The effects live on

So three years on from contracting Viral meningitis I am finding it is still leaving its mark. I had a cold this week and it has hit me hard resulting in two days off work, something that would never happened before VM made its appearance. Since I have been at home with little energy I have spent some time doing a little research. I have found the fact I get a lot of colds and they are much worse than you would expect seems to be common among those that have had VM. I have also found that the short temper and aggression I have may also be down to VM. Also a lack of concentration seems to be a theme, something I really struggle with at present. So knowing all this where do I go? Hopefully now I understand a little more about why, I can try and move on and overcome some of this obstacles. One thing I have come to telise over the last few years is how life changing illness not only affects the person but almost everyone they come into contact with. So New years resolution is to try and find the old Chris and get him to come and play more often.

Weather Website make over

Coming to the end of a rather successful weeks holiday. Lot of 'odd jobs' done and hopefully tomorrow the bike will have a new MOT. Have had one hiccup. That is that my old enemy, anxiety suddenly made it's self known. No idea where it came from but hopefully some appropriate prayer will send it on it's way. Another little 'gift' that my illness left behind. Anyway on to happy things and after looking at many weather site and getting rather jealous, I finally got round to sorting mine. It is rather basic at present but certainty looking much better. There a few little things that need sorting and eventually I want to expand it and make it look more professional, but for the time being it looks good. You can find by clicking the My Weather data link.

Air Ambulance

As you know I had the misfortune to be a customer of one of local Air Ambulances. I was too ill to fly with them but the care they brought may well have saved my life, or at the very least enabled me to be writing this today. The charity, yes the Air Ambulance is NOT run by the NHS it is run by donations! is looking to upgrade the current one to a more modern purpose built aircraft. So have a look at the link and see if you can help. As I discovered YOU NEVER know when you may be watching one land when it comes for you.


http://greatwesternairambulance.com/love-your-air-ambulance

Meningitis, a year on.

It is hard to believe that is a year since I contracted Viral Meningitis. This changed my life and I thought it would be a help for anyone suffering from this to see what recovery is like. I thought maybe some bullet points would be the best way to show my recovery.  

• December 2011. Emergency admission and week spent in hospital.
• January 2012. Returned to work.
• April 2012. Headaches reduced and feely more 'myself'.
• October 2012. Period of depresstion as began to realise what I had gone through.
• November 2012. First time I had felt 'Me' and not frighted about contracting it again.
• December 2012. Still some short term memory and tiredness issues.

This is a very brief outline of the last year but I hope it shows that the recovery, although long is almost 100%. It should also be noted that some of the above can also be put down to age and general life fluctuations. More information can be found at these two excellent sites.

http://www.meningitis-trust.org/

http://www.meningitisuk.org/

Finally some advice on what to do if you suspect someone has Meningitis.

• Call NHS Direct/NHS 24 or your GP.
• Go to your nearest accident and emergency department.
• Dial 999 for an ambulance.
• Describe the symptoms carefully and say that you think it could be meningitis or septicaemia.
• Early diagnosis can be difficult. If you have had advice and are still worried, get medical help again.
• Trust your instincts.

Health Update

If you have read any of my posts you will be aware I have had my fair share of hospital visits. One of the things I found helped me recovering was not only the excellent medical treatment, but the wealth of information posted on the internet by normal people giving their story, so if you are reading this while sitting in hospital and wondering what the future holds I hope it helps.

In March 2010 I was involved in a motorcycle accident which resulted in my ankle being fractured in three places. You can read about my progress in earlier posts. So, what is life like two years on?  I have full movement in it and do everything I could do before. However, I do suffer with a far bit of pain and stiffness. This seems to be mainly in the morning or after long periods sitting. It is also affected by changes in the weather or should I say changes in pressure. There is a large amount of metal still supporting the leg so that of course may be causing some discomfort.

