Hospital Day #6

Going on day #6 in the hospital. I have cabin fever really bad. As I mentioned before, I had hoped to be back in class yesterday (Monday) or at the latest by today for clinicals. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Hopefully Thursday will be the day. I will still be going home on Home IV's though. I have several things on Friday, including a Nursing School Luncheon that i'm working at and a CFF Young Professionals Board Fundraising Event. I also have a Pathophysiology test Monday.

My Heart rate over the weekend was higher than it had been earlier in the week. On Sunday, my doctor decided to walk me around the nurse's station and monitor my O2 saturation while walking (since my Heart Rate had been higher). He got a reading of 83% (which wasn't good). I'm not entirely sure it was accurate. I re-walked myself, while monitoring it later that night, and it ranged from 87-90%. So it's still too low. I also am having some really low BP readings (one day is was 80/38). They held my BP med yesterday and today. And tomorrow they are starting it back but at a much lower dose.

So the doctor on call this past weekend, suspected that maybe something was up with my heart. So I had an ultrasound to check for DVTs (deep vein thrombosis...blood clots). I also had an ECHO today. The ECHO technicians kept talking (which I hate when I can't see the screen or they "talk behind my back." However, one of the techs asked me if I knew I had pulmonary hypertension. I said no....no one has ever said that and I never have had it. So I'm guessing I might have some now? A little worried about that.

So..my heart rate is still really high...but other than that, everything is going ok. Still need my O2 sats to get better as well. I can tell that they are low, because i'm getting these massive headaches.

I did have a rough day yesterday morning with nausea and throwing up. And then that sent me into tons of pain. So yesterday was definitely not a good day. No sleep at all. And plus I was drugged with so many meds yesterday including pain meds, that today I've been really sleepy.

My clinical instructor from school came by and saw me today on her way to our unit where we do our clinicals. I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be with her coming by. She was really sweet. And it looks like that missing clinicals this week is not going to affect me passing the semester, because I had been doing really well so far. We'll see.

Ok...so I'll update again soon!

Thursday Night Update/Football

As far as my lungs go...everything has stayed about the same today. I kept my oxygen off during the day. I am going to turn it down to 1 liter during the night instead of 2 liters, to see how I do. I tried to walk more today, which I think I accomplished. My heart rate is still in the 150s or above when walking, but I know that will get better.

Yesterday evening and night, my stomach started getting major (and i mean major) gas pains/cramps. I have no idea why, but I was burping and passing gas(sorry...tmi) a whole lot. My stomach kept getting bigger and bloated looking. And the pain became to much to handle...I was in tears. I got some pain medicine (IV Dilaudid..not sure how to spell that, sorry), which took the edge off. I was finally able to fall asleep with minimal cramps. This morning was better and the cramps, burping, etc., was minimal. Then all of a sudden this afternoon it began to get worse again...to the point of tears. I took multiple doses of simethocone (anti-gas med), as well as a "good bacteria" pill to see if it would help. It really didn't help, and I had to get more IV Dilaudid to relieve the pain. This is some strong stuff...seriously. It took off the edge of the pain again, but now the cramps are coming back again strong.

Everything "down below" (as far as digesting, etc.) is working fine. They did an xray of my belly tonight to check for obstruction. It didn't show any obstruction, but it did show TONS and TONS of air. How on earth does this much air get into my stomach. It looks like I'm having triplets. It's the worse gas pain I can ever recall having since my obstruction after my transplant in 2004.

I'm afraid to eat dinner, thinking the food will make it worse. I have lost so much weight and really need to start gaining. But these stomach issues won't leave me alone. I'm praying we can figure something out. I have no idea what the next step will be.

Tonight is the National Championship Football Game, in which Alabama is playing against Texas. I am an Alabama fan..so ROLL TIDE. One sweet nurse brought me some stuff to decorate my room with. I managed to decorate my door, but that was all I felt like doing today. I have some pom poms to cheer them on...GO BAMA!!!

Still no mention of when I will go home. I missed my 1st day of classes today. Our weather guys had been predicting a good bit of snow, and I was praying classes would get canceled. Most of the elementary, middle, high school, and daycare classes were closed for today and some for tomorrow. It really didn't end up doing much. It did snow and sleet, but nothing really stuck.

