Post Hospitalization Reflections

I was bitten by a mosquito and contracted West Nile Virus.  I went from being a healthy, highly functioning almost 70 year old to just barely escaping death a couple of times.  I spent 52 days in the hospital and 17 of those days in a comatose state.  Doctors warned my family that I might not make it.  For the most part I was oblivious to what was happening and was experiencing delirium and hallucinations.

It is staggering to realize how quickly your life can change.  I went from working every day as director of a large region for the Alzheimer's Association to having to learn how to walk, talk and rebuild my life.  I was blessed to recover full brain activity so my cognition was in tact.  That had been a big concern for everyone. 

I have been out of the hospital for 7 weeks today and have recovered beyond the expectations of all the medical community.  They say I am a miracle and I know that all the prayers and concerns made a difference for me.  I am able to walk with a walker and a cane, my voice is getting stronger daily and I can dress myself.

So now I find myself searching for the new me.  It will be a while before I can drive and be independent.  I have had someone with me constantly since my illness and I have had to give up so much.  I was unable to do anything for myself so I was totally dependent on others.  For someone like me that was a difficult position to be in but I had to let go and trust.  It was a very humbling experience to deal with.

I want to express my appreciation to my family for watching out for me and making certain I was well cared for during my hospital stay and since then.  They endured beyond what I would have wished for them but I am so appreciative to them for the caring and love.  They are incredible.

When I reflect on what has happened to me I am aware that there is a larger purpose in all this. Many have told me that God must have a purpose for me for me to survive all I went through.  I am so grateful for the support of friends and family during this time and want to honor them as I recover.  I find myself in a state of extreme gratitude for being here today.  More will be revealed

Before West Nile

This will be the best year of my life.  There are so many exciting things happening this year.  I decided to retire from my position of 18 years as Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association.  The “R” date is set for December 1.  This fall will be one of fulfillment and enjoyment for me.  September 13, is my 70^th birthday and I am planning a girls weekend in the mountains to celebrate.  After that we will have the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and that will be my final walk.  Then in November we have planned a luncheon to recognize the time I dedicated to the Association.  Table captains are already getting their tables filled for the event.   I chose December 1, to retire since my husband and I will be celebrating our 50^th anniversary December 26.  We have a big party planned with friends and family.

How fun it will be to look back on the successes of my career and be able to move to the next chapter in my life.  When I sent the announcement of my retirement to board members, colleagues and friends I had such nice responses.   I have done a good job in raising awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and helping many families over the years.   I am grateful for the experience and opportunity. 

On August 31, my husband and I went to a funeral for the mother of a good friend.  I got dressed up and felt great.  After the funeral we went to a reception at the family home.  There was great food but after eating I began to feel nauseous so we left.  I had a headache and just didn’t feel well overall.  I thought I had eaten some bad food so I laid around for the rest of the Labor Day weekend.

On Tuesday September 3, my daughter came to the house to check on me.  I had gotten dressed for work but was not feeling well.  I had a conference call with my staff so I made the call from home.  The ladies on the call could tell I was not well in fact they later told me they thought I was having a stroke.  They suggested I get off the call and they would take care of it.  When my daughter walked in she said I was passed out at my desk.

She immediately took me to the urgent care clinic and my temperature was 104.9 and pulse oxygen was very low.  They called an ambulance and that started my 52 day hospital stay.  When arriving at the hospital they did a spinal tap and decided I had encephalitis meningitis.