{"id":362,"date":"2015-05-04T12:30:00","date_gmt":"2015-05-04T19:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tcraik.com\/wordpress\/?page_id=362"},"modified":"2024-04-19T19:04:49","modified_gmt":"2024-04-20T02:04:49","slug":"the-first-episode","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tcraik.com\/wordpress\/medical-challenges\/the-first-episode\/","title":{"rendered":"The First Episode"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#E02B20&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;||||true|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||true|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width=&#8221;100%&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_post_title comments=&#8221;off&#8221; featured_image=&#8221;off&#8221; text_color=&#8221;light&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_font=&#8221;Amaranth||||||||&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; title_font_size=&#8221;32px&#8221; background_enable_color=&#8221;off&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;1%|1%|1%|1%|true|true&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; next_background_color=&#8221;rgba(131,0,233,0.09)&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||||false|false&#8221; bottom_divider_style=&#8221;wave&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;2_3,1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width=&#8221;100%&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;|600|||||||&#8221; header_3_line_height=&#8221;1.4em&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|1%||1%|false|true&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>The Symptoms Change<\/h2>\n<h3>Monday May 4, 2015<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Monday morning started off uneventful.\u00a0 I had an excellent sleep but I didn\u2019t want to get out of bed. I showered, got kids ready for school, and started laundry.\u00a0 I cleaned up the living room and helped my son put together his Lego train set. My husband was working from home so I let my son stay home with Dad while I went to Costco to get groceries.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">While I was shopping I noticed that I was still a bit tired which is a somewhat unusual for me at 10am but I didn\u2019t think much of it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">By the time I finished shopping and got in line I noticed I was quite a bit tired so I texted my husband and told him I was going to bed when I got home. I thought maybe I was coming down with something.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>By the time I reached the cashier I barely had enough energy to lift the groceries out of the cart<\/strong><\/span>, so I left all the item items in the buggy which I felt was being lazy but I didn\u2019t care. I realized at that point that I was extremely tired and it probably wasn\u2019t a good idea to drive home so I called home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">My husband\u2019s business partner was already at the house working so I gave her the message to come get me.\u00a0 I was a bit scared and I could tell that she sensed it.\u00a0 She said they would come get me. The cashier asked me if I was ok and I told him I was fine and that my husband was on his way but I had tears in my eyes. I slowly walked the cart to the car, struggled to get the groceries in, climbed into the passenger seat, and closed my eyes. I had no energy at that point and was too tired to do anything else so I tried to sleep while waiting for my ride.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">A few minutes later I heard my husband\u2019s car. He came to the window, saw me slumped in the seat, and told his business partner he would drive me home. I told him I just couldn\u2019t keep my eyes open so he said to rest and he would take me home to sleep. Just before we got home I realized that I couldn\u2019t move my arms, legs, or head and I struggled to say \u201cMaybe you should take me to Emerg\u201d. He responded by saying \u201cNo, I think you just need to sleep so I will take you home\u201d. \u00a0 At this point I realized I couldn\u2019t talk or move or open my eyes. But my husband\u00a0 didn\u2019t realize this yet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">I was trying everything I could to tell my husband that something was terribly wrong. <span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I felt wide awake and alert inside but no matter how hard I tried I could not open my eyes.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>When I tried to speak all I heard was a faint noise. I couldn\u2019t get his attention and I started to panic.<\/strong> <\/span>It was only a few moments until we got home but all I could think about was what if this is it? What if I stop breathing? Am I dying? Will I ever see the kids again? What is wrong with me? I could feel tears coming out of my eyes but I couldn\u2019t do anything about it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">When we got home my husband tried to wake me up. He told me we were home which I already knew because I could hear the garage door open and the car had stopped.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>He tapped my shoulder. He lifted my hand.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>He tried to wake me but I couldn\u2019t acknowledge him. <span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>His business partner pulled into the garage, took one look at me and announced that she was<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>going to call an ambulance.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">At that point I remember feeling a bit relieved that someone was on their way to help.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I tried opening my eyes but it took all of the energy I had just to open them a tiny but. I could hear my husband and his business partner on the phone with someone asking questions: \u201cIs she responsive? Is she breathing? Does she have a pulse?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">They were trying to figure out if I was breathing ok so I focused hard on taking deep breaths to make it easier for them to count each time I breathed in and out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Soon a fire truck came and the fire fighters took over. They were speaking to me and I was trying to answer but no one could hear. \u201cYes I am wide awake. Yes I know exactly where I am. Yes I know the date. Yes, I can breathe but I can\u2019t move.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">I could feel them take my pulse and open my eyes.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>At this point I was slowly able to open my eyes a bit more.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I could speak very faintly but just in a whisper.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The fire fighters asked much of the same questions as the person on the phone.