Everybody I know is aware of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), an extremely nasty virus mostly affecting littles and are particularly rampant in day care centres. Some oldies are also at risk so there is now an RSV vaccine that protects from severe disease. RSV sneaks in, initially announcing its presence with cold and influenza symptoms, but is known to wreak havoc in those with lung issues or immunocompromised.
Then there is, as I have recently discovered, RSV's scaly mate, hMPV. Human Metapneumovirus had flown under my radar, until Tuesday morning, at least. First detected up the nostrils of twenty-eight Dutch children in 2001, hMPV is thought to have been circulating around and about for about fifty years. Like COVID, hMPV has made the jump from another non-human creature, in this case, birds. I must admit to be extremely annoyed by this zoonotic transfer, not only due to my ignorance of its existence but the carnage it has orchestrated inside Michael's unsuspecting lungs.
Way back in April 2014 was the last time Michael was this unwell. We weren't really that aware of the damage he'd already inflicted on his lungs. Developing emphysema back in the 1990s, Michael had been seen by an odious and demeaning doctor who did not encourage Michael to improve his health in any way, shape or form.
Unfortunately, we both encountered him at SJOG in early April 2014, where his egotism was beyond the pale, given he had somehow been made head of respiratory medicine. We had been sent to SJOG by our Perth based GP, as Doctor Scott Claxton (whom we had seen once at Joondalup Hospital) was on leave and unavailable.
Head of SJOG's respiratory medicine man's bedside manner had not improved. He also treated me with total contempt. On Monday 14 April 2014, I had begged for him to come in all day to review Michael. After five o'clock on that evening, he waltzed in with his entourage of minions. Asking him a question, he turned his back on me. In an instant, the entire room turned red and I encouraged them to leave Michael's room somewhat forcibly...
... which is how we ended up in Joondalup Hospital on Ward H4, under Scott Claxton, who had finished his week of leave.
Michael's recovery took another six months before he was fully well.
Of course, with the passing of a decade, memories fade and horrible experiences seem less so. I think we have both been taken by surprise with the ferocity and speed of this infection. Last Friday night, we were hosting our Celebration. Two days later, he was in Northam Hospital. Six days later, he is on IV and oral antibiotics, oxygen and a nebuliser. His ragged coughing bouts exhaust him and the horrible mucus makes him extremely breathless.A juggling act of enough but not too much oxygen therapy is due to the lung damage already caused by his emphysema. They don't call Michael "complex medical" for nothing!
Michael's understanding of his body has once more become front and centre. He has realised that he can no longer have a laissez-faire attitude towards his health. He does not want to succumb to pneumonia again. He has felt miserable to his very core. His entire upper body hurts because of the coughing. He has been nauseated due to all the rubbish lurking in his chest and has been unable to eat much at all. His fatigue has been all encompassing. Spiking night fevers have led to hallucinations. Wearing his CPAP mask has been problematic. All in all, hMPV has been a shit of a virus.
His goals at the moment are very simple - to go home as soon as possible and to stay alive. However, discharge is not yet on the horizon.Michael is just over twenty-four hours into receiving a new and much stronger antibiotic. Saline nebulisers have been added to his treatment regime. We need at least forty-eight more hours of significant improvements before we can make plans to return to Heavenly Beverley.
Stay tuned for the next exciting installment.
With his new Christmas shirt - 5 December 2024.
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