Shawn P. B. Robinson

This post is a continuation of a series looking back to my experience in 2017 with Encephalitis. For the previous post, click here.

Friday, February 3, 2017

I almost didn’t go.

The doctor who declared two days before that I had had a seizure, also decided that I should be sent to the Urgent Care Neurological Centre (UCNC) in London (not London, UK… London, ON). Since I didn’t want to believe that I had had a seizure, I thought it might be smart not to go to the UCNC. I reasoned that there was nothing seriously wrong with me so if I didn’t go, they couldn’t confirm a diagnosis of a seizure and I wouldn’t lose my drivers license. It seemed reasonable to me at the time.

I did, however, end up going. When I arrived there, it wasn’t long before I was meeting with the entire team, and they all agreed that I had certainly had a seizure and that I would be losing my license. It’s hard to realize you’re losing something like that. There’s a certain sense of independence and freedom in having your ability to drive. There’s also a recognition that you’re trusted to move a few thousand pounds of steel and glass around at a hundred km an hour. Who doesn’t want that privilege?

I know in a lot of ways, losing a drivers license is a small thing compared with many other challenges. Each issue, however, is one that has to be worked through internally.

The seizure, however, was not the only thing they were concerned about. They suspected there might be more going on and recommended a lumbar puncture. If you’re not familiar with a lumbar puncture, imagine someone taking a six-inch needle and shoving it in your spine in order to remove some of your spinal fluid. That should give you a pretty good idea of what it is like since that is exactly what it is like. 🙂

I am truly grateful that they did not show me the size of the needle before they stuck it in me. I had just assumed it was an ordinary, tiny needle. I guess I never knew I kept my spinal fluid so deep within my back.

When they found the spinal fluid and removed it from where it should have remained, they tested it and found out something was seriously wrong. I was diagnosed with encephalitis and admitted to the hospital.

I hadn’t planned on staying at the hospital for longer than the day, so I had not come prepared with any clothes (other than what I was wearing, of course), but the hospital managed to provide me with two gowns, each inappropriately open on the back. I just wore one properly and the other backward, and all was well.

To be continued…

To follow the next part of this journey, click here.

Shawn

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