This is a read both for anyone who may recognise this experience and will show anyone else how important the nursing team is in individual care, how attached you become to each other and how, even when you are discharged, you have a long way to go.
This is an account of an experience which, hopefully, most people will never have to relate to. As a disclaimer, I had bacterial meningitis and recognise many of the emotions and experiences outlined here.
At a time when we are all acutely aware of one particular virus and the awesome response of the NHS, this story is of a bacterium, one which can wreak powerful, often fatal, but sometimes 'invisible' consequences on the human brain. The progression of the illness is well documented, the phases of acute danger, painful and confusing procedures and endless ward-changing, alongside the paranoia and hallucination period, partly due to the meds and also as a result of the ravaging disease, are well captured here. You fear change, new people, handwriting is weak and illegible but you feel an overwhelming urge to stamp your existence on the world and affirm that you are still you.
This is a read both for anyone who may recognise this experience and will show anyone else how important the nursing team is in individual care, how attached you become to each other and how, even when you are discharged, you have a long way to go. There may only be a short period - 'Eight seconds' of acute danger when you are in that limbo between life and death but recovery will take many many years. "wounds that can't be seen or measured are so slow to heal".
I absolutely loved this brave, vulnerable and eye-opening account of a man suffering from Meningitis B then Sepsis. I can imagine it would be difficult to recount this experience but it's both touching and honest.
I absolutely loved this brave, vulnerable and eye-opening account of a man suffering from Meningitis B then Sepsis. I can imagine it would be difficult to recount this experience but it's both touching and honest.