Zenith's brain fog and disorientation is much improved, however she has been getting weaker as she has no appetite. Her Antibiotic is IV acyclovir 3X a day. Her side effects have been diarrhea, fatigue, weakness, headache, dizziness, there may be others, but those are my layman's observations.
Since at least November 13th until now the 23rd she has eaten very little. Her initial Illness started on the 10th, but I'm not sure how much she may or may not have eaten from the 10th to 13th. She was admitted to the hospital, diagnosed and treatment started on the 15th. I'm not sure if her lack of appetite is caused by the encephalitis, Antibiotics or both.
I'm concerned about her getting weaker and am trying to encourage her to eat, even a bite or two. I got her to eat a few grapes each day and a bite of banana. Her Filipino friends and family brought her some Filipino food and she ate a bite or two. She doesn't like American food.A few days ago they moved her to a nursing home, and what a shithole of a downgrade compared to the hospital.
Today I had a bit of an argument with one of her coworkers who came to visit her. I just can't deal with the whole we will just pray attitude. David didn't just pray he took action, same with Solomon, Moses, Jesus, and many others from the bible...
In the Philippines the family structure seems to often be a Matriarchy, where a senior female is the head of the family, and the boys are raised up to be irresponsible, while the girls are raised up to be ultra-responsible. As one expat put it, the boys are the girls and the girls are the boys.
Alpha Females with Beta males, I think it's related to Catholic grooming of boys since it seems common in Central and South American culture.
Keep doing what you're doing. Love her and pray for her. Hold her and tell her she has to try and eat something and then take the Alpha Male stance and take the lead. Get her what she loves the most to eat and joke with her that if she doesn't get it first, you're going to eat it all. Just joke around about it to arouse her spirit.
They say that 'chicken soup' will help heal anything. Bring her some from home. There's nothing like some homemade chicken broth to drink. Ask her if she wants just the broth or does she want a bit of chicken and some noodles with it. Start out with light foods and work her up to the whole foods she loves the most. But don't give up. Surely she will get hungry in a few days and the smell of something delicious will appeal to her. In the meantime, we will all keep Zenith in our prayers. God bless. And keep us updated.
Her cousin has brought her Filipino comfort food to no avail, my success has been with Black grapes.
There they eat rice soup,eat skyflake crackers, and drink orange soda. Their equivalents of Chicken Soup, Saltines, and Ginger Ale.
Monday, I'm going to stay all day to see her Dr. if he comes in. BTW Nursing Home Dr.s tend to be bottom of the barrel. I'd rather I die early than live in Nursing home Hell. Yeah most people working in them are ok, even nice, but there are plenty of scoundrels too.
They do eat some different foods for sure. She will appreciate you being there with her all day and hopefully you can 'snag' the doctor for a few minutes to find out what's going on and see if there is any way they can get her to eat. Usually, they give fluids and nourishment with the IV, but there are times they may have to introduce a feeding tube to her. If she is alert, ask her if she would like a feeding tube or would she like to eat on her own. Sometimes that is enough to jolt a person into eating. In the meantime, keep feeding her the black grapes. At least that is something.
NUrsing home Dr are the dregs, she doesn't like him either. IMHO medical is the greabiggest scam of all.
You're right. I had bloodwork done last year in December. Then I went to see my doctor again in March of this year. Then I saw her again in June only to hear her say, "Oh, your bloodwork in December showed you are borderline diabetic." Then I started almost yelling but asking, "Why didn't you call me, email me or even mail me the results? Why did you not tell me during my March visit?" She had no answer to any of these questions.
Contrast with my experience in the Philippines...
In 2020 I went to an internal Med. Dr. In the Philippines, I had health issues I wanted checked out. She sent me to the newer hospital where she also had an office since the one I saw her at was already not doing many tests. I had 4 blood tests including Hep B & C along with a full lower abdomen sonogram. Two copies were given to me within an hour, one for me and one for me to take back to the Dr. My problems were Kidney stones, a gallstone, fatty liver, and a swollen prostate. She gave me 2 prescriptions.
