Meningitis Day 5

I don't know if anyone is really reading this, but it's as good a diary as you could ever have, and as time seems to have taken on a life of it's own, I think I'll really appreciate having it to look back on.

We had a minor setback this morning. By the time my partner went to sleep he had an annoying stabby pain in one leg (although no loss of circulation, sensation or control), he slurred his words a couple of times when he was getting tired, he shook a little during the night and when I took his temperature at 7am he was a bit warmer than I'd like at 37.7.

I woke him not long afterwards and he said he felt more 'ill' than he had since he'd come home. Our check up at the hospital was at 9am anyway, so we were saved from having to make the decision to go in specially.

He was clearly in pain walking, and in a move that I'm really proud of him for, he packed a hospital bag to take with us. He was very upset when we left home, crying and kissing the children. When we arrived I got a 6 hour parking ticket, trying to insure against the worst.

The Doctor listened to all of his new and returned symptoms and then said a phrase I'm beginning to get used to "it's all perfectly normal....for someone with Meningitis". Thank heavens for that! I'm sure in that instant my partner gained a foot in height and lost about another stone - he'd lost 14lbs by the time he was weighed in hospital, but as a method of weight loss I wouldn't recommend it!

We were told he'd get various new pains and aches while the damage caused by the Meningitis repairs, and some of them might be fairly long lasting and not very nice. His temperature had gone back down and the slurring also did not bother her.  The next couple of weeks should see improvements and setbacks, but as long as it's all going the right way overall, we shouldn't worry too much, and if we are worried we can go in or ring any time. He also has the side effects from the Lumbar Puncture starting to take effect now, which are not necessarily limited to an incredibly sore back.

We went home elated, and the children were so happy to see him. The long goodbye had worried a couple of them. The rest of the day he dozed and slept a lot more than the previous day, and there was a real air of calm about the whole family.

While he had a sleep at teatime we went out to play with some neighbours and let everyone work off a lot of stress in the sunshine...

He's vicious I tell you!

Girl no.1 ~ NOT the water fight winner!

While we were out 2 neighbours came over to ask how he was and offer help, and when we went home my partner told me he'd woken up to the sound of his children laughing and squealing outside. Perfect.