The "Fs" and "Ps" of Pericarditis

Early December I wasn't feeling at all well, and after two trips to doctors and a CT Scan, what showed up was that I had Pericarditis. Doctor said that it was caused by an unknown infection, there was  nothing they could do, rest was the cure, and it would last six - eight weeks.

I didn't need that with Christmas approaching! 

Thankfully, on Christmas Day I was OK enough to prepare the traditional Christmas Dinner of Turkey, Roast Vegetables, and Suet Pudding for the family, and the girls quickly put together our Christmas Evening Grazing Table for the 12 of us.

Things tended to go downhill after that! I was ever so thankful that, after the bulk of the family left on New Year's Eve, my daughter stayed on for another week looking after me, doing all the cooking etc. 

Paracetamol and Prayer helped me survive! The pain was unpleasant, the fever debilitating, the flutters and palpitations frightening, and the fatigue overwhelming! I've never spent so many hours in my lounge recliner! I couldn't even do any embroidery as my eyes were so affected that I couldn't see to do fine work. I did find that I could crochet with thicker knitting cotton, so used up some left-over lengths of thread to make some pretty flowers.

With daughter at the wheel of the car, I was able to visit hubby, otherwise I didn't have the strength to drive. But those visits had a nasty barb - Covid broke out! Thirty+ Aged Care Residents contracted it ... as did I! As the doctor said, "You didn't need that on top of Pericarditis!"

Needless to say, I passed Covid on to our daughter, whose symptoms all broke out when she arrived home!

I'm happy to say that, now in the 8th week, I am feeling so much better. For a time I wondered whether I would ever feel well again! Life now has just about resumed its normal rhythm, all my usual responsibilities are being taken up, I can see to stitch again, I'm finding food more interesting (though still have to catch up with the 2 kg I lost), and I'm telling myself my holiday is over!

Since I am normally fairly well, it was a bit of a shock to the system to have something knock me flat like that! 

As you would know if you have read my blog recently, I make articles with Scripture verses to donate to the Christian Bookstore which my daughter manages. The photos are of some of the phone cases, bags, mini-organisers, pouches, coat-hangers and notebook covers that I had ready for her to take back home with her. I hope you find them much more interesting to view than my forlorn pericarditis story!

God bless.

Val