Diagnosis
Okay then. And yes people, there is officially something wrong with me. It's not all in my head. I'm not imagining this entire illness. Seriously. The neurologist has made determinations. Medical determinations based upon tried-and-true medical knowledge acquired through years of training, experience, and knowhow!
Yesterday's nerve conduction study indicates that my nerves are not communicating properly with my muscles, and that there is indeed nerve damage, at least and especially in my legs.
I am not exactly sure how to feel about this, I'm really not. But you would think I'd want to scream out to the world, something to the effect of "I told you so!" - but I no longer have that within me, that need for vindication. It seems I continue to evolve. Or perhaps, and again, the news hasn't sunk in yet. Fully.
They will be waiting an additional 10 to 14 days for results of my most recent blood work, so that they may formally name this thing. So now I wait. Which again, doesn't seem to be a big deal after more than a decade trying to identify the problem.
Anyway, the past several days have been quite eventful. I might as well share about that, too, right?
Covid Booster Reaction
Friday's vaccine booster shot did not go swimmingly. Well, the shot itself was fine, but the after-effects were extreme. Or in the least, severe. Shall we go there?
For the most part, the day after was no big deal. Severe headache. Unrelenting. One of the worst headaches I've ever had. But really, I am not typically headache prone. So for you and others, it may have been just a typical everyday happening. Although, the duration was an uneasy dozen hours lasting.
I awoke early the next morning freezing cold, chills upon chills. I had my sheet and my off-green blanket draped across me, so I shouldn't have been that cold. But I soon realized that I was soaking wet… armpit to kneecaps.
Upon further investigation, my extra-absorbent bed "chuck" and sheets were saturated. My feeding formula had leaked all night long, coming back out through my stoma… which is a bad thing. No nutrition, no hydration all night long.
As it turns out, my intestines shut down again. Yep, it's the same thing that happened when I was recently hospitalized for those two weeks with covid.
Fantastic. Right?
At least this time, I was able to hydrate ever-so-slightly. Slow trickle of water to my tube was maintained. However, by Monday, I realized that straight water wasn't cutting it. Not only was I becoming seriously dehydrated, but I felt as though my blood sugar was getting low. I ate a small amount of sugar, hoping it wouldn't provoke my constant nausea.
But the sugar didn't seem to help. And then things got worse. My throat felt like it was closing. Or at least, it felt somewhat constricted. And then I had difficulty speaking clearly. I was having trouble enunciating my words. Then my lips, even more difficulty speaking. My lips weren't doing the right thing. And they were becoming numb.
My CNA came into the room to take my vitals. She noticed my speaking difficulties. And then she was rather shocked to find that my blood pressure was sky-high. Typically, my blood pressure is ground-floor low. So the nurse came in. And it was decided to call 911.
Anyway, additional drama isn't necessary here, because you clearly know I survived this ordeal based upon my writing to you.
So I'm at the hospital and both my medical advocate and Sunshine44 are texting me, when the latter of the two you suggests something. Or rather, she solves the equation. One month ago I happened to have one Skittle candy and I reacted very poorly, but I thought my reaction could have been coincidental. It was one tiny piece of candy! And I've been utilizing Skittles candies for years, as a means to fend-off slight nausea and or low blood sugar. A temporary fix.
But apparently, ever since contracting Covid two months ago…
Anyway, having had four Skittles candies at one time must have pushed my autoimmune system to the brink. At least, that's my best guess.
So yes, that happened. But at least my intestines went back online Tuesday morning. So clearly this is also a kind of autoimmune reaction. I mean, it's more than coincidental that with the Covid virus my intestines shut down, and then with the Covid vaccine booster my intestine shut down again. That just doesn't sound like a normal thing to me.
Appreciation
You know, I'm not going to write too much about this here and now… get overly emotional… But the people here, most of the staff members, really do care about me (and for me). And I can feel it every single day of the week. I am loved.
I'll write about other things later, but this is more or less a 'hot off the presses' kind of thing. At least in my life, and in my world. I think all indications are that I have some type of autoimmune illness (in light of recent evidence and reactions, and potentially based upon whatever official diagnosis they come up with in the next two weeks).