Evidently, I have 2 pre-lab assignments due next Tuesday (which is my 1st physiology lab class). I'm going to try and get some reading/studying time in this weekend. My goal is to go home on home IV's on Monday, so I can attend classes on Tuesday.

Sorry for the long update/post. Please pray that these stomach issues will be resolved or they will figure out what is going on. My doctor did page the surgeon who performed my gallbladder surgery to make sure nothing was going on in that department.

Oh...and we transplanted a young girl (well, about 24-25 year old) Monday evening. She needed a heart and double lungs. The transplant was a big success and she is having a very rapid and successful recovery. Please keep her in your prayers that things continue that way. I can't imagine getting your heart transplanted and your lungs at the same time...WOW. She had been listed for a long time, because you had to have the organs from the same person, and that is hard to come about sometimes.

I hope everyone is staying warm and has a great upcoming weekend.

Wednesday morning update

Sorry for not updating again until today. Monday was a really good day. However, yesterday was not. I spent the entire day, literally, throwing up due to a new medicine they had started. Feeling sick and throwing up made my heart rate stay high and I constantly felt like I was out of breath. Therefore, I was on oxygen all day yesterday. I am feeling much better today, and praying things will finally start going in the right direction.

Evidently, I'm only sensitive to very few antibiotics right now that will treat this infection/acute pneumonia. The cefipeme, that I was getting, was not one of the sensitive medicines. There was only one 100% antibiotic that was sensitive to my bug, and that was Meropenem. Well, evidently it is in the same class at Zosyn (which I'm allergic to), so it really made me sick. Consequently, I didn't eat anything all day. The docs removed the Meropenem and switched to Ceftaz. It is only intermediate sensitivity, but hopefully with the Vanc and Tobra it will be ok. However,now, it's basically like starting over with a new antibiotic.

I did have some visitors Monday, and may have a few today. I'm definitely ready to get out of here, but my body is definitely just now beginning to fight this infection. And plus, I don't have oxygen at home, and don't want to have to use it at home either.

I am missing my 1st day of classes tomorrow, which really sucks...I'm so mad. But I can't do anything about it, unfortunately.

Please pray that things will only continue to move FORWARD and not backwards. I hope everyone is having a good week. I promise I will update more frequently.

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!

HOME!

After a little bit of convincing to my transplant doctor, he released me to come home tonight. I got home about 7:00 pm. He wanted to keep me a few more days. But I told him that I thought I would recover better at home. And that I could find more foods to eat at home verses the hospital. So he was perfectly fine with that. He gave me a trial run to see if I could manage the pain with just oral narcotics and not IV pain meds. So far so good. I'm taking Lortabs and Percaset(spelling?)around the clock in addition to nausea meds. I've lost about 10 pounds...not good. The pain is getting better, but is still there and I am extremely sore. I'm just glad I am home.

I'm hoping to be able to spend some time with my family tomorrow for Thanksgiving. But honestly, don't know if i will feel like it or not. I will see how i feel in the morning.

I really expected to be feeling so much better and never expected the recovery to be this tough. Most everyone who had the surgery told me it was very minor pain.

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. I am thankful to be home and thankful to just be alive again to celebrate another year! May God Bless all of you!

Surgery Update

Sorry for just now posting an update. Briefly, here is a quick update: The surgery was successful and was able to be performed laproscopically. However, I am in a tremendous amount of pain and are taking pain meds around the clock. I have 4 small incisions and most of the pain is around this area. i also have pain in my shoulders, which I was told this is due to the air they put in your stomach during the surgery.

This amount of pain was totally unexpected and I hate it. I'm so uncomfortable. I haven't been able to eat, so I am on IV fluids continuously. The surgery team has released me, but the transplant team wants me to remain in the hospital until the pain is better and I am able to eat and gain some weight. I am very uncomfortable and very frustrated.

I'm praying tomorrow will be a new day, and I will feel tons better! I will try and post another update tomorrow. This is the 1st time I have felt like being on the computer. Thank you for your prayers!

Surgery SOON!