December 2011 was probably the worst point of mine and my family's  life, when after an ear infection I became extremely ill with Viral Meningitis. This illness does everything it says on the tin, and more, it was the actions of my Wife and our Doctor that saved my life. I and my family knew nothing about it, so the information on the Meningitis UK and Meningitis Trust web sites was a real comfort. So how am I getting on after six months? This illness has really left it's mark on both me and my wife. We both look at life in a different light and realise you really do not know what tomorrow brings. The medical effects at present are headaches, which have reduced over time, stiff neck and tiredness. These of course could just be down to my age. The most worrying aspect though is memory problems. This shows as short term memory loss and lack of concentration. Again both these could be down to other factors. However, not withstanding these the main thing is that I survived and am leading a pretty normal life.

A Reminder?

Busy weekend with the Bath Half marathon yesterday. This is the first time I have worked during this event and it was very interesting to see the other side of the event. There was a change in road closure times which lead to a couple of interesting exchange of views with marshals. I was not driving during the race and was based in the Bus Station ensuring passengers found their bus. There were some very annoyed people so seemed unaware of the marathon. You do have to wonder how someone living in the city could have missed the signs which have been on  nearly every lamppost since January. As a result of all this I arrived home completely shattered. Woke up this morning feeling very ill, my first thoughts was the big 'M' making a return so a trip to the doctors. It seems that I had just got very tired and it was my brain and body reminding me how ill I had been. Very restful day and back to work tomorrow.

Health Update

Nearly three months since the illness that changed our lives in ways that only now are we realising. I have made a very good recovery only now left with headaches, tiredness and short to medium memory lapses. Of course these are things that a lot of people have and may have nothing to do with the meningitis.  The one thing that does stand out is a mental one. When I find myself in a situation such as walking the dog or on an empty bus,I do find myself reflecting on how incredibly lucky I have been and thinking a lot of 'what ifs'. But, I am here, I survived and I have a life to live, and perhaps some work for the Lord to do. I have learned how devastating this illness can be and how quickly it can strike, so I ask you to have a look at the various organisations sites listed on the left here, because as we found out it can strike anyone.

This and That

First week back at work over and done with. Went very well, it was really good to be back. Still have some headaches and what I can only describe as befuddlement. However, this may be just being so ill rather than the after effects of the Meningitis. Once again I seem to have been incredible lucky to have recovered this well and this fast. On a four day weekend and took advantage to put the bike through the MOT. I had a few concerns the main one being the chain, which is on it's last legs. Anyway amazingly it passed! It did have a couple of advisories on front disc and the chain. Will have these done when our financial situation has stabilised a bit. Also this weekend off to see the in-laws who we should have seen the weekend I was ill.

Time to reflect

Looking back on some of my recent posts I can see how confused I have been. So now the hospital has confirmed the image shown on the CT scan is only left over's from the ear infection it now seems a good time to look back on what has happened to me over the last couple of months, and how I got here.This will not only help me but I hope will help one of you spot a case of meningitis as mine was.
The whole thing started back in November when I started with two colds back to back. They came and went very quickly. I was then left with blocked ears, this got progressively worse and eventually resulted in a trip to the doctor. They diagnosed an ear infection and I left with a course of antibiotics.
Things then went down hill fast. We had planned to go and visit our parents and as our car is a bit old had treated ourselves to a hire car. We picked it up on the Friday and had a couple of things to do in Bristol. I was still feeling a little rough but but it down to the infection and the effect of the antibiotics.
Saturday came and we set off to see my parents. We went out for lunch and I began to feel very ill. My vision was poor and I had a severe headache. We put this down to a possible migraine and after having some pain killers I was feeling OK again. We travelled home again without any problems. It is at this point that things get fussy and I have to rely on Fiona's account of events. Sunday arrived and we were supposed to go to Wales to see the in laws.I felt most unwell and Fiona ended up ringing the out of hours doctor and taking me to our local hospital. I had a full check up and left with very strong pain killers. Also the doctor said I was extremely dehydrated and I could either go in to hospital then and there or go home and try and drink plenty. I elected to go home. Perhaps I should have taken the first option.Most of Sunday was spent in bed trying to drink,which meant the visit to Wales was off.
Monday morning came and I felt very ill. Fiona rang our doctor at about 0900 and they said they would visit after morning surgery, about 1230. At about 1030 Fiona was extremely cornered as I was becoming delirious. She contacted the doctor who could hear me in the background. She then arranged for paramedics to attend and within an hour I was admitted to the RUH. At this point I was extremely ill and the next two days are a blur, but I had various tests which showed I had Viral Meningitis. I was filled with antibiotics and left hospital after a week, much to the relief of my family.
I have been incredibly lucky. For those that don't know  Meningitis is the inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord.It therefore has the potential to kill or at worst leave you with live changing effects. During the first few weeks I had some problems with my speech and hand eye coordination and severe tiredness. Fortunately it seems I am just left with the tiredness and some problems getting words out. These hopefully will pass in time.
I am back to work next week which will make it a month since I went in to hospital I can only thank Fiona and the doctor for being on the ball. All the medical staff from the paramedics and helicopter crew to the hospital staff.
To all the people who prayed for me and  who sent good wishes in so many ways,you do not how much it meant to me. And ultimately to God for getting me through this, I have to say any doubt I had about the power of prayer has gone out the window.
Please have a look at the links on the blog, I hope I show that it is not just children that can get this frightening condition.

