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Dear Diary, My Passion is....not what you may think.....warning

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Solutions- OZARK MISSOURI

I had intended to write this post last week and had a 'few' ideas of little know passions that I felt comfortable to share.

What a difference a week makes.  Last Monday I ran to my Doc for an ear infection.  Got an antibiotic and pain pills.  Felt relief within hours.  Tuesday I went into the office and came home feeling a little over done.  By Midnight I was in an ambulance to the hospital.  Tuesday night is a bit of a blur, but for the most part it included lots of throwing up and laying on the floor before blacking out all together.  They say I barely made it through the night.

Bacterial Meningitis!  I had no clue.  I was out of it for the spinal tap (yeah b/c I heard they hurt- don't remember it)  missed the CT (barely remember one or two beeps) even stayed out for the cathater, the IV stuff, a bunch of the blood work tests.  It was very surreal.

Wednesday morning I started to get a bit of the brain fog lifted and was aware of where (and who) I was.  When a person is all tubed up and unable to move, she has time to think.  Going over the events in my mind, I am soooooo very THANKFUL to all involved to assisting me.  It is amazing the wonderful job the doctors and staff have done to get me up and moving so quick.

By Thursday I was in a room and able to walk and talk. (Belive me this was a big improvement)  I was placed on the cancer ward b/c of availability of a bed.  I had family and friends visiting and bring me TO DO stuff to keep busy.  Truth is I am still a little wiped out to do much.

As I was praying for strengh for myself and oppertunity to use this experience for good, I got a room mate.  We hit it off well.  I am a quilter by heart and love to use scraps that others have tired of.  Roomie and I talked about differnet patterns and projects and passions.  I have several charity projects that I like to sew for.  She had her daughter bring up an old box of patterns for me to enjoy looking through.  The next trip up, her daughter brought me a couple of bags of fabric.  Then the boxes started coming in. 

My poor husband has already taken home a couple of loads of material for me to process when I get my strength up.  He joked that I am the only women he knows that can have a near death experience and turn it into an opportunity to fondle fabric!

For some reason that phrase just stayed with me.  I almost die and still get to go home with material.  I will be released later today after learning to do my own IV stuff.  Hopefully another week or two and the lines can be taken out and I will be back to normal.

Family and Friends are the most important, but the little things that keep us interested in one more project or one more day are important too.  The time I got to spend with my room mate means a lot to me.  I am taking home a lot of her 'collection' to add to mine and see where it ends up. 

This story isn't as coherent as I would like- I still have a bit of brain fog.  I want to offer encouragement to any other families that are dealing with the illness.  It is intense but can be recovered from.  hang in there  (I am speaking of the meningitis-  I don't want to recover from the fabric addiction!)

flowergarden  Everyone be good and let me rest a bit-  love cheryl

Comments(19)

Tina Allen
Exit Realty Tri-County - Mount Dora, FL

How scary Cheryl.....So glad to hear that you got the help needed....it could have turned out so much worse.  Rest up and feel better.  I would enjoy seeing the end result of your fabric project.

Feb 23, 2009 02:11 AM
Christine O'Shea
Christine E O'Shea Broker - Naples, FL

Hi Cheryl, Hope you are feeling better soon, I use to love to quilt, you make me want to try it again.

Feb 23, 2009 02:14 AM
Cheryl Willis
RE/MAX Solutions- OZARK MISSOURI - Mount Vernon, MO
MO Broker - Mt Vernon, Monett, Aurora, Barry & Law

Thanks Tina, I would have loved to get pictures up of us playing.  Kinda like beeing kids in camp for the day.  nice break-  I may have to do a spin off on the adventure.  be good  cw

Christine, I also love to quilt,(not just play with the material)  join our quilt qroup and maybe you will be encoruaged to pick up a project to work on.  Sometimes just sharing the stories is good for a memory or two.  cw

Feb 23, 2009 02:19 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Good Grief!!  You are a trooper to even be thinking of work in your condition. 

The particular infection that you had is what killed my husband many years ago.  That was before the specific drug mix was available. 

Good luck and get lots of rest. 

                                                   

                                                                A BIT OF CHEER!

 

Feb 23, 2009 02:32 AM
Cheryl Willis
RE/MAX Solutions- OZARK MISSOURI - Mount Vernon, MO
MO Broker - Mt Vernon, Monett, Aurora, Barry & Law

Lenn, so sorry for your loss, it is amazing what can be done now.  i am afraid my 'working' is a bit off for a bit.  I have picked up 3 more listings when I get out.  Gal came to visit last night that bought from me 4 yrs ago.  They are looking to move up.  Everyone has been really good to me.  Sorry again, bless you.  cheryl

Feb 23, 2009 03:36 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

How scary!  You may have been through hell, but you are so blessed to still be here.  I hope you return to full strength real soon.  I have to wonder, your room mate who gave you all the material, does she have cancer?  Is she going to be ok?

