Sunday, January 25, 2009

Salmonella - Such a Pretty Name

The current salmonella outbreak started me thinking about my experience with the bacteria 15 years ago. I got it from eating undercooked beef liver—my own fault.

I had gotten up at 4:00 a.m. to drive my son to meet a group that was taking a weekend hike on a mountain. When I got home I asked my daughter Jill if she was cold. She said, "If you're cold, maybe you have a fever. It's not cold in here." Boy, did I have a fever! Within a half hour I was shaking so much, teeth chattering, that I, who usually avoid doctors and hospitals, asked my DH to drive me to the ER.

I couldn't walk from the car to the entrance. In a bed in the ER, I was delirious, thinking my cat Nocci was on the bed with me. I couldn't open my eyes or communicate very well, but I could hear people around me. I know at one point my BP was 80/28. I don't know if it got any lower.

They did a culture and diagnosed me with salmonella. They started antibiotics. I was in the ER all day. They wanted to admit me to the hospital, but I insisted on going home late that night.

Without getting too graphic, I'll just say that salmonella is one very messy illness. The Dept. of Health called me the next day and said it's highly contagious, so I would have to clean up after myself. I could barely raise my head from the pillow. They told me the antibiotics the hospital had prescribed would do no good, but I kept taking them anyway. I think that was probably a good thing, as a raging infection like that could have spread into something unmanageable. It attacked my colon to the point where there was lots of blood.

I was in bed for more than two weeks, during which time I couldn't even imagine myself being well. Jill told me later that she feared I would never get better. I've had wicked cases of the flu ("Martian Death Flu"), but I have never been as sick as I was with salmonella.

Months later, I went back to the ER to thank the doctor for his good care, and he told me I had such a severe case that if I hadn't been so healthy going into it, I might not have survived.

I never ate liver again.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow -- I didn't know about the Peanut Butter issue going on now until I read your opening line.

And Wow -- I had no idea it was like this. How could you clean up after yourself?

I didn't know it was contagious either. I learned a lot from this post.

Thank you. (I think)

Susan said...

LOL I just this minute wrote a message on a friend's Facebook commenting on a great site she had posted, and I said "Thanks (I think)."

Indigo Bunting said...

Utterly frightening.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Hi Susan,
I just found you again from the thread on blogging at the cottage garden forum. I have had the flu, pneumonia, bronchitis, and mono. It sounds to me that I want to avoid salmonella! I'm glad you recovered from it.

Sue, lvtgrdn

Helen said...

Yikes. And now even Skippy is a carrier. (Or is it a certain brand only? They didn't have anything on the news here about it, I only know of it through Maureen.)

Of anything that can be eaten from a living thing, liver seems like it should be way up on the list of things to avoid. Second only to the intestines perhaps.

Susan said...

Hi Sue--I'm glad you found me! And glad you recovered from all those nasties. Yes, do avoid salmonella.

Helen, you're right about liver. But I grew up eating organ meats: lamb kidneys (mixed grill!), sweetbreads, etc. My son persuaded me to give up kidneys after he took a biology course and learned that kidneys catch toxins. Now I don't eat any of them. I'd give up meat entirely if I didn't seem to need it. When we had the tofu business and were vegetarian, my family did very well on that diet, but not I.

crystal said...

I had no idea how bad samonella could get. It sounds really awful!

Susan said...

Hi Crystal - I believe seven people have died from this latest outbreak. Funny . . . all the recent salmonella problems have involved non-animal sources. We've gone from dirty slaughterhouses to dirty agricultural practices.

Helen said...

You had a tofu business? Details please...

Susan said...

Hi Helen - Yup, my husband started up a tofu business about 30 years ago, after his chemical company blew up (literally). We figured tofu was safer (literally).

He converted a space in the barn into a pristine manufacturing facility, and made about 2,000 lb. of tofu a week, which we delivered to health food stores in two states. He made the BEST tofu--organic soybeans from Iowa, nigari (the coagulant) ordered directly from Japan.

