[NP-Clinical] The Neuro ICU experience

[Diana Galler]

Linda--
  Glad you're home and recovering. Don't worry-- nothing happened in the past two weeks anyway so you didn't miss anything. If you had to pick a two week period to forget, this was probably one of the best!
   
  Take it easy, rest, and enjoy your downtime. Think of ways you can spend your money now that you don't have to pay for gym membership.
   
  Continued good wishes for a speedy recovery!
  Dena

Linda Marie De Zago <lindamarie76 at msn.com> wrote:
  Dear Friends,

I've been home two hours and am writing to you from my sofa :-D

How can I thank all of you for everything you've done for me? I haven't read
through all of your e-mails yet, but I will. 

On Wednesday I was transferred via ambulance to Memorial Regional Neuro ICU.
I was placed on strict bedrest, attached to monitors, and all the other
things we do to people when they're in a unit. Neuro checks q 4 hours,
resiteing of IVs, bedpan, bloodwork. On Thursday morning I underwent an
arteriogram.

After lying flat for three hours post-procedure I was allowed to use the
bedside commode. I was standing bedside when the perclose ruptured and my
femoral artery hemorrhaged. The pain was paralyzing. I couldn't even speak
until I saw the blood and only then was I able to say, "Rob-blood,
Rob-blood". He picked me up and laid me on the bed and applied pressure to
the site until I was coherent enough to help. Rob then was able to get my
RN.

My arteriogram revealed no arterial component to the lesion. I have a
developmental venous anomaly. Apparently my venous drainage system did not
fully develop in utero. We were told that there's "nothing to be done". The
blood must resorb on its own. I am now on anti-seizure medicine. I have
headaches, nausea at times, and difficulty walking. I am unable to drive for
two weeks and will never be able to lift weights again. Furthermore, I will
develop re-bleeds throughout my lifetime that I will have to learn to "deal
with". Any pregnancies will be C-sectioned. 

Pros: This experience has made me a more empathetic health care provider;
brought my husband and I closer together; I will save money on gym
memberships; I cherish the small things such as being able to scratch my
back without being questioned as to why. 

Questions: What propagated the bleeds? Is there any underlying hematologic
disorder(s)? My mother has MDS and my father has ITP. Is there anything I
can do to prevent future bleeds? I find it difficult to accept that at any
given time I can re-bleed. 

The whole experience has been surreal. 
I have lost two weeks of my memory - maybe that's a good thing?

With love and thanks -

Linda


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