topic Re: Meningitis in Wellness

Meningitis

Trailrun23 — Mon, 29 May 2023 17:51:52 GMT

My older and only sister is in hospital with meningitis several states away. She is in isolation. BIL doesn't seem to have much info and isn't allowed to be with her. She is a long flight away and DH is sick....very conflicted. Anyone here had any experience with meningitis? I am worried sick. She is 77 and also diabetic type II.

Re: Meningitis

Rose429 — Mon, 29 May 2023 17:58:12 GMT

@Trailrun23 @Depends on type of meningitis. Viral vs bacterial. Several types of bacterial and can be very serious. Need to have more info from MD treating. Best of luck to ur sister and hope she does well.

Re: Meningitis

On It — Mon, 29 May 2023 17:58:55 GMT

I know your concern is weighing on you. Your sister is in a safe place that is giving her the care she needs. Your BIL will need your support, but you can do that with texts and phone calls. It sounds like your husband needs you at home with him.

Re: Meningitis

mizree — Mon, 29 May 2023 18:14:40 GMT

@Trailrun23 prayers of peace and strength for your family. I pray your Sister responds well to medication and treatment. Take good care of yourself.

Re: Meningitis

SilleeMee — Mon, 29 May 2023 18:18:49 GMT

My experience with meningitis is one at the professional level. I am a retired lab tech and I know how they collect specimens, test and confirm the infection. It can be highly contagious. Spreads by air droplets.

Re: Meningitis

LindaSal — Mon, 29 May 2023 18:28:01 GMT

Best thing to do is stay put. Sounds like your DH needs you too and sadly there is nothing you can do for her right now. Do not spread yourself too thin, try to keep yourself healthy and rested as difficult as that may seem. Sending you strength, courage and prayers. @Trailrun23

Re: Meningitis

DrakesMomma — Mon, 29 May 2023 18:36:46 GMT

Call the facility she is at. See if you can talk to one of the nurses caring for her.

Re: Meningitis

ollie5 — Mon, 29 May 2023 18:41:33 GMT

Trailrun23 my best friends husband just got out of the hospital from bacterial meningitis. He was on a ventilator for 5 days but ended up at a city hospital after he came off the vent. Then he went to a rehab hospital. It was a month long . He s now home getting physical therapy, doing great! Hope your Sister a quick recovery. Hang in there!

Re: Meningitis

catter70 — Mon, 29 May 2023 21:20:46 GMT

Sending prayers for the full recovery of your sister and for your husband. Take care of yourself, too.

Re: Meningitis

RedTop — Mon, 29 May 2023 21:27:04 GMT

@Trailrun23

Sending good thoughts and healing wishes to your sister; prayers for all who love, and are concerned about her. She is where she needs to be for specialized care. Until your sister passes the critical stage of this infection, the daily updates you want to hear are; she's resting comfortably, her temperature has come down, her breathing is stable, her kidney function is good, she's responding well to medication, etc. Coming out of isolation will be a comforting sign.

My dad had bacterial meningitis many years ago; he was unconscious when carried out of the house and was in the hospital about 2+ weeks, and recovered at home about that long as well. Because of our exposure, mom, my brother and I had to take medication, but did not get sick.

Your sister is receiving advanced care in comparison to what was available to my dad

Re: Meningitis

Trailrun23 — Tue, 30 May 2023 01:09:30 GMT

I am not on the HIPPA form only my BIL. She had a Lumbar Puncture and a head/ neck MRI late this afternoon. BIL said it was obvious the " b team" was working today since it was a holiday. He will be staying the night with her but he has to wear mask and gown like the nurses do. They are still trying to get her fever down and she can only have a light sheet on her...no blankets. She is usually always cold anyway, so this must he really uncomfortable for her. NIL says all she wants to do is sleep. He asked the nurses about visitors and they said no and now have it on her door, so no need to go yet.

Won't know until in the morning when the neuro comes by what the test results are. Then we will know if it is viral or bacterial. They are both homebodies; can't imagine where she picked this up.

Thanks for all of the good wishes and info. It is really helpful. This is the best place ever!

Re: Meningitis

Spacrazy — Tue, 30 May 2023 02:48:48 GMT

Praying

Re: Meningitis

Terrywu — Tue, 30 May 2023 02:55:32 GMT

Sending prayers for your sister.

Re: Meningitis

jlkz — Tue, 30 May 2023 10:29:16 GMT

@Trailrun23

As many posters have already said, your sister at this point needs the care she is getting now. This disease is very contagious: you need to stay healthy so you can be there for DH now and your sister later.

How or where someone picks up the illness may never be known.

A dear friend survived this illness a while back. The only after effect she notices is that her short term memory is not what it used to be.

Since we worked together almost 50 years ago, when I remind her of something that happened, she doesn't remember it. So, I tell her the story and it sounds familiar. Time goes by and I will mention it in passing but she has no recall. She simply thinks that I tell the most interesting stories !

Re: Meningitis

LTT1 — Tue, 30 May 2023 11:43:39 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
My experience with meningitis is one at the professional level. I am a retired lab tech and I know how they collect specimens, test and confirm the infection. It can be highly contagious. Spreads by air droplets.

@SilleeMee

Hi (waving)

So, because it could be possibly spread through air droplets, perhaps this is why the patient is in isolation?

Stay well!

Re: Meningitis

LTT1 — Tue, 30 May 2023 11:46:00 GMT

@LindaSal wrote:
Best thing to do is stay put. Sounds like your DH needs you too and sadly there is nothing you can do for her right now. Do not spread yourself too thin, try to keep yourself healthy and rested as difficult as that may seem. Sending you strength, courage and prayers. @Trailrun23

I agree with this too and also calling the hospital where she is and asking the nurse...hopefully they can tell you a little something to ease your mind.

praying🙏🏻

Re: Meningitis

Franklinbell — Tue, 30 May 2023 11:58:24 GMT

@Trailrun23 @Oh gosh! I don't have much to add however, I'm sending huge hugs, thoughts and prayers your way! I hope and pray for healing for her and peace and calmness for you and your family!💕💕

Re: Meningitis

Still Raining — Tue, 30 May 2023 16:59:50 GMT

My best wishes for recovery.

Re: Meningitis

Trailrun23 — Tue, 30 May 2023 17:31:14 GMT

Update on my sister....BIL said a new infectious disease dr. came in this morning and said the lumbar puncture will happen this afternoon and only then will he know exactly which virus or bacteria is involved. They are giving her a lot of antibiotics just in case it is not viral and will go with more specific antibiotics when they get the results back. BIL did say she was lucid for a short time this morning so that was reassuring. Her fever is down but still fluctuating. Thank you so much for your continued prayers. Hoping to hear about a treatment plan and definite diagnosis today. Her diabetes is a problem since she is not eating. I wanted to send flowers or a plant but BIL said can't have them in her unit. Don't know why that is.

Re: Meningitis

Etoile308 — Tue, 30 May 2023 17:46:02 GMT

@Trailrun23, you and your sister have been on my mind. So glad your BIL is providing updates. It sounds as if they have a course of action and know what they're doing.

I assume nothing can be brought in from the outside for fear of it containing something that may contaminate and compromise her condition.