help your body rebuild the immune system from artificial immunocompromise. Eat, rest, relax. Have Marian hipcheck and high-stick the nurses to let you get more sleep as well.
No colon virus is great news, and removes at least some stress on your body. Keep eating & let the immuno-goblins (h/t to the commentator who used that first, and whose name I've forgotten) gobble.
Sending prayers. So grateful you are back at it with the posts!
I generally read your posts going backwards in time. That brain is still working.... just get better, please.
Really sorry about the breathing, but the oxygenation, improved appetite and colon virus situations sound like real improvements! I hope better breathing kicks in soon.
One day at a time. You do sound feistier. Keep up the good work and give my regards to your clan.
I'm sure you know this and have heard this - but even with people who haven't had cancer-fighting meds that wreck the immune system (my brother has gone through a similar journey to yours), chest infections seem to take very very long to go away. Coughs, congestion can last for months. I had bronchitis about 15 years ago - it took at least five months to go away, and I had a healthy immune system.I write this in hopes of reassuring you. What you're going through sounds physically and emotionally draining, but you might be on a typical track toward recovery. Take heart. I wish you well.
Marian got take out from Mickey D's?
Trumps favorite fast food joint?
And you are still posting?
Please let us know if you develop an affinity for orange spray tan.
We are all loyal readers, but, damn Kevin, Mickey D's?
Good to "see" you responding - even just a little, to our fabulous medical providers services!!!!
As a health care provider, I don’t think McD’s is usually considered hospital food. Hope Marian cleared it with your nurses!
Along that line, I hope he brought his meds from home – don't pay for hospital medications when you've already bought them!
I hope she didn't!! There is no way a sausage biscuit or OJ is going to make or break Kevin's recovery. In fact, getting a favorite meal is good for the soul. That counts for a lot.
Don't blame McD's for Trump, though you can blame them for other things. Sausage McMuffin with Egg is darn tasty, and while it's a far cry from health food, in this circumstance it passes the test. I hope Kevin can eat them (on occasion) for many years to come.
A hearty seconding of all the above. Consider this, then, fan mail from some flounder.... 😉
I hear ice cream is good for pneumonia. A small ton of it.
I think chello's advice is very sound...mildly depressing yes...but it also means you will recover...young man that you are. Best Wishes,
Are antivirals a last resort? You seem to be doing modestly well, relative to where you were nearly two weeks ago. Fight on.
Hang in there Kevin. I'm wondering if you are on continuous oxygen to manage. It might help a bit.
One would hope that he at least has an oxygen concentrator to use when sleeping. As well as a fingertip pulse oximeter to use to periodically monitor oxygen saturation. If not - WTH ?
Have they checked you for Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia? My mom was diagnosed with the eventually and the only/best treatment is steroids and treating your sodium levels which tend to get depressed.
Hang in there, Kevin; I’m glad to hear there’s been improvement in at least some things, even while the breathing problems are obviously alarming and frustrating. Hope the breathing issues just turn out to have been a bit slower to respond in what’s an overall trend of improvement.
Best wishes for recovery Mr Kevin Drum.