Hi All,
I hope everyone is doing well!
Unfortunately, I am not doing so great. I seem to getting worse, feeling much as I was in last fall. My appetite has diminished greatly, I'm in much more pain, I have more severe fatigue (if that were possible), and I'm more jaundiced. My blood is having more trouble clotting than usual, another sign that the liver is not doing well. I also started my cycle, which is not supposed to happen when you have menopause, of course. I haven't had a period in around 3 months, so this is weird and, of course not helping my current situation. I'm waiting to hear back from the gyno about that.
I have an appointment to see my primary care doc on Thursday and I see my liver doctor in Omaha at the end of the month. Hopefully someone will have some answers, but I'm not counting on it. I got a blood test yesterday but the med center called and said that my place on the list had not changed. So much for that.
So, being at home stuck in bed more than ever I am, of course, a bit bored (reading and sleeping are all swell, but they do get old after a few days), so anyone who wants to come and entertain me and/or bring me presents is more than welcome! ;-D I'm still trying to make it to my various classes and meetings.
Showing posts with label pain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pain. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Pain, ER, You Know The Drill
Latest health update email:
Friday morning: I have a bad pain episode and after lots of narcotics I'm able to at least lie down and be peaceful.
Saturday morning: Still having lots of pain, even with all the drugs.
Saturday evening: It's getting ridiculous and I'm about to snap from the ongoing pain so we go to the ER. Oh, yeah, and I have a migraine. Two x-rays and a CT scan later all that's been discovered is that my appendix is enlarged. We're told to watch closely for appendicitis and are sent home at 2 AM. The ER drugs were great, but I needed them every hour or so to stay on top of the pain. During the rest of the night at home I am constantly woken by more pain and spend a lot of time in the bathroom taking care of some serious constipation.
Sunday: Still in pain, though a tiny bit better.
Also, during this same weekend, three of our rats passed away: Francis, Bindi and Oreo. You three will be sorely missed!
On the bright side of things, my friend Amanda came over and cleaned all my rat cages and brought new hammocks, toys and boxes for all! Also, we got some beautiful mums that smell divine and mom got me my very first African Violet! I'm very excited about this.
Becca
Friday morning: I have a bad pain episode and after lots of narcotics I'm able to at least lie down and be peaceful.
Saturday morning: Still having lots of pain, even with all the drugs.
Saturday evening: It's getting ridiculous and I'm about to snap from the ongoing pain so we go to the ER. Oh, yeah, and I have a migraine. Two x-rays and a CT scan later all that's been discovered is that my appendix is enlarged. We're told to watch closely for appendicitis and are sent home at 2 AM. The ER drugs were great, but I needed them every hour or so to stay on top of the pain. During the rest of the night at home I am constantly woken by more pain and spend a lot of time in the bathroom taking care of some serious constipation.
Sunday: Still in pain, though a tiny bit better.
Also, during this same weekend, three of our rats passed away: Francis, Bindi and Oreo. You three will be sorely missed!
On the bright side of things, my friend Amanda came over and cleaned all my rat cages and brought new hammocks, toys and boxes for all! Also, we got some beautiful mums that smell divine and mom got me my very first African Violet! I'm very excited about this.
Becca
Friday, September 12, 2008
Where am I again?
I'm feeling very light-headed and out of it, so I'm going to make this quick:
It was yet another crazy night last night. I had another slight fever, but worst of all my liver was hurting me really badly and I wasn't getting the pain med that I needed. However, they gave me some IV lorezepam that put me to sleep pretty well. I continued to have the pain, I just never woke up enough to request more meds.
Today I still hurt and I feel all light headed and drowsy, kind of drugged though I haven't had anything more than normal. We're still waiting to talk to people in radiology about how the procedure went. Athough we have heard the brief notes they left for other doctors about the procedure.
I've been bleeding from weird places like my nose and gums. There's some weird stuff going on, that's for sure.
Sorry that this email is so weird and disjointed.
Becca
It was yet another crazy night last night. I had another slight fever, but worst of all my liver was hurting me really badly and I wasn't getting the pain med that I needed. However, they gave me some IV lorezepam that put me to sleep pretty well. I continued to have the pain, I just never woke up enough to request more meds.
Today I still hurt and I feel all light headed and drowsy, kind of drugged though I haven't had anything more than normal. We're still waiting to talk to people in radiology about how the procedure went. Athough we have heard the brief notes they left for other doctors about the procedure.
I've been bleeding from weird places like my nose and gums. There's some weird stuff going on, that's for sure.
Sorry that this email is so weird and disjointed.
Becca
Friday, August 1, 2008
Home (again)
So yesterday I got to come home! :D I'd had a really good night. The day wasn't going so well, but it wasn't horrible or anything. About 2 hours after my sister arrived home from Colorado (visiting mour Dad) I also arrived home.
I slept for about three hours and had a nice reunion with all my animals before Gina came over to clean the rat cages. During this time my pain started getting really bad (like borderline ER visit). Mom stepped in, even though she'd already gone to bed, and figured out which pain meds I could take (this pain requires 3 types of narcotics simultaneously, and sometimes those don't even work). Mom got me all situated in a comfortable position with a heating pad and I was finally able to get some sleep. Meanwhile, Aprille had come over and was helping Gina put my bed back (it had been moved for the recliner) and rearrange some stuff so I could access my things from both my recliner and my bed. I woke up a lot during the night and during 4 AM I was doing very well pain-wise soI organized my tables a bit. Then I slept in until about noon.
