STAYING HOME

I woke up feeling horrible.  Massive headache, sore throat, fever, upset stomach.  Yuck!  I got up to take a shower, but ended up laying back down for about an hour.  There was no way I could go to work.  I called the doctor and left a message for her.  This was 9 a.m. and she didn't call back until 5 p.m.  But she gave me some zofran for the nausea and an antibiotic for everything else.  I'm supposed to have only liquids for a couple of days.  But I'm hungry and I ate a piece of bread dipped in olive oil.  Now I'm sorry.  Yuck! (again)

I think I mentioned earlier that the father of our friend Krystal passed away last week.  Joe called her today to see how she was doing and found out that the funeral was today.  It was outside of the city so we tried to get Joe a ride but there was no one available.  So I ended up driving him even though I felt awful.  But I'm glad I went.  It meant so much to Krystal and her mother Ruth.  We were the only ones from church that showed up.  Joe has a real heart for the people over there.

On the way up we had the low tire pressure light go on.  So when we got home we took it to our mechanic who is just a few blocks away and he was able to fix it.

When we got back we went to Shop Rite and to Rite Aid to get my medicine.  I had called in the order to Shop Rite so all we had to do was pick it up and pay for it.  There are some weeks that I just have to do it that way.  There is no way I could have walked around that store today.

I've taken my first dose of medicine.  I know it will take more than that to make me feel better.  I have already cancelled Bible study tomorrow and I am thinking of staying home from work again.  I'll see how I feel when I get up.

Joe is having a guy come from the VA to fit him with his new C-Pap tomorrow morning.  That is why I wanted to clean so badly because I have just been throwing things around since I wasn't feeling well.  The place is a mess and I really mean it.  I don't know how I am going to get everything done.  I may just throw everything in a trash bag and stick it in a closet until the guy leaves.  Hmm....  That actually sounds like a good idea.  Then I can go through things in the next few days when I'm feeling better.  Hmm....

I have to go back to sleep.  I'm just so tired.  I'm sleeping so much, but I guess I need it.  Good night.

Kathy

62 days until retirement

OH NO, I'M SICK

I've fought off the germs for so long.  Despite those around me succumbing.  But...  yesterday it started with a scratchy throat, but I still went to work.  When I came home it was worse and the fever started.  Now it's full blown.  I have slept most of the day.  The cough comes now and then and the stuffy nose when I lay down.

There was no going to church for me today.  It is the first Sunday I have missed all year.  I hate missing church.

I really needed to go food shopping this weekend, but didn't get there.  I am going to try to make dinner though.  I think if I take it easy I can do it.  And I still have so much cleaning to do tonight.  Little by little with a lot of naps in between.

Until tomorrow...

63 days to retirement

I'M GOING TO TRY GOING BACK TO WORK TODAY...

...after spending most of this week in the hospital.  First the ER, then the surgeon.  On Tuesday I saw a stitch emerge, called the surgeon's office and the tech told me to come in on Wednesday.  So after taking Joe to the hospital for his visit to the Orthopedic doctor and his primary doctor, I came home and went to my surgeon.  The tech examined me and said the stitch was gone.  She was going to cut it out, but it must have fallen out itself.  So as the incision continues to drain, my breast continues to get better.  Such a time.

I was going to go back to get Joe, but I started getting a severe headache, stomach pains and throwing up.  I called our friend, Carole, and she went down to get him.  My doctor had already left for the day so after my stomach settled down I just had some tea and crackers.  There's a stomach virus going around here and I have a feeling I got a touch of that.  Spending so much time in the hospital there is no telling what I could have picked up.

My blog seems to be all about sickness lately.  And it's funny because that's why I started this blog.  I was about to have major surgery and was tired of repeating myself over and over to people, so just told them to read the blog.  Then I only had to say it once.  People want to know what's going on, want to help, but it's nerve wracking to say over and over that you are having major surgery, and this is what's wrong with you.

So as I said I am feeling better today and decided to go back to work.  I am working Saturday so I have off tomorrow.  I thought this would be a good way to ease myself in.  I am not going to overdo anything today.  I couldn't anyway because I am still in a lot of pain.

At least the weather is beautiful.  It's been up in the 80s and I'm loving it.  It's the best of both worlds to me -- the beauty of fall and the heat of summer.  Who could ask for more?

