Barry N. - Diagnosed Age 30
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January 2018 was my very first time being admitted in a hospital. During the time of January 12th - 20th, 2018, I was admitted to the hospital in Atlanta, GA. for something that I had not ever experienced. What I had thought was the "common flu" turned out to be something entirely and completely different.
It all started prior to January 12th of 2018. I experienced being cold, shaking, shivering, loss of appetite, not able to sleep, think, concentrate like I should have. In addition, every time I would speak/ talk, I had trouble finishing sentences without my voice going in and out. Before and/or after being admitted to the hospital, I had also told the nurses (and doctors) that there were sores and blisters located on the back of my mouth that were also causing discomfort.
As time had went on, the different nurses and doctors, who at first, were unsure of what I had specifically, all came to the same conclusion that I had lupus nephritis, which isn't common among black men around my age. After being in the hospital for eight days, I was released after what I thought was my first and only admission from the hospital... that is, until the second admission came around February 6th - 13th. During this time period, I had experience swelling. The swelling started in my legs. I cannot even begin to tell you what I was seeing and witnessing! Both of my legs looked as if they were getting bigger and bigger. I started to experience blistering and red marks on and around my knees, ankles, and feet. If I stood too long, I felt as if my legs were going to give up because of the intense pressure that I was feeling. Come to find out, I was experiencing water weight due to the fact that my kidneys were not functioning as they should. After 6 or 7 days of my second admission, I was released.
The third and final admission was quite an ultimate "test" for me from March 13th - April 3rd, 2019 when I went from just a regular hospital room into (the) I.C.U. due to two three seizure activities I experienced.