One Step Forward…

The human body has its own time frame when it comes to recuperation and it doesn’t take kindly to being rushed.

After a very energetic service on Friday evening, the headache and backache reappeared. Over the course of the weekend, my neck began to stiffen again and I felt just awful. PC wanted me to call the doctor but I knew that she would send me to the ER and they would do an LP and it would show that I have meningitis. Which I already knew.

One of things that I really love about my doctor is that she is very responsive and is always able to fit me into her schedule. (I also love that she went to a HS with a HUGE jewish population up in Ottawa and “gets me” even though she is Vietnamese!)

Dr: So you need to be in bed and really lay low. It is the only way for you to get healthy.

FS: I’m supposed to leave for San Diego on Wednesday for Thanksgiving…

Dr; (interrupting) You won’t be doing that. You really need to be in bed and not hanging around a lot of people right now.

FS: (continuing) and I’ll be back on Friday for Shabbat.

Dr: You have a service on Friday?

FS: Actually, I have two services on Friday.

Dr: Will your father be there?

FS: Yep.

Dr: Good because you won’t. You’ll be in bed. I know that they want you back but if we don’t get you better now, you won’t be back for a long time.

Well, that was sufficient enough to scare me. I left with prescriptions (pain med, anti-nausea, etc) and headed back to my folks’ where the big kids were waiting.

How sad for them to have to stay behind…again. The doctor was really clear that being in bed did not mean resting on the couch after getting everyone ready for school, carpool, homework, etc. Nor does it mean being on the computer (thank God for my Blackberry!). So at Bubbe’s they will stay until PC takes them to San Diego on Wednesday.

So that’s my story. Thanksgiving will be spent in my bed…thankful that we have so many blessings. Meningitis is awful — but let’s put it into perspective. It’s not life-threatening. Though a bit debilitating, that is a temporary condition that will resolve itself with time, rest, and patience. I have a loving husband who is a fabulous dad to our three kids. No turkey, dressing, or pie — but lots for which to be thankful!