(Ch. 16 of my story of how I became deaf…)
Over the next few days, I began to retain nearly 30 lbs. of fluid that my failing kidneys could not eliminate. I was so backed up and bloated that the whites of my eyes ruptured and the skins of my eyelids split open.
As the accumulating fluid began to put pressure on my lungs and heart making it difficult for me to breathe, Dr. Keller decided to intubate, and put me on a respirator in case my lungs or heart failed. I was in critical condition.
Throngs of relatives and friends were called to the hospital so that prayers could be said and people could take shifts to stay with me around the clock.
Prior to my kidney failure, I was given an antibiotic called Tobramycin. It is adminstered to help treat bacterial infections. Tobramycin (and other medications ending with -mycin) belongs to a group of antibiotics called Aminoglycosides, which are listed as the “big offenders” for ototoxicity (oto = ear, toxicity = poison: causing vestibular or cochlear damage in the ear). Because of this, these drugs are usually not chosen first to treat some infections. Aminoglycosides are often reserved for serious infections and illness, as it was with my case, or when bacteria simply don’t respond well to other antibiotics.
The other medication I was given was Lasix, to try to help reduce and remove the fluid overload in my body. Lasix is one of the “big-gun” loop diuretics commonly used for fluid retention, or to keep the kidneys working when they start to fail. It also has ototoxic side effects.
When an aminoglycoside (i.e., Tobramycin) is given with a loop diuretic (i.e., Lasix), it’s a “double-whammy” in terms of ototoxicity! Due to my critical condition, the high fevers, the length of my illness, the number of days I was given these medications, and how everything in my body was so highly concentrated due to the fluid retention and back up, any dosage became like an over-dose.
These ototoxic drugs would leave a major mark on my life, causing a permanent and profound bi-lateral, sensory-neural hearing loss. The choice was either deaf or death.
However, we would not learn of my deafness until almost a week and a half later.
(Footnote: Don’t give up on the story yet. It has been important for me to share what life was like before I became deaf so that people understand the significant transition that occurred when I became deaf — a transformation I not only understand and accept, but also celebrate! Keep on reading! These middle chapters entitled: Deaf or Death tell the dramatic story of the illness that took my hearing. Keep reading! More coming soon…)
It must be tough for everyone to watch you go through since being enrolled in the hospital. I am curious what really caused your illness — TSS or was it something else?
Left by Katherine on July 22nd, 2007
I am impressed with all of the pictures that you picked for this blog. Wonder where did you get the pictures?
Left by Peachlady on July 22nd, 2007
Katherine,
The original illness was diagnosed as TSS. I could have alaready had toxins in my system from the last menstrual cycle and then became sick near my next period. When I inserted the tampon then, it’s possible that the toxins had a host for bacteria. The tampon applicator can make a very tiny cut in any woman as she inserts it. Thus, an open cut can serve as the entry way for further bacteria or toxins. But it was all kind of a mystery and still is in many ways….
PeachLady,
I find the photos from Flickr.com and use those under the creative commons license, which allows photos to be used if you give the author credit and you don’t use them for sales purposes. I find it lots of fun to hunt down just the right photos to bring out the mood in the post I’m writing. Thanks for noticing.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on July 22nd, 2007
Hello LaRonda,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with all of us. I have been captivated all along - the way you’ve presented each chapter just builds up anticipation for the next one. What an ordeal you and your family went through. My heart goes out to you.
-Sharon
Left by Sharon Duchesneau on July 22nd, 2007
I should’ve realized from the title “Deaf or Death” was foreshadowing!! Coming from a soon-to-be English teacher for the Deaf, I am smacking myself!
Anyways, great suspense and I whole-heartedly agree with PeachLady about pics…great tips for me as a future blogger! 
Anyways, I now understand about your disease that led you to Deafness eventually…interesting turn of events. My question: was the entire event of illness-to-deafness more of a thought-provoking and/or struggle for you as compared to the entrance/awareness of Deaf culture and/or deafness that you’ll be revealing soon to come??
Left by Josh on July 23rd, 2007
Hi Josh. Glad you like the photos and the suspense. Look forward to seeing your blog. You’ll need to read ahead and maybe previous parts of the story to fully understand the case of my deafness. While TSS was the original diagnosis of my illness, it was not completely the cause. As for my entrance into deafhood, those stories are coming up soon. The last story of this summer storyblog will end on Aug. 8th. Get you daily dose of 3 brief chapters here or up on DeafRead. It’s a remarkable tale, one I am honored and humbled that people are reading.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on July 23rd, 2007
Sharon,
“Captivated” and “Anticipation” are words a writer likes to hear! Thank you for sharing your comments and for being a loyal reader of this storyblog.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on July 23rd, 2007