I am thinking of retiring the end of the year when I turn 60.  Even though I love what I do, I just feel as if my health will not let me go on.  It would be a very large pay cut to my pension and I will be too young to go on Social Security, but maybe I can do a part-time job in the neighborhood that isn't too hard.  We have lots of businesses here.  It's worth a try anyway.

I have to run and get ready for work.  It's my late day (11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.).   Joe's visiting nurse will be here in about an hour so I need to straighten up the living room, get a load of dishes in the dishwasher and hang the wash I put in the machine.  It never ends, does it?

Until later...

Wednesday 10/2 -- sunny
High:  85 degrees
Low:  59 degrees
Sunrise:  6:58 a.m.
Sunset:  6:40 a.m.

THIS ISN'T WHAT I PLANNED

Well, folks, I got jealous of Joe and ended up in the Emergency Room myself on Sunday.  (He didn't take pictures of me though -- ha, ha.)

It all started on Friday night.  When I went to bed, I laid on my stomach and my breast where I just had the surgery started to hurt.  I figured I was laying on a wrinkle in my pj top or in the sheet so I moved and the pain went away and I went to sleep.

When I woke up on Saturday, my whole breast was swollen, red, hot to the touch and extremely PAINFUL!!!  I called the surgeon, got her answering service, but she didn't call back.  Then I called my family doctor and he ordered me an antibiotic to carry me over the weekend and told me to get in touch with the surgeon on Monday.  I carried on with the rest of my day -- cleaning, food shopping, laundry.  But the pain persisted and when I took my temperature it was around 101*.  I had been looking forward to the Fall Festival at Greensgrow Farm but felt way too sick to go.

Sunday was Harvest Day at church.  We were accepting new members, having a congregational luncheon, then in the afternoon a cookout, games, live music and a live streaming of the Harvest Crusade with Greg Laurie.  I was looking forward to it so much.  But instead of going to church I was so sick that I went to the Emergency Room.  They gave me IV antibiotics, did an ultrasound and took x-rays.  The fluid coming from my incision that I thought was puss, isn't.  It's fluid from the surgery.  Everyone tells me that the fact that it's draining is a good thing.  It has to get out.  There's quite a bit of it and it needs to all drain.  They were able to get ahold of my surgeon and she told them not to put a drain in, she needed to see it first.

I was sent home with bandages, but had to go back to the hospital yesterday to see the surgeon.  I got more antibiotics, and I need to let it drain for two weeks then go back to see her.  Hopefully I will not need more surgery.  The surgery would not be nice.

So that's my sad story.  I just took my temperature and I still am running a fever.  I have no time left, so if I take off from work today I will not get paid.  But I think I am going to anyway.  I feel so bad.

I'll end on a happier note.  I saw this on the way home from work the other day and I was at a red light so I was able to get a picture.  Yes, Halloween will be here before we know it.  Can you imagine it's October already?

Inflatible decoration where the ghosts flap in the breeze.  Cool!

Monday -- Partly cloudy
High:  75 degrees
Low:  50 degrees
Sunrise:  6:56 a.m.
Sunset:  6:44 p.m.

TOOTH UPDATE

 

Just a quick update on what's going on.  On Sunday I started pulling myself off of the pain killers.  And surprisingly it wasn't too bad.  The infection has started going away and the pain has lessened considerably.  I took only four pills as opposed to the 12 I have been taking each day.

I stayed home from work yesterday expecting to get my tooth pulled.  The first thing I did was to call the dentist I've been dealing with -- the one doing the root canal.  He said since things have calmed down, to just wait until Thursday and keep my appointment to have the root canal finished.  When he sees me he can make the decision whether to go on or not.  But there is a good chance I will not need to have it pulled after all.  That would be wonderful.  It is my front molar on the left bottom and pulling that would shift all the teeth in my mouth.  Besides, I'd like to keep my teeth as long as possible!

I was going to go into work, but I am now having a lot of pain in my left knee from my arthritis.  At times Sunday and yesterday I could hardly walk and have had to use a cane.  It's no fun getting old, folks.  I did so much walking as a young adult that I figured it would always be that way.  Not so.  And I miss being able to walk miles with no problem.

So that is my story and I'm sticking to it.  I'm getting ready to eat and then take off for work for my late day.  

