Spinal Meningitis

Well my friends, I was recently hospitalized this past weekend for Spinal Meningitis. It all started with a severe headache that lasted for a couple of days. Then the vomiting and body aches started. This was the worst headache I have ever had in my entire life and it progressively worsened as time went on. Nothing would stop the headache or the vomiting. The pain became so severe I knew something was very wrong so off to the emergency room I went.
Once I was checked into the ER the first step in the diagnosis was to check my melon for any bleeding and signs of stroke. After the CT scan turned up negative, the ER doctor recommended a spinal tap (which hurt like hell). I was then diagnosed with viral meningitis. The doctor recommended that I be admitted into the hospital for pain management. I agreed and was hospitalized for three days and nights. I am glad I let them admit me; I really wanted to go home. I had no idea that the pain would continue like it had in the beginning. I was put on morphine for the pain (woo hoo). This was the first time I have ever been hospitalized as an adult and I must tell you I was afraid. I remember how I felt when the doctor told me there was no cure for my disease. For a second I thought I was done for. Then she told me that my body would naturally fight off the evil invader without the use of drugs. She also told me that it could take several weeks to several months before I feel better. The problem is that the body’s defense mechanism that causes the headache can remain long after the virus has been expelled.
I am at home now and am still battling the pain. I can only stand up for short periods of time before the excruciating pain starts to pound my head like a jack hammer. I am trying to take it one day at a time and remain optimistic. It has not even been a week and I feel I have had allot of time to think about my life and where I am going with it. Overall I feel pretty good about my life. I have a beautiful daughter and a loving wife and good friends and family that care about me. This does not mean that there is no room for improvement. There are many things that I have decided to change in my life. I don't want to let this experience go by without having learned something from it. It is unfortunate that we sometimes have to go through these types of life events before we decide to change the way we do things, but hey, that's life. I guess it's easy to become complacent in our day to day routines. But we do not have to let it come to this point to make change. Anyway, the headache is starting to come back and I must go lie down ( going to try to setup laptop), I just wanted to share me experience with you guys as I feel you are an extended part of my family too, Sean.

 

Thanks for your kind words everyone.