So
June found me in the hospital, fighting unknown bacteria in my
cerebrospinal fluid (CSR) at the same time I was septicemic
from---not just one but---two different types of bacteria.
At
the same time, I lost the left side of my body (neuromotor-wise) and
found my vocal chords were becoming paralyzed. So
in July, I was hospitalized for surgery to place a plastic piece in
my throat to help me.
In
August, we decided we had to take out my Omaya reservoir in order for
the IV antibiotics I’d been on 24/7 since
June to kill all the bacteria in my CSF. After waiting the requisite
period of time, we went to do my interthecal treatment. The doctor
pricked my reservoir with the needle and - all I heard was a sucking
sound in my head. It was akin to being in a Sci Fi story. All that
resulted was blood, not CSF.
So
we went back to my neurosurgeon the next day. He tried to access my
Omaya reservoir, and once again I heard a sound like someone was
sucking my brains out. “It worked at the hospital.” Well, it
clearly wasn’t working now! So it was back into surgery for the
4th consecutive month that summer.
This
time, we got a better style of Omaya reservoir, one without any bend
in the catheter tube. And finally, in Oct, we were able to resume
treating me.
Although
I’d missed out on the whole summer, we were blessed with beautiful
warm weather, so I went to the beach - twice- in October. I even
swam in the pool to see if I could keep my head above water. I did.
hfh
Typed
by GSC
