Roller Coaster Ride

One thing seems for certain: when you're at the top of a natural high over something, you're about to go low again! I spent last weekend resting and getting my strength back from the surgery the week the before when some sneaky little punk nailed me in the back of the head with something new!

About an hour after I got up Tuesday morning, the vomiting started, soon followed by the aches, fever and (of course) diarrhea. Another trip to the ER to confirm what I already knew: I have the flu. I haven't had the freaking flu since I got out of the Air Force and stopped getting annual flu shots, now after 27 years it's back! I've been drinking a lot water and Gatorade and after only a couple of hours it would all take the express elevator right back up. That part of it has stopped. I hope. Just wish the diarrhea would, I haven't been able to get any good sleep the last two night because of having to get up and rush to the bathroom just about every time that I'd finally start to get to REM sleep. My nurse has been coming in every day to do IV fluid replacement and Zofran as well as my magnesium infusions The on call nurse will be doing that over the weekend.

There is one nice thing: our dear Miss Kitty made me a beautiful afghan last month and I've got it wrapped around my shoulders or on my lap just about the whole time. I'll have to have someone take a pic. Just wrapping it around me helps make me feel better.

God Bless!

Ray/Doc
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Comments

  • jen2012
    jen2012 Member Posts: 1,607 Member
    Ugh! Sorry doc try to get
    Ugh! Sorry doc try to get some rest. Feel better soon!
  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    Sorry you're feeling under
    Sorry you're feeling under the weather. Boy, you've had a rough time of it lately. Hoping your luck turns around soon.

    Feel better soon.

    Chelsea
  • k44454445
    k44454445 Member Posts: 494
    Doc
    oh my! you certainly have had a hard time lately. do get better! that is so nice of her to make that for you. she is a very special lady. know that i hope you get over this real soon.
    hugs
    judy
  • cinreag
    cinreag Member Posts: 154
    Flu...
    You and me both Doc. I came down with the flu Tuesday evening.
    Didnt think I was ever going to quit shivering.
    Im over it now.
    Hope you get over it soon!!!
  • steveandnat
    steveandnat Member Posts: 886
    Get well quick
    Doc I know what you mean...sounds like me.....one step forward and two back. They stink because we know we have to fight something else then get better then treatment and back to ground zero. Pray you get better real soon. Jeff
  • rogina2336
    rogina2336 Member Posts: 188
    Yuck!!! The flu really
    Yuck!!! The flu really sucks worst for all riding the cancer train. I pray for a speedy recovery for all. Kim
  • steved
    steved Member Posts: 834 Member
    Thanks for the reminder
    Must get my flu jab- is sure something I could do without right now. It is making how when the body is busy healing from one thing it is vulnerable to get hit with another thing. Rest and recoup.

    You are due a runof good luck surely!

    Steve
  • Doc_Hawk
    Doc_Hawk Member Posts: 685
    Pity Party Time
    Ok, still getting over the flu and then my port gets infected! I was admitted to the hospital yesterday and still waiting to hear from the surgeon to see if they're going to remove the port and put in a new one.

    I have to admit that lately I've been feeling betrayed by my body. No matter how hard I fight, something else seems to pop up to knock me back down again. It's like the old carcass is giving up on me and I just don't know what to do about it.

    Ok, that's enough of the pity party, now let's have a pita party! I've got hummus and guacamole, who can fry the pita wedges?
  • Momof2plusteentwins
    Momof2plusteentwins Member Posts: 509 Member
    Doc_Hawk said:

    Pity Party Time
    Ok, still getting over the flu and then my port gets infected! I was admitted to the hospital yesterday and still waiting to hear from the surgeon to see if they're going to remove the port and put in a new one.

    I have to admit that lately I've been feeling betrayed by my body. No matter how hard I fight, something else seems to pop up to knock me back down again. It's like the old carcass is giving up on me and I just don't know what to do about it.

    Ok, that's enough of the pity party, now let's have a pita party! I've got hummus and guacamole, who can fry the pita wedges?

    Gosh Doc
    Enough for you! You have had enough hospital time. I know it must be frustrating for you. I just hope you get the port fixed and get out of the hospital and start feeling better to get that next chemo dose.
    Sandy :)
  • JayhawkDan
    JayhawkDan Member Posts: 205
    Dang it!
    You deserve a break, Doc. Hopefully you'll get all this crap behind you (no pun intended) and you can enjoy the Holidays.

    Dan
  • danker
    danker Member Posts: 1,276 Member
    Doc Hawk
    Hope you get over the flu soon. This too can be beat. Good luck!
  • cinreag
    cinreag Member Posts: 154
    Triple Whammy......
    Surgery, flu, port infected.....
    Sure hope your luck(?) unluck(?) changes soon. I believe you could be allowed a pity party.
  • Doc_Hawk
    Doc_Hawk Member Posts: 685
    Port
    Well, they took out my port Sunday morning so now I'll have to wait until the infection is all cleared up before getting a new one. I know that I'll be in hospital until Tuesday at the earliest, so I'm just going to settle in and try to make the best of things. I'll talk to my onc tomorrow and see if I can still get chemo peripherally until the new port is installed. Has anyone had chemo administered into their arm instead of a port? If so, what might I expect from getting treatment that way?

    I would like to say thank you so deeply for your thoughts, prayers and well wishes. They really do matter a lot.

