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Put into a coma, new mom with flu fights for her life
In Print: Tuesday, September 1, 2009
TAMPA ? Less than a month ago, Valerie Post was taking photos of her growing baby bulge and preparing her toddler to become a big sister.
On Monday, the 24-year-old was fighting for her life, locked in a medically induced coma. She hasn't been able to see, much less hold, the healthy baby girl that doctors delivered Aug. 7, two months early.
Her husband, Bryan Post, says all seemed well with the pregnancy until she was rushed to the hospital with a sore throat, backache and slight fever. The doctors suspected, and later confirmed, she had swine flu. The baby was in distress, and the decision was made to save the child through an emergency C-section.
Since then, he says he's seen Valerie open her eyes only once.
Experts have warned for months that pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to complications from infection.
But few know that like Bryan Post, who said he's sharing his story in hopes people will take swine flu seriously.
In the weeks since his wife went to a Citrus County hospital, she has endured emergency surgeries, ventilators, pain medications and complication after complication ? an excruciating cycle with no end in sight.
"This is hell," the 23-year-old father said Monday outside Tampa General Hospital, where she was sent after her conditioned worsened. He is running laps between the hospital and a relative's home in Citrus County. There, he snatches time with new baby, Nora, who came home from the hospital last week, and her big sister, 16-month-old Trinity.
Between the constant worry, the babies and calls from the hospital, sleep is elusive.
"If I don't get a phone call at three o'clock in the morning, it's a good night."
Saving the baby, treating its mother
Valerie Post didn't know what was wrong when she started having stomach and back pains. Her throat hurt, but she wasn't having trouble breathing, her husband said.
She saw her mother, a massage therapist, for a pregnancy massage. When that didn't help, they thought she might be in false labor, or have a kidney infection. The Homosassa couple went to Citrus Memorial Hospital.
Within hours, doctors told Bryan Post they suspected complications from a swine flu infection. They advised a C-section, both to save the baby and to treat the mother.
Bryan Post kissed his wife. He told her he would see her after surgery.
The physician now leading his wife's care could not be reached Monday, but Bryan Post said complications began during or right after the C-section. Valerie's oxygen levels plummeted. She had to be placed on a respirator.
Her situation was judged so serious that she was sent to Tampa General for advanced care. But en route, medics determined her condition was too unstable and she was returned to Citrus Memorial for another week.
Swine flu is no longer her primary problem. She has fought severe swelling and seven blood clots, and a wound from her C-section opened up. She has three tubes in her chest.
"She looks better every day," Bryan Post said. "But every day it's another machine."
Pregnant women more vulnerable
In most healthy people, the swine flu virus has been relatively mild. Pregnant women, however, are more vulnerable. A 22-year-old Hillsborough County woman recently died of swine flu complications after giving birth.
Changes to the immune systems during pregnancy make it harder to shake the virus. During the second and third trimesters, as the mother's lung capacity is reduced, a respiratory infection can become more serious.
When the mother has difficulty breathing, the baby is at risk too, noted Dr. Robert Yelverton, chief medical officer for Women's Care Florida, a network of more than 100 doctors. But he stressed that pregnant women should not panic, as cases like Valerie Post's are rare.
"The vast majority of obstetrical patients who get H1N1 flu are going to do well,'' said Yelverton, who hasn't been involved in Post's care. "In most cases, the doctor will give them Tamiflu and tell them to go home, and go to bed, and call if things change."
It is important to get on the medication within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, said Dr. Catherine Lynch, a professor and director of general obstetrics and gynecology at the University of South Florida's medical school. After that, "we're playing catch up," she said.
Like Yelverton, she urged pregnant women with a fever, cough or sore throat to call their doctors immediately. Worsening symptoms, such as difficulty catching breath and a severe cough, should be seen in the emergency room.
At Tampa General, where Lynch practices, doctors have seen about one pregnant woman with flu hospitalized per week in the past month and a half. Normally, she said, they might see two such patients admitted the entire season.
Both Lynch and Yelverton urged pregnant women to get flu vaccinations. Although swine flu shots ? experts say two likely will be needed ? won't be available until October, the seasonal flu shot is available starting this week.
Bills for medical care exceed $1 million
Brian Post said he's been told the cost of his wife's medical care has exceeded $1 million. Medicaid, the government health care program for the needy, is now involved, he said. That is not a fact he enjoys sharing. He says they have always paid their own bills. He worked in sales, but is now on leave. She left her bank job just recently.
The Posts were about to move to South Dakota when Valerie fell ill. They had packed a moving truck with their belongings.
Valerie Post recently turned 24 at Tampa General. The next day was her second wedding anniversary.
One day, doctors dialed down her sedation just long enough for her husband to give her important news.
Baby Nora, he told her, is doing well.
Times health and medicine editor Charlotte Sutton contributed to this report. Contact Letitia Stein at lstein@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3322.
. FAST FACTS
Immunizations
The swine flu vaccine won't be available until mid-October, but the seasonal flu vaccine is available starting today at some doctor's offices and at Walgreens and CVS. Go to www.walgreens.com/flu or www.cvs.com to find a store near you. County health departments will be getting their supplies soon, as will other retailers. The seasonal flu vaccine does not fight swine flu, but experts say people in high-risk categories, such as pregnant women, should get both vaccines.
To help the Posts
A poker run is being organized for Oct. 10 to benefit Valerie Post's family. Contact Bonnie Jones at 352-220-7024.