Feeling much better

Three weeks now and feeling much more myself. Speech and vision seems to be back to normal and headaches seem to have reduced to acceptable levels. Returning to work on the 12th Jan and I must say I am looking forward to that. Still have a visit to the hospital next week so the ENT can look at the growth in my ear. The suggestion is that this was in same way the cause of the infection getting in and causing the meningitis One job to do is to get new chain and sprocket for the bike and prepare it for MOT.

Getting there

Two weeks on since I was taken to the RUH with Meningitis.Just the word is enough to fill people with dread, the doctors left me with no illusion how ill I had been and also how lucky I had been to have someone at home who was able to call the Doctor. Fiona ended up with two rapid response vehicles, one Ambulance, and an Air Ambulance outside the house. It was planned that I would be flown to Frenchay Hospital however I became very agitated so I went by road ambulance accompanied by the Doctor. I think Fiona was quite excited as she ended up in the front of the ambulance on full 'blues and two's' The couple of days in hospital are a bit of a blue and I understand I was quite aggressive. I was pumped full of Anti-biotic s and slowly began to feel better. I did find though that I had some problems with my speech and some problems with hand eye coordination skills, I still have these but they are improving. However I am still finding the tiredness a problem. Have been out on the bike today but think it may have been a step to far to soon.Sick note runs out next week but think I may need some more time, I also have to see the ENT department as the CT Scan showed a growth in my ear which they want to investigate. I hope my experience will help reduce some of the dread Meningitis leaves.

Taking it easy

Little scared today so a visit to the Doctor. Good news in that the odd vision and headaches is a symptom of the the various tablets I am taking and will improve over time. Today has been better today but yet again told that I must rest and listen to my body Putting up the decorations and trying to make the home look Christmasy.

Very Tired

First full day at home and struggling a bit. Still have headaches and some problems with my vision, these will improve over the next few weeks, I was also warned that I would be very tired and again that is going to take some weeks to improve and I have been sighed off work until at least the 4th Jan. So jobs know take a little longer than usual.

A little ill

Been in the Royal United Hospital again. This time turned out to be a little serious. I had a problem with my ears for a while and last weekend we were due to visit both sets of parents and my Sister. We made it to mine on the Saturday but I was a little unwell with a severe Headache. We made it home but Sunday the Headache got to the point where an emergency doctors visit was required, they thought I had perforated eardrum.Prescribed Antibiotics and sent me home.Monday arrived and rapidly became very unwell with headache,sore neck and sickness. I also became very confused and speaking rubbish. Fiona rang for a Doctor and the next I knew was that I was being taken to the park where an Air Ambulance was waiting! I missed out on a ride as I was too confused and agitated. So it was a blue light job to the RUH where it was discovered I was suffering from a form of Meningitis. I spent until Wednesday in a fairly confused state until the Antibiotics cut in. I am now home where I have to take things very easy for a few weeks.