We didn't give those Whooping Cough commercials a second thought. After all, we'd been vaccinated when we were little, right? But after a combined 8 weeks of being sick, 11 bottles of cough syrup, 4 misdiagnoses, 3 doctors, 1 case of pneumonia, 2 cases of severe bronchitis, 1 case of pleurisy, 1 torn tongue (from coughing so hard), torn rib cartilage TWICE (also from coughing so hard), 3 chest x-rays, 4 trips to the ER, 1 trip to urgent care, 3 trips to the doctor, 5 antibiotic prescriptions, 3 IVs of antibiotics, 1 nebulizer treatment, 3 inhalers, 2 rounds of prednisone, multiple pain medications, multiple natural remedies, 1 vaporizor, 1 humidifer, scores of sleepless night, thousands of dollars, hundreds of hours of suffering, pain, and gasping later, it has our full attention. To all those we unknowingly exposed, we are very sorry. If you develop cold symptoms, please go to your doctor or clinic and get the quick and easy test. If you don't have symptoms, please go get a booster shot. They are only 80-85% effective and they only last 5-10 years, but it's much better than no protection. And beware that you can UNKNOWINGLY carry this highly contagious and air borne disease to your innocent loved ones. Kudos and gratitude to our beloved niece, a medical student, who suggested we be tested for whooping cough based on symptoms I emailed to her. She is going to make an amazing physician. To our friends and family and co-workers, thank you for all of your patience, compassion, and support during our continuing trial. We're both still very sick, but at least now we know why.

Six pokes later, I have learned to flush my own IV (Shelbe, I might be after your job), but I'm starting to feel (AND LOOK) like a human pin cushion.

I think I'll ask him to rob a bank. We're gonna need the money to pay our medical bills.

When we're not at the Emergency Room, we spend our leisure time in the ICU. Nice folks. I wanted to get photos of Wade, Nathan, and Paulette, but those ICU nurses are kind of busy. Go figure.

My newest hangout. They bring me pop and let me crochet and watch TV. But you know, nice as they are there, this is NOT my idea of a good time. And two afghans later, we are still suffering with no end in sight.

Sure wish our Pertussis would have been diagnosed before it got to this all-consuming point. But maybe God wanted to use us to educate others. Or maybe He wanted to teach us patience. Whatever the lessons we're supposed to learn, I hope we're learning them. And I hope others will benefit from our experience.

PLEASE GET VACCINATED, STAY CURRENT ON YOUR BOOSTERS, AND EDUCATE YOURSELF AND OTHERS.

And to anyone who thinks Pertussis isn't serious, come on over! You can watch us cough til we puke and our rib cartilage pops. Then for an encore, we'll writhe on the floor gasping for air for several terrifying minutes.
All brave souls are welcome to come share the fun!

Whooping Cough Facts That Surprised Us (May Surprise You, Too!)

Pertusis (Whooping Cough) is a nasty disease. There is NO CURE and NO TREATMENT. It is spread by a highly contagious airborne bacteria. Some doctors believe that antibiotics that are given early in the illness may shorten the duration of the illness. Unfortunately, Whooping Cough is very seldom diagnosed early in the illness. The bacteria releases a toxin into your tissues, lungs, and larynx. That toxin takes approximately 100 days to dissipate despite treatment. Antibiotics may kill the bacteria, but you just have to wait out the toxin. The classic "whooping" occurs in 50% of cases and usually doesn't occur until the 3rd or 4th week of the illness. Immunization is only 80% effective and that protection lasts for 5-10 years. For every case that is diagnosed, there are 49 cases which go undiagnosed. Whooping Cough is also known as the 100 Day Cough because the illness lasts approximately 3 months. The worst symptoms usually occur during weeks 3-6. Complications from coughing so hard include vomiting, incontinence, broken ribs, torn rib cartilage, pleurisy, torn tongue tissue, bleeding in the eyeballs and the facial skin, and fainting. Pneumonia is also a complication which occurs in 5-10% of Pertussis victims. Immunizations are normally NOT given to people 65 years or older. Severity of the disease varies. Some people have a "regular" cough for several weeks. Others experience the whooping, painful, all-consuming cough for months. Fatalities occur most often in babies. However, fatalities can also occur in teens and adults with complications such as pneumonia. Underfunded and understaffed health departments are having a difficult time educating the public about this highly contagious disease and the importance of keeping current on their vaccinations. People with a mild case may not know they have Pertussis and unknowingly spread it to others by air. You can get Whooping Cough multiple times in your life. GET VACCINATED!