TWO YEARS AGO - the start of the journey
Monday, February 7, 2011
Thinking back to where it all began I realize it began a lot earlier than I thought.
During 2008 I was unwell with swollen ankles and had a very quiet year with the diagnosis being Cellulitis.
Christmas came and went in 2008 and I started 2009 with high hopes of better health and a great year. Number 9 is my favourite number and I thought it could be nothing but a good year.
I was wrong - during the early weeks of January I developed what I thought to be a "pinched nerve" in my shoulder and it became so bad that I couldn't sit or stand without help so off I went to my Doctor, who ordered X-rays and Physiotherapy and said he too thought it was a "pinched nerve.
He also prescribed pain killers and I came home after the treatment at the Physiotherapist and went to bed feeling very nauseous.
My younger daughter could probably fill in the details of that night better than I can because I was very ill with what I now know to be Encephalopathy. **
My recollection on the Tuesday morning was of my daughter leaning over the bed and telling me "We are taking you to hospital in an ambulance" my reaction was to say "Like Hell you are" but the Ambulance Officer took over and said "Well my dear it is too late we are here to take you now."
I have absolutely no recollection of the next four days or of any of the tests I had to have. I regained consciousness on the Friday to look up to see my entire family around the bed. I asked "how long have you been here?" to be told that they had been there for most of the preceding four days.
My memory of the time in High Dependency is blurred but I can remember beeping machines, and a constant blood pressure cuff inflating and deflating.
I also remember tender hands and soft voices and a beautiful nurse who treated me with such dignity.
I was moved to a ward after 10 days there and then started the dramas of the decision as to which department I belonged to. I had fluid in the lungs so did I belong to the Respiratory Unit, my liver function was very poor - so did I belong to Hepatology and in the background was the Encephalopathy so did I belong to Neurology?
There was much discussion, and an under water sealed drain was inserted and over a number of days they drained 12 litres of fluid from my pleural cavity.
My first visit to hospital became a stay of seven weeks and I was then transferred to St. Margaret's Convalescent Hospital for ten days before being released and allowed to come home.
What a wonderful feeling that was - I was going home and going to be well.
Little did I know.
Love and hugs,
My memory of the time in High Dependency is blurred but I can remember beeping machines, and a constant blood pressure cuff inflating and deflating.
I also remember tender hands and soft voices and a beautiful nurse who treated me with such dignity.
I was moved to a ward after 10 days there and then started the dramas of the decision as to which department I belonged to. I had fluid in the lungs so did I belong to the Respiratory Unit, my liver function was very poor - so did I belong to Hepatology and in the background was the Encephalopathy so did I belong to Neurology?
There was much discussion, and an under water sealed drain was inserted and over a number of days they drained 12 litres of fluid from my pleural cavity.
My first visit to hospital became a stay of seven weeks and I was then transferred to St. Margaret's Convalescent Hospital for ten days before being released and allowed to come home.
What a wonderful feeling that was - I was going home and going to be well.
Little did I know.
Love and hugs,
This link with explain Hepatic encephalopathy.
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