Minutes – May 5, 2014

::thankful – for today.  I’ve been ensconced at the Baylor Resort and Spa (aka the hospital) for the past week, battling pneumonia.  I’m so thankful for the doctors who so carefully and patiently worked until they had a proper diagnoses.  I’m doubly thankful for the nurses, technicians and respiratory specialists who have been administering antibiotics, steroids and other medications around the clock, working so hard to get me well again.  I’m secretly thankful that I get a longer break before my last rounds of chemo – it will be nice to taste food and feel wonderful for a few days.

:captured –  Okay.  This is the information board in my hospital room. My children have been embellishing it every time they come to visit. Click (it will open in a new window) and read the notes, especially the “Pain Management” information on the lower left side. When I first read that, I just roared with laughter – seriously, tears were running down my face.

::creative – I’ve knitted a whole sock during the past few days.  I’m starting the second one tonight.

::Kill All the Cells! –  I’ve been feeling pretty rotten for the past five weeks or so, presumably cumulative side effects of the chemo.  Then, I started running a high fever last Monday.  Fever is an absolute no-no for Chemo Warriors. I called Dr. C, and went to see her right away.  Initial blood tests indicated that I was severely anemic with really, really low red blood cell counts, and that I didn’t have the flu or strep. The low red blood cell count would explain my extreme fatigue, excessive heart rate and shortness of breath, but the fever was puzzling and dangerous, so she admitted me directly into the hospital for observation and more tests. It took some time, several x-rays and CT-scans and a consultation with a specialty diagnostician to determine that I had pneumonia.  It was hard to pin down because there wasn’t a lot of fluid buildup inside my lungs.  I just don’t have enough white blood cells to MAKE fluid to fill up my lungs.  All they can see on the x-rays is a tiny bit of fluid, and they can see that my lungs are sort of sucked in at the bottom, not able to fully expand.

Massive doses of antibiotics have killed the infection and the fever, and my lungs are slowly regaining their normal breathing capacity. I feel infinitely better today than I have in a while. I really, really hope I get to go home tomorrow!

My last round of chemo has been delayed for at least another week as I continue to recover.

::delicious

• I’m tired of hospital food.  I’m trying to convince my husband to bring me a pizza tonight.
• We’ll be dishing into the prepared, frozen meals and gift meals from friends this week:  Chicken enchiladas, Pot Roast, Chicken Spaghetti, Shrimp Scampi, and Corn Chowder.

::fashionable –   Pajamas.  I’ve been wearing pajamas for a week.  Today’s pajamas are Gorgeous, though, a get well gift from my dear friend Lynne. They’re silky soft, navy blue with pale turquoise polkadots and lace trim.

::looking ahead – Cherry Ames graduates from college this week!

Keep the Faith.