Joe is calling out for dinner tonight at a new place for us.  Hope the food is good.  If we like it, we can add it to our collection of take out places.  It's nice to have dinner there when I come home at 8:30 and not have to cook it.

Thank you all for your prayers.  I know that God is making me better because of all of you.  And to the anonymous commenter the other day, please let me know who you are.  I'd love to have you become my newest follower.  Your comment about the salt water was right on and I have been doing that.  Thanks.

SURGERY

Hi everyone.  I am back.  I'm not entirely all back, but here nonetheless.  I thought I would give you a rundown on what my day was like yesterday.

I had to be at the hospital by 11:30 a.m. to check in.  My friend, Carole, picked me up at 10:30.  I wanted to get there early and it was a good thing I did.  We went to the parking lot and there wasn't a single spot open.  So we went to get valet parking.  We sat there for about 10 minutes because everyone else had the same idea.  So I told her to leave and go to the Cancer Center because there is always easy valet parking there.  We did that and then walked through the hospital to the Main Building.  I thought that was where we checked in.  I was wrong.  I had to go to the Medical Office Building to the Short Procedure Unit.  While all of these buildings are connected, it's like a maze trying to find your way around.  We walked around for about 20 minutes asking people with badges where the different buildings were.

I finally got to the place (and we were 10 minutes early), checked in, and was taken back to a cubicle where I undressed, put on a gown, a beautiful blue hat (ha, ha) and beautiful blue booties to match the hat.  Then I got into bed and waited.  And waited.  And for two hours I waited.  It was freezing.  The nurse brought warm blankets for both Carole and me.

Finally around 2:00 this nurse assistant named Tim came to get me.  We were talking on the way up to the surgical unit.  He has been there 30 years and knew Joe from when he worked at the hospital.  He also grew up just two blocks from the library I work at and used to go there as a kid.  He said he will stop in in a few weeks to see the old place.  What's more when I got to the surgical unit there was another male nurse who grew up a couple of blocks from where I live now and also used to go to my library and a female nurse who was also from Port Richmond where the library is.  Small world!  It made me feel so much better.

I looked at the clock when they took me into the Operating Room and it was 2:20.  When I woke up in recovery it was around 4:00.  It took about a half hour to have someone take me back to the Short Procedure Unit where Carole was waiting for me.  The movement made me very sick and I started gagging to throw up.  Of course I am not able to throw up any more because of my stomach surgery, but my body sure thinks I can and it's a horrible experience.  The nurse brought me a dish and gave me some breathing exercises to stop the nausea.  She gave me some juice and graham crackers, but that made it worse.

We left around 5:30.  I got so sick on the way home that Carole had to pull over a couple of times to let me recover.  I got home around 6:00 and laid down for several hours.

Today I am feeling better.  Still not there, but getting there.  The pain isn't too bad.  I've been able to control it with Tylenol and most of the time I don't even need that.  But I am still having trouble eating and am really tired.  I'm sure I'll feel better as the week goes on.

Thank you, everyone, for your good thoughts and prayers.  They are very much appreciated.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

Today is the last day I will be at work for a week.  No, I'm not going on vacation (although in a way I am).  I am having surgery tomorrow.  I have to be at the hospital at 11:30 a.m.  It's nothing serious, just some scar tissue from my breast cancer surgery that needs to be removed.  More of an annoyance to me than anything else.  The only thing I am upset about is that it is so late in the day and I can't eat or drink after midnight.

I began this blog when I was having major surgery on my stomach, liver, spleen and diaphram.  I didn't expect to live through that one because I was literally dying of starvation since I hadn't been able to eat a meal in six months.  So I feel like this is going back to the beginning with yet another surgery.  

But at that time the blog was just for close friends and family.  I have so many more blog friends now that I really care about.   It has taken on a life of its own and I am so very glad!

I survived that major surgery and I am sure I will survive this little "bump in the road" as I call it.  My trip through life is never smooth.

I got my friend, Marquita, to take this picture of me in my new shirt the other day at work.  I got it down the shore and think it is so cute.  I don't look too sick here, do I?

So that's all the news, folks.  I don't think I will be up to posting tomorrow -- full of anesthesia and all that stuff.  But look for some interesting things coming this week including a super easy recipe for the snack I had at Bible study last week and (hopefully) a cleaned up yard.

FRIDAY VIEWS

It's been a wild week,  my friends.  The culmination was yesterday when I took Joe to the VA Hospital for his neurology appointment.