As always, be well and take care,
Howard
Okay then. And yes people, there is officially something wrong with me. It's not all in my head. I'm not imagining this entire illness. Seriously. The neurologist has made determinations. Medical determinations based upon tried-and-true medical knowledge acquired through years of training, experience, and knowhow!
Yesterday's nerve conduction study indicates that my nerves are not communicating properly with my muscles, and that there is indeed nerve damage, at least and especially in my legs.
I am not exactly sure how to feel about this, I'm really not. But you would think I'd want to scream out to the world, something to the effect of "I told you so!" - but I no longer have that within me, that need for vindication. It seems I continue to evolve. Or perhaps, and again, the news hasn't sunk in yet. Fully.
They will be waiting an additional 10 to 14 days for results of my most recent blood work, so that they may formally name this thing. So now I wait. Which again, doesn't seem to be a big deal after more than a decade trying to identify the problem.
Anyway, the past several days have been quite eventful. I might as well share about that, too, right?
Covid Booster Reaction
Friday's vaccine booster shot did not go swimmingly. Well, the shot itself was fine, but the after-effects were extreme. Or in the least, severe. Shall we go there?
For the most part, the day after was no big deal. Severe headache. Unrelenting. One of the worst headaches I've ever had. But really, I am not typically headache prone. So for you and others, it may have been just a typical everyday happening. Although, the duration was an uneasy dozen hours lasting.
I awoke early the next morning freezing cold, chills upon chills. I had my sheet and my off-green blanket draped across me, so I shouldn't have been that cold. But I soon realized that I was soaking wet… armpit to kneecaps.
Upon further investigation, my extra-absorbent bed "chuck" and sheets were saturated. My feeding formula had leaked all night long, coming back out through my stoma… which is a bad thing. No nutrition, no hydration all night long.
As it turns out, my intestines shut down again. Yep, it's the same thing that happened when I was recently hospitalized for those two weeks with covid.
Fantastic. Right?
At least this time, I was able to hydrate ever-so-slightly. Slow trickle of water to my tube was maintained. However, by Monday, I realized that straight water wasn't cutting it. Not only was I becoming seriously dehydrated, but I felt as though my blood sugar was getting low. I ate a small amount of sugar, hoping it wouldn't provoke my constant nausea.
But the sugar didn't seem to help. And then things got worse. My throat felt like it was closing. Or at least, it felt somewhat constricted. And then I had difficulty speaking clearly. I was having trouble enunciating my words. Then my lips, even more difficulty speaking. My lips weren't doing the right thing. And they were becoming numb.
My CNA came into the room to take my vitals. She noticed my speaking difficulties. And then she was rather shocked to find that my blood pressure was sky-high. Typically, my blood pressure is ground-floor low. So the nurse came in. And it was decided to call 911.
Anyway, additional drama isn't necessary here, because you clearly know I survived this ordeal based upon my writing to you.
So I'm at the hospital and both my medical advocate and Sunshine44 are texting me, when the latter of the two you suggests something. Or rather, she solves the equation. One month ago I happened to have one Skittle candy and I reacted very poorly, but I thought my reaction could have been coincidental. It was one tiny piece of candy! And I've been utilizing Skittles candies for years, as a means to fend-off slight nausea and or low blood sugar. A temporary fix.
But apparently, ever since contracting Covid two months ago…
Anyway, having had four Skittles candies at one time must have pushed my autoimmune system to the brink. At least, that's my best guess.
So yes, that happened. But at least my intestines went back online Tuesday morning. So clearly this is also a kind of autoimmune reaction. I mean, it's more than coincidental that with the Covid virus my intestines shut down, and then with the Covid vaccine booster my intestine shut down again. That just doesn't sound like a normal thing to me.
Appreciation
You know, I'm not going to write too much about this here and now… get overly emotional… But the people here, most of the staff members, really do care about me (and for me). And I can feel it every single day of the week. I am loved.
I'll write about other things later, but this is more or less a 'hot off the presses' kind of thing. At least in my life, and in my world. I think all indications are that I have some type of autoimmune illness (in light of recent evidence and reactions, and potentially based upon whatever official diagnosis they come up with in the next two weeks).
As always, be well and take care,
Howard
