should I go back home?

[garota03]

Hello everyone. I'm currently in Brazil, where I'm doing my semester abroad. I was supposed to stay here until December 17th, but a week ago I got into a hospital with awful headache, fever and nausea, after fainting earlier that they. They diagnosed me with bacterial meningitis and now I'm on my 6th day of intravenous antibiotics. I was feeling much better, but mainly thanks to painkillers I was also on – when they got me off them the headaches came back. My doctor said that depending on test results tomorrow I may be out of hospital by the end of this week.

And now – I don't know what to do. I am considering going back home earlier, because here I live in the residence hall where I have people around me, but they all have their own lives, back home my mom could take better care of me. Also, right now I'm feeling very fatigue and any mental effort, like trying to do my school reading or even writing e-mails to my professors feels like too much. If I'm feeling like that for two more months, I guess there's no point in staying here. But the thing is, I don't know yet how am I going to feel once I'm out of hospital. However, it doesn't seem very likely to me right now that I will miraculously get much much better in a week or two...

I know you don't know all the details of my situation and ultimately I have to make my own decisions, but can you maybe help me out with a word or two of advice? It's a completely unknown situation for me

[Sarahlbt]

I got bacterial meningitis last year, 6 weeks into what was supposed to be two years abroad. I returned home because I was so fatigued in the weeks after discharge, and had constant headaches. I eventually went back to full time work after two months though. If I were to do it again, I would have not gone back to work so soon. It was really hard, and Im still not back to my normal energy levels. As you said, we can’t speak for you, but I don’t there is anyway I could have studied while recovering.

[Gnugoo]

I would seriously advise returning home to recover. Even if you feel positive and enthusiastic when you first leave hospital the truth is that recovery takes time. And rest. Boring but true. I cannot imagine being able to stay awake for more than half a day at a time, let alone study. Studying requires a fit and healthy brain, and it is your brain that is suffering right now. Plan to give it a rest. You will study better when you are well. ❤️

[Loganjay]

Hi had pneumococcal meningitis in May this year and only this week I am returning to work you need time to recover I thought I would never get better but I did not 100% but I will get there you have youth on your side as I am 58 and made it good luck and take things easy X

[spouseM]

Garota, So sorry to hear about your condition. I beleive you will need a reliable person to help you for at a minimum of 2 weeks, some times much longer. If you have someone that you know can support you, or a group, I would think you could stay. Check into the program that brought you there, let them know what is happening and ask about help. Also, church groups, even if you are not of the faith will sometimes help. Best may be that your mother can come. If you know the oppertunity to study abroad is out there for you at another time, then I would advise you go home because most likely this semester will be a wash, in that you will not be able to complete it. If this is ithe only oppertunity for this type of learning, I would take measures to stay, still you will most likey have to repeate the semester, but from there you can go on. My daughter did study abroad and had kidney stones while there and found the jcare she received was quite good, and she had support from the organization she was with. She was in Argentina. My husband had SM and cranial sacral massage was very helpful for him, so I would advise you try that after you get out of the hospital, or maybe they have something like that there. Whatever you decide just know you did you best and stay strong in your commitment, whatever it was, no second guessing. Sending love and healing you way....Michelle

[Sarahlbt]

Garota03 let us know how you get on

[garota03]

Hello again, everyone! Thank you so much for all the responses!

I am still in hospital, it's 12th day and I am hoping to leave tomorrow, as I am feeling much better, but also I am feeling very tired of being in hospital. I don't have any life threatening symptoms anymore, so I feel like I'm going to be recovering much more quickly anywhere but here – tbh I'm going a little crazy already, especially that being in a hospital in a foreign country means that no one really visits me.

SpouseM, I do have another chance on studying abroad. First of all, it's not even my first time doing it, I have spent a year abroad during my bachelor, I'm now doing my masters and was supposed to spend this semester in Brazil and the next one in Portugal. Which is actually just another reason for me to go home early – to get better, to make sure I still do get to go to Portugal.

I still don't know what I'm gonna do, I will see how I feel after leaving the hospital. Will keep you updated!

[garota03]

Hello yet again,

So I'm out of the hospital, which I'm very happy about, because IV antibiotics have been irritating my veins so it's been a painful experience, but it's over now.

I moved on to new struggles, as I returned to my residence hall. I didn't mind living here earlier, but now everything seems to be a problem - the bathroom is so far away from my room (like 4 rooms away), my neighbour slams his door too loudly, the washing machines on my floor aren't working at the moment so I had to walk downstairs with all my dirty clothes yesterday which left me completely exhausted. I spend most of my time laying in bed, as I'm constantly tired and headaches seem not to be going anywhere anytime soon. They're definitely hot as strong as they were before I got to hospital, but they're still there.

The biggest issue is that I'm here on my own and I have to do everything myself, and even the easiest things - cleaning, cooking, going food shopping - feel exhausting right now.

I'm certeinly not going back to school this week, probably not even the next week. At this point all I want is to go back home.

BUT my doctor said that I need to rest until the end of this week and that's it, after that I can live normally, just maybe avoid physical activity for another two weeks. He said that I should be fine after that time, maybe a bit tired and with some headache, but no need to not go to school etc.

I don't know what to do know, I'm really tired with this illness at this point, but I also don't want to go home now, feel much better in 3 weeks and regret the decision of going back - and in result getting even more depressed than I already am. I'm so puzzled