Feb 23, 2009 04:22 AM
Cheryl Willis
RE/MAX Solutions- OZARK MISSOURI - Mount Vernon, MO
MO Broker - Mt Vernon, Monett, Aurora, Barry & Law

Sharon, thanks for asking about roomie, she has several cancers that are being treated.  Really brings life into prespective.  She said this was the best hospital experience she had.  We pretended we were camping and keep each other uplifted.  Our doctors and nurses were the best.  I really think a hand was in place putting me in that room.  cheryl(it's not just the fabric)willis

Feb 23, 2009 09:15 AM
Kay Van Kampen
RE/MAX Broker, RE/MAX - Springfield, MO
RealtorĀ®, Springfield Mo Real Estate

OK!  I'm sitting in the office for a week worrying about one of my realtors (you know I can't play favorites, so I worry about them all) and find she is sitting in bed blogging!!!!!  The last email was a bit groggy......misspelled words, etc.  So I knew you were still not with us. 

Today, I see a total change and I do believe you are coming back to the living.  So, get some rest, take a few weeks off, and work on those new quilts.  I believe you've earned it.  And if I see you at work tomorrow, you are really in deep ....do......

Feb 23, 2009 10:21 AM
Margaret Mitchell
Coldwell Banker Yorke Realty - York, ME
Seacoast Maine & NH Real Estate

Cheryl, thank God you came through this!  It put things into perspective.   Rest up, get well.  Your AR friends await.

Feb 23, 2009 12:22 PM
Debbie DiFonzo
Debbie DiFonzo - United Country VIP Realty, SW Missouri - Lebanon, MO
Lebanon MO and Buffalo Missouri Real Estate

My goodness girl! I don't talk to you for a week or two and look what happens! So glad you went to the hospital when you did - and like Tina, I can't wait to read the post with pictures of your quilt when you bring your hospital stash to life!

You go girl! Get better, get stronger and get quilting!    :)

 

Feb 23, 2009 01:24 PM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Cheryl, wow, that was a close call. Thank heavens you're okay! I wish you a speedy recovery and you enjoy each day with a passion! Take care.

Later in the rain~Deb

Feb 24, 2009 01:27 AM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Cheryl, wow, that was a close call. Thank heavens you're okay! I wish you a speedy recovery and you enjoy each day with a passion! Take care.

Later in the rain~Deb

Feb 24, 2009 01:27 AM
Cheryl Willis
RE/MAX Solutions- OZARK MISSOURI - Mount Vernon, MO
MO Broker - Mt Vernon, Monett, Aurora, Barry & Law

Thanks everyone for the good thoughts!  I was fun to sneak into the office meeting and I had a good day (a friend was my driver)  Finished up a couple of prospecting calls and waiting for an offer or two on my listings,  life is good, glad to be in the game.  cheryl

Feb 24, 2009 09:16 AM
Margaret Mitchell
Coldwell Banker Yorke Realty - York, ME
Seacoast Maine & NH Real Estate

Dropped back in to check on you.  Glad you feel a bit better & don't overdo it.  Or as you say Cheryl W. - Be good.

Feb 26, 2009 10:52 AM
Cheryl Powell - The Powell Team
Southern Homes of The Carolinas - The Powell Team - Harrisburg, NC
Concord,Harrisburg & Charlotte NC Area Real Estate

Hi Cheryl W, I'm so sorry to hear about your illness and everything that you've had to go through... it sounds terrifying. GET WELL SOON!

Feb 28, 2009 05:05 PM
c m
Colorado Springs, CO

Oh My Goodness, Cheryl W!!  What a scare!!  I haven't been cruising around in the Rain as much lately and somehow missed this post. So happy to hear you are on the mend, and that you were able to make lemonade out of lemons while in the hospital!  I am typically a VERY HEALTHY person, outside of a few surgeries.  One thing I learned for sure, when the Dr. says take it easy, they mean it.  Take every single day of rest they recommend, you will be glad you did! Look forward to hearing more from you as you recover...

Mar 02, 2009 01:23 AM
Cheryl Willis
RE/MAX Solutions- OZARK MISSOURI - Mount Vernon, MO
MO Broker - Mt Vernon, Monett, Aurora, Barry & Law

Wish I had more good news to report.  Hope to get the IV stuff out tomorrow and then it looks like lots of naps and sleep between them.  Don't ever remember being this tired before.  Everyone has been great about helping out around here.  Thanks for checking in on me.  cw

Mar 02, 2009 03:06 AM
Dianne Deming
RE/MAX Realty Group - Rehoboth Beach, DE

Cheryl, I just read about your illness.  I'm so sorry to hear of your ordeal, but am glad you are on the mend.  Also glad to know that as long as you had to be in the hospital, you were in the right place at the right time to be an agent of support to someone else who needed it.

Mar 03, 2009 08:44 AM
c m
Colorado Springs, CO

 Your comment on my blog, indicates you have had some waking moments among your restful times.  Don't overdo!  We want you back, healthy!  Take care, and as you (and Margaret!) say, be good!

Mar 04, 2009 01:47 PM