Severe Bladder Infection, bowel kinks, and extreme vomiting....

Well I was so excited that I would be able to shorten my time on the TPN from 16 hours to just 10 hours. 14 hours of freedom compared to just 6. That's good right? Well wait till you read the rest of this post. We had quite an all nighter and pretty much most of the day; a severe scare that I would need to be hospitalized. I probably should have been hospitalized but this time my husband and I were both being stubborn. We felt together with our power, we could easily get these fevers down and at least try to control the severe pain. I'm getting fevers, horribly painful blockages and having to utilize the pain killers like nothing else.

Well I had to go see a doctor on Friday afternoon about my bladder infection and to see if I might need to schedule surgery to replace my ureter stint. My doctor had not replied back yet to my email so I felt I had to do something; it was about to be the weekend and I needed to know for myself if I'm OK; so I went to see a primary doctor.

Miss Blue Belle came along too and it isn't a surprise that she was such a good girl. While we were walking down the hall and into the waiting room (she had on her working dog vest) a little child ran up and smacked her on the bottom and then ran back to his family. It was shocking but I told the child "this is a service dog and you don't just run up and hit a working dog". The parents apologized to me and then I showed the child how to properly pet a dog and why it is so important to not hurt an animal. She didn't do anything wrong to this child. He was maybe 3 or 4 years old. I would have been quite embarrassed if I were the parents of that child so in a way it kind of relieved me that I'm not a mother to a child like this. One time at Santana Row a little Indian girl walked up and kicked Blue Belle; that was shocking too. In both instances; she didn't once try to bite or hurt the child; just acted like she did something wrong; it hurt her feelings and she didn't understand what she had done wrong to deserve this. I told her; "Good Dog" both time because I can tell she knew she didn't do anything wrong and that her reactions were appropriate; she didn't bite or hurt either child. She is such a good dog.

This is not a very flattering photo of myself here, but it is the reality of how I felt at the moment waiting in the doctor's office. I had to provide a urine test and boy did that show serious infection. The doctor told me herself "boy you really do have a raging UTI infection!". The doctor prescribed "Septra" for my infection. I went to go pick it up and the pharmacy was ridiculously packed full of customers; it would have taken me the rest of the afternoon to wait. I needed to go back home and get my TPN to be reprogrammed. Yes, two trips to the hospital in one day.

This very nice doctor did tell me that my doctor had just replied to my email and she was able to read his comments (a reply from just a few minutes ago). Well anyway, the stint can stay for another 3 more months which is awesome. I was really worried that I would have to do this literally every 3 months; well now every 6 months isn't so bad. My surgery will be scheduled in December.

Well I was still feeling like total shit; in severe pain from a blockage and I had not been able to go the bathroom (#2). My stomach was just starting to swell and the pain was very intense. While I was sitting in this doctor's waiting room; a nurse handed me a bag containing my urine for which I needed to drop off at the lab. Well this lab was so crowded and I grabbed a number and it 43 and they were only on 16. So judging from the speed of service; I decided to go to the main lab downstairs. It wasn't nearly as crowded. They were on number 63 and I had number 65. I was in and out quickly.

I went home and rested (took a nap) and then packed up my TPN and went alone to the infusion center to get my TPN reprogrammed and get my blood tests for chemo on Sunday. The hours somehow had changed in the lab downstairs so I just dropped off my TPN for re-programming at 6:30pm while I went and got my blood work done (before the lab closed at 7pm) and then returned to pick up my TPN and get the picc line dressing changed.

I went home and didn't have any appetite to eat; in fact I felt incredibly nauseated for most of the evening; like I was going to vomit but didn't want to. I just lied there on the couch trying my best to be as motionless as possible just so that I would feel like vomiting. Then at around 3am on Saturday morning, I vomited quite a bit but it wasn't that green shit. It was foul smelling and the most horrible tasting and it burned my throat like hell. The taste was like no other; kind of like I had eaten a tree? I couldn't do a thing to stop it and this had started again a few hours later. I cried and cried because the vomiting just would not stop and it was totally annoying for my honey (I could just tell) but he still wanted to know what he needed to do to help.