My surgery (to have my gallbladder removed) is Monday. I have to be in the admissions area at 6AM...EARLY!!! But hey, I'm all about EARLY as I want this done and over with NOW. This week has definitely been a struggling week: missing work, missing classes, including my final lab class before the final exam. The pain is unbearable, with some days not even being able to stand up and walk. On those days, I'm basically sleeping, taking pain meds constantly and using heating pads constantly. So, needless to say, i am SO SO ready for the surgery. I've also lost about 6-7 pounds (not good for my little petite body). I'm taking anti-nausea meds around the clock, and food just isn't getting along that great with my stomach. I did manage to work the last 2 days...trying to get in extra hours since I will be off work all of next week.

I will update Monday-hopefully-depending on how sleepy and drugged I am :) I will be admitted to the hospital right after surgery to our transplant ICU; as far as how long I will remain admitted is unsure of right now. Definitely until Tuesday; the estimate is Wednesday. Hopefully I will be able to enjoy Thanksgiving with the family and get back into the normal day-to-day routines! It just all depends on how my body tolerates the surgery and recovery. Unfortunately, I have some sort of cold, and my wheezing is out of the roof...crazy and very annoying and making it hard to breathe. I'm hoping everything is just related to sinuses; but it does make me a tad bit nervous about Monday. My blood pressure has been sky-rocketing, which is unlike me. But my transplant coordinator feels it is due to the pain; (so that's my hope too). The pre-op nurse at my surgery consult appointment last week wasn't too pleased. But I assured her it was being taken care of.

Please pray that everything goes well with the surgery and recovery!!! This weekend I will be resting, running a few errands, building a lymph node for an anatomy extra credit project, and last but not least, studying for anatomy lecture and lab finals, which are the week after Thanksgiving. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Hospital-Day 3

Well, not much is going on. I'm still off-unit, but should be moving today or tomorrow (hopefully). I am feeling some better compared to Wednesday. I still haven't slept much or felt like eating, but hoping those things will change quickly. My nurse practitioner told me she would give me anything I wanted to help me sleep. So we'll see.

I'm still taking the IV phenegren some for my nausea. I'm taking Lortabs for back and chest pain. I'm getting IV benadryl with my Vanco and actually getting a 2nd dose of benadryl because of it making me itch. So I've had some pretty potent drugs in my system.

The official diagnosis (or what they are telling me) is broncho-pneumonia. I'm still waiting for culture results to come back to see what is growing and what antibiotics i'm sensitive to. My creatnine is still high @ 1.4. They did not do continuous fluids, so I'm trying to drink lots of fluids. As far as I know, everything else is ok.

Dr.Y has been pretty good (although I would still rather deal with someone else). Brandi's dad brought me her extra Mac Computer last night....which I am SO VERY THANKFUL for!

That's about it. Just the usual stuff. No word on when I will go home. I'm guessing I will be here at least 7 days and finish up abx at home, but who knows? I think they are planning on discharging me on inhaled TOBI.

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I will update again soon!! Please continue to pray for a room to open up on the transplant floor and for a speedy recovery! Thanks!

Hospital

Well, the doctor admitted me to the hospital from clinic this morning...UGH! I had actually felt a little better yesterday, and was hoping to escape being admitted. However, this morning/today, I felt so much worse. So I'm glad to be getting some relief. They think it is just a bad infection or bad bronchitis. My xray did show a spot on it, but they aren't sure if it is pneumonia or not. Regardless, they thought it was best to put me in. My chest sounded pretty congested according to the doctors. I was coughing my head off all morning during clinic and most of the day today. I was having a really hard time breathing. I had chest pain, chills, wheezing, etc. I know when I got back to the exam room in clinic, i looked awful. Most of my labs were ok....i'm extremely dehydrated. My creatnine is 1.5 and I'm usually under 1.0. So they are supposed to be pumping me full of fluids (just what I like....NOT!!!) My magnesium was 2.2....WOW!! (and I actually haven't taken any in awhile). My hct was 30, which is great too. My WBC count was 4.1 (a little higher than usual, but not bad). My weight has also dropped pretty significantly. So hopefully once I start feeling better, I can put some pounds back on. They have put me on the same 3 IV abx as the last time I was here since they worked so well: Vancomycin, Tobra, and Fortaz. And I just completed getting all 3 of them!

