Monday 15 July 2013

Meningitis Day 5

I don't know if anyone is really reading this, but it's as good a diary as you could ever have, and as time seems to have taken on a life of it's own, I think I'll really appreciate having it to look back on.

We had a minor setback this morning. By the time my partner went to sleep he had an annoying stabby pain in one leg (although no loss of circulation, sensation or control), he slurred his words a couple of times when he was getting tired, he shook a little during the night and when I took his temperature at 7am he was a bit warmer than I'd like at 37.7.

I woke him not long afterwards and he said he felt more 'ill' than he had since he'd come home. Our check up at the hospital was at 9am anyway, so we were saved from having to make the decision to go in specially.

He was clearly in pain walking, and in a move that I'm really proud of him for, he packed a hospital bag to take with us. He was very upset when we left home, crying and kissing the children. When we arrived I got a 6 hour parking ticket, trying to insure against the worst.

The Doctor listened to all of his new and returned symptoms and then said a phrase I'm beginning to get used to "it's all perfectly normal....for someone with Meningitis". Thank heavens for that! I'm sure in that instant my partner gained a foot in height and lost about another stone - he'd lost 14lbs by the time he was weighed in hospital, but as a method of weight loss I wouldn't recommend it!

We were told he'd get various new pains and aches while the damage caused by the Meningitis repairs, and some of them might be fairly long lasting and not very nice. His temperature had gone back down and the slurring also did not bother her.  The next couple of weeks should see improvements and setbacks, but as long as it's all going the right way overall, we shouldn't worry too much, and if we are worried we can go in or ring any time. He also has the side effects from the Lumbar Puncture starting to take effect now, which are not necessarily limited to an incredibly sore back.

We went home elated, and the children were so happy to see him. The long goodbye had worried a couple of them. The rest of the day he dozed and slept a lot more than the previous day, and there was a real air of calm about the whole family.

While he had a sleep at teatime we went out to play with some neighbours and let everyone work off a lot of stress in the sunshine...

He's vicious I tell you!
Girl no.1 ~ NOT the water fight winner!
While we were out 2 neighbours came over to ask how he was and offer help, and when we went home my partner told me he'd woken up to the sound of his children laughing and squealing outside. Perfect.


20 comments:

  1. glad he is doing a bit better and you were all able to have a bit of a chance to relax in the sunshine too, hope he continues to improve and that his recovery is not too drawn out!

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  2. Thank you for sharing this with us. You don't normally hear much about how meningitis really is, it's just a scary word. I hope he continues to improve and that you have some good friends who can share the burden, both physical and mental with you.

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    1. Thank you Catwoman. He's still doing really well, He's definitely improving still :)

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  3. I'm still reading. I've been worried about you all and it's nice to know whats happening without having to call you all the time. I didn't realise how long the symptoms of meningitis could last but it sounds like it's going the right way. xxx

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  4. I've been reading very closely and I'm glad that you got treatment quickly and that he's on the road to recovery.
    I had meningitis in my teens and was in hospital for just over a week, but I would say it was at least a month after I got home that I began to feel like I was really getting better. Until then I tired very quickly, I ached, I couldn't concentrate, slurred words and my vision would fade when I was tired.

    It took another six months or so from there to return to the health I had previously. It's a long process and he'll have a few steps back along the way if he feels well and over exerts himself - but he's going to be absolutely fine soon - well done to you all for getting to hospital so quickly.

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    1. Thank you. Your reply means a great deal to me, it really does. What you say is pretty much exactly what we've been led to believe is likely by the people at the hospital, so it's really great to hear it from someone who has actually been there.
      I'm really glad you had no lasting damage, and I've already noticed that if he overdoes it he starts to suffer, so you saying it will hopefully back up the fact he needs to have time to recover properly and encourage him to take it easy as long as is necessary :) xx

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  5. So sorry to hear that he has Meningitis, it must be hard for you right now. Really glad to hear that this morning's setbacks were nothing major and wishing him well on the long road to recovery.

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    1. It is a bit hard..... :D

      It's not a week I'd ever like to repeat, and it's only been 5 days :D

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  6. Glad he's on the mend, must be very scary for you all

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    1. It was incredibly scary, and you don't realise how bad until afterwards...thanks Angela x

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  7. Glad to hear he is at home and although not 100% better, on the road to getting better.

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    1. Cheers Laura. We're definitely on the right road :)

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  8. That must have been so stressful and such a relief. You can't beat a bit of water fun for relaxing though. Hope he's back to full health quickly.

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    1. Thank you hon, it isn't a week I'd like to ever repeat that's for sure :) x
      And yeah, water fights are great :D

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  9. Glad you have been able to make time to decompress with the children. Looks like girl #1 was definitely under fire in the water fight.

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    1. I'm doing my best. i'm sure at times I'm not very brilliant :D

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