I have to start this with a heartfelt thanks to Mom and Dad for taking care of me. I actually did dishes last night for the first time, and I think I made cheese crisps for one dinner. Not much to claim for two weeks of housework. Oh, wait, Mom and I cleaned the arcadia doors yesterday. We're all relieved to see out the windows finally. That about wiped me out, but oh, it's pretty! My dog, my home and I would be a wreck without them. They are even staying until the 17th, to get me through a very busy next week. Thank you, thank you! They have done so much for me and I am so blessed!
The doctor just called back late this afternoon. He still doesn't have the written report from the CT scan, but is going on the preliminary report. I have "mild ground glass consolidation in my lower left lung". Seems like it means that instead of having clear lungs in the CT scan, the opacity of my lower left lung is like looking through ground glass. Not sure what caused it this time, but an infection can cause it, so he's putting me on Zithromax, an antibiotic. I had no phlegm, no fever, no normal signs of an infection, so I'm glad the CT scan caught it, whatever "it" is. It could be other things, but I'm not planning on it. The doctor wants to see me back in 10 days, and I have to have another CT scan (grrrrrrr!)in three months. I guess that's because it only shows up on a CT scan, and they have to make sure the antibiotic clears it up, and it really was an infection. Makes sense to me that it's my left lung because I still cannot sleep on my left side without my lungs bubbling and feeling like I'm under water. Slept great on Wednesday night, but last night was restless due to breathing issues.
And to end on a humorous note....according to the surgical report, they went in my "umbilical port", not my bellybutton. That cracked me up. I can just see me in a Star Trek Next Generation episode. So the next time you grab your little kids and give them a raspberry on the belly, you can tell them you're really just checking out a possible future umbilical port.
Thanks for your continued support. Hope all this detail doesn't drive you nuts!
Me
Friday, February 5, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
CT Scan Finished
Wow, when doctor's are worried, you get responses back really fast. Thankfully, I don't have a pulmonary embolism, but it looks like I have an infection. They'll call me back with more details tomorrow when the doctor can look at the actual films and then prescribe more medication. Don't know about pneumonia, I didn't ask. They yanked and poked at my arm forever. It's still numb.
Sorry if I sound grumpy, I should be feeling much better soon! :)
Me
Sorry if I sound grumpy, I should be feeling much better soon! :)
Me
No More Cabin Fever
For someone who has been stuck at home for 7 days, I sure wish I could stay home today!
Briefly for now:
10:15 appointment with Dr. Brothwell. Mass on appendix is NOT cancer! Instead it was endometrioma. I really had no symptoms from it but soon would have had problems. Mom cries every time she gets to tell people I don't have cancer. She asked if I was excited about it, and I sarcastically replied that not having cancer won't matter if I die of suffocation. I cannnot lay down without feeling like I'm drowning. I got basically no sleep last night because I was gasping. Dr. Brothwell was very concerned. Sent me to my primary care doctor, Dr. Thacker.
Came home, ate lunch, turned around and went to Dr. Thacker's at 12:40. He is very concerned. Listened and listened to my lungs and peppered me with questions. I may just have a very bad case of asthma, but he's also worried about a pulmonary embolism (blod clot in the lungs which can happen after surgery) or pneumonia. I will continue to take my inhalers for the asthma, plus prednisone.
I have to have a CT scan today which is scheduled for 3:30. No more food (not even the prednisone!) until after the scan, just drinking water like crazy so they can find a vein again. Grrrr. They had a terrible time last time. I just want to go to sleeeeeep. Dad and I are wandering around Glendale like crazy. We're happy U turns are legal in Glendale. I don't feel well and am not navigating very well, and Dad is a perfect SunCityDriver, which stresses me out. I'm constantly telling him to speed up....!
Oh, and by the way my gallbladder showed that I had chronic choleostytis (heck if I know how to spell it right now!), which means my gallbladder was chronically inflamed due to repeated acute attacks of choleosomethingortheother. No stones though. Just didn't work. So the scan taken exactly a year ago yesterday that said my gallbladder wasn't inflamed was WRONG! 1 1/2 years.....how I envy Lynda!
Update more later. Thanks for your love and concern!
Me
Briefly for now:
10:15 appointment with Dr. Brothwell. Mass on appendix is NOT cancer! Instead it was endometrioma. I really had no symptoms from it but soon would have had problems. Mom cries every time she gets to tell people I don't have cancer. She asked if I was excited about it, and I sarcastically replied that not having cancer won't matter if I die of suffocation. I cannnot lay down without feeling like I'm drowning. I got basically no sleep last night because I was gasping. Dr. Brothwell was very concerned. Sent me to my primary care doctor, Dr. Thacker.
