Ultrasounds, Hospitals and Doctors, Oh My!
That I’m back at the computer at all is saying something, for the last six days have been a down-spiraling curve of declining health, or, perhaps, symptoms that can lead to no other conclusion.
It started weeks ago, as I described in past posts. The Ascites (fluid filling up my stomach cavity) had been momentarily forestalled by draining it out with a needle. This had allowed a long-awaited trip to Austin, twelve days ago, and a reading at Full Circle Bookstore with friends the Monday afterward.
After that, I was scheduled for chemo on Thursday, six days ago. But at that point things started going downhill. My labs came back with some problems that prevented me from receiving chemo. (High proteins and bilirubin scores). Instead, I was given fluids and Avastin and sent home. Meanwhile, the fluids had started building in my stomach again and I was feeling tired and bloated.
Halloween weekend was fairly miserable. I’m not sure that I ever left the house, except for a walk with my wife to Starbucks and an hour cleaning leaves from the pool, both of which were followed by three hour naps. I couldn’t eat, so my family went without me, bringing me home some soup afterward. I did my best to choke it down.
By Sunday night, my stomach resembled Buddha’s, and I was having trouble breathing. At one point, my son became very concerned, which is saying something when it comes to a teenager, and my wife was threatening to take me to the emergency room. I had a doctor’s appointment on Monday, so I was able to convince her I could make it until then.
On Monday, I met with doctors and described my latest symptoms. They sent me for a chest x-ray and an ultrasound and another procedure to have to ascites removed. 1.4 liters of fluid were taken, but I also had fluid in my lungs, so they checked me into the hospital for the night. The plan was to check the fluid in my lungs the next day and drain it if needed.
My condition improved, however, after the stomach fluid was removed. Follow-up x-rays and ultrasounds on Tuesday showed that most of the fluid in my lungs was gone too, meaning it had likely infiltrated the lungs from the stomach. New drugs were prescribed to try to assist in getting rid of the stomach fluid and I was sent home.
My stomach feels much better, for now, and I have been able to eat a little again. But I was exhausted on Tuesday night and having trouble breathing again. Plus, I had chills and couldn’t get warm.
It is now Wednesday and I’m resting at home. The chills are gone and I have enough energy to, well, think and type. I’m still not breathing well, however.
So what’s wrong with me? A damaged liver? Blood pressure issues? Some other condition relating to treatments? Walking pneumonia? H1N1? A combination of these? Or none of the above.
Who knows? But tomorrow it’s back to the doctors with the goal of getting me stable enough to do chemo.
Hooray.
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Comments
Glad to have your update Jim. Many prayers have gone out and will continue to for you and your family. As always you have a way of putting things into perspective and you have that kind spirit to share your ups and downs…for that we are greatful. Take care and hope you are feeling much better very soon! Scott
I still think the cause was the OSU v. Texas game. Glad to hear your home, let me know if you need a coffee delivered! God bless you today!
Loving thoughts your way from your friend and fan in Chicago. We missed you. I was really glad you made that trip out to Austin; it must have been very cool to see Ford’s film and gig. Rest well and let’s hope for these symptoms to subside.
Thinking of you and praying for relief from these crazy symptoms. Take care and know that you have many friends pulling for you.
I would like to tell you something inspiring, but sometimes we don’t want inspiring, we just want to know that someone is out there, listening to us, supporting us with some kind of invisible safety net of strength and prayers. I am working on knitting your safety net, for you and your family, as are many others.
So glad to get your update. I hope today goes well. Your strength and fight inspires me everyday! Lots of love, Rachel
Jim, thinking about you. It’s Red Dirt Book Festival, and we’re all missing you. Take good care, Jana
Hugs and kisses to you, Jim. I’m still pulling for your good health to return. I’m sorry I can’t be there to help take care of you and your family. All I can manage is sending healing thoughts to you and praying for you and your family.
And, now a lame attempt @ humor from Mo Rocca:
“The word for a female dog is not dogette”.
Love and peace to you always. xoxoxoxox
I started reading your column in the Oklahoman and hve been following you on your blog. You truly are an inspiration to me. I have terminal cancer (ovarian) and have done chemo for 7 years. I Have been off chemo since May, ran out of things they can give me. I know the effort it takes to keep your spirits up. God has promised us His peace and He keeps His promises. I think of you often.
Hi Jim,
My husband is going through terminal cancer now too. He had to quit his job and has applied for social security. I am just so grateful to you for this space, I admire you for what you are writing about. It is such a horrible disease, sometimes we just can’t understand what is happening and why. I hope you get to feeling better and know that you are not alone, I pray for you and worry about you along with my husband. Hang in there.
Judy Slaton