A week or so later my chest pains that I'd not told her about cropped up and I couldn't get an appointment with a Cardiologist due to COVID panic. I went to the Emergency room instead. That Dr. Gave me an EKG, a blood test for kidney failure, and a a blood test to see if I was having a current heart attack. He also told me to get an echocardiogram which I did the next day, I asked for a full chest x-ray as I was an ex-smoker., and I had all his results and the echocardiogram results to take back to my internal med Dr. The Emergency Dr. Prescribed another med, but also Nitrogliscerene. I took the results to my Dr. the following day. The results were heart remodeling from untreated high BP
The total bill was a bit over 400 bucks, that's for 3 Dr. Visits, an Emergency room visit, 6 blood tests, an EKG, an Echocardiogram, a Chest X-ray, and a full lower ab sonogram. Also included a month's supply of the Meds and 10 Nitro pills. I was seen quickly for all appointments which were basically walk-in or the next day. The results were given to me on the same day or on the next day when I had the test at closing time.
The Caveat is that you pay in cash before the tests. They don't bill insurance, nor do they treat you and wait to be paid. I'm sure the bill for all of this would have been 10K and I'd have to wait for all the appointments with the Dr. and the various tests. Would have been weeks or more too. I wouldn't want the Dr. there to operate, but the diagnostics were fine. Since I had my own copy of the results, I looked up all of my health issues myself.
Here just knocking on the Dr. door the first time is more costly than all of this I had done. My Dr. only saw a few patients a day since most people can't afford medical care.
I hear you. I remember going to the dentist and having a wisdom tooth pulled out on an 'emergency' visit which costs extra. The price...$75. Today I wanted a tooth extracted and the price without it being an emergency was $350 for the extraction, extra for an x-ray and I had to have a first visit for the x-ray to see if they'd be willing to extract it in a week or two. SO I PULLED IT MYSELF. Cost....PRICELESS.
Good for you Mary911, I healed myself a few times and it always worked out better than these big business Drs.
This is all wonderful advice.
I am so sorry my friend. May I offer a few suggestions. Getting her favorite foods is great btw and I encourage you to do this as much as possible. Plants help. I know it sounds dumb but those places are so sad and it seems a plant makes it feel less dismal. Put on her favorite music. See if they will allow her blankets and or comfy robes. Anything to offset the waiting to die vibe. Chicken broth with veggies really can be incredibly healing. If she is not on probiotics get her one. I can’t stress enough how hard antibiotics and repeated antibiotics is on a stomach. We had years of issues because I didn’t know that.A good protein supplement helps a lot with energy in our experience. Liquicell has been the best we have found so far. Talk to her about future plans and expectations. These are just suggestions of what has helped my son when he has been sick. Praying for you both.
Thank you very good advice! I do the music thing for her playing Filipino music via YouTube, and also FB messenger video chat with family and friends when they have signal and load. Our Granddaughter is going to be three over in the Philippines and that's her focus in life.
I dislike Facebook, but that's the main way that Filipinos communicate since they can text via messenger for free. Of coarse anything but texting requires load...
Banana or potassium rich food.. live culture yogurt.. any amount you can get in her.. will help ward off yeast infection and gut issues from antibiotics... in my experience.
"Be still and know I am the Lord."
The phrase “Be still and know I am the Lord” is a powerful and comforting verse from Psalm 46:10. It’s a command from God to His people, urging them to find peace and trust in His presence.
Why “Be Still”?
The Hebrew word translated as “be still” (רָפָה, raphah) means “to cease striving” or “to relax.” It’s not just about physical stillness, but also about emotional and spiritual stillness. In the midst of turmoil, God is saying, “Stop striving, stop worrying, stop fighting.” This is not a call to inaction, but rather a call to surrender and trust.