And once again, our transplant unit is full, but I've been told I should be moved by Friday. Dr. Y is on call at least for the remainder of this week, possibly longer....UGH!! However, he was very sweet and sympathetic towards me today. I didn't see him in clinic, but he rounded late afternoon. He really took me seriously (probably because I looked awful). So hopefully he will be ok this round! At least I have a nurse practitioner to handle things as well.

I had to wait on my bed assignment in the admitting waiting room earlier today. Usually they send me straight to a room from clinic, but one wasn't available yet. It was awful. I was so cold that I had a sheet and blanket covering me up on top of the jacket i was wearing over my shirt. I was shaking, breathing hard, coughing, etc. I think I got so overwhelmed and feeling so bad that I started panicking. I started crying and really feeling like I was going to pass out and throw up. And every time i stood up, i was dizzy. I didn't think I was going to be able to wait on the room to become available. So plans were in the works to find a chair somewhere to go ahead and start meds. But thankfully, my room finally became available, and I arrived in it about 1:30 or so. I immediately layed down on the bed and probably cried for over an hour. This is SO UNLIKE ME....so not sure what was going on...i just felt so bad, was in pain and felt like I couldn't breathe. The nurse practitioner finally came around and got orders put in. I got IV phinigren for my nausea and Lortab for pain. And then it wasn't much longer when I got Benadryl for one of the IV meds. I feel much calmer now...but not great!

So that's all the details for now. I will update again soon. My laptop computer is actually not working, so I'm borrowing Brandi's for tonight. Her dad is bringing a 2nd computer up this weekend for me to use...how sweet! I think I would go insane without a computer up here! On a side note: Brandi got admitted today for her usual CF tune-up, so please keep her in your prayers as well. Overall, I'm pretty frustrated with the whole situation of being sick AGAIN (and 3rd hospitalization this year). But I'm thankful I'm here and able to get immediate relief.

Sorry for the delay in this post! I'm hoping to get some good sleep tonight! Please pray that I will bounce back quickly, and that I can move rooms very soon to our usual transplant floor. I'm currently in W606 for those that usually ask where I am each time I come in. Thanks again for all of your recent comments and prayers!

Post-Easter

I hope everyone had a great Easter weekend! Mine sucked...yes, it sucked. Friday afternoon i left my internship early because, well my instructor said I could, but i was also not feeling great! Saturday morning i woke up feeling dizzy. It progressed throughout the day, and I ended up sleeping most of the day. I started thinking it was true vertigo, because everything else was fine (blood pressure, blood sugar, etc.). Sunday morning i woke up very sick. I couldn't hold my head up, and my whole head and body was spinning constantly. Because of so much dizziness, I was extremely nauseated and spent the entire day throwing up. It was awful. I was popping in anti-nausea meds all day and my Mom bought me some Dramamine (spelling?). My transplant coordinator told me just to rest and stay hydrated. It was awful. But the frustrating part was I had to miss church and Easter lunch with my family. I'M SO MAD! I was convinced that nothing else would happen to me, but i guess i was wrong???

Today I am better, but still dizzy and weak. I had to skip my internship....which makes me even more mad! I just don't understand why all this stuff is happening to me at once? I feel like God's punishing me for something, but I don't know what? I don't understand???

Friday Update/Moving

TGIF!!!

I need everyone to lift my friend Shaun up in prayer today! He is going downhill, and was intubated last night! I really don't' know anymore details, but will be going down to the unit to visit him and his mom later on today. He is just a little over 1 year post-transplant. So please, keep him in your prayers!! THANKS!

As for me....I've had a rough night and morning. I started getting nauseated early this morning, and started throwing up around 8:30. It took me 1 hour to finally get my nurse to call the doctor and get some medicine ordered. That took forever, and of course he didn't order what I know helps me. The doctor then came to see me, and I told him I was still nauseated and throwing up after receiving the Zofran. He ordered Phinigren, but it took almost another 30 minutes to get that. The nausea is now gone though...so yay!!!

The service on this unit has gotten worse and worse and I have to VENT about it...sorry!! No one ever put the overlay for my bed together yesterday, after asking about 4 or 5 times. The nurse saw it this morning and told my nurse that was orienting to put it together. Well, has he done that yet? NO!!!

