take me down

I can't breathe, I can't swallow.
I'm here today, I'll be gone tomorrow.
Lyrics by Paul Westerberg and the Replacements
Album title: "Hootenanny"
Song Title: "Take Me Down to the Hospital"

I've sort of gathered the information necessary to explain what happened that resulted in my most recent extended stay in a medical facility, but it's more difficult when you just can't remember the majority of facts and experiences that form the core. Those who were there have differing recollections or missed key events. So this will probably always be a work in progress. I have consulted with many people but mostly two that I've tried to run through this with chronologically, fact-by-fact. Still, I can barely make sense of it.

I do know I was admitted to Rapid City Regional Hospital on November 22, 2009. I was disoriented and confused. I was admitted to the ICU. In the ICU, I was physically restrained and medicated into a stupor to prevent my unknowing attempts to remove a breathing tube and later, a catheter. This medication and the illness combined to result in a virtual coma. I remember none of this and it continued through Thanksgiving of which I was likewise unaware. A close friend and/or my brother visited me almost daily though I did not realize it.

I was deemed contagious and all who saw me during this time, the aforementioned friend, my brother and the doctors and nurses, wore full protective gear including gowns, masks and plastic facial gear. I was in the ICU, drifting in and out. Hallucinating. Sort of hovering between bad and worse. I could not breathe unassisted and brain-wave activity was minimal. According to the attending physicians, permanent brain damage was likely or had already occurred.

My blood and urine were closely scrutinized. I was never really told what was found or not found.

Still, I cannot independently recall this.

As my senses slowly returned I became aware of my friend's presence but continued to hallucinate. I could not remember her name. She asked me if I knew who she was but her name escaped me. At some point, the breathing tube had been removed and I could speak, albeit in a limited and painful fashion. So I spoke very little when I spoke at all.

I do not recall any of this.

As I slowly fell back to earth, I was moved out of ICU and eventually to the 10th floor. It's been mentioned that I was surly and mean but I don't recall being so. My brother told me I was polite but not particularly pleasant. Go figure!

I was in Room 1012 where I would remain until discharged. I was fitted with a PIC line and fed massive amounts of antibiotics. I slowly began to recall who and where I was. I don't know if it was the previous drug therapy and restraint or the sickness, but I was not always a pleasant fellow. My friend stood by me. My brother missed a week of work for me.

Over time my condition improved as did my memory. My brother brought me some real clothes. T-shirts and athletic shorts and my flip-flops. I started joking with the nurses. I listened intently to the Doctors and followed instructions or even anticipated them. I started doing physical therapy when I wasn't even scheduled to. I excelled in improvement. My hospitalist (primary doctor) marveled at my consistent recovery and improvement. Sue, my primary nurse, was a big factor, consistently encouraging, witty and kind. She was looking out for me.

Friends began calling and showing up to visit. That really made me feel better and I know hastened my recovery. On a particularly good day, 5 visited in person over the course of the day and several others called. I was humbled by their concern.

I was discharged Friday, December 4, 2009 by Dr. Smith. My brother picked me up and we drove back to Hill City. I could only walk with the assistance of a walker but discarded it as soon as I could (basically the next day) knowing I couldn't rely on it for long. Plus, I've got a thing about those kinds of tools. I have too much pride, I guess, too hobble about like an invalid. I'll take it back to the hospital.

Still, speaking was at times difficult so I spoke as little as possible.

After all of this, I'm feeling better each day. Regaining my strength. Wondering what I've done to have so many great, caring friends and family. Each of them helped break my fall and I am grateful. They are wonderful people. This is a wonderful world. I am truly blessed.

12/20/2009 UPDATE: Feeling great. Mentally sharp. Sleeping and eating well. Fully recovered except for some lingering weakness.

12/26/2009 UPDATE: Bills rolling in. Health back to normal. Have taken a job in Minneapolis, MN. Leave soon. Will miss my friends but it is time to move on. Time to regain my place.

The Diagnosis: Bacterial Meningitis.

Bacterial meningitis is one frightening illness. The infection moves so fast, it can kill within days.

In the United States, bacterial meningitis mainly affects adults. Immunizations continue to help prevent childhood bacterial meningitis. Most people who get bacterial meningitis get it from one of two types of bacteria: Streptococcus pneumoniae or Neisseria meningitidis.

These bacteria often live in the body, most often in the nose and throat, without causing illness. But the bacteria can cause meningitis if they get into the bloodstream and travel to the cerebrospinal fluid or the tissues (meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord. These bacteria also can be passed from one person to another, usually through infected saliva or mucus.

Two other bacteria that sometimes cause meningitis are group B streptococci and Listeria monocytogenes. Meningitis caused by group B streptococci bacteria occurs most often in newborns, who can become infected during or after birth. Meningitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes bacteria occurs most often in newborns and in older adults.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends screening for group B streptococci in all pregnant women at 35 to 37 weeks. Women who have the bacteria are given antibiotics during labor in order to prevent infection in their newborns, and this practice has worked well.

In rare cases, other bacteria cause meningitis, usually in people with long-term medical conditions.

Meningitis also can be caused by other organisms and conditions. It can be a complication of an illness, an injury (particularly to the skull or face), or brain surgery.

Organisms that cause meningitis can be passed from one person to another or passed from rodents and insects to people. But exposure to an organism that causes meningitis does not mean you will get the infection.

Organisms can be passed from one person to another:

Stool could have enteroviruses or certain types of bacteria in it. Washing hands on a regular basis can help prevent you and your children from getting infected this way. More children than adults get meningitis this way.

Through coughing and sneezing. Infected people can pass certain bacteria that are normally found in saliva or mucus in their noses and throats.
Through kissing, sexual contact, or contact with infected blood but fairly rarely through kissing.

In rare cases, some organisms that cause meningitis can be passed to people from rodents and insects. The most common of these are arboviruses (including the St. Louis encephalitis and West Nile viruses), which are transmitted through dust and food contaminated by the urine of infected mice, hamsters, and rats.