Life post-Encephalitis

[Interpab]

It’s over 15 years since I was diagnosed with Encephalitis after slowly sliding off my seat on the London Underground and lying in a pile on the floor. It was due in part to heavy duty chemo treatment leaving me vulnerable to infection.

I’m doing great all things considered, an abstract artist with an online presence and looking to get into part time employment to help with bills etc. Still coping with the death of my long term partner from Cancer a year and a half ago and finding life much harder to negotiate alone.

[cat3]

Welcome Interpab…. you've had a rough time of it haven't you and it's good you've found this forum as we've become a (very large) family over the years and try to look out for each other by sharing stories, concerns and ideas...……………… with humour occasionally thrown into the mix.

Hope to see you around m'dear. Cat x

[Interpab in reply to cat3]

Thanks for the warm welcome, it’s been hard finding help over the years. The most helpful was some CBT therapy sessions that helped me cope better with noise, busy environments and handle mental tiredness and overload.

[cat3 in reply to Interpab]

I must admit I was scathing about any form of therapy believing I knew best what I was feeling, but went ahead just out of politeness to my GP. It wasn't CBT as such, just weekly 2 hr counselling sessions for 12 months at a specialist therapy centre (The Red House in Swinton, Manchester) but it completely changed my view of the practice and I told my counsellor things I've never told anyone.

It's so cathartic offloading stuff normally too taboo to discuss ; reminds me of times I've felt really poorly with a bug or virus and the relief of vomiting it out of the system ! It's no myth that repressed ideas and phobias need to be openly verbalised to remove their sting.

What was your chemo for, and did you get the all clear ? I had breast cancer in 2008 treated with surgery and radiotherapy plus anti cancer meds. Then a year to the day I was having my gall bladder removed, and more recently was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and Atrial Fibrillation...…...lost my ex husband, best friend and brother too. So I'm pretty au fait with the whole 'Sky Falling Down' feeling and feel for everything you've been through.

My brain haemorrhage was 7 years ago and I must admit I'm still averse to flashing/bright lights, loud noise and crowds so I choose my destinations carefully. And I still sleep to Olympic standards.

But we 'walking wounded' here on Headway stick together and support each other with genuine concern and affection which creates the feeling of inclusiveness and trust. So when you're ready m'dear it'd be good to hear more about your story and where you're at now, in your own time.....

See you later, Cat x