Posted by Helen on: 09.18.2008 /
I was in the hospital for a couple of nights this week - my doctor asked me to go to the ER Monday evening because I had a low fever, high heartrate and high white count.
Since I’m on 2 immunosuppressants for Crohn’s Disease, any infection is potentially serious and she wanted to make sure it was investigated and treated right away.
I was admitted early Tuesday morning after 7 hours in the ER waiting for tests then waiting for results then waiting for my doctor’s decision.
They let me go home Wednesday lunchtime after some IV antibiotics and hydration and more tests that didn’t reveal any specific infection needing other treatment.
The symptoms that sent me in are better. I’m still very tired and wasn’t that well before this happened, since the Crohn’s medications aren’t hugely effective. My doctor is continuing to try various options in the hope of finding something that helps significantly.
In better news my son is doing well in the fall music competitions so far. While I was in the hospital Tuesday he was in the preliminary round of his school concerto competition. He qualified for the final on both instruments (violin - Shostakovich Concerto no. 1 and piano - Liszt Concerto no.1).
The final is next Monday and is an open concert anyone can attend. I’m looking forward to hearing Ben and the other eight finalists. The preliminaries were closed which was nice in a way because being in the hospital didn’t cause me to miss them - I wouldn’t have been there anyway. He also qualified for the West Suburban Orchestra Concerto Competition on two instruments based on his application which included CDs of him playing. That takes place October 4.
I usually keep my personal site up to date with family news, music and otherwise, but for reasons just explained I’m a bit behind at present.
Comment by: Bob
1 09/18/08 9:46 AM | Comment Link |Helen — I hope you are feeling better soon, that’s sounds pretty rough. Congratulations to your son, that sounds like a wonderful accomplishment. Take care.
Comment by: Jason Horton
2 09/18/08 1:23 PM | Comment Link |On a positive note I signed this petition to fund research into a Crohn’s vaccine just the other day. There I am right at the end. As an ex-pat you might be interested in that.
Comment by: Julie Marie
3 09/19/08 3:49 AM | Comment Link |Wow Helen, sorry to hear about your admission. I’m glad you are home and hope you start feeling better soon!
Comment by: John Smulo
4 09/19/08 9:06 AM | Comment Link |Helen,
I’m sorry to hear about this and hope your doctor finds something that will be helpful soon.
Congratulations to your son!
Comment by: Helen
5 09/22/08 2:11 PM | Comment Link |Thanks everyone.
Jason, thanks for signing the petition.
Comment by: Jason Horton
6 09/24/08 8:07 AM | Comment Link |To be fair I do have a vested interest in advocating Crohn’s research. As a genetic illness I may have inherited the trait from my mother and passed it to my own children or my brother may have it or may have passed it to my niece.
Not that my personal interest diminishes my desire to see you well again, it is simply an additional factor. Honest. :)
Comment by: Helen
7 09/25/08 6:21 AM | Comment Link |Jason, I didn’t realize you had Crohn’s in your family history (although you probably told me and I forgot). The ‘may have’ implies you’re not having problems with it currently which is great news. I hope you never do!
Comment by: Jason Horton
8 09/25/08 1:24 PM | Comment Link |My mother had Crohn’s but so far my brother, Adam, and I have had no symptoms. Having said that Adam had the misfortune to suffer a hernia earlier in the year and was worried that it was the onset of Crohn’s. I don’t know if that helps anyone else to get an idea of what it might feel like?
Comment by: Eliza
9 10/1/08 7:33 AM | Comment Link |Helen,
I’m SO sorry to hear that you haven’t found the Crohn’s meds to be very helpful, haven’t been feeling well, & then ended up with complications & a hospitalization (missing your son’s performance, to boot!). I haven’t been around online for a while, busy with work etc, so just found out what’s been up.
I do hope that your medical issues go on a long hiatus, really soon! Here’s beaming positive, healing thoughts in your direction (not the same as a prayer, but similar intention, I think).
Comment by: Helen
10 10/1/08 7:04 PM | Comment Link |Thanks for the positive healing thoughts Eliza! They may be helping - I’m having a somewhat better week this week (finally).
Actually I didn’t miss my son’s performance - it was a closed performance - I missed giving him a ride home afterwards; that’s all. And he texted me as soon as he heard the results which got them to me as soon as if I’d been at home :).
I’m feeling a little better this week than I have for a few weeks, which is encouraging. I switched from Remicade to Humira this week which happily doesn’t seem to be having any bad side effects. I can’t tell yet whether it’s actually going to help but even if it doesn’t