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They determined that I was responsive and my vitals were fine. This was a relief. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Shortly after, the ambulance arrived and the paramedics took over. They checked vitals again. I could also hear a big vehicle drive by and a few moments later I heard a friend come over to offer help. I knew she was on the school field trip.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>At that moment I realized the school bus just drove by and my oldest son, along with several students and teachers, saw the fire truck and ambulance in our driveway.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I felt so bad because I knew everyone would be worried, especially my son.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Then I heard my 5 year old come close. He was so excited because he had just been in the firetruck. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>It made me smile inside.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Everything was under control so the parent left to tend to the kids on the field trip.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The paramedics asked my husband to move the car out of the garage so they could get me onto the stretcher.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">By this time I was a bit responsive.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The paramedics<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>asked if I could move onto the stretcher.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I thought I could but I just couldn\u2019t hold my own weight and collapsed immediately when I tried to push myself out of the car.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Both paramedics helped lift me onto the stretcher and into the ambulance. My husband was going to follow but they told him he could come with us so he jumped in the back with me. That made me feel so much better because I didn\u2019t want him to have to pay for parking. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Once we were in the ambulance they put a tube into my nose and hooked me up to oxygen.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The paramedic also pricked my finger to test my blood sugar. It was 3.9 which is low, but 4.0 is considered normal. All that I had eaten today was a few grapes a couple of hours earlier so this condition was not caused by my blood sugar levels.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span class=\"s1\">Naturally, as the ambulance pulled out of the driveway, the MRI department called the house to set up my appointment. My husband\u2019s business partner, who was home with my son, told them I was on my way to the hospital in an ambulance which really complicated everything.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I learned that you have to be an in-patient or an out-patient to schedule your MRI.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>At this point I was neither and couldn\u2019t schedule anything until a doctor admitted me or sent me home.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; ul_font=&#8221;Kite One||||||||&#8221; background_color=&#8221;rgba(255,244,104,0.7)&#8221; use_background_color_gradient=&#8221;on&#8221; background_color_gradient_stops=&#8221;rgba(236,239,74,0.08) 0%|rgba(236,239,57,0.57) 100%&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;|2%||2%|false|true&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;|2%||2%|false|true&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;12px|12px|12px|12px|true|true&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;12px|3%|12px|3%|true|true&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;12px|3%|12px|3%|true|true&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset1&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Symptoms:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>sudden onset of extreme tiredness<\/li>\n<li>little to no energy<\/li>\n<li>unable to speak<\/li>\n<li>unable to move eyes<\/li>\n<li>unable to move anything<\/li>\n<li>body is heavy and exhausted<\/li>\n<li>full conciousness<\/li>\n<li>full feeling in limbs<\/li>\n<li>mind is fully aware of surroundings<\/li>\n<li>able to hear and feel, but not communicate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/tcraik.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012-11-25.jpg&#8221; title_text=&#8221;2012-11-25&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; transform_rotate=&#8221;0deg|0deg|7deg&#8221; max_width=&#8221;80%&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; border_width_all=&#8221;10px&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset1&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/tcraik.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/5926.jpg&#8221; title_text=&#8221;5926&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; transform_rotate=&#8221;0deg|0deg|-7deg&#8221; max_width=&#8221;80%&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; border_width_all=&#8221;10px&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset1&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/tcraik.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/179599_1396480835783.jpg&#8221; title_text=&#8221;179599_1396480835783&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; transform_rotate=&#8221;0deg|0deg|7deg&#8221; max_width=&#8221;80%&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; border_width_all=&#8221;10px&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset1&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/tcraik.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/Royal-Columbian-2.jpg&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Royal-Columbian-2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; transform_rotate=&#8221;0deg|0deg|-7deg&#8221; max_width=&#8221;80%&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; border_width_all=&#8221;10px&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset1&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_testimonial author=&#8221;Tammy Craik&#8221; portrait_url=&#8221;https:\/\/tcraik.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/profile2.jpeg&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;5%|2%|5%|2%|true|true&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;5%|2%|5%|2%|true|true&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|3%||3%|false|true&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<strong>&#8220;I learned that you have to be an in-patient or an out-patient to schedule your MRI.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>At this point I was neither and couldn\u2019t schedule anything until a doctor admitted me or sent me home.