Carol’s Story

Site created on March 28, 2019

Hi everyone. 


Two weeks ago, Mom (Carol) went in for a standard Cortisone shot. Two days later she began experiencing extreme pain, and was brought to Essentia for observation.


 The doctors were totally baffled; at first they thought she had a bad reaction to the Cortisone shot. That wasn’t it. After test upon test, the docs still couldn’t figure out what was causing her pain. They then thought maybe she was having severe migraines. That also wasn’t it. 


Finally, after nearly a week in the hospital and a moderate upswing in her health...her blood pressure went through the roof and she was admitted to the ICU.


Turns out she had a severe case of meningitis on her spine.  The Cortisone shot “missed” slightly, and eventually created a major, life-threatening infection.


Right now, she’s on the highest dose of antibiotics possible and is fighting the infection with everything she has. 


For anyone who knows Mom, you’ll know she’s about as tough as the come. She’s physically been through a buzzsaw over the past 15 years...and even with her struggles, she keeps on fighting.


We know she’ll fight through this, too. 


 Keep Mom (Carol) in your prayers and minds, everyone. 

Newest Update

Journal entry by Megan Carpenter

My mom got out of the hospital yesterday, a day early! She's making great progress and is happy to be back home again after all of the craziness of the last few weeks. She will be on the IV antibiotics until Wednesday and is having a nurse come in and draw blood today and in another couple days to make sure her electrolytes and everything continues to be where it should be. She will be getting physical and occupational therapy for about a month. She is very weak and has lost a lot of muscle from being in the ICU unable to move. The doctors usually think about 3-4 days of therapy per day in ICU. That's a lot of days, but our mom is STRONG and she is very willing to do whatever they feel she should do so she can get back on her feet.
She will be going back to the Mayo Clinic in about a month or two to get her IVC (Inferior Vena Cava) Filter out and will continue on blood thinners for 6 months to make extra precaution that no blood clots make it anywhere near her lungs.
She is still struggling to get her appetite back so continued prayers for that and a full recovery from her surgery, pain and the infection! 🙏🙌❤️ Thank you all so much for the kind words and prayers. Our momma is doing so much better and will continue to improve with all of the love and support you have shown her . ❤️
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