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| April |
Hi there,
Here is my story. I lived in Massachusetts and was 16 when I contracted Viral Encephalitis.
How it all began was when I wasn't feeling well and went to the doctor. The doctor
diagnosed me with Mononucleosis. I was sent back home. I slept pretty solidly for 2
days. When my Mom woke me up in the morning 2 days later I went to walk to the bathroom.
I stumbled the whole way there and felt like I was intoxicated. My Father arrived and
carried me to the car. I was rushed to the local hospital and they brought me right in.
They did a spinal tap, cat scan and some other tests. They came back a few hours later
and told my parents that I had Encephalitis. I was admitted to the hospital. I don't
remember much about the next 30 days. I remember that I could not walk, eat, speak (except
a little). They had no idea what to do with me cause the doctors hadn't really dealt
with this disease.
The center for infectious disease came to review my case from
Atlanta Georgia. My Doctor was wonderful and stayed after hours to research what they
could do. Since there wasn't much they could do they would just keep me on an IV. I had
so many IV's that all of my veins collapsed and they had to put a tube through my arm
into my heart with no Novocain. I could not take in anything by mouth. I vomited about
10 times a day. The smallest movement in the room (balloons, TV or people) would make me
dizzy and sick to my stomach.
After a few weeks they transported me to a rehabilitation
hospital. This was very scary to me. I had no idea what to expect. When I first
arrived there wasn't much that they could do for me. I was still on my IV and couldn't
move. I started occupational, speech and physical therapy. My Dad would take me for
strolls outside in the wheel chair to get fresh air. This was important to me to see
that there was an outside life still. This was hard because from being in bed for so
long I lost my muscles in my neck and could not even hold my head up. After a few weeks
of therapy I was learning to do all of my daily functions again. I remember when I was
brought into the physical therapy pool I could walk. That was like a huge light at the
end of the tunnel for me. That was when I knew things would get better. Within a week
I was starting to take little walks, talk right and even do some cooking with some help.
On my release date I was very excited to go home. The transition was tough but with the
HUGE help of my parents we made it though. I had to continue with therapy for about
6 months. Now I am fully functional, got married 2 years ago and have a brand new baby
boy. The only side effect from the encephalitis that I can see is the dizziness in wide
open spaces. I was very lucky to have such a great hospital and family care. My Mom did
not leave my bedside and stayed most nights with me, when she couldn't my Dad did. This
made the whole sickness a lot better to cope with. I hope that my story could help other
people in anyway possible. I really enjoyed writing this now that I can look back on it
in more of a positive way!!!
Sincerely,
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April
Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Posted: August 24, 2000 |
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