I finished my IV abx about 6:00 this morning. My night shift nurse had set the pump to switch over to the saline/fluids. I guess because she was lazy and didn't want to come unhook me??? So when my day shift nurse came around at 7:00, I told her the med had been through and could she please unhook me from the fluids (I don't need extra fluids...and hate it when i get them). My day shift nurse said she would do it when she came back around with her "stuff." Do you know what time she finally unhooked me?? 10:30. UGh!! I was so frustrated! When my 4:00 am med finished last night, it took 4 calls to the nurses station and about 45 minutes for someone to come in and unhook me.

Anyways...enough of me ranting!! I'm MOVING to our transplant floor..YAY!! One of my BEST BEST nurses from that unit has worked to get me moved. So as soon as the patient leaves and the room is cleaned, I'm moving. So who knows when that will be, but at least I'm getting off this floor! And even if it is only til tomorrow!!

I still don't know a definite date for coming home. Another doctor comes on service for the weekend!

I'll update later! I hope everyone is having a great Friday!

GI appt results

I had a follow-up appointment with my GI doctor today! While he still doesn't know what's going on....he still seems proactive and wants to figure it out. He now thinks I have gastroparesis, which basically means my stomach isn't emptying properly. Right now there are 1 or 2 meds that can help with this, but they aren't very successful. He has ordered a gastric emptying study to be done. I had one of these about 2 1/2 years ago, but the hospital that did it screwed up the results. I dread doing this study again, as it's one of those that takes at least 2 hours....and my back is not going to be happy! The good part about it is that it shouldn't require any IV's, etc.

He also wants to get a biopsy and get a good look at my stomach next time I have a bronchoscopy for my lungs. He thinks that will be a good idea! I'm not sure at this time when that will be, but I imagine in the next few months, depending on how my lungs do.

So for now I guess I will just continue taking anti-nausea meds, and treating my symptoms. I did have a bad nausea and throwing up spell Sunday night. They come at random, and I just have to deal with it when it happens, unfortunately. While I'm glad my GI doctor is trying to be proactive, it's still extremely frustrating being nauseated every day, and throwing up at least 1-2 times a week. Yesterday morning I woke up with chest pain, really bad junky cough, and just dragging all over. Today I feel better...and are hoping it was just a 1-day thing.

I am going to get my port flushed on Thursday and eat lunch with a nurse (friend) of mine as well. And no...I haven't learned how to flush my own port neither taught my parent's how either. I prefer to do it this way.

Tomorrow I am going to volunteer at our local CFF and work on our Great Strides Walk for our area! I'm on the committee and pretty much helping coordinate all the teams...so I need to get busy!

I am enjoying my break from my internship this week, but somehow have filled it up with a good bit of stuff!!

Thanks for your prayers this morning!!

Just Checking In.....

I apologize for not having posted in a few days. Things have been busy! I made it through three long days of my internship this past week. We had our Electronic Record Management System vendor (MedPlus) on site, so we were constantly in meetings all three days. (the meetings for the most part were well over my head). Yesterday we finished up a little early, thank goodness. I will be at my internship 4 days next week, off the next week, then back to 4 days the last two weeks of February. The plan for March is to go 3 days a week, including the last two days of the month. And hopefully, by that time, I will have completed the required hours and assignments. I do like my clinical preceptor and the facility, but I would like to eventually have a routine.

My stomach continues to give me major problems. The intestinal abx is still causing that horrific side effect (diarrhea--at least 6 times a day-sometime as much as 10). Only 2.5 more days of it...yay. I'm still nauseated 24/7 and are taking anti-nausea meds multiple times a day. I am not able to eat much at all, therefore, my energy level is WAY LOW. I barely have any energy...seriously, and are just so exhausted and tired of being nauseated and sick. I've managed to drink some Carnation Instant Breakfast in the mornings, and by some miracle, I can keep it down. However, I'm not able to eat any meals, and when I do eat, it's a minute amount, and only about 2 times during the day. It's extremely hard to eat...and I desperately need some energy. The odd thing is I haven't lost much weight. Which is good on one end...but a little worrisome on the other. I have a follow up GI appointment on February 10th. I had to wait until I finished the H-Pylori meds, before following back up. I know something is wrong, it's just a matter of getting it figured out and getting someone to actually pay attention and take the matter seriously. But enough complaining.....

