Sick, Sick, and Sick

Hey y'all

Just trying to catch up on posting as I've been AOL for a day or so. I'm sorry that I haven't been around but like I mentioned in my other post I'm not doing well.

First off, can you believe it two days before Christmas and I'm sick as a dog. I saw my PCM on Thursday and was okay (other than my foot and back). By Friday night my chest was burning, and I had body aches. Decided not to take my MTX injection that night.

Saturday I noticed I felt worse, so no shot that night either. The cough and wheezing started Saturday night around 9pm. Well, by Sunday morning I sound really bad, coughing up junk from the lungs, and I'm gonna guess I've got pneumonia. I'm the pneumonia queen out there, I'm hoping not cause my last case nearly killed me.

It's now going on 12:45 am Monday morning my temp is 101.7 and I'm barking like a seal when I cough. I've already sent an email to my Dr. Hoping she'll call me first thing this morning. I really don't want to go into the ER as I know they will admit me and I'll spend Christmas in the hospital. If I worsen, of course, I'll go to the ER. Like I said my last case of pneumonia I spent 4 days on life support before I was well enough to breathe on my own.

As for my foot appointment what a crock of crap. This Dr was such a loser, and I'm going to let the PT office that I go to know how unhappy I was with the appointment. They recommended this guy and he only offered things that are not covered by medicare or tricare for life. He told me that I needed to have an open mind to what he was going to suggest to help me.

He wants me to try Diowave Laser Therapy, which he didn't tell me how much it's going to cost me. He also want me to try Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy at $700 a treatment for both feet. He feels that I most likely will need at least 5 treatments per foot. The lump is a calcification in my foot that is irritating my tendon. He did not offer a treatment plan for that.

He then offered me a set of splints that Medicare does cover, but once I get them on I can get my feet into shoes. I need to purchase new shoes and I couldn't leave the office w/o buying the splints. He then offered me a different splint, but low and behold they are not covered and cost $120 for the pair. I found them on E-bay for $60.

He did say that as a last resort he could fit me for custom made splints and those would be covered by medicare. I've sent an email to my Dr, he did say that he'd need a letter from both my PCM and my oncologist approving the Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy.

He would be required to remove blood from me, mix it with some special chemicals in a tube, and then inject it directly into my tendon. He said straight down the back of the tendon. Of course, anyone who is on blood thinners, has anemia, and bleeding disorders may be at a very high risk. I've got all three of these problems, that's why he wants my Dr to okay everything.

I guess I'm going to have to either wait (in pain) until I can see the foot and ankle doc at the military hospital late January, or start looking for another Doctor. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. All I know is I can barely walk on my foot and my pain is a constant 7 to 8 24/7. I feel like total CRAP at the moment and I'm just wanting to crawl under a rock and die.

Well, I'm going to go back to bed and try to sleep. Not sure I'll be able to breathe with my VPAP running and my being so stuffy. I want to wish each and everyone one of you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. Just in case I end up in the hospital and can't stop by before then.

Take care and I hope you all get a good nights sleep.

Hugs,
Barbara

Oh Barbara, if someone deserves a break it's you. It's so long since you have had something go right. I'm thinking though if things are bad you shouldn't delay getting treatment. You need antibiotics and probably hospital treatment. Please take care and hope you have the best Christmas you can. Thinking of you and praying 2014 is a better year for you.

(((hugs)))

Jane

Update-

3:10 pm EST - Barb sounds HORRID and is driving herself to the ER. Please keep her in your prayers and don't be too surprised if she's not able to make phone calls she might have promised any of you.

Post Edited (Lynnwood) : 12/23/2013 1:43:49 PM (GMT-7)

Hi Barbara,

I am really concerned about you. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. A gentle ((((((((((((((((hug))))))))))))))))) for you from me.

