Poisoned by Mistake

I know my title this week is a bit dramatic, but the last ten days have been riddled with unexpected twists, turns, and deep pits. I’m exhausted right now, so this may be more raw than usual, but I want to be real about this latest saga, one I hope to never experience again.

On Sunday evening, January 11, I’d just completed my routine catheter irrigation (as part of my ongoing self-care for paralysis) when I noticed a strange burning sensation and blood. I had grabbed the next bottle of solution in the closet, but when I looked at it closely I realized it was not .25% acetic acid that I’ve been using for years, but something I’d never heard of: 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH).

I was horrified when I looked it up! How could those two VERY different substances be bottled so similarly?

I immediately called my home health service who had ordered it and they confirmed the order was for acetic acid – not KOH. They called poison control who said to get a bladder scan, cystoscopy, and go to the ER.

If I had any doubt about going to the ER when I looked at the time it was

Can you believe that?

I called an ambulance who came quickly and took me down to my favorite hospital. Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) where I received excellent care.

Led by GBMC’s Chief of Infectious Disease, Dr. Theodore Bailey, and a stellar team at nearby Chesapeake Urology, we successfully navigated the steps necessary to find out what damage had been done.

I had a urinary tract infection, a kidney infection, and eventually an infection in my bloodstream:

Bacteremia.

Meanwhile my poor bladder was badly damaged by the burn. As one medical professional told me, “It was like dropping napalm in your bladder.”

What?!

I was so sick, weak, and lethargic. Even though I told her not to, Sister Rachel flew in from Florida. She was just the ray of sunshine I needed to help me navigate the twists and turns of figuring out how this could be resolved. Other bright spots of cheer kept me going, too! (Thank you!)

Two powerful antibiotics helped, and thankfully, once the cultures came back, both bugs could be treated with an oral antibiotic!

Unbelievable.

Instead of fourteen days on IV antibiotics, I could come home with pills.

What a blessing.

My care was excellent on Unit 35 from the assistants to the nurses to all the specialists except for the hospitalist – bless his heart – who thought it was somehow a good idea to CALL ME one afternoon and say I could be discharged in a few hours.

“No, thank you,” I said simply. “I don’t think so. I’m not ready today.”

Always nice to know you can say, “No.” I still had some questions that had not been resolved.

Obviously, I’m a little hot about this. I hope you forgive me for a little bit of a rant and ramble, but it’s good for my soul.

When it hurts, I’m going to say, “Ouch!”

When I’m in pain, I’m going to reach out to those who can try to make it better.

And if I’m too overwhelmed to be able to do either of those, I have to trust the others I love and who love me will know when to step in. Just like my sweet Sissy did. Sometimes we don’t even know what we need!

Thank you for coming,

Sweet Sissy!

And as my father would often remind me in this crazy life I’m living: BB, honey –

God didn’t bring you this far to drop you. – Dr. R.F. Smith Jr. (Dad)

Amen, Pop!

In the days ahead, I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers of support as I try to get my energy back. I’ve never had anything hit me like this. It’s going to be a while before I’m fully back in action.

Grateful for you, my email subscribers and friends, old and new. I appreciate your support and attentiveness so much!