01 December 2008

Monday's not so good medical news

My counts have not changed significantly since Friday. My shoulder is worse. And I feel worse. The constant pain is dragging me down and I'm on pain meds 24/7. My temp is running between 100° and 101°.

New plan of attack. Today (and every day this week) I get Envanz and Vancomycin by IV. The first gets gram neg bugs and the second gets gram pos bugs. High powered stuff that we hope will get rid of the infection and save the port. Between the two of them this takes a couple of hours to administer. I also had to get a platelet transfusion. Because of the holiday, the blood bank was short of platelets. Eventually they said they could get me some.

Today I had to get a Neulasta shot in hopes of triggering white cell production. We had to get Zyrtec from the pharmacy, so I already had the injection before I took them and they are not doing the best job of suppressing bone pain. However, the doc gave me a new prescription for Lorcet and told me to not skimp on taking them between now and when I see him again on Thursday. I'm feeling better after taking one of those.

Sally and I were at the doc's from 9:15 this morning until 3:30 this afternoon. I had a reaction to the Vancomycin. It was right at the end as I was about to go upstairs to get platelets. They sent orders for me to have 50mg of Benadryl as soon as I got there.

I slept through the transfusion and for several hours after getting home. And I have a pic line in my arm as the port can't be used and I have to have IVs every day. This one will need to come out on Wednesday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the port site will be improved enough by Thursday that it can be used for the long transfusions. Things could be worse and I'm thinking positively.

An interesting note: It snowed here all day today. Nothing stuck, but it was pretty watching it come down outside the window in the short term IV treatment room.

Bookmark and Share

3 comments:

Linda said...

Becky...you inspire me with your strength. Hang in there girl...
I am so sorry that you have to deal with this mess...
I am glad that the meds are keeping you from pain...
Thoughts and prayers going up for you today and everyday!
L xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Becky......


I hope that these new meds work for you this whole week.....
I feel really bad that you have to go through with all this. But with your strength I have a positive outlook for you.
Happy that at least your pain meds kick in and help you.

Always in my thoughts and prayers.

Erica.....

Regina said...

Healing thoughts and ((((Hugs))) to you Becky. I hope each day is better than the last.

Regina