Campylobacter infection 7 weeks post-op ...

[Dustin]

Dear valvers,

I've been in the hospital for 8 days following a campylobacter infection. I started to get severe, bloody diarrhea and a serious fever. My heart rate went up to 130 for a long period, and since I was just recovering from my AVR, I thought I was about to meet my Maker .... Luckily, the fever subsided after 2/3 days and my body managed to kick this bastard organism out of my system. One more thing: it turns out that campylobacter infection seldomly enters the blood stream, thereby screwing with your valve, thank God.

I'm back with a vengeance!


Best wishes and hugs,

 

[Ross]

Well now, that wasn't very good. Did you kill the chicken that caused it?

 

[Dustin]

Well now, that wasn't very good. Did you kill the chicken that caused it?

I'm still puzzled about what caused it, Ross, but I do suspect that dodgy Chinese take away that I had with loads of poultry.

Cheerio,

 

[PJmomrunner]

Yuck! Glad you're back among the healthy, Dustin!

(Ross- LOVE the new avatar!)

 

[hensylee]

some of those things CAN take you to your maker. be careful what you eat. Daughter got something earlier this year and we believe it was from Chinese food.

 

[Karlynn]

Gee, some people have all the fun!

That sounds horrible! I'm so glad you are feeling better! Please take good care of yourself.

 

[bvdr]

Dustin, I think you have had quite enough excitement for a while! Today here in the States one of the news stories is informing us all to throw out any pre-packaged fresh spinach we may have purchased but not yet used. It seems there is a big contamination problem with E.Coli. I don't know how you got your bug but I'm glad you are on the mend.

 

[OldManEmu]

Dustin I am glad this hasn't affected your valve. Having had endocarditis myself I am paranoid about any infection invading my new valve. Betty the US spinach E.coli story has reached Australia it was on tonight?s news.

 

[Dustin]

Dustin, I think you have had quite enough excitement for a while! Today here in the States one of the news stories is informing us all to throw out any pre-packaged fresh spinach we may have purchased but not yet used. It seems there is a big contamination problem with E.Coli. I don't know how you got your bug but I'm glad you are on the mend.

Good Lord. So spinach is off limits in the US now? I read that E.Coli can give you a bloody stool as well, just like campylobacter. Valvers should stay away from spinach and tenciously cook their meals through and through.

Best wishes and hugs,

 

[marky]

Dustin.. So glad that you are feeling better!
Take it easy now.. and get stronger!
and do stay away from that take out..

 

[cam4est]

Yikes Dustin, sure glad you are on the mend. That is no way to spend time the first year after surgery. Glad you made it through that one. Next time, try I Italian. I hear the mediteranean diet is great. Karen

 

[Dustin]

Yikes Dustin, sure glad you are on the mend. That is no way to spend time the first year after surgery. Glad you made it through that one. Next time, try I Italian. I hear the mediteranean diet is great. Karen

Yeah, what a about a slice of pizza with some pre-packed spinach...

Cheerios,

 

[temp69]

welcome back, dude! sorry you had a bumpy ride, but the important thing is that you're back! Yeah!

 

[Adam T]

Glad you're feeling better, Dustin.

Funny thing about the spinach, I used to eat that stuff out of the bag all the time, but I quit since surgery because of all the vitamin K it contains. Maybe having a mechanical valve kept me from eating some tainted greens.

 

[musician2k]

Yeah, I'm sure you'd like 'vengeance' against that take-out ))) Sorry to hear of your troubles but glad you got proper care for it and are back on your feet again. Did it take a lot out of you? You are home now, aren't you?

-Chris