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.
This is all wonderful advice.