From the MRI, the doctors could tell that theres an inflammation at the midbrain. But they couldnt rely on just the brain slices taken through the MRI. They had to reconfirm, that it IS inflammation, then only they could start on the treatment; which explained why they seemed to just let the symptoms be. They didnt know the cause, hence they needed to do lumbar puncture to take cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) ; or brain juice they call it, to have it tested.
Please bear with all the medical terms.
My husband underwent the lumbar puncture (LP) that day. I couldnt stand seeing him in pain of which three doctors tried taking the fluid from his spine (about six attempts), but they said it's an empty tap. They decided to stop doing it, and gave him a rest before they could try again the next day, depending on the condition of the bruises and swellings as a result of the attempts. We're well-informed that the procedure was a difficult one, we didnt blame them.
Better luck next day.
I had my husband's baju melayu ironed before coming to visit him, so that he could wear them for eid. In UK, no one could stay overnight with patients, unless the patients are below 12. I was refused on my request to stay overnight straight on my face the first day he was admitted. But well, for eid, I requested to come early in the morning (visiting hours 1430-1930 btw).
Wednesday it's eid!
I came early. We had requested a porter to push my husband's on a wheelchair to the chapel downstairs. They had eid prayer in the hospital alhamdulillah, so we took the opportunity to join them.
It was such an experience praying with staffs who didnt manage to have leave on eid just to take care of patients, and with patients who in what conditions theyre in, still struggling to perform eid prayer. I love that the imam recited verses from albaqrah of which the meaning,
and also, the duas after the eid prayer were very meaningful, I cried.
We had the doctor informed that we'll be back after an hour, so we used the the remaining time to call our families and to take pictures (tho the pics were taken in hospital. He wasnt allowed to leave the building definitely).
Happy moment was over, and it was the scary part; LP. The doctor that carried out LP for the day was a different one. He tried twice, but he managed to get the fluid out tho it took him approximately an hour and a half. Alhamdulillah.
They had to do several tests using the fluid and the results for each test might take different time span before they'll be out. But that evening, we're told that it's now confirmed that it IS, midbrain inflammatory, just that they couldnt tell us the cause of it.
My husband's given steroid drip right after they knew the disease. So he needed to be on the IV drip for three consecutive days. Well, not for the whole 24 hours actually, just for about an hour each day.
Thursday 2nd eid(?)
One of the effects of LP is backpain. So my husband found it hard to sit and even lying down. Every position wasnt feel right, but it was worth bearing such pain. May Allah wipe his sins, and mine.
We were visited by friends who kept motivating and praying for us. Everyday, since the first day he was admitted, we had visitors. They brought chocolates, eid dishes and even books to keep us occupied. And most importantly, they brought with them duas. That's all I ask for.
We even had friends coming all the way from Preston (approx 3 hours drive) and also from Oxford just to visit my husband. May Allah reward all friends, who came to visit, who are planning to visit and even friends whom prayers are with us wherever they are. May all of us find the silver linings behind what happened.
Friday 3rd eid(?)
The symptoms didnt worsen, Alhamdulillah. My husband could walk, but still unstable. His slurring speech improved, people can start hearing him saying words clearly. He still had tremors that he sometimes spilled food/drinks, shaking when holding things, find it hard to text and had a bad handwriting. But Alhamdulillah, the symptoms didnt worsen, at least.
In the evening, we were visited by my husband's friend, who's a Syrian. I love the way he reminded us of Allah, and having him to visit us was a blessing. His visit reminded me about the Syrians, who lost their family members and who arent guaranteed the next second breath (everyone's not guaranteed, just that we always forget about such fact. Theyre reminded all the time by the situation theyre currently in).
He'll have a second MRI insyaAllah next week, and hopefully the steroid drip works and the disease wont recur. The consultant (specialist) didnt say that he can fully recover but with Allah's will, insyaAllah he will.
Please keep us in your duas. People around the world who know us, am sure are praying for us. Am sure you readers too. I cant thank you enough.
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