Britt's Battle To Survive

The past year and a half has physically, mentally, and emotionally been a frightening roller coaster. Ever since I gave birth to my twins 7 years ago, my husband and I have noticed something wasn't quite right with my body. A simple little bruise for a normal person would turn into an internal infection for me. Then quickly turning into necrotizing fasciitis and emergency surgery. In 2010, my insides had become infected and I almost bled to death for 6 months, involving 10 transfusions, several surgeries, and many trips to Northern Utah to consult with specialists. At this time, we did not have health insurance and were forced to file medical bankruptcy because of the $200,000 medical bills I had accumulated. Since then, I had several episodes of medical issues, the surgeries and hospital stays continued to grow. August 2013 I injured my c-spine. Two months later I was forced to have an operation to fix my spine. When I woke up in the ICU, my ability to swallow was non-existent. I was diagnosed with dysphagia and had an NJ tube placed in my nose to help give my body nutrition. Pounds were flying off of my already thin body. My body has become frail and weak. After 6 months with an NJ tube, I had surgery to place a permanent J-tube through my abdomen directly into my intestines. I became very ill after this procedure and spent 10 days in the hospital with tubes hanging out of every body part. As the days and weeks continued, the infections, fevers, and hospital visits became more and more frequent. I went from having necrotizing fasciitis, cellulitis, and the pseudomonas bacteria twice. This last September, I was at home and suddenly felt as if thousands of knives were jabbing me in my abdomen over and over. I couldn't even move a centimeter without thinking this was the end. I didn't think anyone could survive such an incredible amount of pain. My husband had to carry me in his arms and rush me to the hospital. The doctor's were puzzled this time, because nothing was showing up on my CT scans. My temperature was high, my BP was too low, my heart was racing, and I could not stop vomiting bile. The pain was excruciating! I had several priesthood blessings and finally my surgeon took me into the OR to do an exploratory surgery. It was only supposed to be about 40 minutes long. After 3 hours, my husband was getting worried. The surgeon ended up slicing my entire abdomen open, to do an emergency laparotomy. My insides were a mess waiting at death's door. All of my intestines were kinked, twisted, and perforated. My J-tube was leaking inside me. My appendix had to be removed because it contained pinworms. My entire abdomen had to be washed out because it was filled with pus and infection. After the surgery, my pain was uncontrollable and I became extremely septic. I also started developing pneumonia. After 15 days, I was finally released to go home, but had at least 6 weeks of grueling recovery. In the meantime, I was seen by an Immunologist. He said that in all of his 15 years of practicing, he has never seen a case as severe as mine. He diagnosed me with Common Variable Immunodeficiency. This was kind of our "hooray" moment, not because we got bad news, but the fact that we finally had a definite answer to the underlying reason why my body just isn't "normal". He basically said that a tiny little scratch to him, was a life-threatening wound to me. The plan now was to start giving me gamma globulin infusions every month to boost my immune system. Of course our insurance company wanted to deny me of these infusions because of the high $5000 that it would cost every month. In the meantime, I was scheduled for the first week in November 2014, to have the plate removed from my c-spine and an attempt to fix any nerve or muscle damage. The day before my surgery I became really sick and had a 105 degree fever. I couldn't move from my bed and my body would not stop shaking. Everything was coming out either by vomiting or the other end. I was becoming severely dehydrated and septic once again. We had to cancel my surgery, and I was admitted to the hospital for sepsis and c. diff colitis. Not only is sepsis very serious and can be deadly, I was also dealing with the new "superbug" that they call "c. diff". C. diff kills around 29,000 people each year. And if you don't get rid of it the first time, it becomes this lose/lose situation. Antibiotics are causing the c. diff, but you also need the antibiotics to get rid of the c. diff. If the spores are not fully killed, it will come back every 30 days, and it gets worse and harder to treat. So my c-spine surgery got rescheduled for the middle of December 2014. I was actually doing really well after the surgery, until 5 days later when I landed back in the hospital with an infection on my spine and c. diff for the second time. Then just before Christmas, I got bit by a spider. Of course with my lack of an immune system, I was once again admitted to the hospital. Luckily, I was released on Christmas Eve and was able to be with my husband and 4 sweet kids for the holidays. Just after the New Year, I started not feeling like myself. I was literally in bed for an entire week. My husband got very concerned and dragged me to my physician's office. For the third time I had c. diff and sepsis. It was so bad, I couldn't stand up for more than 5 seconds. By the middle of January 2015, I was beginning to feel better and even had small moments where I had some energy to do the simplest things, like the dishes or a load of laundry. Then, boom! 30 days later, half way through February, things took a turn for the worst. I was having issues with my vision, which caused me to miss a step and fracture my heel. That same day, I fell out of my bed and almost broke my nose. I was also severely dehydrated and needed a new PICC line. A few days later, I woke up in the middle of the night screaming. I had 106 fever, heart rate of 150, and my BP was about 50/20 causing me to pass out. My body started going into septic shock, and I even began to hallucinate. My husband had to pick me up into his arms in the middle of the night, leaving our sleeping children alone at home. I was rushed to the ER where I kept passing out because my vitals were all over the place. By some miracle, I am still alive. I was placed in the ICU for 3 days with every tube and wire connected to every inch of my body. I was horribly septic and had c. diff for the 4th time. My physician was very concerned for my life. He said that each time I get c. diff and septic, it's gets stronger and meaner and almost impossible to treat. After those awful 3 days in the ICU, I started to turn a corner and was able to be transferred to a regular room for 2 days, and then I was released to go home. I have never been so happy to put my arms around my 4 sweet children and my loving husband. Our lives are so precious, I am counting every day that I am still here. Heavenly Father must really want me to stay on this earth, because by some miracle, I have beat the odds. I am still here and I will keep fighting every single day with my head held high and a smile on my face. This battle that I am fighting each day has drained me physically and definitely emotionally. Not to mention draining out our bank account. One of the toughest things is trying to keep my focus on getting better, but every time I check my mailbox, there are dozens of medical bills adding up to thousands of dollars a day. My husband is my number one hero right now. He works so hard to provide the best he can, while also having to care for his sickly wife, and he has been playing mommy for a while too. I also have incredible parents that drop everything to drive 5 hours to come help take care of me and my children. I don't want my kids to remember me as always being in the hospital, and always having to worry how we are going to pay for our necessities, because of all the money that goes to keeping me alive. Please help with what you can, or at least share my story with someone who can. My body might be weak, but my faith and testimony are stronger than ever. I'm trying to stay positive, and I want to inspire those around me with my faith and steadfast endurance to the end. I also need your prayers, not only for me, but for my 4 incredibly brave kids and my amazing husband that never gives up on me. Side by side, we are fighters!