I gave tofu cooking demonstrations all over the place, and developed 30 or so tofu recipes for a Rodale cookbook. As the family cook, I was so spoiled . . . just walked across the road to the barn to pick up as much tofu as I wanted, fresh from the kettles.

After some years he expanded and made tempeh, too. Plus the company had a bakery in another state that made tofu pot pies and desserts. He sold the business to a group of men who quickly ran it into the ground. But I have fond memories!

crystal said...

That's so interesting about the tofu. Being a vegetarian too, my sister eats a lot of tofu but I'm kind of creeped out by the texture. Did you have to be regularly inspected by the health department? I have this fantasy of making pund cakes and selling them online but I doubt my kitchen would pass muster :)

Helen said...

Wow, all these secret lives being revealed! And I love the idea of a tofu barn.

Susan said...

Yeah, the Dept of Ag inspected us. They were strict, so most kitchens don't pass. Mine certainly wouldn't.

Re the texture, the first time I encountered tofu I thought I was eating beef testicles. But I didn't even care, because I loved it. When we first left NYC I made it myself, but it was too labor-intensive.

If the texture bothers you, find a recipe that makes it disappear. Like Tofu Pan Pizza (Tofu Goes West cookbook), which uses tofu in the soft, whole wheat crust. It's really delicious. Or my own Tofu Linguini (recipe on request to anyone who wants it).

Anonymous said...

Ja, rechtzeitig zu antworten, es ist wichtig cialis kaufen ?sterreich levitra generika preisvergleich [url=http//t7-isis.org]viagra generika[/url]

Anonymous said...

rich men and beautiful women dating site [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]equestrian singles[/url] bengali dating customs http://loveepicentre.com/ interracial dating

Anonymous said...

Hi,

When ever I surf on web I come to this website[url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips].[/url]Plenty of useful information on sweetrocket.blogspot.com. I am sure due to busy scedules we really do not get time to care about our health. Let me present you with one fact here. Recent Research presents that nearly 50% of all United States adults are either chubby or overweight[url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips].[/url] Hence if you're one of these people, you're not alone. In fact, most of us need to lose a few pounds once in a while to get sexy and perfect six pack abs. Now next question is how you can achive quick weight loss? [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips]Quick weight loss[/url] is not like piece of cake. You need to improve some of you daily habbits to achive weight loss in short span of time.

About me: I am writer of [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips]Quick weight loss tips[/url]. I am also health trainer who can help you lose weight quickly. If you do not want to go under hard training program than you may also try [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/acai-berry-for-quick-weight-loss]Acai Berry[/url] or [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/colon-cleanse-for-weight-loss]Colon Cleansing[/url] for effective weight loss.

Anonymous said...

you tube heart baracuda [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/deltasone.htm]deltasone[/url] data collection of diabetes http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/dostinex.htm medical affiliate products http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/montage-packs.htm
muscle spasms with herniated disc [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/anti-alergica-y-el-asma.htm]anti alergica y el asma[/url] vaginal contraceptive film [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/purinethol.htm]natural remedies for eye infections[/url]

Anonymous said...

http://webhealthcentre.in/cyproheptadine/cyproheptadine-hcl-4mg-for-animals
[url=http://webhealthcentre.in/tolterodine/side-effects-of-detrol-la-tolterodine]pictures of prescription drugs[/url] valium viagra interaction [url=http://webhealthcentre.in/drugs/magazine-articles-on-drugs]magazine articles on drugs[/url]
health recovery centre http://webhealthcentre.in/procardia/schambergs-disease-reaction-to-procardia
[url=http://webhealthcentre.in/health-magazine/thomas-chittenden-health]pharmacy in belize city[/url] drugs used for nausea [url=http://webhealthcentre.in/amoxicillin]amoxicillin[/url]
drug code 512 http://webhealthcentre.in/cordarone/cordarone-lawyer
[url=http://webhealthcentre.in/health-centers/thyroid-health-formula]marijuana detoxification for beating drug test[/url] drug info ephedrine [url=http://webhealthcentre.in/cytoxan/most-common-side-effects-of-cytoxan]most common side effects of cytoxan[/url] affordable levitra [url=http://webhealthcentre.in/toradol/toradol-after-knee-replacement]toradol after knee replacement[/url]

