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This is a story about my father-in-law Mel. We are from Wales in the U.K. Mel contracted Encephalitis in February 2002. He is 74 years
old and up until the day he became ill, was living on his own totally independent, driving, shopping, cooking etc. enjoying his life.
He complained about feeling forgetful, having headaches and started to loose his speech slightly, we all at first thought he had suffered
a stroke. He was admitted to hospital and "changed" overnight. My father-in law was very confused and could not speak at least not in
"English" as we know it. The doctors then diagnosed Herpes Simplex Encephalitis. After spending almost a month in Intensive Care - most
of that time being unconscious, with raging temperatures and crazy blood pressure levels (both high and low) and being helped with ventilators
and a tracheotomy for his breathing he was moved to a general ward.
It is now some seven months since Mel became ill and he is now in a rehabilitation hospital for the elderly. He does not appear to know/recognise anyone, including my husband, which is very upsetting. He is not able to do an awful lot for himself, but has recently been able to eat finger foods, sandwiches, etc by himself. A couple of months ago he wasn't able to or even understand how to feed himself. His speech is incoherent most of the time (almost as if he is speaking a foreign language we do not understand), but sometimes he does put together small sentences which make sense, and has also mentioned some family names. Sometimes when agitated e.g. my husband making a noise trying to tune in the T.V. he will say "Paul ? Leave it alone, it doesn't matter" then that moment of recognition is gone in a flash. The sad thing is we think he knows exactly what he is saying but doesn't realise we don't understand him, so sometimes the answers we give him are not always the ones he wants/expects to hear and this upsets him/us even more. His personality has also changed dramatically, he can now become abusive when nurses are trying to dress or change him (he is also incontinent) because I don't think he understands that they are trying to help him. He would never have behaved in this way before he became ill.
We have spoken to several medical people who are caring for my father-in-law they cannot give us any more answers - This is not a text book case!!!! - We will have to wait and see.
I appreciate from reading other stories by people and families who have been affected by this awful virus that everyone's recovery and symptoms are so different
but it would be nice to hear from anyone who has experienced something similar. It seems that all we can do now is be there for him and
hope and pray he comes back to us!
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Christine Hughes- daughter-in-law
Wales, UK
Posted: October 16, 2002 |
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