I've got a lot of school work to complete this weekend and next week! And on another note...my birthday is this coming Wednesday!!! YAY! I'm starting to feel old :)

I'm also working on some Great Strides stuff for our local walk as well as some stuff for my personal team. It's a lot of work being a team leader, and trying to exceed the previous year's goals.

It is extremely cold here in Alabama (although I'm guessing not as cold as some places)...but cold for us. So I've been staying inside for the most part.

I'll update more later...I have a couple of posts I need to do!!

Internship and Update

Well, I started my internship today..finally!! It went really well (I think). The instructor was running late, so another sweet lady gave me a tour of the department and then some busy work until the director arrived. Once she arrived, it was basically a day full of meetings. I basically just shadowed her all day, which was fine with me! She was very sweet, and I think I'm going to learn a lot. My intention was to work 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Well, after talking with her, I don't think she wants me there that much...bummer. She doesn't want me to come back til next Wednesday. I will shadow her once again next Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I'm supposed to email her what I want my schedule to be. I'm going to suggest no less than 3 days a week (it will take me 2.5 months to complete 240 hrs if I do 3 days a week). I REALLY REALLY want all of April and May free to concentrate on graduating, and my licensing exam and finals! So we'll see!

The upside to this, is, I really need some rest this week. After Monday's events, I feel exhausted (still), and my body could use a few more low-key days. I'm gonna make sure I study really hard for my other 2 classes in the meantime!

For those of you that are new to my blog and don't know what my major is or what it involves, I have a post that is scheduled for later this week that will inform you of that! But for starters, my major is HIM (Health Information Management) and basically involves everything to do with Medical Records. I am doing my internship at our local Children's Hospital (which is recognized world wide and my former pediatric CF center). They are in the process of implementing an electronic medical record...which if your hospital hasn't yet, it will be in the VERY NEAR FUTURE!! (and on a side note: I saw one of my former CF docs today...so very nice. I knew I would see people I knew, since I basically spent 19 yrs of my life at this hospital. I plan on visiting people while I'm here too).

So...update from Monday: I talked with the GI nurse yesterday afternoon. I really didn't get much info. All she did was call in the 3 medications for the H-Pylori bacteria. So we are hoping and praying that this will take care of whatever is going on. I'm on a bacterial abx, an intestinal abx, and Pepto-Bismol (already taking Nexium). The ER doctor also started me on Potassium and Priolsec. So I just went from taking 8 pills a day to 16 pills a day (and that doesn't include vitamins/minerals like: ADEK, calcium, mag, and iron AND my PRN meds (like sleep meds, and pain meds). It's sad that my stomach is bothering me....and taking all these medications doesn't quite please it :) Oh well. I am also taking some Zofran twice a day to help prevent the nausea! So far so good...not too much nausea today! But I'm still tired and weak feeling.

I did not call my coordinator like I was supposed to....remember me saying I needed time and distance...well, if transplant is not going to deal with GI issues, then I'm not sure if I'm going to call them with every little thing??? Haven't decided yet.

Despite the frustration of all that's gone on the last few weeks....I know God is in control. He's trying to show us or teach us something here...just not sure what quite yet. Monday it felt like Satan was interfering with everything. Last week I finally motivated myself to exercise...i did my exercise bike 3 days (last day being Sunday). Unfortunately, I can't just jump back on it, because my body doesn't work that way. But I've gotta have faith and trust GOD to do his work!

I've read all of your blog updates (most of them)...but are headed to rest for the remainder of the evening!

Wait...one question: Do any of you know (I need facts or experience here...not just thoughts) if Prilosec and Nexium are the same (or basically have the same job)? My Mom was going to call the pharmacist today, but didn't get around to it. And frankly, neither the GI clinic or transplant team are working with me here.

Update

WOW! It has been a LONG and frustrating day. I woke up about 2:30 am this morning nauseated, and unable to go back to sleep. I started throwing up around 3:30 this morning gallons and gallons of junk(abnormal junk). I could not keep any anti-nausea meds down either. I was not able to stop throwing up, and I felt so weak and sick, so I had to call my tx coordinator (which I was trying not to do for awhile considering last weeks events). And believe or not...guess who was the doctor on call this morning...yep, you guessed it (even more frustrating).

