Back in the hospital :UPDATE 1/8/11 plus a bit more after an interruption

Buckwirth
Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
edited January 2012 in Colorectal Cancer #1
This time we had the fire dept at the house, and an ambulance here, all at the insistence of the home health nurse.

Not sure what is wrong, just hope they figure it out...

More details when I am feeling better.

Blake

UPDATE 1/5/11:

Symptoms included low grade fever, SEVERE night sweats, severe edema in left leg and groin accompanied by dehydration and mild constipation

ER docs suspect cellulitis, and start me on a cocktail of IV drip antibiotics. I also get a CT of the pelvic area and ultrasound of the legs, along with innumerable blood draws.

CT shows a blockage between left kidney/bladder, with subsequent swelling of the kidney and raised creatinine levels. Tomorrow they will put in an external stent to drain the kidney, then replace that next week with a stent feeding directly into my bladder.

The sweats are greatly reduced, and last night I used a blanket for the first time in weeks, so the antibiotics are having some effect. My bowels moved today, another good sign. It is possible I will be released this weekend.

The left lower extremities remain grossly distended, and amputation with a urostomy sometimes seems a good alternative (this is an attempt at humor, these are not even options). I figure this is where John is sticking his needles.

UPDATE 1/8/11

The stent went in on Friday, and my creatinine level popped right down to normal. For the short term I have two bladders, one making lemonade and the other making blood orange juice.

Still in the hospital. I realized yesterday that I face some serious logistical issues. For one, I do not think I could ride in a car, then there is the issue of getting me from the driveway to the bed. My wife fears she is not up to the task of caring for me (she may be right).

I have figured out how to get to San Diego; it involves a cargo van, an air mattress, lots of pillows and hiring an EMT.

And more:

Sorry, doctor came in and I did not want to lose anything. They are holding me in here till Tuesday morning, and may install the permanent kidney stent tomorrow.

Except for the APR last January I have been ambulatory. Even then I could get out of bed and shuffle around like an old man. Yesterday I got out of bed twice, once so they could change the sheets, and once to try out the wheelchair. Both times took tremendous effort, and both sent the pain scale soaring. I am going to need homecare, along with home healthcare, as I cannot get out of bed to go to the bathroom. Needless to say this puts a big dent in my QOL.

So everyone understands, what I am going through is all about the cancer and is not side effects from treatment. Treatment kept me from this in June, and a good trial may pull me back again in 2012.

Love you all,

Blake
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Comments

  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    Blake
    I hope they figure it out too, this is not very fun I am sure. Lori
  • LivinginNH
    LivinginNH Member Posts: 1,456 Member
    Oh my, I'm sorry to hear

    Oh my, I'm sorry to hear that you're back in the hospital. I hope that your doctors can quickly fix whatever is causing you trouble this time around.

    Best wishes,

    Cyn
  • buckeye2
    buckeye2 Member Posts: 428 Member
    Sending prayers and hopes
    Sending prayers and hopes that the answer is a simple one and that your days in the hospital are few and painless. Lisa
  • mom_2_3
    mom_2_3 Member Posts: 953 Member
    Best wishes
    Best wishes Blake for relief and answers to this. Sending lots of good thoughts your way.

    Amy
  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    So sorry to hear this, Blake-
    I hope they can get you feeling better and back home soon. Being in the hospital isn't any fun, but hopefully it's the right place to be to get some help. Hugs-Ann
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    Blake.....
    Blake.....

    Tell me that you secretly believe in Chinese Medicine, and
    I'll remove the needles from my Voodoo "Blake doll".

    Seriously, I hope you start feeling better soon!

    My best wishes are headed your way.

    John
  • jjaj133
    jjaj133 Member Posts: 867 Member
    Blake, hope the answer comes
    Blake, hope the answer comes quickly and you are home soon. prayers coming your way.
    judy
  • karguy
    karguy Member Posts: 1,020 Member
    I hope
    I hope they figure it out pretty soon.I hope you get better soon.
  • tko683
    tko683 Member Posts: 264 Member
    Thoughts for healing coming your way
    So sorry that you are back in the hospital. I hope they figure it out so you can start feeling better very soon.
    Hugs,Teri
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    Dear Blake
    The best part about an ambulance ride is immediate attention at the hospital...at least I hope that is what you got.

    Hoping this is just a small bump in the road for you and you can be feeling better and home soon.

    Hugs,

    Marie who loves kitties
  • steveandnat
    steveandnat Member Posts: 886
    Wishing for the best fast
    Hope you get better fast will be praying for you.
    Jeff
  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    John23 said:

    Blake.....
    Blake.....

    Tell me that you secretly believe in Chinese Medicine, and
    I'll remove the needles from my Voodoo "Blake doll".

    Seriously, I hope you start feeling better soon!

    My best wishes are headed your way.

    John

    I suspected
    You had a hand in this!

    ;-)
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    Blake
    Blake
    Thinking about you an saying a prayer that you're out soon.

    Aloha
    Kathleen
  • karen40
    karen40 Member Posts: 211 Member
    Hi Blake,
    I just said a prayer for you. I'm hoping the doctors can figure this out soon. Your in my thoughts.
    Karen
  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    Thanks
    Everyone for the well wishes!
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    Blake
    I hope they figure it out and you get better soon
    Phil
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    Blake:
    Gosh I'm sorry. Sure hope they can figure things out.

    Take care - Tina
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Terrible
    I'm hoping that they figure it out too and hope you get to come home soon. Get better fast.

    Kim
  • lizzydavis
    lizzydavis Member Posts: 893

    Terrible
    I'm hoping that they figure it out too and hope you get to come home soon. Get better fast.

    Kim

    Hi Blake,
    Hi Blake,

    Just want you to know I am wishing you well. Please keep us posted. We are waiting to hear from you.

    Hugs & prayers,
    Lizzy
  • alexinlv
    alexinlv Member Posts: 194 Member
    So sorry to hear this!
    So sorry to hear this! Sending healing thoughts and prayers your way!