When you combine chemotherapy, lymph-edema, and low blood counts you have the perfect storm for cellulitis (a skin infection where your arm suddenly becomes very painful, red, and hot) and a ticket to the hospital. So here I am, at least until Monday.
Wednesday night at dinner, my arm was itching a bit. By bedtime it was hurting a lot and I couldn't really use it for anything. I also had the chills. I figured it was cellulitis, so I called the doctor on call (which was one of my old docs who is a deadbeat and I am VERY thankful he is one of my OLD doctors!) and he said as long as I wasn't running a fever, that I could wait to call my doctor's office in the morning. By morning I was very dizzy and felt like I would pass out when I stood up. When I finally got into the doctor, I had a fever and my arm was radiating some major heat. I felt horrible. I figured they would admit me, so I was ready with some overnight stuff that Josh had to pack for me just in case.
I love how whenever I have something weird, the docs/nurses always look at it and say how interesting it is and that they have never seen anything look like that before! I guess I am the weird one.
So the infection was/is in my bloodstream, and it can be dangerous if not treated quickly and aggressively. Basically I was told by the PA that if it ever happens again, I need to go straight to the hospital and not even bother calling the doctor on call. Okay, that is good to know.
I feel much better today, but still weak. Let's just say if you had talked to me yesterday, I was pretty grouchy! I couldn't ask for a better hospital than the Lacks Cancer Center. I can order whatever I want off of their yummy menu whenever I want it. I asked for a free massage, so I am hoping that comes through. They have that great garden and outdoor area on top of the building to "get outside" for a while. The nurses are all great, and treat me really well. So other than the yucky iv antibiotics and just not being home, I am on the upswing.
My hand is still really swollen right now, so when the infection is gone, I will hopefully be able to work on getting that back down again. The redness is getting better, but I am still really sensitive to warm things on that arm/hand. Cancer is definitely not beautifying!
Josh and the girls brought me a Starbucks and some pickles tonight. Emma grilled the nurse on everything that she was doing. She and the nurse were taking turns listening to their heartbeats. Emma says she is going to be a doctor, and I am starting to believe it. A friend had sent a lovely edible arrangement of fruits made to look like flowers. I let the girls open it and they loved helping eat all the yummy fruit! They were eating it like crazy!! I have to wear a mask while they are here as I'm considered neutropenic (no white blood cells to fight infection), so that is a bit of a pain. Maybe by tomorrow my counts will be up enough to not have to wear the mask when they visit--we'll see. We took a walk, and they ran around the outside part. There is a prayer labyrinth up there, and they ran around that whole thing until they got to the end. I bet they will sleep well tonight. Thank you to all who have helped watch the girls the last couple of days. It helps so much!
Signing off from 4422.
Night, night.
