West Nile

I was a very healthy almost 70 year old when I contracted West Nile Virus last September. I had nausea and headache for several days before going to Urgent Care.  When I arrived my fever was 104.9 and blood oxygen level was very low.  I was sent by ambulance to the hospital where I spent 52 days.  The infectious disease doctor had WNV several years ago so he was familiar with what was happening to me.  They did a spinal tap and began treating my symptoms I was diagnosed with meningitis/encephalitis.  I was in intensive care for 35 days and in a coma for 17 of those days.  The doctors were concerned that I might not make it and if I did I would most likely have brain damage or physical disability.

I continued to improve and was sent to rehab and then home.  I had to learn to sit, stand, walk all over again and was very weak.  I had fatigue and weakness for a long time.  I had home health therapy for 4 months then out patient therapy for 3 months.  Other than having damage to my optic nerve in my left eye and my voice being weak still I will experience full recovery. 

It has been 10 months since I got sick and I am getting stronger all the time.  I credit the great medical staff I had and the persistence and dedication of my family and friends with my recovery.  The doctors say it is a miracle I survived.