So on Sunday I woke up and the back of my throat was dry - I hoped it was just the way I had been sleeping, but drinking water seemed to help a little. I was still very tired, but had a small appetite, which I have learned is a good thing. I didnt do much the whole day (story of my life lately) and it was pretty warm and stuffy in our apartment. My throat also started to feel more scratchy and I had to clear it before I could talk. The docs all say to do some exercise (walking) everyday and I hadnt really been feeling like it. But I was determined to go for a walk. My hubby doesnt like going out when there is too much sun, so waiting until the end of the day meant he would join me. So we waited and finally went out, just in time to catch the eclipse. The walk really cant be called exercise as it was a short stroll around our complex. The eclipse was a nice distraction as my hubby stopped to take pics with his phone(and I enjoyed the breaks). When we made it back I did feel a little more energized, but still tired. And there was a slow cough starting to develop.
The TV watching then commenced - but I was not talking to my hubby because my throat hurt each time I talked. I even had a few coughs. They felt like I was getting sick. :-( So I lay on the couch and watched TV for a few hours contemplating calling the numbers they gave me to call. I re-read the instructions several times. Call immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Fever over 100.4F
- chills, sore throat, "cold" or "flu" symptoms
- New cough, or change in cough; coughing up yellowish or green sputum
- and more unrealated ones.
I called and was asked the same questions over and over by different people - no, I am not having difficulty breathing, no I dont feel dizzy, no I am not having difficulty walking. And I did answer some related questions . . . and her final answer was that they do recommend I be seen by a doc. Really? my temp isnt that high, but better safe than sorry, right. So due to the time my only option was the ER. Hubby took me and thankfully there was no one in the waiting room. I was taken back, blood pressure, heart rate and temperature taken. Then they set up an IV and took blood . . . ha ha, I look like a druggie. Plus, now that I have had lymph nodes taken from my right side they cannot use that side to take blood, blood pressure etc. So since I had a surgery on Monday I still had the remnants of the IV on my wrist. I had blood taken on Tuesday (pre-chemo labs) and had that on my elbowpit, and I had the chemo infusion on the back of my hand (with a giant bruise too). The nurse finally set up the IV on my wrist about a half inch from the one from my surgery. Then they took me back to a room and we waited for the doc. The whole time I am scared - I had never been to an ER . . . well, that I remember (concussion when I was in my early 20's - they tell me we went to the ER, but I have no memory of that entire day :-( but that is an aside). So to recap, I was scared, tired and not feeling well. Fun times. At least we didnt have to wait too long, And the doc took a throat swab . . . yeah, the one where they stick a swab in the back of your throat until you gag. And when you have a sore throat already that spot feels extra dry for a long time after.
Then the nurse came in to take my blood. I did not like him at all. He is like a bull in a China closet that clearly wished to be a doctor and was too cool for us. The first thing I didnt like was that he came in kindof disorganized, talked to me like I knew what was going on, he dropped things and seemed like he was taking shortcuts. So even though they just set up an IV the doc said they couldnt use that for the blood - wth? then why did you put it in??? The nurse confirmed the same thing. As I have said before, I cannot watch them stick me so I had my eyes closed. But by the setup tray there were several culture bottles and I think I saw several tubes. The nurse said he could get a couple from the IV - ok, I'll take that I just hope it is correct. He pulled a sample then started to do the prep for it at the foot of the bed. I thought it was safe to open my eyes then . .. but then Mr Graceful pulls out a huge needle directly in my line of site and just hoovers it around . . . my eyes were big!! He then injected it into two culture tubes and snapped the needle guard back making a loud noise (at least to me in my hyper sensitive mood). WTH - dude, I know you do this all day but dont be swinging that needle around infront of me like that - not cool, not cool at all.
Then he tried to stick me in the elbowpit (not sure what it is called, where they normally take blood) to get the sample that couldnt be from the IV. This was a disaster. Again, I was not looking but I know he stuck me . . .and it hurt, more than normal. But he was baffled by why no blood was coming out - so he stuck the needle in further - ouch! He also at this time had put some supplies on the side of the bed next to me . . . I heard something drop to the floor and some other weird noises. Not good. He finally decided that since it had been 15 minutes that he could take it from the IV. So he proceeded to do that with the same clumsiness that was making me nervous. He finally finished and said I also needed a urine sample. He seemed irritated and looked at me like - well go give it - um, dont you have to give me a cup and tell me where the bathroom is first?? I did go give the sample, then came back into the room and put the sample on the table (I had to ask what to do with the sample). A minute later I saw him walking right towards my room (glass doors) and he went the other way. About 5 minutes later, when my hubby got up and walked near the door he asked my hubby if I was back yet . . . grrr, dude how did you miss me?? He then clumsily puts the bag over the cup and flips it over . . . oh, I sure hope I closed it tightly enough.
Oh, and during the process he also took my temperature - 100.6F . . . over the "threshold" for me . . . he then says that the glass doors to my room have to be kept closed and proceeds to close them 4 inches more (but still like half open). He leaves and comes back without closing the door. He did come in with some tylenol and water. I took the tylenol then reached for the water, which was in a paper cup from his hand, but the only place I could grab it was on the top - and then said Whoaa it is a paper cup as I almost spill it. Um, do you see the metal trays if you put the cup on there then I can grab it wherever I want to . . . grrrh.
So after about an hour of waiting, the doc comes in and says that my first labs are OK, that he will give me an antibiotic and send me home. Yippee. My wbc's were like 12 and the other results will not be back for a couple of days and I needed to make an appointment for Tuesday. Then he leaves. OK, um, someone please remove the IV. I hadnt seen my "favorite" nurse for a little while. A few minutes later Patty comes in to take out my IV . . . yeah for Patty who was covering for Mr. Bedside Manner. She removed it gently - she even took care to remove the tape carefully. Then I was allowed to get dressed, check out, pay for my visit and went to the pharmacy to pick up my prescription for Ciproflaxin which we got in short order (glad it was slow).
Then we went home . . . and probably because Mr. Clumsy got me all nervous, I was hungry. Yeah, it was 2am, but I was hungry. So I ate some yogurt and was about to take the Cipro until I read that you are not to take it with yogurt or milk products. Um, ok - I'm going to bed and I'll deal with this tomorrow. I went to bed, but couldnt get comfortable. I am a side sleeper and my left side hurt from the needle pricks and my right side I couldnt get in a position where the lump didnt get in my way. I did finally fall asleep after awhile and was happy to sleep in. I did wake when my hubby was going to work but I fell right back asleep.
So overall I am glad that it turned out to be just "I am getting sick" but just wish it wasnt such a hassle to get that info. I slept most of Monday which is just what I needed. In some ways I wish I wouldnt have went to the ER, but in other ways it was good to have that peace of mind, especially since a simple cold can be dangerous while undergoing chemo.
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