Anonymous said...

jadite dildo http://theporncollection.in/moms/poetry-about-moms-and-daughters
[url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-man/free-gay-mature-truckers]free email male porn[/url] sexy blond clips [url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-movie/joel-osteen-gay-rights]joel osteen gay rights[/url]
young american men fucking older asian women on amateur video http://theporncollection.in/best-porn/romain-de-marchi-porn
[url=http://theporncollection.in/masturbating/masturbating-and-wetting]cartoon porn with lots of boob pain[/url] adult rescue rangers [url=http://theporncollection.in/mature-xxx/mature-lady-spanks]mature lady spanks[/url]
naruot hentai quiz http://theporncollection.in/gay-sex/new-york-city-gay-hustler-bars
[url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-anal/how-to-swallow-sperm-gay]mini pipes porn[/url] mobil lubricant for auto gate [url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-xxx/free-gay-vidz]free gay vidz[/url]
dildo sizing flickr http://theporncollection.in/porn-dvd/gay-porn-free-video-samples
[url=http://theporncollection.in/porn-galleries/kitchen-staff-porn]hentai shota parody[/url] jelly dildo pussy [url=http://theporncollection.in/best-porn/stryker-porn]stryker porn[/url]

Anonymous said...

free long anal vids http://xwe.in/shemales/wow-shemales
[url=http://xwe.in/bbw/bbw-full-weight-smothering]gay porn no avs[/url] passwords to hentai sites [url=http://xwe.in/thongs/exposed-thongs-in-public]exposed thongs in public[/url]
unconscious fucking vids porn http://xwe.in/bondage/beginners-bondage-set
[url=http://xwe.in/erotic-video/using-your-erotic-power-to-torment-your-husband]anal fat grannies gallery[/url] sexy 16 yr old tits [url=http://xwe.in/teen-ass/what-is-ass-to-mouth]what is ass to mouth[/url]
anal plugs enemas http://xwe.in/blow
[url=http://xwe.in/handjob/hetero-handjob-phat-forum]hentai media facial[/url] hard core anal fucked [url=http://xwe.in/bondage/womens-leather-bondage-collars]womens leather bondage collars[/url]
free user submitted adult photographs http://xwe.in/girl-anal/anal-rape-blogs
[url=http://xwe.in/orgy/big-gay-cock-orgy-galleries]szex filmek ingyen minden sex dugs porn ami anal[/url] free adult moms pix [url=http://xwe.in/archive-adult/upcoming-adult-movies]upcoming adult movies[/url]

Anonymous said...

cardinal travel trailer http://xwg.in/vacation-packages/san-antonio-vacation-package travel cruise athens rome
[url=http://xwg.in/airport/charlotte-airport-updates]how fast can a cottonmouth snake travel[/url] st louis travel news [url=http://xwg.in/map/peru-map]peru map[/url]
travel shaving bag http://xwg.in/hotel/hotel-indy-north
[url=http://xwg.in/cruises/cruises-from-baltimore]boston escorted travel[/url] travel trade magazine online [url=http://xwg.in/flight/flight-of-the-nez-perce]flight of the nez perce[/url]
international travel packages from canada http://xwg.in/expedia/expedia-coupon-codes haddon heights travel [url=http://xwg.in/disneyland/disneyland-california-and-things-to-do]disneyland california and things to do[/url]

Anonymous said...

