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I have not been around much the last week and a half due to a sudden, serious illness that came up last week.

On Monday the 18th, I had an appt. with a local podiatrist to have an ingrown toenail taken care of.  I strongly suspected I had an infection brewing.  The doctor did his thing, and sent me on my way with an antibiotic prescription.  I began taking the antibiotic that day and went on my way.

Tuesday morning I woke up feeling like I was in a weird fog and not able to bring myself around.  ALL I could do all day long was sleep.  I'd raise my head briefly while sleeping on the recliner and promptly put it back down and went right back to sleep.  As the day proceeded I began a fever, going up to 102º.  When dh got home from a mtg that evening it was all he could do to get me back to our bed.

Wednesday was a repeat of Tuesday.  More fever, more sleeping, no eating, and so on.  My dad called and after talking a bit he said I really needed to go to the doctor.  My mind was so not together. I could not realize how sick I was, and thus the need for the doctor.  So, at some point Wednesday evening I decided if I was not markedly improved Thursday morning I was going to the doctor.

Thursday afternoon came around and so did my appt. Dd drove me because I was in no condition to drive, heck, I could not really even walk 10 yards.  When the nurse called me I stood up and immediately hit the floor, bringing on a wheel chair.  In the exam room the nurse took my temp with the doc there in the room.  It was a shocking 105º.  That is NOT a typo.  I had an actual temp of 105.  The doctor had her nurse immediately call for an ambulance.

I knew I was getting admitted through the ER.  They drew all sorts of blood, just like vampires do, too chest xrays, and so on.  We were there a while waiting for a room.

I was miserable but at least they kept me pumped with iv antibiotics, 2 each day.  On Friday I was up and about and sitting up all day.  It was like someone gave me a huge B-12 shot or something.  Saturday I had a rough day, with labored breathing and wheezing.  Cultures were growing nothing, nada.  Come to find out I also had a little pneumonia going on.  My white blood cell count was way off, at about 2K.  When fighting an infection it should be around 18K.  I was discharged Sunday and have been resting/recuperating at home since taking a daily high power oral antibiotic.

We never really pinpointed what the culprit was except a reaction to the antibiotic from the doctor's office.  I am sure we won't get any closer than that.  In the meantime I am taking myself off sulfa drugs.  Was already off penicillin.  One more group to add to the list now.  However I am thankful to be alive with no brain damage.  For those who don't know, those 2 choices are the usual outcome, one or the other.  For me I am so thankful to God He is not finished with me down here on earth!  :)