Sickness: By the numbers
In the last 14 days since the onset of the headache, the very first inkling of the trouble to come, this is how it has shaken down:
14 days of headache
4 days nausea
3 days fever, chills, and host of other things no one wants to read about
1 trip to Urgent Care Clinic
1 diagnosis possible meningitis
1trip to ER
3 minutes in waiting room (possible communicable disease gets you right in!)
3 IV attempts before successful start and 2 bags fluid
1 spinal tap proving neg. for meningitis
1 clear head CT scan
1 probable kidney infection, 3 prescriptions given, release.
2 days later, worse not better
1 trip to PCP on Friday, who arranged immediately
1 admission to hospital for dehydration and unknown illness
3L fluids given in 3hrs, 2 more L by morning.
3 separate antibiotics to treat whatever-it-is
1 ekg
1 chest x-ray
90 minutes with head in cage in claustrophobic MRI tube for scans of head and back
2 additional chest x-rays
3 valium/day
3 antibiotics/day
1 IV falls out, 3 attempts needed to find new vein
24 hours without power as Hurricane Ike whipped through Ohio. Luckily hospitals get power back first.
0 causes for original headache found
3 chest x-rays positive for pneumonia, antibiotics cut to 2 targeted
1 nightly belly injection of blood thinners
2 daily blood draws for testing
1 neurologist consult Wed. lasting 90 seconds
1 diagnosis bonus headache from spinal tap in ER
1 blood patch performed to close hole leaking spinal fluid
9 hours lying horizontal only to keep patch intact.
36 hours later, headache is manageable.
After 7 full days in hospital, finally released on Friday. 26 total sticks with needle into severely needle-phobic blogger.
And did I mention the day I checked into the hospital, my dad had quadruple bypass surgery? He’s doing great, thank goodness, and actually beat me out of the hospital!
Yep, it’s been a real doozy around here, I’m only just getting to start going through e-mail, so if you’re waiting for a response from me, I’m doing the best I can. The good news is I feel like I’ve been hit by a small truck now, rather than a freight train!
Big thanks to everyone for all their well-wishes and prayers!
Until next time…
C.
Holy Hell, Carla ~ I’m SO sorry. I had no idea that you were going through all of this. How very scary! I’m glad you’re feeling better, but did they ever diagnose what was really wrong? Let me know if there’s anything I can do. And prayers for your dad too.
Yep Barb, pneumonia. They never figured out if the original stuff was a virus that eventually caused the pneumonia, or if it started out as that and just had weird first symptoms. Crazy.
WoW!
Just found your blog and ummm…was captivated by your last two weeks in hell! makes me wanna go wash my hands a wear a mask micheal jackson style….shudder! so, well, hello and I hope your back to your old self soon. In the man time I’ll just cruise what you’ve already blogged. Oh and I got here via a scrapbook blog…not sure which one….stay alive…I just met you!
Lynn in North Dakota
Carla, I’m so sorry you’ve gone through all of this. I hope that each day you are stronger and feeling better. I’m sending good karma, prayer and vibes, all at once.