My journey with Encephalitis began back in December 2024. I woke up in the middle of the night around 4am and started to go into a daze and felt out of it like I wasn’t right.

I ended up making it to the bathroom and collapsing against the sink counter breaking 3 ribs and then to the floor. My wife and daughter rushed in to see what was going on as they had no clue. My wife is a registered nurse for 25+ years and if it wasn’t for her, I am not sure I would be alive today.

That morning my wife rushed me to her hospital she works at to get me checked out and see exactly what may be going on. They did all my vitals and were getting me to a room when I started to have a seizure, by the time I got to the room I had had 4-5 seizure and they had to put me into a induced coma for about a week and some days while doing a spinal tap and not finding any causes to the Encephalitis making it a Unknown Source. When I awoke my wife told me I was in an induced coma and recovering now. I had no clue where I was and took a few days to get it in my head what was going on. I was recovering in the hospital for 3 weeks until I was able to leave and do outpatient rehabilitation near my home. The rehabilitation only lasted about two months till I felt much stronger to be on my own and not have to continue it.

Since I have been released from the hospital 15 months ago, I do feel much better but still have a shaky hand and also get Anxiety attacks here and there I never had in my life before this. The attacks have calmed a lot since past 2 months and I feel much better than before and continue to take the anti-seizure medicine and seems to be helping on that end. I don’t think I will ever be the same but lucky to be alive and doing my best to not stress or have any added anxiety. Time keeps on helping and I think is best for the end result. Stay strong everyone!!!! You can beat this!

Story published April 2026

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