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.