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| Lorre |
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I was an active boy looking forward to my eighth birthday in May 1961. Five days before my birthday I contracted the measles. My best friend and I
both came down with measles at the same day. All I did all day was sleep. My mother would wake me up to eat but I couldn't finish anything because
I would fall asleep in the middle of it.
My mother and father didn't see a reason to call the doctor because all I had was
the measles. Both of my brothers had the measles when they were young and so they
thought they knew what to do. It wasn't until the fourth day that they called the
doctor. After the examination the doctor told my parents that I had measles
encephalitis. The doctor called the local hospitals but none of them were equipped
to handle the case. They next day they took me to a hospital in Portland, Oregon.
I don't remember the trip to the hospital. My parents said I was awake the entire
trip to the hospital and in the emergency room. They said that was when I went
into the coma. I was out for one week from the day I arrived at the hospital.
My mother never forgave herself for not getting me to the doctor any earlier.
When I awoke I was blind and paralyzed. I had lost 20 pounds and was very frail.
While in the hospital my feet started curving under so the hospital tied pieces
of wood to the bottom of my feet to stop them from deforming.
I had numerous dreams while in the hospital, but I couldn't distinguish between
dreams and reality. One day I told my mother to go home because I visualized
her as a friend in school who put me in a crib in the middle of the hall in school.
I remained in the hospital for only one month. Hospital officials offered to take
me home in an ambulance but my parents said they didn't need it. On the trip home
my nerves were on edge. Each crack in the road was a new experience of pain. I
cried and screamed the entire way home.
It was more than a month later that I regained my vision. Both eyes were 20/20.
My father, an optometrist, checked the findings three times. My strength returned
a month later. I was able to walk again three weeks later.
My mother took on the role of teacher to get me ready to return to school. That was
more hard work because I had forgotten so much of what I had learned. Prior to
contracting encephalitis, I was a good student. I loved to read books along with
playing most sports. My physical problems continued. My migraines never really
stopped. I was able to hide the pain from people around me. I also, never got over
the forgetfulness. I had forgotten how to read. I new the letters but I couldn't
put them together to form words. I didn't return to school until the following
October. When I did, I was lost. I couldn't read the textbooks or the class reader.
Even after practicing the words at home I couldn't remember how to spell the words.
Finally they had to put me back into the second grade again.
The first day in second grade was a real eye opener. My third grade friends didn't
what anything to do with an underclassman. The second graders parents had heard
about the encephalitis and me from the local newspaper. All of the students thought
I had died and returned as a monster to get them so they stayed away from me.
I was enrolled in special reading classes but all that did was make me cry because
nothing seemed to work. I got some of my readying skills back but not what I had
before. I remained in the special classes through sixth grade. When I went to junior
high school it was more of the same. I started in the regular classes then was
moved to the handicap classes. Other students considered me, to be a retarded
student. These were long years in junior high. In high school I was able to squeak
by. By my senior year my grade point average was up to the honor roll. Of course
I was taking easy classes to graduate.
To make a long story short I enlisted in the Air Force in 1972 and was able to
learn, more or less, with experience. My reading was still a little suspect. I
was a cop for the first four years. Because of my migraines, kidney pain, and
backaches they needed to change my job. At that time I entered into the Information
Office. Little did I know that was working on Air Force newspapers. It was hard
work because I still didn't like reading. I was able to finish my 20-year career
with the Air Force and then got a job as a copy editor on two small newspapers.
While in the Air Force I was put on so many pain relievers that when I walked I
rattled.
Today I am a member of the PGA and work as a golf instructor. There's no pressure
and the hours are more to my liking. I still have migraine headaches everyday.
My back is not straight so I have severe pain. My short-term memory is almost
completely gone. I get real problems giving lessons because I forget my students
name in the middle or forget my instructions for him.
If this letter helps anyone get through the effects of encephalitis and the constant
pain then this letter was definitely worth it. Sorry for any typos, I still have
problem reading. I still hate reading!
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Lorre
Washington, U.S.A.
Posted: September 18, 2002 |
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