Hospitalized!

So, this has been quite a week for us!
It all started last Sunday evening when Jamey and I both thought we might be suffering from a small case of food poisoning. I was up all night due to stomach pains. I wasn't sure if it was the beans I took to dinner, with our Life Group from church, or if it was the medicine I was taking for my bulged/herniated disks. By the way, my MRI confirmed I have two bulging, and one herniated/ruptured disks. Anyway, I stayed home Monday feeling slightly better than the night before. Tuesday night was much of the same; however, I managed to get enough sleep to meet for my weekly Bible study at Bob Evens, and then headed to work for the morning. I almost made it to noon before I packed up my laptop and headed back home to sleep and groan. On Wednesday I was still complaining about my stomach, and had added a lovely fever of about 103F. Jamey called the doctor who said to go to the ER. He wanted them to find the source of the fever (infection).
By the time we made our way to the hospital, my fever broke (thanks to some Tylenol and a shower), and I was soaking wet with sweat. About 5 minutes out from the Bay Park ER I started to go into convulsion-like chills (called rigors). They grew in intensity; and, by the time I arrived, and they rushed me back into an exam room, my heart rate was over 190 and my blood pressure was almost double my normal reading (160/80 vs. about 90/60). In seconds I was surrounded by a team of medical personnel, tons of equipment - crash cart, EKG, portable X-ray, you name it! After several attempts by four different nurses, they got an IV and were pushing emergency meds. It was pretty scary for Jamey, as I am sure you can imagine! The doctors were able to get my heart rate down with the IV meds; and, after a CT Scan, 3 EKG's, blood and urine tests they diagnosed me with PSVT (tachycardia). The attending Dr said he couldn't explain why my heart was racing like that (although he asked several times if I did cocaine or what street drugs I might have done). After approx. 6 hours, we headed back home with a heart monitor and directions to see our family doctor in the morning for a follow-up. Jamey tried to remind him that we came in for fever and abdominal pain, but he was rude and dismissive - obviously uncorncerned. Jamey closely monitored my vitals, and did her best to keep my fever down all through that night.
At some point the next morning my fever spiked to over 104F. We quickly headed back to the ER to discover that I had had appendicitis, my appendix had ruptured, and a large abscess had formed in my abdomen. Eureka! It sure took a lot to get to the bottom of all this, considering we've learned that I was a "text-book" appendicitis case when we first visited the ER! My surgeons were hesitant to send me into surgery with such an infection in my abdomen. The surgery would end up being much more invasive than a typical appendectomy, have more short and long term risks, and they were sure that they would end up having to take some (if not all) of my lower intestines. It was just more risk than they wanted to take (or Jamey and I wanted to take). Instead, they decided to try and place a catheter into the abscess and attach an external drain coming from my stomach in an attempt to shrink the abscess and remove some of the infection. I instantly began to feel better after a portion of the infection was removed.
I have now spent the last 5 days on IV antibiotics and fluids in the hospital. Yesterday my condition was upgraded, and I was moved out of the ICU into a regular med-surg room. I finally made it through 24 hrs without running a fever as well! This was the 'magic' sign the docs were waiting to see before they'd even discuss discharge. I was also informed that the latest CT showed that the abscess has been reduced to half of its orginal size. So, I hope to go home tomorrow; but, will still have the drain, and be taking IV antibiotics from home. Once the infection is completely under control (they suspect about 6-8 weeks), I will be having a laparoscopic appendectomy. Wow! I can't wait for that to all be over so that I can finally proceed with the neurosurgeon about my back! When it rains it pours!
Talk about 'pouring'...God surely poured His blessings out on me and my family when he protected me from the life-threatening health complications I have dealt with in the past week! The Great Physician kept me in His perfect grace until we saw a competent Dr that was able to properly diagnose and begin treating me! He didn't stop there either... He has provided me a remarkably speedy recovery, wonderfully encouraging friends and an amazingly supportive family! Thank you everyone; but, most importantly, thank GOD!