My Humbling Moment
March 2020 was the last time I worked as a critical care nurse. Covid came knocking on our doors.
The stress of being a "high risk" nurse
Because of my age, 72, my nursing director felt I should take a leave of absence because I was in a high risk category. One leave of absence followed another & I thought is this the end of my nursing career. I was also a triathlete so I took all my stress out by biking, running & swimming. June of 2020 I retired with 700 other employees.
After retirement, my symptoms began
The first week in December, my symptoms began, severe back spasms, shoulder & upper arm pain, neck pain. In February 2021 my feet suddenly swelled up became numb, cold & icy. I was also becoming very weak. My primary physician told me to go to the ER. I was admitted. Cat scans revealed bilateral pneumonia, clot in my left lung, inflamed gallbladder, elevated liver enzymes, & I couldn’t walk. My diagnosis was Lupus. So I thought... how great.
Learning to adjust
At that point I really wish I could’ve spoken to someone. It’s been a long journey & I have learned so much. I am in remission & power walking.
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