Patient Testimonials

This patient perspective was emailed to the delirium website.  Permission was obtained by the patient to post this information.

Hello,
I am emailing you after having read a NY Times article dated 10/17/07 on ICU Delirium.  I am near tears as I sit at my desk and type this. 

I was intubated and admitted to the ICU with severe sepsis, ARDS and a ruptured bowel following a surgical injury after a laparoscopic outpatient procedure.

I was intubated and in the ICU for nearly 2 weeks.  During that time I suffered sever delirium.  The nurses told my family what was going on.   My family in turn told me.  I have been a social worker in health care for nearly 25 years.  When I heard the term ICU delirium, I began refusing the sedating meds which I was offered on a regular basis.  The absence of the drugs helped.

After being discharged home from a 29 day hospital stay, I noticed that I was having difficulty with concentration, word recall, ordering my thoughts, processing information, endurance and balance.  All of these continue to be issues today.  I have returned to work and have been able to continue to function independently.  However, I just started another Masters program.  I can do all of the necessary work, but during class discussions, when others can easily process the information and participate, it seems as though everything is stuck for me.  I cannot process what’s going on in class, and make insightful, relevant comments.  The best I can do is to restate what has already been presented.  I simply have a real problem organizing and pulling up data in my head.

I also had to have a hysterectomy as a result of my injuries.  When I brought these mentation problems up to my doctors (and to the surgeon who I worked for at the time) I was told it was 'normal aging' or related to menopause.  No one took me seriously.

I am very, very interested in participating in your research in some way.  Working with you in some way, somehow gives my whole horrible experience meaning.  Otherwise, it's as though I suffered all of this horror for nothing.  I am also interested in making contact with others who have had similar experiences.