Today I'm having my normal amount of pain, but hopefully the drugs will all start kicking into high gear soon.
I'm having fluctuating body temperatures, lots of cramping and bruising on my tummy. These are all signs that the body is starting to heal itself, so I'm happy for that (though not for the pain). So hopefully I'm on the road to recovery here...it's just going to be painful.
A big thank you to the many people who came and visited me in the hospital and brought me flowers and balloons and toys! I think the record was 7 visitors in one day. And another big thank you for all of your kind, thoughful emails and cards, prayers and positive thoughts. I appreciate that so much.
Becca
I slept for about three hours and had a nice reunion with all my animals before Gina came over to clean the rat cages. During this time my pain started getting really bad (like borderline ER visit). Mom stepped in, even though she'd already gone to bed, and figured out which pain meds I could take (this pain requires 3 types of narcotics simultaneously, and sometimes those don't even work). Mom got me all situated in a comfortable position with a heating pad and I was finally able to get some sleep. Meanwhile, Aprille had come over and was helping Gina put my bed back (it had been moved for the recliner) and rearrange some stuff so I could access my things from both my recliner and my bed. I woke up a lot during the night and during 4 AM I was doing very well pain-wise soI organized my tables a bit. Then I slept in until about noon.
Today I'm having my normal amount of pain, but hopefully the drugs will all start kicking into high gear soon.
I'm having fluctuating body temperatures, lots of cramping and bruising on my tummy. These are all signs that the body is starting to heal itself, so I'm happy for that (though not for the pain). So hopefully I'm on the road to recovery here...it's just going to be painful.
A big thank you to the many people who came and visited me in the hospital and brought me flowers and balloons and toys! I think the record was 7 visitors in one day. And another big thank you for all of your kind, thoughful emails and cards, prayers and positive thoughts. I appreciate that so much.
Becca
Monday, June 16, 2008
The Chronicles of Becca: The Liver, the Notebook and the Prilosec
Today my liver started to really hurt for the first time in a week or so. I mean, I always feel it (how could I not when it's gotten huge and hard?). Then came the even greater aversion to food than usual. And the more extreme tiredness. And finally came the chills. It's June in Nebraska and I sat outside in winter socks, sweatpants, a t-shirt and a hoodie. In direct sunlight. Lin the rat sat with me for awhile (she gets grouchy if she doesn't get outdoor time with me at least twice a week). Later Oscar the cat came to see me.
Oh, and then later came the shortness of breath. There just isn't room enough for all my organs anymore what with my huge liver and huge cysts on my ovaries.
But even feeling crappy like that do you know what I did? I cleaned two rat cages. I have no idea what I was thinking. Probably some nonsense about being bored and about the boys' litter box overflowing. Anyway, now I'm paying for it. I thought about taking some codine, but I don't know if that interferes with my sleep med. And I need my sleeping pills. Now I'm thinking Tylenol, but that means getting out of bed and walking all the way to the kitchen, which would defeat the purpose of Not Feeling Pain.
So I lay in bed and finished watching The Notebook. Now I don't know if it's because I had really high expectations for it or what, but I didn't think it was all that great. Supposedly even guys cry at this movie, but I didn't get teary eyed even once. And I get teary eyed watching Elf, okay? The only part that was even the least bit touching for me was the last half hour of the film. Maybe after Bella and Edward everything else just seems lukewarm or something (see books by Stephanie Meyer).
One thing I did do today: I made a vlog. Actually three vlogs since the battery on my camera kept running out. I uploaded them to YouTube, but now internets TV is doing maintenance, so I can't access them. Please stand by.
I do have photos from yesterday's photo shoot, though! Check it out.
I also made one of those cool Simpsons things. I think it's a pretty good likeness.
OMG...I just realized. I feel heartburn. Which means I haven't taken my Prilosec. Which means I forgot to put it in my pill case. I did! Wow...It's a miracle I've been able to eat at all. Amazing.
Oh, and then later came the shortness of breath. There just isn't room enough for all my organs anymore what with my huge liver and huge cysts on my ovaries.
But even feeling crappy like that do you know what I did? I cleaned two rat cages. I have no idea what I was thinking. Probably some nonsense about being bored and about the boys' litter box overflowing. Anyway, now I'm paying for it. I thought about taking some codine, but I don't know if that interferes with my sleep med. And I need my sleeping pills. Now I'm thinking Tylenol, but that means getting out of bed and walking all the way to the kitchen, which would defeat the purpose of Not Feeling Pain.
So I lay in bed and finished watching The Notebook. Now I don't know if it's because I had really high expectations for it or what, but I didn't think it was all that great. Supposedly even guys cry at this movie, but I didn't get teary eyed even once. And I get teary eyed watching Elf, okay? The only part that was even the least bit touching for me was the last half hour of the film. Maybe after Bella and Edward everything else just seems lukewarm or something (see books by Stephanie Meyer).
One thing I did do today: I made a vlog. Actually three vlogs since the battery on my camera kept running out. I uploaded them to YouTube, but now internets TV is doing maintenance, so I can't access them. Please stand by.
I do have photos from yesterday's photo shoot, though! Check it out.
I also made one of those cool Simpsons things. I think it's a pretty good likeness.
OMG...I just realized. I feel heartburn. Which means I haven't taken my Prilosec. Which means I forgot to put it in my pill case. I did! Wow...It's a miracle I've been able to eat at all. Amazing.
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