@ floating - i just can't tell you how moved and touched i am by your story - its hard to say more than other posters eloquent responses and advice - but it just gave me a glimpse of your incredible strength against such odds and you should be so proud as it seems you not only overcame, buy also conquered - and i do agree that you should write a book, you do have a gift - and i will be the first one to buy it!
so the only real advice i can give you is concerning your health -
"of course, I am recovering from a severe, chronic, systemic bacterial infection which affected (among other things) my short-term memory; point is, I don't like to leave the house much now anyway. I don't need any sympathy: the house is wonderful, my husband is a miracle, and while I am not well yet, this is my secret paradise."
i have to been in your situation mine caused the combo chemo and bacterial staff infection where i was on my way to complete septic shock last year and had to spend 2 months in the hospital and another 4 months on an antibiotic iv at home and i do know just how horribly frustrating the loss of your short term memory can be (examples: having to go at least 5 times to the fridge b4 i could remember what i was suppose to be getting, trying to find normal every day words that would disappear b4 they could make it to my mouth and covering my house w. post of things that i needed to do on a daily basis, even to eat) - and i want to tell you - it does get better!
in my research i found that one thing that can help you to speed up the recovery of short term memory loss because of these situations quickly is caffeine amazingly enuff - and i realized that i had stop drinking caffeine (not on purpose - just because of being so sick)
and you don't have to drink inordinate amounts - i just started drinking a just a couple of cups of coffee a day, along w/ the very occasional soda or iced tea - and it is really working - i went from just barley getting my short term memory back to being able to see striking progress every day - and i am almost back normal
i don't know if this helps at all - but i just wanted to let you know that even though at times you don't think you will ever be back to normal - it does get better w/ time and a little caffeine - it really does work - and then one day you will wake up and realize that you only had to go to the fridge once and you can start to feel that burden just lift from your shoulders - i can tell you that you do have a bright and shiny light at the end of this tunnel
- giant internet hug coming your way
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