They sent me to the ER, but at another connected hospital instead of the main UAB hospital. They said it would be quicker and that I needed to get fluids ASAP. So My mom drove me to the ER, and we did just that. They got me in pretty quick, and gave me a workup. I was still throwing up at this time...my poor body was so weak, shaky, etc. They gave me 2 liters of fluid, and repeated another ultrasound of my stomach. Apparently, the ultrasound looked unchanged from the one a few weeks ago.

My potassium was low due to all the throwing up, so I got IV potassium as well and a supplement to take for 12 days. He also gave me a script for Prilosec to help with some of the acid (although normally is not an issue for me). I was very dehydrated (obviously), and a little anemic (which is normal for me). They gave me IV Zofran, but unfortunately, that didn't help any. Thankfully, after I got home, I was able to keep down an oral Phengran.

The ER discharged me about 1:30 this afternoon. I was shaking so bad and so cold...we weren't sure what was going on. Once I got home, I decided to check my temp, and I had a fever of 101.1 (which is high for me). I took some Tylenol, which helped.

I followed up with my coordinator, and she wants me to follow up with my GI doc in the morning and then call her. MY GI doctor was not in his office today, but my Mom did talk with his nurse. They are concerned that the H-pylori bacteria is still there and wants me to go on another intestinal abx for that. However, I still think something is going on. The nurse thinks that what I was throwing up this morning, was bile from my gallbladder. It was the worst throwing up experience I've ever had, and felt so so sick. I've been so dizzy and lightheaded, that I can't really walk much.

I'm feeling better now, but have not eaten anything, and aren't allowed until tomorrow. I'm on a liquid diet for tonight as tolerable. I'm very weak, and I have a little body, and nothing in it.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to start my internship tomorrow, but are planning on Wednesday, if everything is ok.

Today's events proved more frustration with the transplant team, and frankly, I was glad i was at another ER.

I will update more later...I'm still nauseated and need some rest big time. Thanks for your comments and prayers! I really need them!

And once again...no Music Monday. Sorry!

Nausea

I've been nauseated and throwing up since 3 am this morning...on my way to the hospital now. Please pray! Thanks!

It's Over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YAY!! The Hidascan is over!! It wasn't as bad as I was anticipating. There were 2 parts to the test. The 1st part lasted an hour, and took pictures of my liver. Radioactive dye was injected into my liver to get a better picture. After that, the technician gave me about a 10 minute break before begging the 2nd portion of the test. This part lasted about 40 minutes and was intended to measure the retractability of my gallbladder (whatever that means). It also involved another substance being injected into my bloodstream.

My back did pretty well. It started getting really achy near the end of the 1st portion, but after the break, it was ok. I also took some Ultram before I arrived this morning (even though I was NPO). I also took a Phenegran before arriving to help with my nausea...and I was glad I did. Because while in the waiting room, I had a horrible bout where I thought I was going to throw up. But the Phenegran kicked in and relieved that feeling.

They were not able to use my port :( At one point they had a lady that was going to come access it, but they didn't have the correct needle to do so. So after 2 trys for an IV...a nurse from Oncology/Radiology was successful.

The Nuclear Medicine Technician was also sweet and checked on me every few minutes (which I liked).

So now we just wait for results. I know you can view the results right away, so if I don't hear anything by Thursday morning, I'm going to call!

Well...I'm eating leftovers right from last night (pizza from Mellow Mushroom...yummy)...and then have a few things lined up for this afternoon!

Hidascan

My GI test (Hidascan) is rescheduled for Friday morning at 8:30. YAY...not really though :) Please say a prayer that the test will go smoothly. I'm not worried about results and will be happy to finally get something done about my stomach issues. This is a test to look more closely at my gallbladder. And according to what everyone is saying, if it shows gallbladder trouble like the ultrasound, then more than likely the gallbladder will come out.

