Thursday, August 28, 2014

Diverticulitis: the gift that keeps on giving

What a week so far.  But hey, I shouldn't limit it to just this week as this latest episode really began last week.   On Monday the 18th, I wasn't quite up to par but there were no specific symptoms.  On Tuesday, once again nothing specific, but that was my anniversary day and I was all wrapped up in my head so unless there had been some very pronounced sharp pains, I probably wouldn't have noticed anyway.  Then came Wednesday and the GI issues began.  I'll admit, I ate more cake than I should have on Tuesday night, but it was very good.  So it was no surprise that my tummy didn't feel great the next morning.  But by lunch time and the constant uncomfortable feeling was continuing to linger, I had to admit to myself that this might be more than a poor meal choice.  So beginning on Wednesday, I started a modified BRAT diet.  Now if anyone has done BRAT, you know that after just 24 hours, the idea of another banana is downright disgusting.  But I persevered.  Wednesday: 3 bananas, cup of applesauce, 2 pieces of toast.  Thursday: 2 bananas, white rice, baked potato, plain Greek yogurt.  Friday: 1 banana, baked potato (with butter), white rice, cup of applesauce.  Saturday: grits, 2 pieces of toast, 1 banana, baked potato, 2 boiled eggs. Sunday: grits, 2 boiled eggs, baked potato, grilled chicken breast, 1 banana, white rice.  Monday: 2 bananas, banana sandwich, Hershey's dark chocolate bar, 2 boiled eggs. Tuesday: 2 bananas, banana sandwich, Greek yogurt. Wednesday: saltines & pimento cheese, mashed potatoes, sweet potato, green beans. Thursday: mashed potatoes, Mac 'n cheese, green beans, grilled chicken breast.  Please note that the items that were actually cooked were seasoned with just a little salt.  I can't have anything spicy.  The pain remained at pretty consistent level until Tuesday night when it ramped up somewhat so I saw the doctor the next morning.  I'm on two antibiotics (500mg Ciproflaxin 2xday: 500mg Metronidazole 3xday). So after 48 hours my pain level has increased instead of decreased.  Go figure.  One of the side effects listed on the prescription for the Metronidazole is stomach pain.  But I'm taking it for stomach pain so how do I know if it's working if it causes stomach pain?  Do I just wait the 10 days til the pills are gone to know? I know I don't have to. Doc has given me three days for improvement or I might be visiting Duke again. Oh joy!  I haven't visited what Joe called the "Duke Spa" since last falls bout with the big D.   

All of this going on when I have plans to go to the beach for 3 days.  Trying to figure out how best to accomplish this-- I can't sit for long without having to either lay down or stand up, neither of which is conducive to driving the 3 1/2 hour trip to Holden; while on the Ciproflaxin I can't be in the sun which makes sitting on the beach less appealing however, that's what umbrellas are for and we have several; sitting in a beach chair is never high on the comfort scale so not sure about that given my current sitting issues anyway; last, nervous Nellie here can't help but think about the possibility that I could get to hurting and need medical care...Wilmington?...I don't think so...Fayetteville?...H#LL no. They killed my momma and almost killed Aimee.  So what to do?  Relaxing on the beach could be so wonderful and maybe just what the doctor ordered,... errrr no, he ordered antibiotics.  But you know what I mean.   I guess the best course is just to wait and see.  I'm such a patient person, that won't be a problem. 😁.  JOE!!  Where are you?  You are supposed to be here taking care of me.  That was the plan and you promised!

Vaccination date set

 This morning at 8 a.m. we began the process of trying to get an appointment date.  I had 3 appointments at the Duke Cancer Center so I was ...