Finally the next morning I was able to go poo and the pressure in my abdomen was relieved; I still had quite a bit of pain in my abdomen from all that vomiting so I had to use the liquid morphine to rid myself of that pain. It was horrendous and I don't think I could have handled vomiting like that ever again. We felt we were out of the woods for most of the day and then the evening hours crept up and my fever went back up to 101 and we got it back down to normal but then the nausea started again and I stayed on the couch for the rest of the evening....

To Be Continued....

The Father, Sons, and Daughter together at last...

We picked up my dad from the airport this morning; wasn't the easiest of mornings to begin with. We were up late last night; mostly, I was having fun connecting again with my brother. It's been too long for us. I didn't get to sleep until around 1am, then awoke shortly after 3:30ish am with the usual muscle spasms (diarrhea and vomiting) which kept me awake until 5: 45 am (I remember looking at the clock just prior to knock-out (had to take a Klonopin). Sometimes I do remember (rarely) to take a Klonopin before I go to bed, I won't wake up with these muscle spasms which usually only begin if I have to take a shit. (just being honest; it's blunt here = no pun intended!).

I think it's just taking a long process for my intestines to heal. Now that I have this new floor, I can concentrate on doing my yoga. Perhaps this can help me heal much faster. I haven't felt like even doing any yoga lately but since I got the new floor! My yoga mat works so much better on this floor than that gross carpet!) I will do everything I can to get my intestines healed so that I can start back to work in no pain.

Well, these particular spasms were not such a bad bout as they are most of the time (they were less violent). I hadn't taken any painkillers for the entire day (with the exception of pot) on Friday. It was all natural; oh, except for the prescribed Pantoprazole. I have to take this drug everyday and was even on something like it when I was on the TPN. It just helps keep down the acid which can get really, really, really, really bad. That's why I keep getting that feeling sometimes as if my heart is about to be puked out. I'm so glad that this isn't happening quite as much as it used to (days ago).

Well I did get to the spend the entire day (Friday) with my brother and we even took Miss Blue Belle on a very long walk around the neighborhood. I was so surprised that my intestines lasted that long.!) It was meant to be!) My brother and I had a wonderful walk with Miss Blue Belle. I'm just happy for him to finally meet my special girl. He's a dog groomer and we will be grooming her together in the next couple of days. We are also going to the pet store to get all that I need to make her even more beautiful!)

Well yesterday morning, (I had to wake and bake) I was feeling the onslot of another kidney infection and with that I knew that I needed to drink lots of water; so I was able to become incredibly thirsty that I drank 2 large glasses of pure 100% cranberry juice diluted in half a glass of water, then 3 more glasses later. I knew the kidney infection was coming on because of not being able to pee for most of the day, burning and itching when I did try to, and then seeing blood drops coming out. "Oh God!" I thought each time (10 times of that in the morning). I would go and each time, just a few drops of blood. I just did not wish to call the doctor again.!(

I can take care of this myself. Please "no more antibiotics!" Well since dealing yesterday, it seems the bladder infection may be clearing itself up early this morning and I am now able to pee again!) Finally!) So far so good!) Gotta enjoy a good painless piss and I'm also emptying the bag more too! It's getting old and hopefully on the 18th, there will be no more pee bag!) I won't have to match my age with pee bags and such!

Well back to this morning, I awoke at around 8:45am (was supposed to be up at 8!), jumped out of bed, did the baby wipe shower, then washed my hair, my face, put on sunscreen, got dressed, fed my babies, then took both of them on a walk with my brother. He woke up right after I did. I was finally ready to go pick up my father from the airport.

Right when we were getting ready to go pick up my dad, right when his flight was about to land, (we live about 10 minutes from the airport), we were literally just about to leave and then my intestines started to ache and stir. It was not good. I had purse in tow, and about to walk out the door when all of sudden, "I gotta shit man!" I had to run to the bathroom and then again upstairs to do the "Sitz bath routine" as I vomited and vomited and then diarrhea, diarrhea, and more diarrhea. I was in so much pain (my poor bum just burning in pain!( and the spasms just got worse and worse.

My honey woke up soon after to my turning on the hot water in the bathtub multiple times and then hearing me retching in pain. I had tried earlier to wake up my honey unsuccessfully (he had to wear ear plugs from my brothers loud, loud, loud snoring) to help his friend load up his car with all of his equipment that he had let us borrow (what a sweet heart!) for the beautiful floor job. I was to stay and shut the garage door after our friend had picked up his equipment.

