We had a chance to experience the Swiss health care system again - this time not for nearly such a happy reason as the birth of baby Meredith. Dave spent a week in the Universität hospital in Zurich being treated for a bacterial infection!
On Sunday morning, April 26th, Dave mentioned that his elbow hurt. It quickly became red, painful, and very swollen. The swelling spread quickly up and down his arm and it seemed like he was getting the flu. Dave went to work on Monday and Tuesday, before getting an appointment with the Rheumatologist on Wednesday morning. The infection was diagnosed, and Dave was given antibiotics to take at home, but told to come back the next morning to be admitted to the hospital if the infection wasn't responding. So, Thursday morning when the redness was still spreading, Dave, Meredith and I all went to the doctor - expecting Dave to be admitted to the hospital. He was admitted, had surgery that night on his arm since the infection wasn't responding to oral or IV antibiotics, and spent the next 5+ days in the hospital! The surgery was a bit scary, as it was the first time he'd ever had general anesthesia. But the care was very good.
We have said so many times in the last couple of weeks that we are incredible grateful to be living now (not 100 years ago when the arm probably would have been amputated) and in a country with such good health care as Switzerland.
We still don't know how Dave got the infection, but it spread quickly because of the medication he takes for his chronic arthritis (the medication weakens the immune system).
Dave had a removable cast for a week or so after coming home, and he still has the Spitex (home health care) coming to check and dress the wound every other day, but he's back at work and getting into the swing of things. Again, we were so thankful for people's willingness to help us (including a priesthood blessing). Dave readily admits that he wasn't a very good hospital patient. While I kept telling him to enjoy the time to rest, he just wanted to come home!
We're all glad that he's home now, and thankful that he's doing better! As Elise wrote in a get-well poem for him, it just wasn't the same here without him!
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1 comment:
Yikes
So glad Dave is doing better. Swim season is starting up and I am thinking of you now that I am at the pool with out you. Missing my swim team buddy. Tiffany R is bought a membership at MCC. I still feel like you are around because I read your blog. Thanks for keeping us updated
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