Wednesday 7 August 2013

Meningitis day 28 ~ 4 weeks and this is how far we've come....

Four weeks ago I had watched my partner have a Lumbar Puncture, and 3 hours later we'd had the results.

He'd been put into isolation with positive virus and bacteria results and we were both a mess.

He was on his 3rd lot of intravenous Antibiotics and still confused and in agony. Thankfully none of the children had really realised the gravity of the situation and the big ones were doing a brilliant job of watching the little boys and looking after themselves.

Four weeks later and this is where we are....


He's gone back to work.

He can only manage about 3 hours, and no-one else (including the Doctor or his boss) really wants or expects him to go back, but it's important to him. He wants to be normal, he wants to be better and for him going to work is enough. I'm driving him there because his reactions and concentration aren't yet ideal, and after 3 hours he's really shattered, but he's there and keeping everything ticking over instead of sitting at home worrying about them breaking everything in his absence.

When I fetch him his limp is bad and his legs and arms are very sore. His back aches and he feels generally very 'ill'. His head hurts and he comes home and goes to bed, but after a rest he's okay and he can switch off work and relax, which he couldn't do without going in.

He's admitted that he understands why people wouldn't dream of going back to work so early and he jokes about needing a wheelchair, but he's happier. I think by Friday he'll be exhausted, and I carry my phone about waiting for the call to fetch him, relieved when it comes. I'd be delighted if on Thursday he decides his week is over already, but I understand his reasoning (even if I don't really agree with it) and he's not suffering too much or pushing too hard yet. If he does then I'll tell him...you can be certain of that.

Men, eh....tsk....

20 comments:

  1. I hope his strength returns v soon x awful illness xx

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    1. Thanks Juju - it is a very awful illness. We're so lucky that we caught it early, but even so the effects last such a long time x

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  2. He is a hardworking man! Get well!

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  3. So pleased that he is getting there, slowly but surely. You've been through one hell of a roller coaster these last 4 weeks. Sending hugs x

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    1. Thank you Mary, thank you for the hug. I really do think the roller-coaster has slowed down a bit thankfully, I'm very ready to get off now xx

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  4. Really glad he is slowly recovering - must have been so tough and scary for you all x Things can only get better ;) you've had your fair share of shit i'd say! xx

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  5. So glad he's getting better!! x

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  6. Sometimes keeping busy is the best way to deal with pain. Happy to hear he's feeling better and I admire his resolve.

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    1. You're absolutely right, I shall pass on your message, thank you :) x

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  7. Glad he's feeling like he's returning to some normality.

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    1. Thank you Angela, it is a new normal, but it's a good one :) x

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  8. Bless his cotton socks - he is a proper fighter x

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  9. I totally understand why he feels he wants to do it - and I'm so glad that his boss is an understanding and supportive one who isn't pushing him to be back or giving him a hard time about it.

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    1. Thank you, it's always lovely to hear from you. I understand too, even though really I just want to keep him here and look after him. His boss has been brilliant - I think the fact that both his boss and head of HR have young children has helped - they're both aware of Meningitis and were both very worried for him when he was first taken ill. They're just glad he's back for a few hours a day so that he can keep everything ticking over :)

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  10. Oh my! I had no idea your husband had been so poorly. What an amazing recovery although I understand why you are so reluctant for him to go back to work!
    xx

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    1. Thanks hon - it really is great watching him get better and better by the day :)xx

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