&#8221;<\/strong>[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; next_background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;rgba(131,0,233,0.09)&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||||false|false&#8221; bottom_divider_style=&#8221;wave&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_3,2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width=&#8221;100%&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_number_counter title=&#8221;Daily Episodes&#8221; number=&#8221;3&#8243; percent_sign=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; number_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; number_font_size=&#8221;100px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_number_counter][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; ul_font=&#8221;Kite One||||||||&#8221; background_color=&#8221;rgba(255,244,104,0.7)&#8221; use_background_color_gradient=&#8221;on&#8221; background_color_gradient_stops=&#8221;rgba(236,239,74,0.08) 0%|rgba(236,239,57,0.57) 100%&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|true&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;|2%||2%|false|true&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;|2%||2%|false|true&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;12px|12px|12px|12px|true|true&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;3%|3%|3%|3%|true|true&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;3%|3%|3%|3%|true|true&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset1&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Symptoms:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>weakness of muscles<\/li>\n<li>slowly gaining mobility between episodes<\/li>\n<li>overall tiredness<\/li>\n<li>temporary full body paralysis<\/li>\n<li>always able to focus on breathing<\/li>\n<li>anxious<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Diagnosis:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>unknown<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Medication:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>none<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; ul_font=&#8221;Kite One||||||||&#8221; background_enable_color=&#8221;off&#8221; use_background_color_gradient=&#8221;on&#8221; background_color_gradient_stops=&#8221;rgba(224,109,107,0.36) 0%|rgba(237,130,130,0.53) 99%&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;|2%||2%|false|true&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;|2%||2%|false|true&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;12px|12px|12px|12px|true|true&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;12px|3%|12px|3%|true|true&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;12px|3%|12px|3%|true|true&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset1&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Tests &amp; Lab Results:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Blood sugar levels:<\/span><\/strong> 4.4<\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">ECG:<\/span><\/strong> Normal<\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">CT of brain:<\/span><\/strong> Normal<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Hematology Panel:<\/strong><\/span> Normal<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>INR:<\/strong> <\/span>Normal<\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Glucose Random:<\/span><\/strong> Normal<\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Electrolytes:<\/span> <\/strong>Normal<\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Urea:<\/span> <\/strong>Normal<\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Creatinine\/eGFR:<\/span> <\/strong>Normal<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Trponin:<\/strong> <\/span>Normal<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=&#8221;Tammy Craik&#8221; company_name=&#8221;Royal Columbian Hospital&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;|2%||2%|false|true&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;|2%||2%|false|true&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;|3%||3%|false|true&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;|3%||3%|false|true&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><strong>The porter tried to wake me but couldn\u2019t.\u00a0 I felt her pinching me. She asked for help waking me and I heard at least three other people come. They were poking and pinching me and talking quite loudly to me.\u00a0 One person rolled a pencil on the back of my left hand and bent my fingers back.\u00a0 I finally gained enough strength to whisper \u201cOuch\u201d which got their attention.\u00a0 Someone asked if I was in pain and I whispered \u201cmy hand\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;|600|||||||&#8221; header_3_line_height=&#8221;1.4em&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;|1%||1%|false|true&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;|1%||1%|false|true&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>At the Hospital<\/h2>\n<h3>Monday May 4, 2015 (11:30am)<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">We arrived a the hospital around 11:30am. The paramedics brought me in on a stretcher.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I was still too weak to really move.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I was gaining mobility in my arms and I could wiggle my toes.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I stayed in the entrance as the paramedics \u201cchecked me in\u201d.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Then after what seemed like an hour I was moved to a hallway in the back where there were two other stretchers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The two paramedics who came in with me stayed for a while before they got called out again. Another paramedic was assigned to watch over all of us.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I stayed in the hallway for most of the day. Around 5:00PM someone came and took 3 viles of blood. I also got an ECG done.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Around 6:30PM, when the paramedic was going off duty, I was moved into an area in Emergency and my care was then transferred to a nurse. About 5 minutes before they moved me I went into another episode that lasted about 15-20 minutes.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Everyone thought I was sleeping but I was fully aware of what was going on. I knew I was moving but didn\u2019t know where to.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>My bed was placed directly across from triage so we had a good view of everyone getting admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">I was still really tired at 7:00pm. I told Tavis \u201cI\u2019m really tired, I just don\u2019t want to wake up\u201d. The nurses took my vitals and everything was normal.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Even my blood sugar levels were at 4.4 which is normal.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>At this point I still hadn\u2019t eaten anything since my snack at 8:00am. At 7:30 my brother came and brought pizza for me and a sandwich for my husband. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">At <b>9:00pm<\/b> we finally saw a doctor. He ordered a CT of my brain. About 20 minutes later I went down for the test and I was back in 10 minutes! My brother stayed until about 11pm when my parents finally arrived (after a 3 hour commute). They left a car for my husband and my brother drove them to my house to watch our kids and relieve my husband\u2019s business partner.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">My husband stayed until just after midnight then went home to try and get some rest.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">I didn\u2019t get much rest. As soon as I fell asleep a nurse came to take my vitals or check in on me.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>There was also a naked man who kept wandering into the hospital, touching himself and peeing in public.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Security removed him a few times and Triage kept bringing everyone in to the back where they were away from the disturbances.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">I am not sure when I finally fell asleep but I was quickly awakened around 4:00am.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>A porter came to move me to my room but the nurse was on a break.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>It didn\u2019t take long for me to realize I was having another episode.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The porter tried to wake me but couldn\u2019t.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I felt her pinching me. She asked for help waking me and I heard at least three other people come. They were poking and pinching me and talking quite loudly to me.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>One person rolled a pencil on the back of my left hand and bent my fingers back.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I finally gained enough strength to whisper \u201cOuch\u201d which got their attention.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Someone asked if I was in pain and I whispered only \u201cmy hand\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The porter then decided just to move my bed with me in it.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>About half way to the room I was coming out of the episode and the porter asked me if I normally sleep that deep. I told her \u201cNo\u201d and explained the situation.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>It was not her fault, it was just bad timing. I should have never been left alone without a nurse who knew my condition.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>If someone would have read my chart or the nurse would have properly explained why I was there to the nurse who was covering they would have known what was going on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">I realized then that I need to have someone with me at all times who can speak for me when I can\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">When we got to room 327 on the 3rd floor of the North tower I had enough energy to flop myself onto my bed from the stretcher that I was brought into the hospital on. Thus began an 11 day stay at Royal Columbian Hospital. I was officially admitted as an in-patient.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;||||true|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||true|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_module=&#8221;380&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221;][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width=&#8221;100%&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;15px||15px||true|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; use_custom_gutter=&#8221;on&#8221; gutter_width=&#8221;1&#8243; make_equal=&#8221;on&#8221; max_width=&#8221;90%&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#EDF000&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#EDF000&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;1%||1%||true|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; link_option_url=&#8221;@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjM0NyJ9fQ==@&#8221; _dynamic_attributes=&#8221;link_option_url&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>The Early Stages<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Click to read more&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#E02B20&#8243; header_3_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;1%||1%||true|false&#8221; link_option_url=&#8221;@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjM2MiJ9fQ==@&#8221; _dynamic_attributes=&#8221;link_option_url&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>The First Episode<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Click to read more&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#E09900&#8243; header_3_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;1%||1%||true|false&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Royal Columbian Hospital<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Click to read more&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.25.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#EDF000&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;1%||1%||true|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Living with Episodes<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Click to read more&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Symptoms Change Monday May 4, 2015 Monday morning started off uneventful.\u00a0 I had an excellent sleep but I didn\u2019t want to get out of bed. I showered, got kids ready for school, and started laundry.\u00a0 I cleaned up the living room and helped my son put together his Lego train set. My husband was [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":104,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-362","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tcraik.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/362","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tcraik.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tcraik.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tcraik.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tcraik.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=362"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/tcraik.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/362\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":383,"href":"https:\/\/tcraik.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/362\/revisions\/383"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tcraik.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/104"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tcraik.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=362"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}