The health problems are coming back faster and faster. Feri is 71 years old and retired. Before he retired, Feri had his own real estate agency. Feri suffers from chronic prostate inflammation as a result of a multi-resistant bacteria.
In 2021, Feri ended up in the hospital due to a corona infection. After seven tough weeks, he was allowed to go home, but he did bring an unpleasant souvenir with him. Feri turned out to have contracted a painful prostatitis in the hospital.
This inflammation was probably caused by a bacterium that entered his body through a catheter. Feri has now had three antibiotic treatments, but the inflammation keeps coming back. “Each time, the treatment seems to work after a few days, but the symptoms come back faster and faster. The pathogen is probably resistant.”
Restriction of freedom
Whereas prostate inflammation can normally be treated relatively quickly by taking medication, this was no longer possible for Feri due to antibiotic resistance. Each treatment lasted six to twelve weeks, during which a nurse came to his home every day to administer the antibiotics via an IV. Fortunately, the antibiotics caused few side effects for Feri, but the treatments did significantly restrict his freedom of movement. He was housebound and he had to get used to it. In addition, he had to carry an unhandy pump with him for 24 hours a day. “The doctors and nurses really did everything they could to help me. The pump was uncomfortable and often got stuck on all sorts of objects, which made performing daily activities a lot more challenging. Something simple things become more difficult such as taking a shower.”
Impactful
Looking back on his treatments, Feri is very satisfied with the care he received and speaks highly of the care workers. “The doctors and nurses really did everything they could to help me; they were interested and sympathized and still sympathize with me.” Feri’s wife also looks back positively on the contact with the care workers. “When Feri was in isolation in the Intensive Care Unit, there was an ICU-diary in which the nurses wrote down everything that happened to him. We could also upload photos and videos. That way we stayed informed and that was very nice for the processing process.”
Sometimes angry
Because there is only one type of antibiotic that can be used against the pathogen of Feri’s disease, there is currently little clarity about a solution for the recurring complaints. Various studies are currently underway at the Leiden University Medical Center. But Leiden is quite a drive from his home and the consultations usually take place in the morning. It means long days for Feri and often very early drives by car. Despite everything, Feri is someone who always sees his glass as half full. He is positive about the quality of his life and he continues to work on his health. “Of course I sometimes get angry that I can’t do some things anymore, but I focus on what I can still do. For example, I can’t wash my car anymore, but I can still drive it.”