Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Not much to report. Last weeks chemo went well. Back up to both chemo's (Hercepton and Abraxine). Only problem involved putting in the IV. I just don't understand how one nurse can get it in with no problem and another has to stick me 2-3 times before giving up and having that nurse take over. Today I am going to request the nurse who doesn't mutilate my arm and see what they say. I've always taken who they have given me but after last week I think I need to be more assertive.

I was concerned last week that my potassium level was dropping again. Checked with doctor but she didn't want me taking the potassium pills - just eat more potassium enriched food. So I spent a week eating banana's, drinking orange juice, eating chicken, chicken soup, watermelon, etc. Today's test results show levels back to normal so I really need to keep after it.

Next battle is my legs from below my knees down. From looking at it you wouldn't know that they are full of fluid and as hard as a rock. Trying natural diuretics (cranberry juice, watermelon, tomato's, etc.) to see if it helps. Big thanks to good friend Karen who is a massage therapist and came over last night to give me a treatment. Legs feeling a lot better this morning. Not as jumpy and skin doesn't feel like its ready to split.

Special thanks to Carol Riedesel who nominated me in the Chicago SunTimes newspapers contest "Stories of Courage". Carols essay won me a beautiful Hermes scarf.

Next week Wednesday I am scheduled for a CAT scan to see if the new chemo regiment is working. A little nervous so keep me in your thoughts.

Off to chemo is a few hours. More (hopefully good) news next week.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Not much to report this week. White count and potassium level back to normal. Yesterday was a BAD day. No energy, chills and tired. Those are the days I plan my funeral in my head..... Better today after some good rest. Appetite still not good and having trouble figuring out what will go down. The past few days its been watermelon.

All and all I can't complain....I did wake up this morning!

Til next week - I hope you are all happy and healthy! ;-)

Monday, October 11, 2010

Hope you all are doing well. In regards to last weeks posting - did I mention that I had stated that it was my gallbladder???? Message to Physicians - if you want us to communicate with you and advise you of all our symptoms, etc then LISTEN TO YOUR PATIENTS!!! We know our bodies as well as you do.

After getting out last weekend it has taken me a while to get back to semi-normal. Had my blood test on Tuesday only to find that my Potassium level had dropped to a very low level. Of course since I had the test done outside the hospital they had me come in Wednesday early for another test. SURPRISE - same results. Because low potassium can really screw up your heart my doc ordered an EKG. Sure enough it showed some flattening of one of the bands which she was not happy with so after chemo I was admitted into the hospital for massive doses of Potassium via an IV. You would think it would be simple - not so. If run too fast and not mixed with Saline, Potassium burns like hell going in you veins and can induce a heart attack. Half way through the IV (which takes 4+ hours) the IV machine goes off and the nurse comes in and re-starts it. About 10 minutes into it I knew something was wrong. A terrible burning and my arm felt like it was in a vice grip. Now I can tolerate pain pretty well but this HURT. By the time the nurse came in I was almost in tears it hurt so bad. The problem was that the nurse who came in and re-programmed the machine didn't re-start it properly and I had straight potassium running into me. Problem with this is that it burns like hell and could have given me a heart attack. Just another reason to always have someone with you at the hospital. All kidding aside this was a very serious situation which could have caused problems down the road.

Besides that all has been well. Trying to get back my strength and move forward.

Hoping this weeks treatment will be uneventful!

Saturday,October 2

I promise never to complain again! After this week I found out things can get worse. Started off with no chemo - body needed a rest. Then what started off as a relaxing weekend took a nose dive. Spent the day in Michigan and didn't feel 100% which was disappointing since I thought it was going to be a great weekend with no treatment. WRONG!!!! Woke up at 2AM in a small po-dunk town in severe pain - it was my gallbladder. So we had to find a hospital and FAST! Found hospital and got there (I think they had 3 rooms) and announced "I'm having a gallbladder attack". Now those who have had one knows what I'm talking about. They of course being ""medical experts" knew better. Now you all know my writing so you know where I'm headed... After a CAT scan they found I indeed WAS NOT having a gallbladder attack. So they gave me some drugs once the pain subsided and sent us on our way. Back about 6AM to catch some sleep. Woke up about 9AM again in pain and told Mark we better start back. By the time we were home the meds they gave me were not working. So I called my doc and tried to get her to give me something stronger. No luck - on our way to U of C Med Center. Four hours later (don't get me started although kuddos to the ER staff who kept me from the general population) I'm in ER Isolation very sick. Truthfully I don't remember much but Mark filled me in on what I missed. I had 4 different docs who were split that it was gallbladder or lung infection. Oh, did I mention that they did another CAT scan and found stone and inflamed gallbladder 18 hours after the one in MI and it took 2 MD's, 2 hours and an ultrasound to put in an IV in my arm? Another funny...I get to the CAT scan and they asked if I ever had one before. I say yes, about 18 hours ago of which they say "you cant have another one so soon!!!! After several phone calls I was cleared but they knew I had one and even brought the report with me. I had surgeons talking to us about surgery but things changed hourly. Monday - what I remember was hell. My temperature went over 102 degrees. All I remember is them keep changing my gown and sheets because I was soaked. It wasn't until after 7PM Monday that they stabilized me enough to move me in a private isolation room. It wasn't until Wednesday night that I was able to actually talk and felt like I was getting better. Turns out I did have a gallbladder attack but I also had a bacterial infection which was causing me all the problems. So after 7 days of intensive antibiotics, injections and blood draws my arm is all black and blue.

Thanks to Mark who never left my side, Sister-in-law Cindy who came to give Mark food breaks and all my friend's and family who called and emailed with messages. I'm sorry I wasn't available but could hardly talk. Special thanks to friends at Designcraft who covered for me and sent their love and support. You remain my rock and I love you all.

Too tired to go on...more details when I get some rest.