I hadn't  gotten  much sleep  the  night before and so was pretty grumpy when I got up.  I told Joe how tired I was and that I wasn't sure I was up to driving.  He  then, without me knowing it, called the hospital and cancelled his appointment.  BUT... I really wanted him to go because he was still sore from his fall a week ago (besides  all the bruises).  So we went anyway.

When we got there we found that they had already given his appointment to someone else.  There were no openings for the rest of the day.  Joe wanted to just leave, but I insisted that while we were there we go to the Emergency Room and have him checked out.  That is just what we did.

We were there for 6 1/2 hours.  He was examined, blood taken, balance tested and had a CT scan of his brain.  The nurses and doctors were superior.  I wish I had such good treatment  at the hospital I go to.  I  even got him a diabetic lunch because we were there so long. 

The  outcome?  He has no broken  bones.  Hurray!  No abnormalities or concussion in his brain.  Hurray, hurray!  The bruises and scrapes will eventually go away of course.  The only thing they found was he has torn the cartiledge in his rib cage.  It will take a long time to heal because it is always moving when he breathes.  The only way to stablize it is for him to stop breathing.  We all agreed this was not a good option. 

So he is taking Tylenol, resting, and is not to walk ANYWHERE without someone with him.  This is not what he wants to hear since he wants to be independent as long as he can.  But that's how it has to be.

Tonight we went out to dinner with our pastor and his wife.  We love spending time with them.  They are such a nice couple.  I  told  Joe we could postpone it to another time if he was still feeling bad, but he says he wants to get out of the house.  I don't blame him.  He is stuck at home all the time since he can't drive anymore and now can't even walk around the neighborhood alone.

So for your Friday View today I took a picture to prove to my boss that I was in the hospital with Joe.  (It's a long story.)  So here it is so I can prove it to you.   And yes, he was asleep.  But the click of the camera on my cell phone woke him up.  Oh, well.

Until later, folks....

A QUICK POST ABOUT MY DOCTOR VISIT

I'm getting ready for work in a few minutes, so this will be a quick post.  Just wanted to let you all know how I made out at the doctor's yesterday morning.  Yes, I was going to post last night, but fell right to sleep.  I was really tired.  (Still am for that matter.)

I went because of my high blood pressure that I've been having all week.  Of course when I went in and the nurse took my pressure it was 120/70.  Yeah, that's how it goes.  The doctor said he couldn't treat me for something that I no longer had.  But then he started asking me questions about did I ever have chest pains (yes), shortness of breath (yes), pain in my left arm and neck (yes), nausea (yes).  So he insisted on giving me an EKG.

The girl that did the EKG was so nice and pleasant.  I had no idea that in one of the back rooms they have a whole lab set up.  Cool.
Well, the EKG came back "abnormal".  I could tell something was wrong when she took it twice and then said, "Stay here and I'll show it to the doctor."

He came back in, told me it was abnormal, but hadn't changed any from the one I had two years ago.  It had picked up my heart murmur which I've had since I was a baby.  So he said my medication was working, not to worry, just follow up with my heart specialist in February (my next scheduled visit) and if the blood pressure went up again, to call him.

In a way I felt like it was a wasted visit, but in another way I was pleased that I have a doctor that listens to me and is on the ball enough to pick up on things and order immediate tests.  

A lot of the symptoms that appear to be "heart attack related" are actually left from when I had my stomach surgery.  I now have gas pockets in my chest that mimic heart attacks.  Not fun, but at least I know what they are, am able to take something to break up the gas, and they go away.

Enough of this medical post.  I am off to get ready for work.  I am working today at the Fishtown Branch.  This is the first week I am there in this new season.  Wonder how it's going to be.

FEELING SICK

Monday is always a hard day.  Today was especially so.  I woke up feeling sick.  As I started to get ready for work I felt sicker and sicker.  I told Joe I was going to stay home from work and got onto the computer to look at my email.  As I was sitting there, I started to feel better.  So I decided to go into work late.

Wrong idea!  By the time I got to work I was feeling like my breakfast was going to come right up on my desk.  However, two people were off today so in order for us to have enough people to open, I had to stay.