After my intense spasm sessions, I walked downstairs to check on our friend Gordy, right when I was about to close the garage door; in walked my hero (my hubby) with my dad pulling his suitcase and my walking brother by his side. It was a family moment to always remember.

Yes, this morning was quite the drama and my dad only had to wait at the airport for them for about 15 minutes or so. My honey and my brother didn't get to leave until about 5 minutes after his flight landed. I was so impressed with my honey! He came through and I was able to stay put and deal with those horrible spasms.

Once the spasms were done, we all went out for breakfast. Check out the photos here, the first one is of my dad and my brother just chatting together after my father had arrived. I have been smapping lots of photos and hope to make a great photo video for Christmas 2009. My dad is trying to learn the song "Cat in the Cradle" and I hope to have a recording of him so that I can make a special collage of photos of him and Billy. I try not to make plans anymore as sometimes they tend to get cancelled due to my health so now its just wishes. I can just try to make those wishes come true. We will see!)

The heartburn and nausea stopped for most of the day but the heart burn and nausea returned with a vengeance at around 4pm. I toke a Zofran and then took a short nap (my dad also took a nice long nap= he was jet lagged) and then we went out for a wonderful meal at my favorite Organic Restaurant in Downtown Campbell "Aqui Fresh Mex". I was feeling much better and able to eat. What a healthy meal we all had!

We got home from the restaurant in time to watch my addiction (Groomer Has It) on Animal Planet. The show is kinda cheesy but it deals with pet grooming and I always think of my brother when ever I watch the show. We enjoyed watching the show together and then my dad took off at around 8:30pm to go to bed. He was so exhausted, so Billy and I got to spend some quality time, then my honey returned from his Pub (after some basketball game?) and we all watched "Grand Torino". What an amazing movie that was. It wasn't quite as violent and heart breaking as "Million Dollar Baby" but it was so good. It was cool to see such a strong message of friendship in this movie. There were lots of racist remarks about the different cultures but they all seemed to get along as it was just jokes. Even though the ending was tragic; it was tragic in a good way. What a great feel good movie! Now off for some more adventures! Turning 39 tomorrow!) More updates to come!)

He does all the shopping...

It's been nice to be able to eat again but I am suffering from the side effects of waking up a dormant intestinal system and suffering from lots of diarrhea. Well I also lost 1/3 of my intestines so there's less time or less space to get through. The first night of eating (I had some "Brown Cow" yogurt and my sweet neighbor made me some cream of chicken soup) I had diarrhea all night long and then Wednesday all day long. It seemed as if each time I stood up; I had to go to the bathroom. My poor bottom has hurt like crazy. Hell it still hurts!(

Since we have been having this stupid "Swine Flu" outbreak (we have a few positive in my own town and neighborhood) and our neighborhood being so diverse; I am not allowed to shop across the street at our ghetto Safeway. No way! What do I think of this Swine Flu? I think it's crap that the media is scaring and stressing us out when we really don't need it right now; isn't loosing jobs and companies shipping our jobs overseas enough? There are barely 100 cases maybe, and how many people are dying everyday of cancer? Too many to count I'm sure...

Well that doesn't stop my honey from trying to protect me. He went to the store wearing his gloves and then had to go to "Rite-Aid" for more butthole medicine for me. He is so wonderful to me. Now it doesn't phase him at all. He will go over and get anything I wish to get. At first asking him to get such things embarrassed him and he was convinced that everyone there, must have thought he was gay because it seemed that he was always going there for a few common things like beer and butthole stuff.

He has purchased many stool softeners, suppositories, laxatives, enemas, and even one of those huge red rubber douche bag things with some "KY Jelly". That was a very hillarious spat we had but overall he did it and now he never ever complains. It's just the miracle of me being alive that gets him through such obstacles. At least we can laugh and get through this.

I had diarrhea for most of yesterday and then the heartburn started. It was pretty brutal. All night long I suffered in pain of getting up and going to the bathroom. at all hours of the night I had more diarrhea and then some vomiting. It was quite miserable. All night long, I would run some hot water in the bathtub and just fill mostly the bottom so that my nephostomy tubes did not get wet on my back. It's such a process of having to unhook the nephostomy bag before taking off my underwear or pants. That too is getting on my nerves!

