I was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon. My oncologist studied my test results and visited with me mid-morning. I was relieved to hear my heart was doing okay (everyone seemed concerned about that). My blood pressure was back to normal. My blood panels were all as expected – except that my anemia had worsened notably in just two days. For that, I was given an injection to boost red blood cell counts.
The initial suspicion of pneumonia has now been reduced to “some fluid in the lungs” that isn’t terribly surprising considering the fluid retention everywhere else.
I went home with yet another prescription for super-duper antibiotics to cover whatever “may” be going on (doc is still suspicious that my tooth may be infected even though I have no pain) – and told to eat yogurt to keep good bacteria around. I also started diuretics this morning to help reduce the fluid swelling. I hope they work, because the swelling has actually made me uncomfortable. My torso is so tight it simply doesn’t want to conform to sitting up anymore! And my legs are not mine; I don’t know where mine went.
Of course with the diuretics there is a chance my blood pressure could plummet again, so Greg has graciously agreed to work at home for a few hours this morning until we see how I’m doing. When my pressure slipped to 72/55 in the ER the other night, I doubt I could have handled calling 911 on my own.
My greatest fear is whether I will get my strength back. I take the stairs slowly, like a tired old crone, and still my heart rate speeds up, my legs burn, and I’m panting by the time I reach the top.
Please be grateful for your healthy body. When everything is working as it should, it is a MIRACLE.
The initial suspicion of pneumonia has now been reduced to “some fluid in the lungs” that isn’t terribly surprising considering the fluid retention everywhere else.
I went home with yet another prescription for super-duper antibiotics to cover whatever “may” be going on (doc is still suspicious that my tooth may be infected even though I have no pain) – and told to eat yogurt to keep good bacteria around. I also started diuretics this morning to help reduce the fluid swelling. I hope they work, because the swelling has actually made me uncomfortable. My torso is so tight it simply doesn’t want to conform to sitting up anymore! And my legs are not mine; I don’t know where mine went.
Of course with the diuretics there is a chance my blood pressure could plummet again, so Greg has graciously agreed to work at home for a few hours this morning until we see how I’m doing. When my pressure slipped to 72/55 in the ER the other night, I doubt I could have handled calling 911 on my own.
My greatest fear is whether I will get my strength back. I take the stairs slowly, like a tired old crone, and still my heart rate speeds up, my legs burn, and I’m panting by the time I reach the top.
Please be grateful for your healthy body. When everything is working as it should, it is a MIRACLE.
