So, ironically enough, I am in hospital with an infection. So much for being an expert in the theory of infection prevention!
I was admitted yesterday, through A&E, which, thankfully, wasn’t too busy. I was moved to ‘Majors’, where everything was routine and normal.
As a quick aside, A&E in the UK is usually split into three areas: Resus, for the sickest patients; Majors for people who are quite unwell and will almost certainly be admitted to the hospital; and Minors, where the less life-threatening cases are seen.
Back to me: I was seen by one of the A&E doctors, who was very kind and very efficient (a rare combination!) and got the ball rolling for all the tests anc treatments I would need. One of the Emergency Department technicians came and put a cannula into a vein in my arm. She got a gold star for getting a vein on her first try. Once the technician had found a vein, she took lots of blood for various tests, and then left me alone to read my book.
About 3 minutes later, the technician returned with a slip of paper containing some blood results. She looked worried. The doctor read the results and looked worried. My nurse read the results and looked worried. I read the results and suddenly had a mind swirling with unprintable words.
After that, everything happened very quickly. Lots more tests, lots of medications, lots of concerned faces.
The magic numbers that caused all the worry, for those who are medically knowledgeable or like to google things:
Potassium: 2.6 mmol/L (normal 3.5 – 4.5 mmol/L)
Lactate: 4.5 mmol/L (normal range 0.5 – 1.0 mmol/L, or 0.5 – 2.0 in critically ill patients)
pH: 7.31 (normal 7.35 – 7.45)
Blood sugar: 8.9 mmol/L (normal about 4 – 6 mmol/L)
Since then, I have been on a medical admissions ward, where I’m perfectly content. The plan is to take out my Hickman line, which has been infected since January, with the same bacteria (staph aureus) despite 5 courses of intravenous antibiotics.
One of the wonderful nurses from the IV team came to see me, and has promised that he will squeeze me onto the list tomorrow for a PICC line (a less permanent central line, which ends in the same place as my current line, just above the heart, but is inserted in the arm and not tunnelled under the skin). This will give me a reliable way to get medications and fluids until they’re happy that the infection has gone, and can insert a new Hickman line.
I will be in hospital for a while…
Real Life Unlimited 
All interruptions are a difficult adaptation, and going into the hospital is especially unwelcome. Your grace and ability to find coping opportunities (like a good book during long waits) sets a powerful example. I found my kindle and tablet to be excellent aids for passing the time during ER visits over the past year – lots of content, but light enough to manage with one hand in almost any position.
The chance to share your experiences and accumulated knowledge in infection control in the symposium must have been awesome. You certainly have a great deal to share, and a paid gig is exactly how it ought to be done!
make a good rest of this visit, so that you will have renewed strength when you are returned to the comforts of home and those you love
Bill
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Bill, you always manage to find words to encourage me and motivate me to find more humour, more grace, more courage. Im so glad to have ‘met’ you and Sue. You have both been such a huge blessing to me – thank you!
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