I've been back in the hospital since Wednesday. I was suffering from severe dehydration Wednesday morning and came over to CINJ for some fluids. After going home, I immediately felt a fever come on, so we had to go to the emergency room. At the time, I was neutropenic - meaning my white blood count was too low to fight off any infections I might get. Since Wednesday, I've been hanging out in my apartment here on the fourth floor of RW Johnson Hospital, getting IV antibiotics and fluids. I definitely feel better, but I'm still occasionally spiking a fever.
So this presents a dilemma: I'd like to go home, but if I'm going to have another fever and just have to rush back here and sit through the emergency room and all that hassle again, I'd rather stay. At least I have everything I need here for people to take of me. It's really not all that bad (being in the hospital) once you get used to it. The key is making sure you get up and out of bed during the day, and clean yourself and feel a bit normal at times. That makes it bearable. Also my parents and Sarah have been great about bringing me food which has helped me avoid the garbage they serve here. Breakfast isn't so bad, but I'm pretty tired of lunch and dinner.
In other "me" news, I'm developing two outward signs of cancer. I've got the "cancer belly" that my oncologist warned me about, like the malnourished children in the charity commercials. Where's Sally Struthers? This could be a build up of fluid (ascites) or something else. Dr. Moss did not seem too concerned at the time. I'm also starting to lose my hair. When I was doing chemoembolization, I was on a drug called cisplatin. It caused my hair to thin but not completely fall out. On this new round of chemo, I'm on a related drug called carboplatin that is causing the same effect. When I washed my face and hair today, some of the hairs came off in the towel as I was drying myself. I don't know if it will all fall out (Dr. Moss said it might), but I'm going to prepare myself as if it will. I'll probably shave my beard tomorrow. As for my head, I'll wait and see how long I'll be in here before making a decision about shaving it down.
Take it all in stride.
John - sometimes there are just no words. But I do want you to know that we read all your "updates" even if we don't comment. I hope you get to come home today - I'm sure you are so sick of being there. Maybe I'll get to see you over the weekend. Love ya!!!
D&C
Posted by: Aunt Donna | July 29, 2009 at 05:35 PM