Came home, ate lunch, turned around and went to Dr. Thacker's at 12:40. He is very concerned. Listened and listened to my lungs and peppered me with questions. I may just have a very bad case of asthma, but he's also worried about a pulmonary embolism (blod clot in the lungs which can happen after surgery) or pneumonia. I will continue to take my inhalers for the asthma, plus prednisone.
I have to have a CT scan today which is scheduled for 3:30. No more food (not even the prednisone!) until after the scan, just drinking water like crazy so they can find a vein again. Grrrr. They had a terrible time last time. I just want to go to sleeeeeep. Dad and I are wandering around Glendale like crazy. We're happy U turns are legal in Glendale. I don't feel well and am not navigating very well, and Dad is a perfect SunCityDriver, which stresses me out. I'm constantly telling him to speed up....!
Oh, and by the way my gallbladder showed that I had chronic choleostytis (heck if I know how to spell it right now!), which means my gallbladder was chronically inflamed due to repeated acute attacks of choleosomethingortheother. No stones though. Just didn't work. So the scan taken exactly a year ago yesterday that said my gallbladder wasn't inflamed was WRONG! 1 1/2 years.....how I envy Lynda!
Update more later. Thanks for your love and concern!
Me
Friday, January 29, 2010
I'm Back
Thank you to Janice for keeping this posting going during this past week. I really appreciate it! She did such a good job, even though she did tease me! I knew something was up when Lezlee stopped by and told me she was supposed to make me laugh because my sister said so.
Things continue to get better each day as I try to get my body back to normal. Today I'm trying to get off of Percoset all together, and if I don't move too much, I think that'll happen. The pain is a lot less than Tuesday, thankfully. I even was able to wash my hair this morning. That felt so good.
I probably won't post again until next Wednesday after I have my doctor's appointment. I don't think there will be any new news before then. I'm thinking they either got it all, or I was extremely blessed and my 15% chance of it being clean happened. I truly am not worried about it -- I'm just glad they're out. Janice and Mom are as curious as ever and want every detail! I don't have that "liking all gory medical things" gene, but admit to being curious and will look forward to talking to the surgeon more next week.
Thanks for all of your love and support!
Things continue to get better each day as I try to get my body back to normal. Today I'm trying to get off of Percoset all together, and if I don't move too much, I think that'll happen. The pain is a lot less than Tuesday, thankfully. I even was able to wash my hair this morning. That felt so good.
I probably won't post again until next Wednesday after I have my doctor's appointment. I don't think there will be any new news before then. I'm thinking they either got it all, or I was extremely blessed and my 15% chance of it being clean happened. I truly am not worried about it -- I'm just glad they're out. Janice and Mom are as curious as ever and want every detail! I don't have that "liking all gory medical things" gene, but admit to being curious and will look forward to talking to the surgeon more next week.
Thanks for all of your love and support!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Now This is Pithy
She can take any medicine she wants.
The bellybutton is fine.
He has no results from pathology, but didn't see any growth while he was in there. If he hears anything concerning from the lab before Wednesday, he will call her. He thought the appendix was really odd; tucked under her right ovary and 'stuck' to the side of her pelvis. With all of the surgeries he's done, he thinks it's one of the oddest appendixes he's seen! He doesn't know why - wondered if she'd had appendicitis before. Glad it's out!
Dad's off to the drugstore!
The bellybutton is fine.
He has no results from pathology, but didn't see any growth while he was in there. If he hears anything concerning from the lab before Wednesday, he will call her. He thought the appendix was really odd; tucked under her right ovary and 'stuck' to the side of her pelvis. With all of the surgeries he's done, he thinks it's one of the oddest appendixes he's seen! He doesn't know why - wondered if she'd had appendicitis before. Glad it's out!
Dad's off to the drugstore!
A Pithy Post
Pithy: Short, direct, and memorable. Well, I don't know about short...
Julie is alive. I have talked to her. My apologies to the concerned audience out there! I was out of the house this morning. But I am back and have talked to Julie. I almost want to wait to post until the doctor calls her back. But, here's what I know so far.
Dr. Brothwell will call her back today to answer a few questions. Her asthma is acting up. When it acts up to a certain point she needs to go on a maintenance dose of asthma medication. She is wondering if the corticosteroid conflicts with any of the medications she is currently taking. (If she forgets to ask him, she can call a pharmacist).
Her scars and steri-strips are all fine except for the one around her navel. It is a little funny. For some reason, Julie has a hard time looking at the scar, :) but Mom is concerned. Mom planned to describe it to the doctor. I suggested she take a digital picture of it and upload it to her computer and get ready to send it to him via email once she gets the address. That may prevent her having to go in and be seen. (Do you think if Mom learns how to upload pictures, she will send me a picture of Julie?) It appears the closure is not totally complete, but I didn't gather from the conversation whether or not it was inflamed or red. Years ago, I gave her a 'nifty' first aid kit, so they should be able to use beta-dyne to clean it and steri-strips to close it if that is what the doctor directs.
