Early March my husband K came down with what seemed to be a bad flu. We had our flu shots and thought this bug was one out of the ordinary. K had chills, fever, and severe sweating for days. When this stopped, he thought he was recovering. After three weeks when he came down sick, he went to the doctor who took blood tests and gave him a chest exam to determine if he had contracted COVID.
Everything looked fine. Two weeks later K's fever continued, off and on. He had lost his appetite, was losing weight very quickly, and had no energy. He went back to our primary doctor. Upon that visit, blood tests were done. Results were out of the normal range on multiple fronts. When her nurse called the doctor didn't seem to be concerned and suggested a follow-up visit after a few more weeks. My husband kept on insisting that something was wrong. The doctor replied with "Do you want me to have you meet with a dietitian?'' Because it was quite obvious to both K and me that something was severally wrong and because some of the blood results indicated that there may be something going on with his liver, we decided to seek a liver doctor. This doctor took a month looking at the liver and, in the end, found nothing. He too was suggesting that K come back for a follow-up in a few months. My husband was dying in front of my eyes and doctors didn't seem to be concerned. And, because of COVID, I was not allowed to be with K during tests or doctor visits. I truly believed that I was going to be widowed. It was the worst experience I have had in my life.
In comes nurse Jody Summers. While K was being prepared for a liver biopsy, Jody was taking his vitals. She said the K should see a cardiologist. As my husband told the story he got the impression that she was getting some push back from the doctor and anesthesiologist. She stood firm and had them both hear his heart. They did so reluctantly and insinuated the attitude of "oh well, I guess we have to recommend that he sees a cardiologist." K did so but without the urgency needed because the doctors didn't support the need to do so. K scheduled the appointment a few weeks out and as he got weaker and weaker, he wanted to cancel the appointment. He didn't have the energy to contemplate going in to see yet another doctor to be "poked and prodded". I insisted he keep the appointment. In the meantime, he continued to lose weight and got weaker and weaker. When the liver doctor called with biopsy results (nothing found) K asked about his blood numbers and why they continued to get worse. It took a few days for the doctor to get back to K. On the phone, I hear my husband yell (and he NEVER yells). He said, "Doctor you got to do something here, I am dying!" And he was. The doctor suggested a follow-up visit in a month or so to take a look at the liver again. It was this lack of concern that caused my husband to yell. The doctor said, "I guess I could send you to an Infectious disease doctor." I guess!?
This horrific experience continued until we went to the cardiologist. I insisted that I be allowed to go with him. His mind was mush, but the doctors couldn't see that. It was this doctor who solved the problem by going beyond K's appointment by digging into the potential cause of his blood numbers. He alerted the infectious disease doctor of what he had found. Everything moved quickly from then forward and K was admitted to the hospital three days after his visit with the cardiologist and infectious disease doctor. We were told that he would have died if not.
In between then and now things were touch and go since K was so badly ill with an infectious disease.
The situation has gotten better but after having his heart valve replaced and still not gaining weight, still with a PICC line, etc., we are not out of the woods yet.
Deep in my heart, I am so grateful to Jody Summer who was there for my husband when no one else was. I know it is tough to stand against authority. She had the courage, conviction, and concern for a stranger that many others may have not. Jody saved my husband's life. During the worst moments of my life, she was experienced, knowledgeable but more than that, courageous and caring enough to stand firm. Jody, I don't know if I will ever be able to express my gratitude but I will try. It runs deep and strong. You are someone I will never forget and always carry in my heart. May there be more people like you!