    God Bless,

    Ray/Doc
  • steved
    steved Member Posts: 834 Member
    Doc_Hawk said:

    Port
    Well, they took out my port Sunday morning so now I'll have to wait until the infection is all cleared up before getting a new one. I know that I'll be in hospital until Tuesday at the earliest, so I'm just going to settle in and try to make the best of things. I'll talk to my onc tomorrow and see if I can still get chemo peripherally until the new port is installed. Has anyone had chemo administered into their arm instead of a port? If so, what might I expect from getting treatment that way?

    I would like to say thank you so deeply for your thoughts, prayers and well wishes. They really do matter a lot.

    God Bless,

    Ray/Doc

    Chemo
    Ive never had a port so have have had many cycles of chemo through lines they just pop into my hand for the treatment. Is fine except struggled with oxaliplatin which left my arm incredibly sensitive and painful for several days. Mainly had avastin and 5fu though this way with no problems.

    Do you what chemo is planned?

    Steve
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    Doc_Hawk said:

    Port
    Well, they took out my port Sunday morning so now I'll have to wait until the infection is all cleared up before getting a new one. I know that I'll be in hospital until Tuesday at the earliest, so I'm just going to settle in and try to make the best of things. I'll talk to my onc tomorrow and see if I can still get chemo peripherally until the new port is installed. Has anyone had chemo administered into their arm instead of a port? If so, what might I expect from getting treatment that way?

    I would like to say thank you so deeply for your thoughts, prayers and well wishes. They really do matter a lot.

    God Bless,

    Ray/Doc

    Dear Ray
    Sure hope that the infection is easily resolved, new port put in, and get you sprung from the hospital soonest.

    I know you are anxious to continue the chemo and hope that IV is a possibility even with the infection. If not on regular schedule perhaps a day or two off chedule.

    While there, rest up, eat well and try to get your strenght back from all you have endured recently.

    Prayers in bunches for your speedy recovery.

    Hugs,

    Marie who loves kitties
  • Doc_Hawk
    Doc_Hawk Member Posts: 685

    Dear Ray
    Sure hope that the infection is easily resolved, new port put in, and get you sprung from the hospital soonest.

    I know you are anxious to continue the chemo and hope that IV is a possibility even with the infection. If not on regular schedule perhaps a day or two off chedule.

    While there, rest up, eat well and try to get your strenght back from all you have endured recently.

    Prayers in bunches for your speedy recovery.

    Hugs,

    Marie who loves kitties

    The latest
    Today I was told that I have an infection in my bowel and that there's really no treatment for it but to let it get flushed out of the body on it's own. I'm getting almost constant antibiotic IVs along with potassium, magnesium and saline. A PICC line was installed for chemo until a new port can get put in, hopefully that won't take too long to happen. I did ask, because all the antibiotics are going to kill the good bugs in the gut, could we start some probiotics and I'm going to have my family try to locate some kafir at a grocery store.

    I've also got a swelling in a most particularly delicate spot, but the doc says with all of the drugs I'm on that should take care of it.
  • dmj101
    dmj101 Member Posts: 527 Member
    Doc_Hawk said:

    The latest
    Today I was told that I have an infection in my bowel and that there's really no treatment for it but to let it get flushed out of the body on it's own. I'm getting almost constant antibiotic IVs along with potassium, magnesium and saline. A PICC line was installed for chemo until a new port can get put in, hopefully that won't take too long to happen. I did ask, because all the antibiotics are going to kill the good bugs in the gut, could we start some probiotics and I'm going to have my family try to locate some kafir at a grocery store.

    I've also got a swelling in a most particularly delicate spot, but the doc says with all of the drugs I'm on that should take care of it.

    WOW.... we know what your
    WOW.... we know what your holiday wish is this year.
    I will keep you in my prayers Doc..
    GET BETTER PLEASE!!!
  • Momof2plusteentwins
    Momof2plusteentwins Member Posts: 509 Member
    Doc_Hawk said:

    The latest
    Today I was told that I have an infection in my bowel and that there's really no treatment for it but to let it get flushed out of the body on it's own. I'm getting almost constant antibiotic IVs along with potassium, magnesium and saline. A PICC line was installed for chemo until a new port can get put in, hopefully that won't take too long to happen. I did ask, because all the antibiotics are going to kill the good bugs in the gut, could we start some probiotics and I'm going to have my family try to locate some kafir at a grocery store.

    I've also got a swelling in a most particularly delicate spot, but the doc says with all of the drugs I'm on that should take care of it.

    Doc
    Wrong time and wrong place for that swelling, lol. Working at a hospital we see that all the time, hopefully it will go down soon. Make sure you have it all elevated with wash cloths under it and propped up. Ouch!
    Sandy :)
  • thingy45
    thingy45 Member Posts: 632 Member

    Doc
    Wrong time and wrong place for that swelling, lol. Working at a hospital we see that all the time, hopefully it will go down soon. Make sure you have it all elevated with wash cloths under it and propped up. Ouch!
    Sandy :)

    Lurking
    Dear Doc, every time I lurk and come on you get yourself in trouble.
    I will personally talk to the Man upstairs, this is way to much all just before the Hollidays, enough of that. Get better soon. You have been and will be in my prayers
    and thoughts, Hugs, Marjan
  • Doc_Hawk
    Doc_Hawk Member Posts: 685

    Doc
    Wrong time and wrong place for that swelling, lol. Working at a hospital we see that all the time, hopefully it will go down soon. Make sure you have it all elevated with wash cloths under it and propped up. Ouch!
    Sandy :)

    Elevation
    Hmmmm ... never thought of using a washcloth to ... u-hum ... get it up. Thanks for the tip, I'l give it a shot.