I can't wait until my intestines and body get healed. This is hard and it has been quite painful to endure. I can honestly say that I have weaned myself off of all painkillers (no painkillers for 2 days) and right now just bearing and putting up with the pain. I was told that I needed to do this by my doctor; so I did. No arguments there!)

I also called a dietitian this morning in order to find out what I should do about this horrible, horrible heartburn and of course the diarrhea that I have been having. OK I did do one thing stupid that I can at least laugh about. I did not want plain white bread and instead I requested sour dough. I ate about 2 slices of toasted bread yesterday and perhaps this is what caused my heartburn? It kinds feels like that might be what caused it? Well, when I called, I couldn't get in touch with one; just a regular advice nurse. She did tell me that a dietitian will be calling soon and will follow her advice on what I need to eat to stop this severe diarrhea. It seems that every time I stand up, I feel the urge to go. It sucks!( I am eating some yogurt and feeling a little better; just the darn diarrhea!(

I have a very important doctor's appointment this morning which will determine when I can go back to work and when things are expected to get back to normal. I know I am healing and learning many valuable lessons a long the way about foods and my digestive system. It's all about getting used to it and it getting used to different foods. I will need to feel and understand my body once again. I will do everything in my power to heal; that's my ultimate goal.

I just got back from my doctor's appointment and it went well. I can take anti-diarrhea medicine and heartburn medicine. It is preferred that I go the all natural route for pain (in so many words = it's what works and won't mess up system). He took out the pick line and looked at my wound on my tummy. No more packing the wound, just Neosporin and gauze. It should heal much more quickly. (Forgot to get my doctor's note for work!(

In about 2 weeks I should be contacted by radiology to see about getting a stint put and getting rid of that darned Nephostomy bag. He told me that it might not be possible because of the cancer, scar tissue or the possibility that it might have accidentally become closed up from the surgery (stitches). In that case I would need to wear it for a while and then a urologist would try to help me. I still lots of hope and will think and feel positive that it can be fixed. It doesn't do any good worrying about it. I am still very thankful that I get to spend my days with my honey.

Also I had a nutritionist call and analyze my situation and she recommended all kinds of foods and the BRAT diet for which young children are often on when they have diarrhea.
B = Bananas, R = Rice, A = Apple Sauce, T = Toast

That sounds simple enough and I can also do soups but nothing with fiber. No fiber at all. For now I plan to relax on the couch, watch some TV and try this snacking as much as I can. I am off lockdown for now. My immune system is a bit strong and I can go out in public and I celebrated by doing some grocery shopping (not at the Ghetto Safeway but at a Raley's store close to my neighborhood. I was happy to be able to do that, but once I got home the severe diarrhea continued and my bottom is burning like hell. It's painful and I will be doing something for the pain; it's absolutely rediculous (smoking a joint!). I'm legal here and will not allow myself to suffer needlessly. My doctor doesn't want me to take any more prescription painkillers because of my system just waking up. This medicine is OK by him!) It's funny how the law is but I do have faith that my President would never allow for me to be put in jail for ridding myself of needless pain when my options are this low.

We were a bit panicked over the whole Swine Flu scare and I don't appreciate the media scaring us like this. It made the front page of the San Jose Mercury News many days in a row with scary, scary headlines. My new name for my local newspaper is now the "San Jose Bad News". If the news is not bad, they will not print it. What is it with just focusing on bad news? It's really wacky how they run with these stories and a lot of people are gullible and I saw our very own Vice President being very gullible (he does make me laugh and I love him for that! Bless his heart!) and then the President; he's so very cool, calm, and collected; he always seems to calm me down; it's not so bad = no worries. He has it under control. Even down to the tone of his voice which calms me therapeutically every time and I love it. I'm one who definitely does not need stress or fear.

That last President; that's what he was all about; stressing us out but not really knowing what to do about it, except make up new stupid words; acting the job and not doing. I really don't understand those who feel the need to stress over the sky falling when they should be out enjoying the blessed day that they have been given. Everyday really is a blessing and there really is no need for stressing out over needless things. Why be scared all the time of terrorist attacks? I can't imagine what that must do for nerves always stressing like that. What about getting cancer or some other deadly diseases or just being thankful that you don't have one? None of us really know when our last day will be but we really do have to make the most of right now. I know I say this all the time but I truly believe in it!)