Knowing God’s Presence
The phrase “know I am the Lord” emphasizes God’s sovereignty and presence. It’s a declaration of His existence and power. When we “know” God in this sense, we recognize His authority and control over all things. This knowledge brings peace and confidence, as we understand that God is working everything out for our good (Romans 8:28).
-- Brave AI
Prayers for Zenith, fren. 🙏🏼
TY for comment and Prayers,
I'm a bit rough around the edges and can't quote very many bible verses. However my Baptist upbringing in a church where the pastor would sometimes preach for hours gave me a good grounding on how to treat people. I was astounded when I returned to the USA in fall of 2020 to see that few Christians were putting up a fight.
I didn't convey well in the original post, but I had a minor conflict with a Co-Worker of my wife, the Philippines has a saying "Bahala Na' what will be will be. Just pray, I on the other hand feel that the role models from the Bible prayed, but also took action. David slew Goliath, Sampson pushed the pillars down, Moses stood up to the Pharaoh, Jesus turned over the moneychangers tables.
Satan seems to have whispered in the ears like Grima Wormtongue to Theoden in Lord of the Rings. A few years ago, I'd had enough of this scammer preacher who preys upon my wife's cousin and family. He nor his wife work, in their 40's with 10 kids. A small congregation, and they were "Called" to move here from another state... There were quite a few ques aside from what I just wrote...
I used a randomizer app to select a Bible book and chapter to read and I got Thess. 2 Chapter 3, A week later I used the randomizer app again and got the same exact book and chapter. I calculated the odds of that to be around 1.4 million to 1... So I texted that pastor with my concerns and observations, and he shared it with my wife's cousin's husband. This ruined our friendship, and also with 2 other people. I have seen more scamming in various churches and I just can't sit by and let it happen if I can try to stop it I will.
Sometimes, fren, what is needed goes beyond our human abilities. It is at this time that we need to call upon God and ask for His help. He is there waiting for you. Find a quiet place and go have a talk with Him. Put your trust and faith in the Lord that He will do what needs to be done. He loves you and wants only the best for you and Zenith. Give your burden over to Him. If there is something He wants you to do, He will let you know.
All blessings upon you, fren.
Thank you for your wisdom and kindness...
You're most welcome, fren.
All the best to you.
Fren, the bahala na thing is in their blood. So hard to overcome, it is really the opposite of American initiative. My best friend over the past 40+ years is Filipina and my son's dad is a Filipino from the Visayas. Both of them have a lot of drive and professionalism and familiarity with western culture so they have been able to overcome that paralyzing attitude. You are so right, my mom used to say, "God helps those who help themselves." Praying for your dear wife. As several have said here, chicken soup is amazing for a transition to more substantial food. Arroz caldo, as you know, is the Philippine version of chicken soup with rice. Thick amounts of rice. And some ginger. If you could get a Filipino friend to make some of that up, it would be great. Also, chicken bone broth (Dr. Kellyanne's version sold at Sprouts market is delicious!) is very healing with a lot of protein. God bless you and Zenith.
Thank you! Her cousin made rice soup but she didn't eat any. I got her to eat a few grapes Friday and Saturday and she ate a few skyflake crackers yesterday. I work 12 hours sat and sun overnights, but will be off after that.
Too bad she can't just smoke a little weed instead.
This is what came to my mind too. Not sure if the edibles have the same effect or not and might be easier than smoking? I've definitely heard of cancer patients smoking weed to increase appetite.
I don't know what has happened to your wife to make her unwell.
But I have been there with the Brain Fog, bones and muscles felt turned to lead, I was in a half zombie state for a while.
I had to detox my system. Bentonite clay, took spirulina and kelp powder. And juicing with apples, ginger, lemon and green leafy stuff. Cut canola and seed oils out, and a bit less late night computer time, I came out of it eventually.
Hope she gets better.