She also intends to ask about pathology reports when Dr. Brothwell calls. I guess she doesn't want to wait until the follow-up visit next week. (If it was me, I would have called the office twice by now! She has the patience...)
Julie seems a little tired, sore, and just not-feeling-well. And, perhaps, a bit nervous. She will call me when the doctor calls her and I will post right afterwards.
On a "Snuggles" note. Julie was awakened last night to Snuggles licking her awake, which caused Julie to cough. She realized afterwards that she had been struggling for breath a bit. So - Snuggles is watching over Julie, too.
She also will receive a DVD of her surgery. Her surgeon records all surgeries for malpractice reasons. Mom and I are interested in watching it. Julie absolutely does not want to watch it! She says it would make her hurt again! Knowing the outcome was okay -- I'd be fascinated to see the medical procedures used. I've seen so very much in real life! Maybe when I 'grow up' I'll be a nurse!
Julie is alive. I have talked to her. My apologies to the concerned audience out there! I was out of the house this morning. But I am back and have talked to Julie. I almost want to wait to post until the doctor calls her back. But, here's what I know so far.
Dr. Brothwell will call her back today to answer a few questions. Her asthma is acting up. When it acts up to a certain point she needs to go on a maintenance dose of asthma medication. She is wondering if the corticosteroid conflicts with any of the medications she is currently taking. (If she forgets to ask him, she can call a pharmacist).
Her scars and steri-strips are all fine except for the one around her navel. It is a little funny. For some reason, Julie has a hard time looking at the scar, :) but Mom is concerned. Mom planned to describe it to the doctor. I suggested she take a digital picture of it and upload it to her computer and get ready to send it to him via email once she gets the address. That may prevent her having to go in and be seen. (Do you think if Mom learns how to upload pictures, she will send me a picture of Julie?) It appears the closure is not totally complete, but I didn't gather from the conversation whether or not it was inflamed or red. Years ago, I gave her a 'nifty' first aid kit, so they should be able to use beta-dyne to clean it and steri-strips to close it if that is what the doctor directs.
She also intends to ask about pathology reports when Dr. Brothwell calls. I guess she doesn't want to wait until the follow-up visit next week. (If it was me, I would have called the office twice by now! She has the patience...)
Julie seems a little tired, sore, and just not-feeling-well. And, perhaps, a bit nervous. She will call me when the doctor calls her and I will post right afterwards.
On a "Snuggles" note. Julie was awakened last night to Snuggles licking her awake, which caused Julie to cough. She realized afterwards that she had been struggling for breath a bit. So - Snuggles is watching over Julie, too.
She also will receive a DVD of her surgery. Her surgeon records all surgeries for malpractice reasons. Mom and I are interested in watching it. Julie absolutely does not want to watch it! She says it would make her hurt again! Knowing the outcome was okay -- I'd be fascinated to see the medical procedures used. I've seen so very much in real life! Maybe when I 'grow up' I'll be a nurse!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The First Day of 'Vacation'
Julie was well taken-care of last night. A friend from the ward brought in a delicious dinner, which was appreciated. Mom and Dad took turns watching over Julie last night. Dad took the first shift, Mom the last. Dad even helped Julie put cookie dough in the freezer at midnight. Cookie dough that belonged in the fridge. Julie was a little addled... She had malt o meal this morning and later had a peanut butter sandwich. She is trying to catch up on sleep as it was a bit sketchy last night.
She is feeling fine except for a headache and dizziness. She cut down on the Oxycodone and put food in her stomach so is expecting to feel better. Snuggles thinks she is deprived - no jumping on Julie's lap! If Dad is watching Snuggles, he catches her after she has jumped onto Julie's lap. Mom just gives Snuggles the 'look' and says "Snuggles" and Snuggles behaves. Snuggles can still lay on Julie's legs. If she stays there.
She's also had a number of phone calls - including one from Agnes Mae who was shocked that Julie was already home and answering the phone! "You can't be home!" over and over again. (Remind anyone of Grandma Owens?) I'm glad Julie is well-loved.
She is feeling fine except for a headache and dizziness. She cut down on the Oxycodone and put food in her stomach so is expecting to feel better. Snuggles thinks she is deprived - no jumping on Julie's lap! If Dad is watching Snuggles, he catches her after she has jumped onto Julie's lap. Mom just gives Snuggles the 'look' and says "Snuggles" and Snuggles behaves. Snuggles can still lay on Julie's legs. If she stays there.
She's also had a number of phone calls - including one from Agnes Mae who was shocked that Julie was already home and answering the phone! "You can't be home!" over and over again. (Remind anyone of Grandma Owens?) I'm glad Julie is well-loved.
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