At noon time the other Library Assistant and the Librarian went to lunch.  I was the only one there.  I was still feeling sick and ended up having long lines both sides of the desk.  Everyone wanted a new card, wanted to find a book, want to check out LOTS of stuff, and the phone was ringing off the hook.  There were books from the book drop to check in, a delivery to route in and here was little me with no help.  Somehow I made it through.

At 2:00 p.m. our part-timer came in.  I wanted to leave, but it was so busy three of us were on the desk.  I finally got out of there at 3:30 p.m.  The pains in my stomach were so bad I thought I wouldn't make it home, but I did.

So that's where I am now.  I hate using time at work, but what was I going to do?

Sorry this is such a downer of a post.  I'm feeling better, but still sick.  At least tomorrow is my late day so I don't go in until 11:30 a.m.  Hopefully by then I will be better.

SHOPPING ALWAYS HELPS WITH STRESS

This morning I went for my stress test.  I got there early, but couldn't find a parking space anywhere.  After driving around the parking lot three times, I went back across the campus to the Cancer Center and was able to find a parking place there.  Under a tree yet.  Then I walked through the building to the doctor's office.

I was not alone.  There were 8 other people getting the same test.  It seems that on Monday that is all they do.  One of the ladies there started talking to me and said I looked familiar.  She looked familiar too.  It turns out that I used to wait on her when I worked at the Tacony Branch of the library.  She is a crossing guard.  What a very small world.

I thought having had a stress test a year and a half ago I knew what to expect.  I was wrong.  The last time I was in the nuclear medicine department.  Now it is done in the doctor's office.

First they put an IV in my left hand.  The technician, Bob, wanted the right hand, but I couldn't because I had breast cancer on the right side and they can't use that arm/hand.  Then a tech named Ryan injected me with a radioactive isotope.  I had to wait an hour for it to go through my blood system.  During that time I had to drink water and eat something.  I had brought a banana, so I ate that.

Then Ryan took me in the back to do the first scan.  Before I had laid on a bed and the machine moved around me.  Now I was on a chair and I moved around the machine.

There was another 45 minute wait and then Bob took me to the first room I had been in.  He and a physician's assistant who was there wanted me to walk on the treadmill.  But I couldn't do what they wanted because of the bulging discs in my lumbar.  I was supposed to walk quickly (almost jogging) for 4 minutes.  I told him I could do 1 or 2 minutes (maybe) but I couldn't do it for 4 minutes.  So I got the chemical injection while I was sitting in a chair.

It was bad.  Much worse than the time before even though everyone in the room told me it was a milder drug than what I had been given before.  I had what I was told was a normal reaction -- headache, pressure in my neck, chest, arms, legs, rapid heartbeat, nausea, chest pain.  Not good at all.  This lasted for 4 minutes, then they stopped the drug and the things gradually went away. Except for being very dizzy.  Ryan then gave me another radioactive injection and I had to sit in the waiting room for another hour and drink more water.

Finally I was called back and Ryan did another of those tests in the chair with the machine that took pictures of my heart and I was able to go home.  I had been there from 8:30 to 12:30.  Most of the time I was watching the Today Show and Kathie Lee and Hoda.  I never watch those shows, but I got pulled into them.  I guess it took my mind off of what was going on around me.

Now it's just a waiting game to see what the results are.  I think I will be fine. Everything looked good.

I was feeling not all that great driving home, but was very hungry.  I called Joe on my new "toy" (I finally figured out how to use the car phone after a year and a half) and asked him if he could take me to get something to eat.  We ended up going to IHOP and getting breakfast.  I had two eggs, hash browns and sausage.  The technicians told me to drink caffeine after the test, so I had a cup of tea.  Joe had banana and strawberry pancakes that looked really good.

When we were finished I felt much better.  Fashion Bug is right next to IHOP and I said I wanted to look in the window.  I saw this beautiful white tunic and said how pretty it was.  Joe said he liked it too and I should get it.  I went in and found it in my size.  Right next to it was a rack of skirts that I also loved.  I found that in my size too.  So I splurged and got them.  Somehow shopping made me feel even better.  (Ha, ha!)  I had a hard time getting a picture of the top, but I hope you can see it.

 The top of it has all tucks.   And the bottom is all eyelet.

Sorry these pictures are so dark.  I hope you can get the idea though.  And here is the skirt I got.

 
It is kind of tie-dyed and has ruffles.  So pretty.   The thing I like about Fashion Bug clothes is that they fit me perfectly.  Even better because I used my card I got 25% off.