Love,
Laura

Hi Barbara I'm sorry you're so sick. You're in my thoughts and prayers. I'm glad that you went to the hospital. Update us when you can.

love and hugs
Loretta

Update, well I have a bad case of pneumonia and RSV. That is a viral infection that babies get. It can be very dangerous to babies and apparently me too.

Most adults who get this virus it is a basic cold. The Dr is guessing that since I have no immune system it's affecting me like a newborn baby.

I'm now settled up on the ward in my comfy (not) hospital bed. I'll be getting breathing treatments every fours hours. Not sure when I will go home. I've already been given three breathing treatments since arriving at 3:45pm. I also have had an additional 50mgs of prednisone, an oral antibiotic and IV antibiotics.

Bill, had to bring my VPAP machine down to me. He arrived shortly after 8pm and left by 8:30. Said that I was in the best place to be for ow. I'm feeling quite down, I've NEVER missed Christmas at home. Even to the family has been bah hum bug, I still don't want to be here in the hospital.

Not to thrilled with the combining of the Army and Navy Med Centers. The Navy only uses RN's.the Army uses both LPN's and RN's. My nurse tonight is a very young Sgt, he seems very nice, but he's an LPN and can not touch my port. He will have to track down an RN for all my IV STUFF. He's currently trying to get me moved, I'm in a double room, no roommate, but he's worried about my immuno compromised state.

He wants to get me into one of the positive air flow single rooms. Will have to see what he can accomplish. Not sure how much sleep I'll get I knowim due for a breathing treatment at 1am and then 5am

I'll take any and all prayers and positive energy please. I'll keep you updated as I'm up to it. I hope I'm home at least maybe on Christmas Day. Merry Christmas everyone, I hope you all have a great day together.

Hugs,
Barbara

Barb,

Sorry, came on the post your update but looks like you got to your tablet before I got to my computer!

I pray that you can sleep in 4 hour increments. I know getting some rest will really help you heal faster.

Just rest and try to relax. I had surgery three days before christmas three years ago and understand the misery you're in.
Maybe you can talk your husband into bringing you in a small table top tree?
I hope someone checks out your foot while you're there.

Hi Barbara,

Thanks for checking in and letting us know what is going on with you. Just take the time to heal and get better. I know it's difficult with the holidays, but your health and well-being are way more important. Sleep and dream when you can. I will be thinking about you! ((((((((((((((((((((Redwood Hug))))))))))))))))))))).

Love,
Laura

Hi Barbara I'm sorry you were admitted, but you're in the best place right now. Just rest and get better, and maybe have Christmas when you get out. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

love and hugs
Loretta

They were supposed to give Barbara 40 mg of prednisone this morning, starting to ramp down from the 50 she's had the last couple of days. Apparently the nurse read the order wrong, and they gave her 40 mg ON TOP OF 50 mg this morning.

Needless to say, she is feeling no pain, even the ankles/feet are happy! Of course, she'll need to eat every 2 hours and will be awake till next Tuesday, but who cares about that!

Hubby & daughter made it into the hospital this afternoon with a few gifts. Yay!

Lynnwood

Thnx for update ..

Barbara - feel /get better soonest..

Happy holidays

Morning everyone:

Thanks Lynn for the update yesterday. I guess I must be sicker than I thought. After the family left I feel asleep about 7:45 last night and just woke up at 6 this morning.

You'd think with 90mgs of pred coursing thru my body I'd be up all night but other than waking me up for breathing treatments every 4 hours I slept sound.

I do notice tho my ribs are hurting and I think I might have fractured one from all the coughing yesterday. They were worried I might do that. I'm sure a chest x-ray will be done this am.

Waiting for the Dr to do rounds and see if I'll go home or not. Bill is off the rest of the week so hopefully I'll just be able to just rest (if the pred doesn't wire me).

The Dr did start me on Foreto to help my bones. I'll be giving myself a shot in the stomach everyday for the next two years IF I have no adverse affects from the drug.

Thank you all for your loving support and well wishes, it means A LOT to me. I hope you all have a good pain free day.

Hugs,
Barbara