A Fragile State of Mind
April 30, 2008
I noticed the first inkling of what I thought might be a tension headache while enjoying my Mom’s birthday celebration dinner last Tuesday evening. (86 years young.. yay Mom!) It was a lovely dinner.. all the kids were there and the talk was fast and lively. Much of the banter being tossed about focused on baby jokes and baby news.
By the time we got home, the first headachish twinges had matured into a full blown assault. I decided to swallow some Tylenol and went straight to bed. About 4:00 in the morning came the first signs of uneasiness in my gut.. followed very quickly with vomiting, almost volatile in nature (sorry to be so graphic. Perhaps this post should have a warning disclaimer at the top). By morning the now bounding head pain and the unrelenting vomiting were unbearable. Stunned into submission, I let Roland take me into the hospital.
At the ER triage desk I was quickly assessed. As well as the headache (somehow not nearly a descriptive enough term) and the vomiting, I had a fever of 38.5(C) degrees. I was immediately whisked away to a quiet treatment room and within an hour had both a cat scan of the brain and a lumbar puncture performed. The CT scan was negative and the preliminary results of the puncture showed NO bacteria. Therefore, I was diagnosed with Viral Meningitis and started on a barrage of medications to help relieve the pain and the nausea. Sadly, relief of the symptoms was minimal and the remaining three days and three nights are a bit of a blur… a scary time for me and my family.
By late Friday afternoon the war raging within my body started to subside and finally I was able to get a bit of rest. On Saturday, still terribly weak but no longer clinging continually to a barf bowl, I was given the word that if I felt I could manage, I could go home. Since the meningitis that had taken hold of my body was viral and not bacterial, IV antibiotics were not a treatment option. There was not much that they were doing at the hospital that I could not now do for myself at home.
I phoned Roland. I was home within the hour.
Now, one week later I am at home, still very weak but inching towards recovery. My doctor tells me it probably will not be as quick as I would like and that I am off work for now.. to be reassessed in 2 weeks time.
I must admit, I thought once I was home I would be up and at things in no time. It is a bit of a bitter pill to acknowledge that I am not. Last evening I had a bit of a set back and today will be a little more cautious on pacing myself.
Rest, plenty of fluids and the treatment of presenting symptoms is the main treatment modality. I have no choice but to follow the rules.
I am certainly way better than the morning I entered the hospital but at the same time, I am a little shocked at how weak and sick I still feel. I am realizing now how easy it is to take good health for granted.
Roland says that this is a time for me to learn to practice patience.. especially in regards to myself. Even more impressive is that he is dropping these pearls of wisdom while he paints the living room walls. :-)
Smart man.. my Roland. As usual.. he has me counting my blessing. :-)
April 30, 2008 at 8:27 am
My goodness, you have to wonder how one gets meningitis all of a sudden. You must be a weak as a kitten, but take heart because kittens grow up.
April 30, 2008 at 9:02 am
What an awful thing to happen. I hope your health improves quickly. I guess a few naps, and maybe a good book are in order.
Cas
Feel better soon
April 30, 2008 at 9:23 am
I hope you feel better soon, and regain your strength.
Take care of yourself!
April 30, 2008 at 10:04 am
I’m sorry to hear the bad news. That’s a nasty disease. Hoping you continue to bounce back quickly.
April 30, 2008 at 10:54 am
Coll, I am so glad you’re home and recovering well. That whole time sounds terrifying! I didn’t even know there was such a thing as viral meningitis. Scary stuff.
I know it’s tough to be patient with illness. I still surprise myself when I push it too much, which, by now I ought to know the drill. Just do your best and be really extra good to yourself. :) Since Roland is painting, and if you’re up for it, ask him to keep you supplied with lots of rented movies to watch in bed maybe?
Feel better soon. {{Hug}} I’m thinking of you.
April 30, 2008 at 11:05 am
What a very frightening experience. It isn’t easy for people who are used to being healthy and active to slow down and let the body do its repairing, but I know you will. Let everyone pamper you.
April 30, 2008 at 12:51 pm
So glad to hear your back home and feeling a bit better. Sure scary stuff! We take our health for granted. Take care of your self. Listen to your body and rest. And enjoy the wonderful sunshine were having. Were all thinking of you at work and wish you well. Take it easy. H
April 30, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Oh my, I’m so sorry you’ve been so ill. That is scary. I hope that your recovery continues well. Thanks for letting us know.
April 30, 2008 at 1:12 pm
So sorry to hear that you have been so ill. Very glad to know you’re on the mend. Please take good care of yourself.
April 30, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Get well soon.
April 30, 2008 at 7:32 pm
I would imagine that nurses make bad patients for some reason. Heh. So glad to hear that you are home and feeling better finally. Instead of resenting the time you need to spend resting, try wallowing in it for a while, with chocolates and movies and books and music and dogs and a cat on the bed for company!
Good to have you back, feel better soon.
May 1, 2008 at 8:50 am
Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve been so ill! But glad that you’re home and on the mend. Thank goodness for your wonderful hubby! Take care.
May 1, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Col, I am sending “speedy recovery” wishes your way, and hope you are back up to speed very soon.
May 1, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I hope your steady improvement, despite the odd setback, is continuing, or that you are now fully well again.
May 5, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Rather freaky to be so ill, hope you are much better now.
May 15, 2008 at 7:26 am
Colleen … I am SO sorry to learn that you have been so ill. OMG. I know how shocking it is to find out that our bodies are so fragile and basically, will just do what the heck they want … leaving us to trail along behind them like the curious and dependent younger sibling.
I haven’t gotten to your most current post yet, but I’m hoping I find nothing but good news up there ( at the top of your blog) …
Most concerned…
Carol