I'm very nervous about the test. The test can take up to 2 hours...and that's bad news for my back, since i have serious back pain. I'm usually in tears when tests that long are over, because my back is hurting so bad. Also, this test involves IV contrast. Please pray that they are able and willing to use my port for IV access. I don't have any available veins for peripheral IV's and don't feel like being tortured to find one. Also, please pray for my nausea. I will be NPO after midnight, and I have not had one day this week without nausea. My coordinator is letting me take a phenigren that morning prior to the procedure, so hopefully that will help!

Thanks! I will update when I know the results. I'm going to try and schedule the follow-up appt with my GI doctor next week!!

Suffering

For those of you that have asked, yes, I did go to my party Friday night. I had a lot of fun, but did not get home til almost midnight. Yesterday morning I woke up nauseated and spent the better part of the morning/early afternoon throwing up and sleeping. Wonderful!! I managed to feel better after awhile, and ran a couple of errands. But after being caught in all the holiday rush traffic, and taking 1 hour to get home (normally takes 15 from this particular place), I said I had had enough. I could barely keep my eyes open, I was so sleepy. So I took another quick nap when I got home. Not sure why I'm so exhausted...and I literally have no energy. BLAH!!! I slept in this morning, causing me to miss church. Which is ok, but I had planned on going. I'm feeling ok, but not great. Tomorrow, I will definitely be calling my coordinator to get an intervention.

Why does God allow us to suffer like this?? Why do we grumble and complain when we are sick or have other frustrating things going on in our life? Do we distrust or fear HIM? God does not make us suffer because of sin. He is working in us to shape us to be more like him. God always has a purpose behind everything. Do I distrust or fear the Lord? NO! I know everything will work out for the better. But it does get frustrating in these types of situations.

Where does the time go???

WOW! I can't believe it's Saturday, and more importantly, that I haven't posted all week. SORRY!!

So where do I begin??? It's been an EXTREMELY BUSY and CRAZY week. I've had finals this week and have been working a lot of overtime at work, including 5 hours today (Saturday).

Monday night I had a final after work. Then I went to Sips N Strokes with Ashley and painted a beautiful Angel picture :)

Tuesday I had another final after work. Then I had a Christmas Party with the the church i babysit for. Tuesday night I did not sleep well and was coughing the majority of the night. We also had bad weather too.

Wednesday morning I worked, then had my photo treatment session that afternoon. Before photo, I visited with Emily, to see how she was doing. After that, I came home and took another final exam. That night, I woke up randomly at 3am throwing up....which lasted awhile. I pretty much felt crappy the rest of the night.

Thursday morning I had photo again until 12:30. Then I had a meeting with one of my professors at 1:00 to evaluate my clinical paperwork. After that, I went back to work until about 6:45. Then I went out to dinner with a friend of mine who was in town from Louisiana. He has CF and had a transplant 1 year ago, Friday. One of our nurses from HTICU joined us as well. I felt better Thursday, but was still dragging, and just flat out exhausted.

Friday I worked all day (from 8:15 to 7:30 pm.) When I got home, I ate dinner then had to do some last minute flow charts for my clinical class and turn them in to my professor.

Today (Saturday), I went to work at 8:30, left at 1:30 pm. Ran a couple of errands, and here I am. I have our Christmas Party for our Sunday School class tonight.

Tomorrow (Sunday), my church is having their music concert during Worship hours. And then the church my parent's attend (my former church) is having their Christmas concert tomorrow night, which I will be attending with my parents. I love hearing Christmas music, especially at church, and love worshiping with Christmas songs.

SCHOOL IS OVER FOR THE SEMESTER. And as far as I know, I made all A's...which I am ecstatic!!! I had 5 hard classes, and this has been the most intense,stressful and difficult semester ever. Not just the courses, but trying to keep up from being sick.

Next week is busy, but not too bad! Classes are through...and that's all that really matters to me right now. I'm very exhausted and are still battling some sort of lung stuff...whether it be just a cold, infection...who knows. I would really like some cooperation on the part of the doctors..or at least a little concern. My lab values from Photo were ok...WBC Count dropped back down to 2.4 and my HCT is a little low too!

I promise I will post again soon. I actually have a post I want to do based on last Sunday's sermon at church. Maybe I will do it tonight. For now...I'm going to take a quick nap!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

I can't believe Christmas is less than 2 weeks away!!!