Baby Steps

Sorry for no update until today. I haven't really felt great at all these last few days. But I feel like today could be a turning point.

Yesterday I was able to eat 3 meals, which is a 1st in a LONG LONG time. And I really hadn't eaten anything in about 1 week. So that is definitely a praise! So hopefully the nausea will hold its on, and I can continue to eat and gain some of this weight back that I have lost.

Yesterday I was having a really hard time breathing. I had been on continuous fluids since admission (Thursday) and that on top of eating yesterday sort of sent my heart rate over the top. I couldn't get it below 130. I knew it was from the fluid, because my stomach was exceptionally full and big and it was pushing on my lungs. I finally got the on call doctor to discontinue the fluids. He also said I had some edema, some excess fluid, so he gave me a dose of Lasix, which seemed to help a little. Not having those continuous fluids has been a huge relief and I have been breathing much better today. Last night was very rough and I was very restless as well. They ended up giving me a dose of Ativan, which seemed to help calm me down a little.

Right now the infection is due to pseudomonas bacteria, which is usually the culprit of all my infections. The antibiotics I'm on are currently sensitive and should cover the infection pretty well. So my doctor wants to continue with what we are currently doing. My WBC count
is down to 5, which is better for me. I usually hang around 3-4. My kidney functions are much better as well.

I have still been using the oxygen. However, I just had some visitors stop by and I decided to take off the oxygen about half way through the visit to see how I felt. When they left, I checked my O2 saturation and it was 95...YAY!!! So I'm hoping that at rest, I can remove the supplemental oxygen and just use it with activity, walking, etc. (and possibly at night while sleeping). That would be a huge step as I have been worried about the oxygen usage.

My hematocrit level is 21, which is pretty low. My nurse practitioner wants to make sure it is true anemia and not from the fluids. If it is true anemia, then they will more than likely give me some blood, which in turn will probably make me feel much better, or at least give me more energy. My favorite doctor came on service today along with an NP. I didn't have an NP upon admission and through the weekend. My guess was because it was a holiday and weekend. So I'm glad to have an NP, because it makes communication so much easier.

I'm still feeling crappy, but feel like I have made some baby steps toward getting better. I really wanted to be out by Wednesday so I could start classes on Thursday, but doubt that will happen. We'll see though. I'm not putting it out of the question just yet. If I can get off the oxygen, then he would probably let me go home on home IV's..maybe.

Thank you for your continued prayers...they definitely mean a lot to me and really work. This is a tough infection that hit me hard out of nowhere...totally unexpected. I hope everyone is staying warm and well!! And I hope all of you have a blessed week! I will update again tomorrow!