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May 07, 2006
aanndd were back.....
So I've been a little MIA this week.
***I thought I should mention that there will be some talk of blood and ickyness in this post, so if you are squeamish stop reading here***
Last Saturday I woke up with a stiff neck and to make a long story short I ended up getting a lumbar puncture on Monday night to see if I had meningitis. (the procedure used to be called a 'spinal tap' but we are pretty sure they changed the name after the movie came out...)
I don't have meningitis. btw.
But then I started having some complications from the lumbar puncture. The small hole didn't heal and I started leaking spinal fluid. Not a good situation. If you are ever asked if you would rather have bamboo shoots under your fingernails or leaking spinal fluid, take the bamboo. You'll be in less pain.
So Friday I was back in hospital, talking to a neurologist rating my pain on a scale from 1 to 10. (10 btw) and getting what they call a 'blood patch' Which is as medieval as it sounds. Basically they take some of your own blood and squirt it into the area where they did the initial puncture and the blood some how acts as some sort of spackle and fills the hole.
At one point the pain got so bad I was given morphine. The first time I've ever had morphine and yeah, it helped but can I just say I could never be a morphine addict, it just does not sit well on my stomach. yuck.
But the patch seems to be working and I'm on the mend.
Fingers crossed I should be fighting fit by next week.
It was a big week and I'm quite looking forward to a little normalcy.
At the moment I look a bit like an iv drug user, they put needles in places where I didn't know you could put them. ouch!
I want to add one more thing. After spending a few nights in hospital, I really appreciate a good nurse. Boy, they make all the difference. And they do not get paid enough. I don't know how much money would be enough, but doubling their current wage might be a good start. And maybe bonuses for the really really good ones. Like tiaras and overseas trips and chocolate and a puppy...
But I'm ok and catching up on news and emails.
-gg
Posted by gadgetgirl at May 7, 2006 09:51 AM
Comments
Oh wow. Fingers crossed for a safe and quick recovery.
Posted by: miftik at May 7, 2006 12:38 PM
Dude! That's some fierce stuff! I wish I'd known, I would have brought you over some chocolate, or bourbon, or something.
Good to hear you're on the mend. Mwah!
Posted by: Kt at May 7, 2006 06:25 PM
Awww! Yucky, that's awful. Glad to hear you are on the mend now though.
Feel better GG!
Posted by: The Other Andrew at May 7, 2006 08:01 PM
Jeez - sounds like you've been through the mill. Glad you're out of hospital, and hope you're feeling a lot better now.
You're right about the nurses :)
Posted by: Morgan at May 7, 2006 08:01 PM
Poor poppet! Let me know if there is anything I can do, ok?
Posted by: Miss Helen at May 7, 2006 08:01 PM
OMG!
How awful!
Posted by: Sydney at May 7, 2006 08:07 PM
But on a happier note - Supre (A.K.A. the Skanky Ho Shop) has some way cool pirate belts. Not in my size (sigh), but I do think you need one for work!
Posted by: Kt at May 7, 2006 08:43 PM
Thanks so much everyone. I am definitely on the mend. I thank most of that to my loving hunny, he's been my rock through this whole thing.
Kt-oooh, I might have to pop into the Skanky Ho shop at some point....sounds like fun stuff.
Again, thanks for the support everyone.
Posted by: gadgetgirl at May 7, 2006 08:57 PM
Oh my gosh! I'm glad you're OK. Can we get you anything? Do you have enough chocolate?
And, honestly, "lumbar puncture" sounds even more horrifying than "spinal tap." They should change the name back.
Posted by: amyc at May 7, 2006 11:25 PM
oh my lord!! amyy, i hope you're feeling much better this week, that sounds terrible
Posted by: tracey at May 8, 2006 01:09 AM
GAAAAHHH... That's awful! I hope you're feeling better! Did they work out what's really wrong with you? Poor thing; you've been sick for ages!
Posted by: Kris at May 8, 2006 07:31 AM
thank you SO much everyone. I've overwhelmed by the support.
I'm feeling so much better this morning. I should be back to work tomorrow. (fingers crossed)
But no, they don't have any real explanation for my sickness, they just say it was some sort of random virus. go fig.
Posted by: gadgetgirl at May 8, 2006 08:17 AM
dearest amy!
i can't believe the scare you've had, the pain you had to endure and too many nights away from rob in hospital. you're a brave one!
huge hug to you and i'm glad to hear you're OK!
x dani
Posted by: dani at May 8, 2006 08:18 AM
Hey sweetheart - you poor thing! I am glad that the clotting worked. Horrible experience. Glad to hear that you're feeling better xxxxx
Posted by: Meredith at May 8, 2006 04:22 PM
Oh my gosh! Joe can definitely sympathize with you. He had menengitis (sp?) as a kid and had a couple of those. He was terribly traumatized! We'll keep you in our prayers...
Posted by: Kris's mom at May 8, 2006 10:13 PM