On the way home we stopped at the deli.  They were having a sale on turkey burgers, so that is what we are having for dinner tomorrow night.  It is my late night at work and they will be easy to make when I get home.

Finally our last local florist went out of business.  They are selling off all their little left over things.  This past Easter I bought a little boy bunny on a swing from them.  It turns out they never sold the girl bunny that is his mate, so I was able to get her for $2.  I also picked up a couple of bud vases for $1 each.  The people who owned the shop are lovely people and I will miss them.  Joe told Barbara (the owner) that we will have to get together and go to dinner with them.

When I finally got home, I took a short nap and my headache finally went away.  Well, for the most part anyway.

Now it's time to get dinner.  I am having steaks tonight.  I wanted to get the grill cleaned to cook them outside, but I'm just not up to it.  Besides, it's almost 100 degrees out so I think I will just cook them in air conditioned comfort inside.  They will still be good.

THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF A HEART MONITOR

 Here is what I had to wear for the last 24 hours.  I am so glad to be rid of it.  Not that I was unhappy that the doctor wanted to see what was going on, it was just uncomfortable and since I am allergic to adhesive it was painful at the end.  When I took off the pads, my skin had blistered.  Not fun.


At least I didn't have to wear it very long at work.  Just 3 hours yesterday and 1/2 hour today.  And a lot of the time wearing it I was sleeping.  That helped a lot.


The main problem was going to the bathroom.  I couldn't get there, get myself situated and hold the darn thing (because it had to be hooked onto my jeans) quickly.  This made for an interesting day.


But I also kept dropping it and pulling on my skin.  That was not fun.


I was at work and sitting at my desk when I took a look at it and it was 55 seconds to the end.  I watched it count down.  When it got to the end I was so happy.  Then it said "Please wait.  Do not remove device."  What?  It was another 2 minutes before the screen went blank and I was able to go to the ladies room and remove it.


I had to return it between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. today, so I took a 4:00 lunch, drove to the hospital, and then drove back to work.  I was a little late getting back, but my boss did not make me take time off.  That was nice of him.

I also got the results of my blood test from last week.  My cholesterol and triglycerides were very slightly elevated, but otherwise everything was perfect.  Maybe the fact that they took the test right after I had bacon and eggs for breakfast could account for that!  I had them fax the results to the cardiologist. 


So that's where everything stands.  Probably more information than you want to know, right?  I am hoping and praying that everything turns out not serious, but something turns up that can be easily fixed.  I want to feel good again.

A VISIT TO THE CARDIOLOGIST

I haven't been feeling well for about 6 weeks now.  I have gone to the Emergency Room -- they found nothing and sent me home.  I have gone to my family doctor and he took blood tests, but hasn't gotten back to me on the results.  Today I went to my cardiologist.  He listened to me and is concerned enough with what is happening to give me three tests.

Right now I am wearing a 24-hour heart monitor.  What a pain!  Try going to the bathroom when you have a monitor with wires attached to you that you have to hold with one hand so it doesn't fall.  At least it's only 24 hours.  12:30 p.m. tomorrow I can take it off.  Then I am taking an early dinner and running it back to the doctor's office.  As usual I forgot to get a note for work, so I will get that while I am there also.  I'm always in such a hurry to get out of that office.

I am also going to have a stress test and an echocardiogram.  I am determined to find out why I am having heart palpitations and feel like I'm going to pass out.

It's been a week since I had my blood tests, so I am going to call the office tomorrow and see if the results have come in.


I am hoping that whatever it is it's something simple that a change in dosage of medication (or a new medicine) will be able to fix.  I am so tired of feeling tired and sick all the time.

A VISIT TO THE DOCTOR

I was finally able to get to the doctor today.  I actually was the first patient taken in.  At first the receptionist thought I was Joe's ex-wife and had pulled her chart.  I got that straightened out quickly!  

I saw Dr. Merow and the nurse practioner.  I like them a lot.  It seems I have sprained my back rather severely.  But it is healing.  Every day it is a little better.  They told me to use warm compresses and move around so that I don't get stiff.  I was also prescribed pain medication and muscle relaxers.

