Hospital Recovery Myths: Whoopi Goldberg's Near Death Battle With Sepsis

The comedian, actress and talk show host "The View", Whoopi Goldberg, has survived, but is still recovering from a terrible ordeal. After an absence of more than a month that resulted in a three-week stay at the hospital for double pneumonia and sepsis, her doctor told her how dead she was (see her fascinating video ). remarks, see here). It is clear that she understands the seriousness of the situation and understands the challenges that lie along her journey.

Given the confusion and falsehoods that make it possible to quickly judge the lies that occur whenever such scenarios occur with a public figure, it is important to clarify the many myths surrounding the duration of hospitalization and recovery. of the patient. You do not have to look far to cope with the perpetuation of erroneous stories, consider the recent post-surgical cure of Supreme Court cancer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, as well as opinions about the speed of her clinical course. (report here) Or, remember when first lady Melania Trump was admitted for kidney surgery and the experts have speculated extensively about her length of stay in hospital (read here).

What Goldberg describes is quite serious. In his own words,

"You think you can go because you're a bit cold, you say," I'm just going to continue, keep going. "And you think, because you've healed quickly, that something crazy can not happen.Well, it's possible," explained the star. "I had a double pneumonia and sepsis … So they had to pump a lot of things, it's an uplifting story for all of us, you really have to take care of yourself, because there are tiny little things that will kill you and you do not think about it. never.

It makes a crucial point. There is a false sense of security in the face of the disease, which has already happened is supposed to be repeated when, in reality, each disease follows a unique path. Fortunately, she knew something was wrong and went to the hospital. For people with such deep lung infections and the fluid that accompanies them, they lead to further suppression of a person's breathing and oxygenation, progression into disastrous events can be precipitated. Then there is sepsis. It is a reaction to a life-threatening infection that overwhelms the body and can cause tissue damage in multiple organ failures. When this is particularly severe, septic shock may ensue, reflecting circulatory collapse and increased risk of death.

As in most cases, symptoms and severity can appear on a wide range. However, some populations are more likely to fall into the extreme (eg, older adults, infants, those with underlying problems such as kidney disease, impaired immunity, or diabetes). Depending on the severity, some patients should be amputated or placed on a ventilator to facilitate their breathing. People are experiencing a change in mental state, a disorientation. But the good news is that many are recovering completely.

Although a return to normal is possible for many people, the path can be very difficult for others. Rehabilitation may involve initial help with daily living (helping to get up, getting up or using the toilet, for example) in order to get you back to your baseline level. Intensive medical care lasting for a prolonged period can induce significant stress on the body. People are often weak, have muscle atrophy, are less resistant to infection, and so on. They may find it difficult to walk, move and sleep, or even eat. Shortness of breath and body aches are not uncommon during convalescence. Feelings of anxiety and constant worry may be present, as will confusion and lack of self – confidence. Frustration with the pace of progress and the inability to concentrate can be problematic.

These hospitalizations can be traumatic for people. Fortunately, there are tools to make future prospects optimistic. It is simply important to manage expectations because the recovery can sometimes be slow along a windy and sometimes bumpy road. Families can help fill the gaps in patients' memories about this ordeal. Long-term problems can arise from organ dysfunction, loss of limbs, decreased cognition, as well as panic attacks and nightmares. To learn more, see here.

But, the time it takes is the time it takes. This is not uniform between individuals and it is not a competition. There may be setbacks as a normal part of the recovery and no straight or perfect road. For all, surviving the event and getting out of the woods is a promising start.