Missing You

Last weekend and on the following Monday, my wife went to the gym with me. Since our gym is no longer 24/7, she’s not able to work out with me like she did. For years, we worked out about two hours/day, 5-6 times per week. After our third workout, she was sore, as was expected. However, during the night her skin became hot to the touch and a rash surfaced on her stomach. She took her temperature and was not running a fever.

Miserable and unable to sleep or rest, she took Ibuprofen for aches and pains. She called off from work and we went to a rapid care facility. They gave her a steroid shot to combat the rash and prescriptions. Thinking it might be Scarlet Fever, they performed a rapid Strep test, which came back negative, and then they did a longer culture test for Strep and said they’d call that afternoon with the results. They never called.

During the night, her skin became burning hot to the touch again and by morning, the rash was worse, covering her arms, her back, and her legs. Still, she didn’t have a fever. She called the clinic where she’d gone the day before and asked about her other Strep results. They told her the test came back negative. They told her to continue her meds and if matters became worse to come back or go to the ER. She stayed out from work a second day, drank lots of liquids, and took her prescribed medications. She spent the day resting.

The following morning, the rash had lessened and she had actually slept through the night without her skin radiating heat. She felt much better, so she went to work. Halfway through her shift, she got chills, and her supervisor told her to go to the ER. She did.

Her BP and heart rate were abnormally high. She was severely dehydrated, even though she’d been drinking lots of liquids the day before. She now had a fever. The rash confused the doctors, so they kept her for the night. They’re doing a lot of blood tests. Due to current Covid restrictions at the hospital, I’m not allowed to visit or stay with her.

After nearly 29 years of marriage, being apart from her while they’re trying to find out what’s causing the rash and her sickness is most difficult for both of us. Because she’s been put near the CT room, she has no cellphone connection so we could text one another, but she has called me several times. They are giving her fluids and antibiotics via an I.V. and the bloodwork should be back this morning. She should get to come home today. At least that’s what the doctor and nurses told us.

 I’m certain she’s not been able to rest well being in the hospital. I’ve tried to sleep, but when I finally doze off, I awaken when I reach for her and she’s not beside me. I told my daughter yesterday afternoon that it’s times like this when you truly realize how much you love and need someone; how important she is. She’s my best friend in the world. Please pray for her to have a speedy recovery.

Blessings to you all!