Monday 24 September 2012

Hi long time no see



Here are a couple of wedding cards made over the last couple of days.

I've been in hospital for MORE THAN 5 MONTHS!!

It's a very long story..........it started 12th April when I felt unwell, I thought it was flu coming on!!!

How wrong could I be??
The following day I had what I thought was an abscess on my btm, went to the GP who on the 17th referred me to our local large hospital in Dorchester.

Next day, I went for an operation and woke up with a HUGE hole in my btm and attached to a vacuum machine to aid healing, also had to have a catheter and a stoma bag in case of infection.
I still at this moment, and for many months to come thought I had some sort of abscess!!

Eventually I was transferred to our small community hospital here in Bridport.
After almost 5 months I just happened to be given a pile of magazines to read and in amongst the magazines was an article of someone with symptoms very similar to those I had. The more I read it, the more I was convinced it was the same.
It was something called Necrotizing fasciitis which is in fact a flesh eating bug, and has an 80% mortality rate!!!!

The consultant was visiting soon and I made my mind up I would ask him.
At the time of the operation he hadn't said too much about it, just to say it would be a very very long haul, and I was to keep very positive. I'm not one to ask a lot of questions but I am a very positive person which I think has helped me through this.

When I asked Mr Lewis (the consultant) he said yes that is what I had and I had been very lucky.
It was not the most virulent type, lucky for me. But he did add he'd treated two people for this, this year and the other person didn't make it!!!!

Let me add it is very rare, they don't know where the bug comes from, just that it gets into your bloodstream from a scratch or a bite and attacks the tissue. I was lucky I am overweight and it attacked my btm where the tissue was a plenty!!!!!!

I am not out of the woods yet. I am home on a few hours release from hospital as I am waiting now for a skin graft. Then I will have to have a stoma reversal in time.

 It's going to be a long time until I am back to my beloved crafting with a vengeance. Missing it like crazy.........so couldn't wait to get into my craft room in the last couple of days to have a go.

15 comments:

littlebee said...

Hi Val..... so very pleased you're back and most of all getting better, it sounds like you've been so very lucky so I wish you well in your recovery. I had been visiting your blog daily although am not one to leave comments always have about 10 blogs that I visit daily and yours was (and still is) one of them. Your cards are lovely as always, take very good care Val and keep on crafting. Love Sue x (little bee)

Stamps and Paper said...

Hi Val.....so nice to hear from you I wondered where you were......well you have had a rough time and glad you are on the road to recovery albeit slow... ..
I expect you have really missed your crafting...two gorgeous cards, your cards are always stunning..
keep us updated

Anne

cathi139 said...

oh my godness, I am so sorry to hear about your illness, what a shock!! I wish you all the best, keep being so positive.
Best wishes
Cathi from Germany

Maureen said...

Great to see you back Val...so sorry to hear of your illness but so glad to hear you're well on the way to recovery...take care...!!

Love the cards they're beautiful...!!

Roma said...

Oh my god Val ,i wondered why i havent seen your cards on the blog for all this time

i am so sorry to hear what has been going on with you these last 5 months

I do hope you get better soon & i am sure your consultant will be looking after you

hope you get back to doing more cards & take care x

Roma said...

by the way your cards you have just made are so stunning x

Brenda Brown said...

What an incredible few months you have had and what a journey. I am so pleased you are getting better Val and overcoming all that this bug has brought you. Keep up the positive spirit, I am thinking of you and sending you my positive vibes too.
Take care.
hugs {brenda} xox

Jose said...

Sorry to hear you have had such a rough time, but glad to hear you are improving now, I hope it continues.
2 gorgeous cards.
Jose

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear about your hospitalization and bout with that awful bug. I too must comment on your great cards. I will be "lifting" the idea with the embossed hearts for my great niece's wedding next week. Thanks and good wishes for a continued recovery and more crafting time!

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear about your hospitalization and bout with that awful bug. I too must comment on your great cards. I will be "lifting" the idea with the embossed hearts for my great niece's wedding next week. Thanks and good wishes for a continued recovery and more crafting time!

The Fairy said...

oh WOW Val I was wondering where you were but just thought you were having a break from crafting!
I wish you a full & speedy recovery, take car of yourself hun

Hugs
Wendy xxx

Barbara said...

Welcome back Val we have all missed you xx

Barbara said...

Welcome back Val we have all missed you xx

Susan said...

Oh, Val! Sounds like you've had a really rough go! I pray that you have a full and complete recovery!!

Susan said...

Glad to see you back! Hope you continue to improve! LOVE the sweet card!! The coloring is beautiful!