Two Weeks in Review

It's been a whirlwind for us over the last 2 weeks. Here's the synopsis:

Thurs, Sept 3
-I start feeling crumby (achy, chills and a fever) and figure I'm coming down with something. I'm in bed by 6:15pm
-Alex wakes up at 10:30pm with a fever of 106.2 so I guess that him and I have the same virus coming. After some Motrin and a long cuddle in the rocker he's back asleep

-Alex wakes up again at 4:30am (the Motrin wore off) so I give him a cuddle and some more medicine

Fri, Sept 4

-our 10 year wedding anniversary. I feel like crap (still achy, chills and fever) and keep waiting for the congestion and runny nose to start.

-Alex eats breakfast and is playing. He seems to be feeling OK.

-We're scheduled to leave on our 4 day/3 night secret anniversary getaway while Grandma & Grandpa watch the boys. Scott checks and our trip is non refundable.

-Reluctantly we leave in hopes that everyone will start feeling better soon.

-When we get thru security at the airport and are at the gate, I finally learn where we're going...San Juan, PR! Awesome! Scott went all out and we are staying at the Ritz!

-I feel achy and have a steady headache but make it through the day. We have an early supper and I head to bed hoping to feel better tomorrow so we can enjoy the island

Sat, Sept 5

-I'm still running a high fever, but I decide this virus thing is mind over matter and I'm going to make the best of it. Tropical storm Erica is coming through PR so it's drizzly and overcast but we head out with umbrellas to explore Old San Juan.

-By the afternoon I feel OK. We have some authentic local food for dinner, get gussied up and hit the bars and casino at one of the neighboring resorts. It was a great spot to people watch!

-Alex is still running a fever and has spurts of playing with Will and cuddling on the couch with Grandma. Man, I hate being so far away when my little guy's sick.

Sun, Sept 6

-I'm feeling low on energy but my fever's gone and my head feels a little better. We rented a car to explore the rainforest and swim in the waterfall. It was really cool (the highlight of the trip) but man, the water was cold!!

-Alex is feeling better by today but is still a little clingy. Grandma thinks he's just missing us.

Mon, Sept 7

-my abs are throbbing but I haven't been doing any crunches and my stomach is cramping. I'm ready to get home.

-My back aches and I'm tired of having all these weird ailments. After seeing all the H1N1 posters at the airport I'm starting to wonder....

-we arrive home at 7:30pm and Will's running a fever and cuddling with Grandma. Five minutes after Grandma & Grandpa leave Will throws up. I guess he's got the mystery virus too.

Tues, Sept 8

-I wake up achy with a throbbing head. I decide I need to go to the doctor because I've been feeling really "off" for six days now and my body's telling me something is NOT right. I pride myself on being pretty tough when it comes to pain, but I'm sick of being sick. My appointment's at 9am and by 9:45am I'm in the ER. By noon I've had a spinal tap and they've confirmed I have meningitis. Again. I had the SAME thing in June 2006. I had similar weird symptoms back then too (fever, achy and a headache with no cold that ever came). After 5 days the headache got so bad I went to urgent care and then to the ER. The funny thing is that the idea of having meningitis again didn't even cross my mind until Scott drove me to the doctor on Tuesday morning.

-since there's no beds left at the hospital, I'm transported by ambulance to a hospital uptown. I wonder how much that cost the insurance company?

-I'm in quarantine at the hospital until they can determine whether the meningitis is viral or bacterial. Everyone who comes in my room is wearing a mask, gloves and a gown.

-I'm on morphine for my throbbing head so I sleep and sleep and sleep

-Will hurls again. Poor Scott with a barfy boy at home and a wife in the hospital.

Wed Sept 9 & Thurs Sept 10

-down and out at the hospital. By noon on Thursday tests came back negative for bacterial meningitis (thank goodness because that can be fatal), so no more masks, gloves and gowns.

-by Thursday lunch time the food services lady has realized that the only thing I'll eat is fruit. She asks what type of fruit I'd like for lunch...I order strawberries and get the biggest bowl of strawberries I've ever seen. I eat most of them and let her know that she's made my day.

-By 4pm I got to go home. By the time the car pulls into the driveway, I'm covered in sweat. My shorts are so soaked that Scott asks if I've wet my pants. I guess my body's still having a hard time regulating my temperature.

Fri Sept 11 & Sat Sept 12

-laid low and enjoyed homemade meals delivered both nights from some amazing friends

Sun Sept 13

-Scott spent a very well-deserved day off by going to the Panther's first regular season home game. Grandma came over to babysit me and the boys.

Mon, Sept 14

-Awesome friends took Alex to playgroup for me, delivered lunch and dropped off flowers. I felt crappy but very loved.

Tues, Sept 15

-I managed to put Will on the bus for the first time in a week and a half. Alex and I laid very low all day watching TV and cuddling on the couch. On the plus side, it was a great opportunity to continue his potty training.

Wed, Sept 16

-I ventured to Walmart for groceries. I was armed with 2 different kids of high-powered wipes....one to wipe down the entire cart before Alex even got in it and a second (and equally powerful) hand-sanitizing wipe to clean our hands off once we got back in the car. I'm determined NOT to get meningitis for a THIRD time (I'm convinced that I got this round of meningitis thanks to the shopping carts at Target).

-Groceries wore me out. We spent the rest of the morning and afternoon on the couch. Thank goodness for more homemade meals being delivered

Thurs, Sept 17

-laid low all day. My back aches were easing up but I still felt weak and light headed. I'm definitely on the mend and much better than Monday

Fri, Sept 18

-went to a meeting in the morning and swung by the bookstore on the way home. I'm feeling pretty normal today. The highlight was receiving a super decadent triple chocolate cake in the mail. I can honestly say that's a first, but if anyone knows the healing power of chocolate it's my super sweet, fellow chocoholic Jennifer!

-I'm excited for Scott who despite the crazy last two weeks is still going to compete in his second triathlon tomorrow. What and awesome husband and Dad. The last two weeks have really been a doozy. I'm ready for them to be over.