How I Recovered from Sickness with Kyle who acted as my Nurse

If you've been an avid reader of my humble blog or you know me personally that we're Facebook friends, then you must know that I couldn't write blog entries for the past months because I've really been through a lot since my Mom and I met an accident last summer. Of course, I'd rather not discuss such horrible stuff here simply because I don't want to go through those episodes ever again as it makes me too emotional. But I felt the need to mention them because what transpired over those things has indeed been a tough challenge and trial for me and my family and sadly, very recently, it has affected my own health. I've never been really sick for the past two decades of my life. The last time I remembered being in and out of the hospital was when I've had typhoid fever in Grade Four at age 9. I've never been confined in a hospital even when I've had a mild case of dengue when I was 26. That's how things had been. Until recently, barely two months after the accident I've mentioned above, I've started to have episodes of hyperacidity (it's my first time to experience such!), gastroenteritis (which was really bad--I totally couldn't eat for like three days and was only able to recover around two to three weeks after) and vasculitis. 

What is vasculitis? I really had no idea what it was all about because it was the first time I heard such. One morning, I woke up with scattered red rashes all over my legs, feet, and thigh, it even went up to my shoulders and to my face. My initial reaction was maybe I had eaten something I didn't know I was allergic to and so I had itchy rashes all over my body. And for a food blogger like me, it was indeed difficult to think about food allergies. How am I supposed to pinpoint which food am I allergic to if say I'd had a couple of food reviews in a week? But then, it wasn't your ordinary red spots because they turn super red to pink to bluish or purplish. I went to see a dermatologist and she told me I had vasculitis. So again, what is vasculitis? Vasculitis is the inflammation of the blood vessels. When blood vessels become inflamed, they become weakened, stretch or either increased in size or become narrow--even to the point of closing entirely. 

In many cases, the cause of vasculitis is unknown. But it could be traced on a recent infection, such as those caused by viruses. Occasionally, an allergic reaction to certain medications may trigger vasculitis such as taking an antibacterial medicine. It can affect people of all ages but it is certainly NOT CONTAGIOUS. 

I went on steroids for two weeks and I was also given some betametasone tablets by my dermatologist. All throughout my sickness, I had truly appreciated Kyle (who's 11 years old) who never left my side. He went up and down the stairs to check on me from time to time. He made sure I sipped on my soup bowl and even made me a cup of hot tea to drink. It was the first time I saw him literally took care of me. He even went to the nearest drugstore and did some errands to buy me my medicines. And I was so proud that he could really take care of me. What Kyle had shown during my times of sickness only proved that I had somehow raised him well. Although he complained and said that I'm such a stubborn patient because there were times when he'd have to prod me to eat my meals. 

I remember my Mom and my Lola (grandma) took care of me during my younger days each time I'd get sick. But seeing my own nephew whom I considered my own son took care of me was indeed overwhelming. I'm used to taking care of him and my Mom but I couldn't help but feel extra special now that Kyle's the one looking after me. I wish he'd still be there to take care of me when I get really old--when I finally come to what I call as "Twilight Zone". Although I've been telling Kyle to prepare and be ready one day when he's going to have to change my adult diapers when I poop. Well, but I guess it's too early to even think about that. 

In a nutshell, I've finally recovered from all those sickness. My vasculitis finally has cleared up after three weeks of medication. All that's left are scattered small scars on my legs. I had been blessed with a personal nurse in Kyle who despite being playful, naughty and sometimes a pain in the butt at eleven, turned out to have a caring heart. I thank God that He has restored me back to health. And I thank everyone who prayed for my family and who has helped us all these times.