July 12, 2023
I’d heard that cancer is journey with ups and downs but I didn’t really believe them. I thought I can handle any symptoms and plow on through, no bumps please, but here I am in the hospital again.
Yesterday I felt good, real good actually, I even met with my boss to chat about return to work planning for August and had a zoom call with some other church leaders. About 5 pm I started feeling sick- chills, mild fever, and sore throat. They do a great job of explaining when to call the after hours for advice and even thou my fever was mild, I gave the nurse line a call about 5:45 pm. Fifteen minutes later the on call Oncologist called back and after a short discussion I was packing a few items to go to the ER.
Chemo really brings your white blood cell count (WBC) down, way down, so any possible infection is a serious deal. I took two Tylenol before I left the house and by the time I arrived at the ER my fever and chills were gone. My throat still sucked but throat sores is common with chemo so I wasn’t worried about it. I thought they’d do some blood work and perhaps prescribe antibiotics to be on the safe side and send me home. I was wrong.
I had lots of blood work done, a CT of my guts, x-ray of my chest, IV antibiotics, and told that I’ll be in the hospital a few days. I learned that my counts are dangerously low. So much so that they need to reduce the chemo drug level when they do the next round on Monday. I have to take some deep breaths and trust the experts. Overall, I have been very impressed with the doctors and nurses. They are kind and detailed.
However there is other drama outside there control. The ER is full. The hospital is full. So even thou I was “admitted” last night there is no room in the main hospital. I spent all last night in a recliner chair in a back area of the ER having IV antibiotics. OMG it was a long night. Maybe two hours of sleep. I’m still sitting in the chair. If a bed opens up I will be moved upstairs but there are no promises, there are others ahead of me. I may have 1-2 more nights in this puppy. I’m crossing fingers for a bed tonight. But I know others are worse off than I am. The hallways of the ER where full of very sick people waiting for a hospital room. Because of my WBC I got a little private area so I can stay away from germs as much as possible. They are doing the best they can.
This journey sure has its ups and downs but I’m reminded that everyone has a journey and kindness must come first. I’m hoping your day is far less drama filled. Masked up and hand sanitized hugs to you!
July 14, 2023 – Hospital Update
After spending Wednesday night in the ER (so not fun) I did get a room on the Oncology floor Thursday evening. I’m very grateful not only to have a bed but a room on the Oncology floor. These folks are experts in all things cancer. The ports, our symptoms, and are great about masks and being careful about germs in general.
My labs are improving fast. Sweet. I was told they get concerned with results below 1,000 and mine where 300 when I first got here with a mild fever. Now I’m closer to normal and no fever since Wednesday night. All great news!
I was bummed to learn that they want to monitor me until Saturday but grateful that they care enough to make sure all the labs are improving and that I will be ready for Monday chemotherapy. I don’t want to slow the mission of getting this cancer gone for good.
Victoria and Nick visited me yesterday so I’m sharing a little picture of her drawing a picture for me. Victoria introduced herself to my nurse and explained that this bald lady is her mom and that I usually have hair that looked like hers. 😉 I love that girl! The boys are still with the grandparents which is wonderful! They are having a great time being spoiled by them.
Thank you for the prayers the last couple of days. I appreciate that, it’s been a challenging few days. I’m hopeful that reducing this next round of chemo down my 20% will mean that I NOT need to visit this place again.
Cheers to an uneventful round 3! I feel like I’ve said that before. 😉 I hope this post finds you and yours happy and healthy.
My Journey 