So It Wasn’t Oak Pollen?
For the past 12 years I’ve done a social media fast during Lent. This year I posted even less, trying to spend more time reading and being thoughtful, and well as working out more.
In early March I thought I was having a seasonal allergy attack. 2–4 times a year my sinuses go crazy and there is a week where I can’t sleep, have drainage, cough out the phlegm- and I’m good! It starts with a sore throat, but this time, it really hurt to swallow for a day. I took some over the counter meds and kept it moving. The next day I was better but still not sleeping.
For a week I was getting better and even had a great night sleep about 6 days later, thinking I was good. But St. Patrick’s Day was awful- it rained like cats and dogs and that morning I thought about going to Urgent Care. It was awful. That Monday I went to the doctor, and they suggested the oak tree pollen was really bad. I got a few steroid pills which helped me as I had a quick trip that week I needed to make.
I got back to town and was struggling. My wife was in Atlanta all week and I basically told the kids they were on their own. My daughter, a new license in hand, won the week! She was super helpful and drove all over the city I’m sure.
That Friday, March 22nd, when my wife came home, I was curled up on the coach. She said you need to go to the hospital. I said no, let’s give it one more day.
Saturday, March 23rd. I didn’t have enough energy to get out of the bed after getting dressed, and she called EMS to take me to the hospital. Checking in there were 2 thoughts from the lead nurse. First, why is this guy here? I work out every day (sometimes twice) which includes at least two, six mile runs each week. During Lent I fasted from 7pm- 11 am and only had kale salads for lunch. Dinner was always healthy and I only ate Popeye’s once a week! (That’s my story) More water, less sweet tea. So I looked healthy and felt very good.
But because I was so weak she wondered if I needed to be in ICU…
Long story short- some way I got an infection that impacted my kidneys. I had dialysis twice- that first batch of urine looked a hot mess. The doctor said if it didn’t improve it could have been long term dialysis. But fortunately, it was gone quickly. The doctors really marveled at how everything improved.
I was in the hospital the day before Palm Sunday until April 1st (probably could have gotten out Good Friday but the home health companies were pretty much off that weekend).
A 9-day hospital stay.
I was sent home with antibiotics that I self-administered for almost a week- almost like a personal IV. In my follow up with the kidney doctor last week, he said he would write this case up because it was so rare and just strange all around.
At one point I wondered if this was almost my last Lenten social media fast! I honestly don’t think it was at that level because I came in healthy. But it could have gone another way, so I am thankful for the healing.
I still don’t know what to make of all of this (and it you know me you know I am thinking about this a lot). I am sure it will come to me at some point. But I wanted to share the story now as I know folks have wondered why the social media fast is still going on. It’s over but when you have an unanticipated challenge like this it is good to just reflect.
Walter