I went around 10:00 a.m. to get the medication and then went to Wawa to get something to eat.  I came home, took the medicine, ate the food and that is the last thing I remember until 3:00 p.m.  The muscle relaxers put me right to sleep.  I'm not taking them unless I absolutely have to!  I have to stay out of work until Monday.  If I am better Monday I can go back, otherwise I will see the doctor again and he will send me for a CT scan.

Years ago my sister gave me a cushion that has heat and vibrates. It is put on a seat and it helps to relieve back pain.  (This problem has been going on a long time.)  So I got that out and used it today.  It felt so good.  30 to 45 minutes is all I do it at a time and it loosens me right up.  So glad I have it!

Well that's all the news.  I'm still sort of out of it from the medication so I will say goodnight for now.

PAIN

I took a day off from work today.  Got up early.  All set to go to the Flower Show.  All excited.  Got my camera ready, lightened up my purse.  Got my clothes all picked out.  Ate breakfast.  Went to get Joe up and BANG.  My back went out.

I have bulging discs at L3 and L4.  When they get pinched between the bones of my spine, the pain is incredible.  Well, the pain is incredible.

I can't stand, walk or sit for very long without a lot of pain.  I could cry.  I HAVE cried.  The only relief I have is laying down.  

I took aspirin.  I took alleve.  Nothing works.  Joe called the doctor and the earliest he can see me is Thursday morning.  I don't know how I can survive until then, but I have to.

So much for the Flower Show.

SICK

Remember two weeks ago when Diane was out of work for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday?  Remember last weekend when Sheila was out of work for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday?  Guess who is out of work this week for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Yes, I have succumbed to the dreaded stomach virus.  Thanks, guys, for being so generous and sharing with me.  However, I do not have it as badly as they did.  Thank you, Lord!

I had a dentist appointment today.  I was feeling very sick and I was late getting there.  The receptionist yelled at me.  Makes me not want to go back, honestly.  When I told the dentist I was sick, she decided not to treat me and rescheduled the appointment.  

I went right over to the new doctor's office.  I told the receptionist what was wrong, explained I did not have an appointment, and she fit me in.  There are two doctors in the practice and I saw the doctor I had not seen last time.  He is very good too.  I also saw the nurse practitioner and she was great.  I am really liking this practice.  It was a good move going to them.  They both said there is really nothing I can do except ride it out.  But they called in a prescription for Zofran for me to the local pharmacy to stop all the nausea and gave me a note to stay out of work until Monday.  Joe went and got the medicine for me while I was asleep and I never even knew he left the house!  He also got me some soup, pretzels and ginger ale.  What a guy!

All I have done is sleep, which is probably very good for me.  I just woke up about a half-hour ago and thought I would update this blog since I am feeling much better now. But I want to sleep some more.  So that's what I'm going to do now.  Goodnight.

I'M STILL HERE

Did you miss me?  I'm still here.  A little worse for wear, but still alive and kicking.

I went to see Dr. Resnick, the gastroenterologist, on Wednesday.  He examined me and said he thinks I have a bad stomach virus that just won't go away.  He also found that I have lost 6 pounds, and my blood pressure was 77/48.  He gave me this huge bottle of water to drink and took it again.  It was the same.  Maybe this is why I feel like I'm going to pass out all the time.  He told me to cut my high blood pressure medication in half and come back to see him in a week.

Joe wanted to go shopping afterwards, so we went to Michael's and Walmart.  Last year Joe's son, DJ, had bought him a seascape oil painting when we were at the shore.  So I am having it framed for his birthday this year.  It was more expensive than I thought it would be, but that is what he wanted so that is his gift.  I got sick in Walmart so we had to leave.

Yesterday was our all-day all-staff meeting at work, but I was too sick to go.  I spoke with my girlfriend last night and she said it was very boring and people were falling asleep.  She told me that the "powers that be" have all these ideas on how the library should run and they are ridiculous. For example, doing away with Dewey numbers and filing all books alphabetically by author.  The math books, history books, science books and fiction would all be mixed together.  The librarians were up in arms about that.  There were a couple of good fights.  Another one was someone said that houses near libraries increased in value.  So a staff member stood up and asked if that was why they wanted to shut down 11 branches, so the city would lose real estate tax money.  The staff member was told they were running out of time and couldn't answer that right now.  Wish I had been there to have seen that.

While all this was going on, I was taking another test to try to find out what is wrong with me.  This one was to see if I had a bacterial infection.  I'll find out the beginning of next week.

