Wednesday, May 27, 2015: Stanford for scheduled blood draw
Just wanted to let you all know that the docs admitted me at Stanford today because they were worried about my low red blood cell level, high fevers (103F), potential GI bleed, and even considered abdominal surgery.
The surgeon who checked on me today was the same one who helped perform my last abdominal surgery in 2013. He totally remembered me and even got a little emotional seeing me back in... but he was able to pass on the message that I'm physically very capable and strong so the staff gives me more leeway. Praise Jesus for providing not-so-random meetings!
Surgeon's verdict: no huge abdominal surgery right this minute. Why? The bad news is because surgical removal of my masses will result in so much resection of my intestines that I'll end up with multiple poopy bags!😱 So surgery is last resort even though my masses almost doubled again since 6 weeks ago (5x5 for the largest mass).
Surgeon's verdict: no huge abdominal surgery right this minute. Why? The bad news is because surgical removal of my masses will result in so much resection of my intestines that I'll end up with multiple poopy bags!😱 So surgery is last resort even though my masses almost doubled again since 6 weeks ago (5x5 for the largest mass).
I'm being well protected by God in Stanford with my crazy allergies, especially my unique sensitivity to alcohol (not the alcohol itself that can evaporate, but something linked with it?). Every lab draw and every IV line switch that requires cleaning is dangerous for me. So far not a single accident has occurred. For me, this is a miracle in and of itself! Nowadays, everything has alcohol: cleaning pads, hand wipes, IV line green caps (Curos caps), surface wipes, and even hidden within medications. Each step of the way, God has and is continuing to prevent any alcohol from contacting my body. Yay!!!
I'm here, stuck in Stanford, for 5 days now. I now have a drain hanging out the right side of my abdomen with a little plastic bulb to create negative pressure to suction out the fluid. It's pretty neat! I've learned that if my abdomen hurts, I request my drain be flushed with saline (probably reduces the bacteria) and all the pain goes away without additional medications.
I'm on Zosyn, IV antibiotic, but my fevers continue. The doctors added IV Vancomycin which resulted in my face flushing hot red and my chest getting itchy. First dose stopped, but pharmacy thought the reaction was from pushing the medication too quickly. Second trial of Vancomycin given at a slower rate resulted in difficulty breathing, my entire face and chest itching, face burning and fire behind my eyes... 50mg Benedryl later as my symptoms start calming down, I'm told that the night doctor wants me to continue with Vancomycin and more Benedryl.
What?!?!
"No." I will NOT take anymore Vancomycin. This is ridiculous! Out of all the antibiotics out there, there's gotta be other options that won't knock me down. 25mg Benedryl makes me cross-eyed. Even more Benedryl and fighting allergy symptoms is not my idea of a beneficial healing process!
I know the doctors are trying to protect me. With the Zosyn alone, my fevers got so high it resulted in rigors, severe uncontrollable shivering with me feeling super cold. Each time, I fought to control my breathing, protect my tongue away from my teeth and minimize the convulsive spasming. A great workout. After 45 minutes of shaking: my muscles ache, my hands tremor with fatigue, and back hurts. Kind of weird. My body is only a fraction under my voluntary control, I'm trapped inside my head, but at least I can gasp out single-syllable replies. Not my most looked for activity of the day, week, or ever again in my life!
Thank you God that the daytime doctors agreed with my decision to not continue Vancomycin! Thank you, Lord, for providing another antibiotic, Zyvox, that my body is easily tolerating. Thank you for taking away the crazy sweat-dripping fevers, the severe fatigue, the pounding headaches, my uncontrollable muscle spasms, my inability to breath deeply, my mist-clouded mind, my gut-wrenching pain that would immobilize me and so much more.
Thank you God for helping the doctors find the seropurulent abscess hidden amongst my tumors. Thank you that the medical staff cares enough not to take my allergies for granted. Thank you that when my body spasmed out of control, you provided people nearby to help when I couldn't call out for help or hit the nursing call button. Thank you for the favor you've given me in the sight of all the staff and doctors. Thank you for helping me be able to bless others even when I don't feel well. Thank you for your Spirit in me that enables me to smile, be patient and love on others even when everything seems to fall apart. Thank you for getting me through 3 days of not eating without biting someone's head off (I really hate being hungry)!
I'm here, stuck in Stanford, for 5 days now. I now have a drain hanging out the right side of my abdomen with a little plastic bulb to create negative pressure to suction out the fluid. It's pretty neat! I've learned that if my abdomen hurts, I request my drain be flushed with saline (probably reduces the bacteria) and all the pain goes away without additional medications.
I'm on Zosyn, IV antibiotic, but my fevers continue. The doctors added IV Vancomycin which resulted in my face flushing hot red and my chest getting itchy. First dose stopped, but pharmacy thought the reaction was from pushing the medication too quickly. Second trial of Vancomycin given at a slower rate resulted in difficulty breathing, my entire face and chest itching, face burning and fire behind my eyes... 50mg Benedryl later as my symptoms start calming down, I'm told that the night doctor wants me to continue with Vancomycin and more Benedryl.
What?!?!
"No." I will NOT take anymore Vancomycin. This is ridiculous! Out of all the antibiotics out there, there's gotta be other options that won't knock me down. 25mg Benedryl makes me cross-eyed. Even more Benedryl and fighting allergy symptoms is not my idea of a beneficial healing process!
I know the doctors are trying to protect me. With the Zosyn alone, my fevers got so high it resulted in rigors, severe uncontrollable shivering with me feeling super cold. Each time, I fought to control my breathing, protect my tongue away from my teeth and minimize the convulsive spasming. A great workout. After 45 minutes of shaking: my muscles ache, my hands tremor with fatigue, and back hurts. Kind of weird. My body is only a fraction under my voluntary control, I'm trapped inside my head, but at least I can gasp out single-syllable replies. Not my most looked for activity of the day, week, or ever again in my life!
Thank you God that the daytime doctors agreed with my decision to not continue Vancomycin! Thank you, Lord, for providing another antibiotic, Zyvox, that my body is easily tolerating. Thank you for taking away the crazy sweat-dripping fevers, the severe fatigue, the pounding headaches, my uncontrollable muscle spasms, my inability to breath deeply, my mist-clouded mind, my gut-wrenching pain that would immobilize me and so much more.
Thank you God for helping the doctors find the seropurulent abscess hidden amongst my tumors. Thank you that the medical staff cares enough not to take my allergies for granted. Thank you that when my body spasmed out of control, you provided people nearby to help when I couldn't call out for help or hit the nursing call button. Thank you for the favor you've given me in the sight of all the staff and doctors. Thank you for helping me be able to bless others even when I don't feel well. Thank you for your Spirit in me that enables me to smile, be patient and love on others even when everything seems to fall apart. Thank you for getting me through 3 days of not eating without biting someone's head off (I really hate being hungry)!
Heheheheee...God's blessing me everywhere I go so I'm spoiled by lots of nice ppl. Yay!!! Praise the Lord!
These past couple of days, I'm learning again and again to trust in God for my health, my attitude, my emotional status, my physical capabilities, my allergies.... trusting that even when things go very wrong, nothing is out of God's control. Everything that scares me being in a hospital: minimal choices, limited option, restrictions, lack of privacy, living with a noisey roommate, the service I receive, the food I eat... I can control none of it and the lack of control freaks me out!
Please pray that my heart stays soft and receptive to MD orders instead of me being stubborn thinking "I know how this should be" or "I want this." Pray that God will use me as a light in the hospital so much his Spirit shines undeniably by my actions, words, attitude and "the God factor!"
Love you all lots!
K
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Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! *big hugs* --Kristy