health systems of care [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/generic-imitrex.htm]generic imitrex[/url] diet and nutrition facts http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/j.htm
medical equipment companies for sale [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/cleocin.htm]cleocin[/url] become a health visitor [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/starlix.htm ]why are diet pills marketed to women [/url] traditional medicine in africs
blood and crips gangs [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/neurontin.htm]neurontin[/url] how to fix a medical record http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/cleocin-gel.htm
past heart concert tours [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/ipnoterapia.htm]ipnoterapia[/url] kidney stent [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/xplode--stamina--energy-and-sex-enhancer-.htm ]stress management exercises [/url] what drugs can do too your body

Anonymous said...

cycling shoes http://luxefashion.us/white-gucci-color4.html jack purcell shoes [url=http://luxefashion.us/versace-round-neck-brand1.html]christian dior biography[/url] unique juniors clothes
http://luxefashion.us/?action=products&product_id=1916 leopard ralph lauren [url=http://luxefashion.us/52-funky-size3.html]lauren zammerilla[/url]

Anonymous said...

zappos shoes http://www.thefashionhouse.us/polo-ralph-lauren-brand14.html fashionably dead [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/white-green-gucci-color57.html]latex fashion[/url] costa rica and female clothes
http://www.thefashionhouse.us/43-sandals-size49.html cosmo shoes [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/casual-shirts-page3.html]wide shoes[/url]

Anonymous said...

quest discount travel club http://xwl.in/inn/halfway-inn-outfitters omaha outdoor sports and travel show
[url=http://xwl.in/maps/japanese-driving-maps]vietnam travel company[/url] bayshore travel airdrie [url=http://xwl.in/airline/continetal-airline-homepage]continetal airline homepage[/url]
global go travel http://xwl.in/plane-tickets/plane-tickets-to-the-outback
[url=http://xwl.in/airline/airline-industry-market-share]cheap travel to puerto rico[/url] american tourister expandable travel tote [url=http://xwl.in/tours/provence-small-budget-tours]provence small budget tours[/url]
wireless internet for travel http://xwl.in/tours/saint-martin-of-tours-church-cincinnati-oh uk single travel new year 2007 [url=http://xwl.in/map]map[/url]

Anonymous said...

clothes dryers and multiple run http://www.thefashionhouse.us/blumarine-tank-top-for-women-white-item2018.html designer summer dresses [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/?action=products&product_id=1825]designing clothes patterns and printing[/url] chaps shoes
http://www.thefashionhouse.us/-regular-category86.html ralph lauren fabrics [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/?action=products&product_id=2495]clothes color match[/url]

Anonymous said...

keno excel http://lwv.in/casino-online/shancy-saban-casino-arizonz megamillions maryland lottery
[url=http://lwv.in/roulette/roulette-sniper-review]british open betting odds[/url] lottery odds lighting [url=http://lwv.in/gambling-online/top-gambling-offers]top gambling offers[/url]
double eagle casino cripple creek phone http://lwv.in/lottery/lottery-wheels-magazines
[url=http://lwv.in/online-casinos/casinos-rhode-island]throwing playing cards[/url] tnt vacations to island with gambling [url=http://lwv.in/bingo/free-bigtime-bingo]free bigtime bingo[/url]
samsung blackjack manuel http://lwv.in/gambling-online/gambling-in-fl usa online bingo [url=http://lwv.in/casino-online/wynn-casino-exterior]wynn casino exterior[/url]

Anonymous said...

wicked little things movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_return_of_jafar/]the return of jafar[/url] download movie high school musical 2 http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_genius_club/ free download remember the titans movie
gameplan and movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_gone/]gone[/url] twister movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_bloodrayne/ tommy lee jones and susan sarandan new movie
movie listing in ct [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_thumbsucker/]thumbsucker[/url] scenes from the movie gremlins
elf bowling the movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_black_hawk_down/]black hawk down[/url] free 3gp movie downloads http://moviestrawberry.com/easy-downloads/letter_C/?page=1 psp movie
video girl movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_mexican/]the mexican[/url] movie soundbites http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_golden_compass/ i movie tralers