The future becomes the present with a recent bout of pneumonia

I mentioned last week that I had been in the hospital recently with pneumonia and promised to elaborate. Without further ado or any gross details, I give you my recent tale of woe. As with many of my experiences, may it serve as a warning of what not to do.

Like most people, I don’t particularly like sitting in the waiting area of the emergency room, so outside of scheduled visits with a provider, I visit my local urgent care clinic if there is something that can’t wait. They know me well there, and I’m getting something of a reputation, not because I’m a frequent visitor, though. It’s more likely because my last name is uncommon where I live, some of my diagnoses (Q-fever) are, too, and I always seem to have something serious going on when I visit. This last time was no different.

It all started shortly after I went to bed on Nov. 16, a Sunday. I felt feverish after about 30 minutes, but didn’t have a temperature yet. About 45 minutes later, the fever and chills hit me in earnest, and as usual, were made much worse by my multiple sclerosis (MS). My wife got that under control with acetaminophen, and we decided to visit the clinic the next morning.

We arrived, checked in, had a few labs drawn, and of course, got the usual question: “Hofmeister? Aren’t you the guy that had that weird goat disease?” I rolled my eyes and gave the usual answer: “Yes, and please don’t say it like that.”

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I didn’t see pneumonia coming

The provider soon came in and seemed a bit surprised that I was able to sit up and answer questions. She told me I didn’t have a kidney infection like last time, but that my white blood cell count was 26,000 cells per microliter, which is significantly higher than the normal range of less than 10,000. She suggested that we go to the emergency room (ER) for treatment and a thorough workup to determine the source of my infection.

I was admitted to the hospital after only an hour or two in the ER, and after more tests, it was determined that walking, or silent, pneumonia was the culprit. With my MS and history of swallowing issues, the most likely cause was aspiration, which, sadly, is all too common in people with this disease. I ended up staying four days and three nights, was given three different IV antibiotics because cultures refused to show the causative organism, and was then discharged. The stay itself was not unpleasant, but it wasn’t a vacation, and it certainly wasn’t how I saw my week going.

I suppose I always knew my swallowing issues and respiratory muscles weakened by MS put me at serious risk for pneumonia, but I really didn’t see this coming. A big part of that is just plain foolish pride. So I choke a little. No problem, because I always cough it up. I’ve seen a speech therapist and learned about my risks and how to prevent most choking, so I must be good to go for all time. Besides, pneumonia is something only sick and older people get.

I guess I am sick with MS and its various symptoms, and it turns out that pneumonia doesn’t really care what age I am. I knew this was a future possibility; I just didn’t expect the future to become the present quite so soon. It seems that, among its other qualities, MS has the ability to alter timelines as well.

Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.