I was going to try to go to work today, but now Joe is sick.  He has a sore throat and sinus infection.  Since I have the note to stay out and I'm still not 100% I am going to stay home and take care of him.  It's always something in the Specht family.  Joe's dad warned me before I married him, but I wouldn't listen.

My primary doctor, Dr. Skobinsky, wants to see me in his office next Thursday morning to see if there is a difference in my blood pressure with the decrease in medication.  Dr. Resnick wants to see me as a follow-up next  Thursday afternoon.  So I will lose another day of work and be very busy going from office to hospital.  Hopefully by then I will be feeling fine.

THE LATEST

I stayed home from work yesterday and went to the doctor's office in the morning.  Wrong thing to do.  Because he had been out yesterday, everyone was in there.  I had 18 people ahead of me.  There were no seats left.  An older woman with a cane came in.  She was standing and not one person would get up to give her a seat.  She finally had to leave.  I ended up leaving too.  The pain in my stomach was so bad I couldn't stand there.

Joe and I went back for his afternoon hours and it was much better.  Only 3 people ahead of me.  Dr. Skobinsky does not think I have C. diff.  Like Dr. Chojnacki he thinks it is too far removed from the surgery date, but he is sending me for a test anyway.  The only problem is it is a bowel test and until that settles down there is no way I can take it.  He is also sending me to a gastroenterologist on an emergency basis.  I have an appointment for 9:30 this morning.

The bowels and stomach are starting to settle down, but are still upset.  I told Joe that even if everything was perfect I was still going to go.  Two weeks is two weeks too long.

When I called work and told my boss I would be out the rest of the week he was not happy.  I can't help it.  I told him this was not fun for me.  I didn't do this on purpose.  We are having an all-day all-staff meeting tomorrow that is mandatory for us to attend.  No one wants to go.  But I would rather be feeling great and go to the meeting than have what I have.

I will post later when I find out what is going on.

STILL REALLY SICK

My poor digestive system.  I am really sick.  It has been over a week now.  It reminds me of how it was before my surgery.  I do NOT want to go back to that time of my life.

I stayed home from work again today.  I do not have any sick time left so I will not get paid for today.  I don't even care.  I went to the doctor this morning and found a note on the door that said the doctor was not in because he was a witness at a trial but would be in tomorrow.  The staff was there though.  So I went in and spoke with my friend, Jean, who is the office manager.  She offered to refill all my prescriptions, but I said they hadn't been helping.  She then suggested I call the surgeon because then at least I would be speaking with a doctor today.  So that is what I did.

I had to leave a message for Dr. Chojnacki because she was in surgery today.  Her resident called me back.  I explained what was going on.  She said that it did not sound like something connected with the surgery, but there was always a chance and she would have Dr. C get back to me.  Dr. C called me around 5 p.m.  She also said it did not sound like it was surgery related because of the length of time, I had been eating solid food with no problem, and it started with diarrhea.  She said it sounded like a severe stomach virus.  However, I did the right thing to call her.  She suggested I go to see Dr. Skobinsky tomorrow morning and ask him for a C. diff blood test to see if I had picked up a bacterial infection in the hospital which had been lying dormant until now.   She also wants me to get some x-rays to see what was going on and if I am still sick by the end of the week she wants to see me next Tuesday when she is in the office.  So looks like I may not get to work tomorrow either.  I am definitely still running to the bathroom every half-hour or so.  This is not fun.  I hope I can get some relief tomorrow.

STILL SICK

 

I went to work today, but had to come home at lunch time.  In 3 1/2 hours I ran to the bathroom 3 times and threw up once.  So I had to take sick time I don't have, come home and lay down.  I have never had a virus last so long and I really don't know what to do about it.  I am taking the medicine the doctor gave me but it doesn't seem to make any difference at all.  Maybe if I didn't take it I would feel worse.  Maybe???

I need to feel better by tomorrow because we are having a special program at work and I am the one who takes all the pictures.  It is Animals with Bad Reputations.  The Academy of Natural Sciences is coming with a live animal traveling show.  I worked for the Academy for 7 years and loved my job.  Too bad I got laid off.  I am so looking forward to it.

Joe has a doctor's appointment at the VA Hospital tomorrow morning and I am to go with him.  I need to be better for that too.

Well, baby food, lots of liquids, rest and meds.  That's my plan for the rest of the evening.