It all began innocently enough checking in to a historical luxury hotel in downtown San Jose…
You know that Menactra commercial where they talk about it only takes 24 hours to lose your child to meningococcal meningitis?
It is so freaking real. OMG, it is so real!
Talk about your lost weekend, er, week, check that make it lost ten days or so. Yeah, I documented with pictures this crazy, scary adventure that Jodie and I shared. Don’t judge me! It has helped as we both began to think about all that we have been through and, maybe, begin to write a little about it….oh the many topics this adventure could cover….so, do ya wanna hear about it? I promise it isn’t all vomit and tears and the most colorful cursing during a lumbar puncture ever heard.
Its so scary to think how close it came. I have been in that position – as you have too – but just thinking about it gives me chills. I’m so glad, happy, overjoyed that Jodie and you are doing So well and that even with all the yuck, you are getting a happy ending. Big hugs!
From your first tweet about taking Jodie in an ambulance to the hospital, I was scared for her. Then when I heard the diagnosis I became scared for you and the rest of your family. My Hubs would ask every few hours if there was news, and I was glad that thru tweets and things we knew what was happening with the two of you. It’s amazing how important people we have never ‘met’ become to us thru this electronic medium. So glad you are both better and on the way to recovery. It’s scary how easy it can go the other way with that disease….
That first photo of Jodie in the hospital bed is soul chilling. It is scary, but I’m glad the two of you pulled through.
(I’m a long time reader, first time commenter!)
That must have been so frightening for you both.
I also followed all the tweets and was gunning for you, while my eldest was in the hospital with cellulitis and now my youngest is in for the same staph bug.
I hope nobody judges you.
I always take photos. It helps somehow to process things.
This blog came across on my google alerts which I have searching for Meningitis. We lost our 17 year old son in less than 15 hours from his first symptom which was a headache. I will have to read all your blogs, but I know it will take me a long time. Hits too close to home. I’m glad everything is better now. Check out our story at http://www.theknutters.com
First, I’m just gald you guys made it. Second, there’s nothing wrong with photographing it. It is VERY cathartic and makes you feel like you have a little bit of control since there was nothing else you could do. I know this because almost a year ago we were THIS CLOSE to losing my 9 yr. old to a SEVERE food allergy which caused him to be put on a venilator and air-lifted far away from me. Like you, and because I am a photographer, I documented it in photographs. You can see it here: http://everydayheartbeats.com/2008/08/19/things-that-ive-learned/
I get ya’ sister. Totally. Again, I’m so glad you guys are WELL again.
I found you through Suburban Turmoil’s blog. I read your 2005 post about Zoe’s accident and then moved forward to today. And oh my goodness, I am so so so relieved that everything turned out okay in both incidents. I hope that you and Jodie are rested and recovered before you know it! Take care of yourselves!
If a picture is worth a thousand words, reads like a real-life novel. Oh my god – I am so glad your daughter is okay.
It really does happen that fast. My first experience was with a 42 year old patient.
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After reading your story I find myself in tears. My best friend died a week ago on August 25th due to Meningococcal Meningitis. I was so uninformed of the disease that I am still in research mode. It took just over 48 hours for it to take him from us. I am so happy that your daughter made it through. People need to be aware of this. I am glad you posted.
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