Put into a coma, new mom with flu fights for her life
In Print: Tuesday, September 1, 2009
TAMPA ? Less than a month ago, Valerie Post was taking photos of her growing baby bulge and preparing her toddler to become a big sister.
On Monday, the 24-year-old was fighting for her life, locked in a medically induced coma. She hasn't been able to see, much less hold, the healthy baby girl that doctors delivered Aug. 7, two months early.
Her husband, Bryan Post, says all seemed well with the pregnancy until she was rushed to the hospital with a sore throat, backache and slight fever. The doctors suspected, and later confirmed, she had swine flu. The baby was in distress, and the decision was made to save the child through an emergency C-section.
Since then, he says he's seen Valerie open her eyes only once.
Experts have warned for months that pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to complications from infection.
But few know that like Bryan Post, who said he's sharing his story in hopes people will take swine flu seriously.
In the weeks since his wife went to a Citrus County hospital, she has endured emergency surgeries, ventilators, pain medications and complication after complication ? an excruciating cycle with no end in sight.
"This is hell," the 23-year-old father said Monday outside Tampa General Hospital, where she was sent after her conditioned worsened. He is running laps between the hospital and a relative's home in Citrus County. There, he snatches time with new baby, Nora, who came home from the hospital last week, and her big sister, 16-month-old Trinity.
Between the constant worry, the babies and calls from the hospital, sleep is elusive.
"If I don't get a phone call at three o'clock in the morning, it's a good night."
Saving the baby, treating its mother
Valerie Post didn't know what was wrong when she started having stomach and back pains. Her throat hurt, but she wasn't having trouble breathing, her husband said.
She saw her mother, a massage therapist, for a pregnancy massage. When that didn't help, they thought she might be in false labor, or have a kidney infection. The Homosassa couple went to Citrus Memorial Hospital.
Within hours, doctors told Bryan Post they suspected complications from a swine flu infection. They advised a C-section, both to save the baby and to treat the mother.
Bryan Post kissed his wife. He told her he would see her after surgery.
The physician now leading his wife's care could not be reached Monday, but Bryan Post said complications began during or right after the C-section. Valerie's oxygen levels plummeted. She had to be placed on a respirator.
Her situation was judged so serious that she was sent to Tampa General for advanced care. But en route, medics determined her condition was too unstable and she was returned to Citrus Memorial for another week.
Swine flu is no longer her primary problem. She has fought severe swelling and seven blood clots, and a wound from her C-section opened up. She has three tubes in her chest.
"She looks better every day," Bryan Post said. "But every day it's another machine."
Pregnant women more vulnerable
In most healthy people, the swine flu virus has been relatively mild. Pregnant women, however, are more vulnerable. A 22-year-old Hillsborough County woman recently died of swine flu complications after giving birth.
Changes to the immune systems during pregnancy make it harder to shake the virus. During the second and third trimesters, as the mother's lung capacity is reduced, a respiratory infection can become more serious.
When the mother has difficulty breathing, the baby is at risk too, noted Dr. Robert Yelverton, chief medical officer for Women's Care Florida, a network of more than 100 doctors. But he stressed that pregnant women should not panic, as cases like Valerie Post's are rare.
"The vast majority of obstetrical patients who get H1N1 flu are going to do well,'' said Yelverton, who hasn't been involved in Post's care. "In most cases, the doctor will give them Tamiflu and tell them to go home, and go to bed, and call if things change."
It is important to get on the medication within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, said Dr. Catherine Lynch, a professor and director of general obstetrics and gynecology at the University of South Florida's medical school. After that, "we're playing catch up," she said.
Like Yelverton, she urged pregnant women with a fever, cough or sore throat to call their doctors immediately. Worsening symptoms, such as difficulty catching breath and a severe cough, should be seen in the emergency room.
At Tampa General, where Lynch practices, doctors have seen about one pregnant woman with flu hospitalized per week in the past month and a half. Normally, she said, they might see two such patients admitted the entire season.
Both Lynch and Yelverton urged pregnant women to get flu vaccinations. Although swine flu shots ? experts say two likely will be needed ? won't be available until October, the seasonal flu shot is available starting this week.
Bills for medical care exceed $1 million
Brian Post said he's been told the cost of his wife's medical care has exceeded $1 million. Medicaid, the government health care program for the needy, is now involved, he said. That is not a fact he enjoys sharing. He says they have always paid their own bills. He worked in sales, but is now on leave. She left her bank job just recently.
The Posts were about to move to South Dakota when Valerie fell ill. They had packed a moving truck with their belongings.
Valerie Post recently turned 24 at Tampa General. The next day was her second wedding anniversary.
One day, doctors dialed down her sedation just long enough for her husband to give her important news.
Baby Nora, he told her, is doing well.
Times health and medicine editor Charlotte Sutton contributed to this report. Contact Letitia Stein at lstein@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3322.
. FAST FACTS
Immunizations
The swine flu vaccine won't be available until mid-October, but the seasonal flu vaccine is available starting today at some doctor's offices and at Walgreens and CVS. Go to www.walgreens.com/flu or www.cvs.com to find a store near you. County health departments will be getting their supplies soon, as will other retailers. The seasonal flu vaccine does not fight swine flu, but experts say people in high-risk categories, such as pregnant women, should get both vaccines.
To help the Posts
A poker run is being organized for Oct. 10 to benefit Valerie Post's family. Contact Bonnie Jones at 352-220-7024.
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