ENCEPHALITIS CASES

Encephalitis Cases

Marianne

I was 23 yrs. old on December 20, 1990, living in Federal Way, Washington when I got Herpies Simplex Encephalitis

In 1990, this healthy 24 year old married mother of 2 (3 yr old and 6 month old) started having really bad head aches. "I never get headaches like this! What's all this about?" That lady is me, Marianne. That one week was the beginning of a life changing event. God's hand was in it all. I had the life changing seizure at my moms home on a snowy December day, - not at our little apartment alone with our two daughters. Also, my sister, who I really never saw and who was a nurse at the time, was there. An ambulance took me to the local hospital and I was there for about two and a half weeks. I was found to have had H.S.E. I don't remember anything for the first 12 days. I 'woke-up' with the worst headache. I didn't know who anyone was let alone who the little 6 month old baby was this man called 'my husband' was holding.

After I was found physically to be O.K., I was sent to another hospital that would just focus on memory. Again, God's hand - both my in-laws worked at that hospital as well. I was there 2 weeks or so working on my memory, for me that was my home. Slowly I got my memory back enough to go home but I couldn't be left alone for about a month and had outpatient therapy. I had to prove myself. Man it was hard. I have funny stories to tell of all the silly things I did not knowing what things were.

As months went by, life was slowly getting back to normal. I'm just really glad I passed my drivers test! My smell and taste were both gone for a while but the world knew when my taste came back. "OH YUM" was all I said when ever I ate. Smelling? Not back but that's O.K. Changing diapers was no problem with the two boys we added to our family.

The Doctors from the very beginning said I would improve greatly at the beginning with memory but would get set in my ways and not get totally back to normal. Man - is THAT true?

To this day I struggle so much remembering names, titles, places, facts, details, etc, etc. Don't ask me my son's friends name that lives across the street or the shampoo I've been using for years. I always need to ask my boys things like "What's your math teachers name?" or "Isn't this the movie we saw last week?" Don't you dare ask me the song title I love listening to as I jog! I'll see a face but not know the name or hear a name but can't picture the face.

Finding a few websites lately has been encouraging. Knowing there are others who understands brings peace. I want to bring peace to others as well thus, here I am, a 42 year old, married 21 years, wanting to tell all that God's hand has carried me through it year in and year out, and holds me dearly when I feel like giving up talking while every one else can recall things easily. One last thing..... I REMEMBER MY 9 MONTH OLD GRAND DAUGHTER'S NAME ! ! ! :-)

Marianne
Washington, U.S.A.

Posted: May 24, 2009

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