Well, here I lie in my own bed on bed rest for the past four days, per the Doctor’s orders.  This time last week I checked myself into the Emergency Room not knowing what was going on with me. All last week my joints ached, had a fever and was barely standing and I just couldn’t shake it. Then came on the severe head, neck and back pain. This was the straw that broke the camels back. I just had to go in and see someone about this. Three doctors later I finally found myself checked into the E.R (emergency room) with the worst headache that I’ve ever experienced and a giant needle in my back while I’m awake checking my spinal fluid for Meningitis thinking to myself while squeezing the life out of my poor wife’s hand, “how did I get here?” Sure enough they confirmed that I had the viral form of Meningitis called Aseptic Meningitis, and all I could ask the Doctor was “am I going to be well for my Haiti trip on Monday and my Triathlon on Sept 10th?” Needless to say, I didn’t make Haiti trip, but was now on my way to recovery and discovery. As to whether or not I can race on Sept 10th, only time will tell. Stay Tuned ….

Everyone keeps asking with brought this on. We started doing the math all the way back to 16 days ago when I started having severe symptoms and noticed that I started feeling this way short after I got my immunization shots and took my 2nd anti-malaria pill in preparation for my Haiti trip, but after a lot of research on each immunization, that theory was ruled out. However, we believe that those immunizations didn’t help my case any. Somewhere over this past weekend I must have come into contact with the virus, and because of my immune system being out of whack due to my immunization shots, it than likely wasn’t strong enough to protect me from the Aseptic Meningitis, that we can all get at any time and mostly in the summer. Some get it worse than others. Now, after four days of bed rest, which is the only medicine for this stuff, I still have a pretty bad headache, but only when I stand up. After conversations with several close friends that have had a spinal tap (not the movie) they have had to go back to the hospital and get what is called a Blood Patch, which seals the hole that drips the spinal fluid, with a drop of blood that comes from your arm. This is supposed to stop the spinal headache almost immediately. Let’s hope I get to do this today and that it works quickly.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts, prayers and extremely encouraging messages. I have the best friends and family anyone could ask for. I also thank social media for providing an outlet for friends to send such messages in tough times and so quickly. I noticed when I woke up on Sunday morning in the hospital, that I had a ton of messages on twitter and facebook. I wondered to myself, how in the world did everyone find out so quickly? Then I back tracked to my brother’s tweet asking for prayers for his little brother. Ahhh, the culprit. Well thanks everyone for responding and I’ll keep you posted on the progress. Remember, I’m pushing through this, with your prayer and support, cause I still have a race again poverty on Sept 10th, so there’s my goal I’ve set before me to do everything I can to get well soon. I’m just grateful to have insurance, as I know there are so many without, as well as a hospital at my convenience with good food and a nurse button anytime that I need something. We have it better here in the States than so many across the planet. I’m so grateful for what I have and recognize that so many aren’t as fortunate.

UPDATE :: I’ve been to my follow up Doctor’s appointment since I had written the post above. It’s the first time in 16 days since I’ve gotten up from bed without my head severely hurting. Needless to say, I got a great report from the Doc and I’m feeling pretty darn good. I feel like I’m on the verge of having another severe headache, but I never do now. I’m going to continue to rest and thank God that things are a lot better than just this morning. The Doc says “things will only get better from here.” Thanks again for all the prayers. It’s been a long 16 days, battling this Meningitis thing.

HAS ANYONE OUT THERE EVER HAD OR KNOWN SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD MENINGITIS?