*sigh* I was holding off on posting this, as I was hoping it would “go away”. But so many readers, as well as my family and friends, are probably wondering why my presence has been erratic. There was the funeral, of course. Everything related to that has taken it’s toll, and now I am just not even well enough to help with the thank you cards. (I promise everyone who sent flowers, food, gifts and dontations will get cards soon!)
So, anyhow, this all started November 5th (Thursday.) This was the week of the funeral, and I had leave from work for the Monday and Tuesday, returning on Wednesday. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, I started having these pains in my abdomen and back, and was severely dizzy! The pains were constantly achy, like having the flu, but if I moved wrong they were sharp, as well. Added to the mix was constant nausea, which is making me be able to eat very little. Being at work was not a good place for this to happen. I muddled through the day, even though my co-workers really thought I needed to go home. By the time I got home, I collapsed into bed. Brian had off this entire week, so the next morning he drove me to work, not wanting me to be behind the wheel dizzy. And while I still dizzy, the achiness and nausea were actually gone, so I thought I was getting better, even though the dizziness pretty much took me out of commission again when I got home.
Saturday and Sunday, however, I stayed in bed all weekend…the pain was back. Now, I was getting low grade fevers, as well. Monday (9th), I again forced myself to go to work despite the pain and nausea. (I cannot afford to take any more time off…disability exhausted in March and any more time off is unpaid and counts against me attendance wise.) Brian went ahead and made me an appointment to go to the doctor for that evening. At first, they thought I had the Swine Flu! But, it turns out it was a UTI…go figure, wasn’t having any pain there. So my doctor put me on an antibiotic and sent me on my way. So a pattern formed. Everyday I’m pushing myself through the work day. Every day I’m coming home about ready to collapse. Each evening, the low grade fevers continued. My meals are averaging about 1 per day because it is all I can stomach, and even that is forced. But now the nausea is worse, and sharp abdominal pains are present. By Thursday I am in misery and throwing up the antibiotic. A call to my doctor’s office revealed that the extra symptoms say I am allergic/sensitive to the antibiotic. So the doctor on staff (not my normal) called in a new antibiotic. Friday morning I could not get even get out of bed, and a peek at the bottle made me aware of a label saying you should not drive a motor vehicle until you are used to the meds. So, I ended up taking the dreaded day off of work. All weekend, I stayed in bed, again, and was very sick.
Monday the 16th found me once again forcing myself to get to work. I was not really improving. By Tuesday, though, a new pain started…around the upper part of the incisional scar from last November’s hysterectomy. Not only was it really sore, but it was puffy, too. The last time I had puffiness there was during chemo, and it was infected. So, on Wednesday I had another trip to my doctor. Their computers were down, so my regular doctor did not even know that someone else changed my prescription! She called the pharmacy…to find out the other doctor gave me a targeted antibiotic for a bladder infection!!! (And not a UTI.) So, one more time I was switched to a new antibiotic. She also saw the nasty swelling in my incisional scar, and did not like the looks of it. So, this morning I went to have blood work, and hopefully we’ll hear some news on Friday. If the swelling gets worse, I need to call the doctor. But, we also might need to get a CT scan of my abdomen to find out what the heck is going on.
So until the mystery is solved, I’m continuing to push myself to go to work (getting a bit worried about the dizziness while driving.) I’m also dead tired by the time I get home each day. I’m still getting low grade fevers every night, and the scar itself that is having the swelling is hot to the touch. I’m still averaging about 1 meal a day, which usually is forced on me. The doctor did warm me that I very well might up back in the hospital, so… *sigh*