Hospitalized: Some Answers

OK, this is day three, and the hospital is starting to get old. 

However, the answers are coming in. And as I write this, two nurses are setting me up for my first-ever blood transfusion, and I just learned that my blood type is A-positive. (I should have known that, but I'd forgotten.)

So this is what I know so far:

I have pneumonia. (Antibiotics. And a little gadget to breath into to exercise my lungs.)

I have C. diff. (More antibiotics, plus something to repopulate my gut with good bacteria.)

I'm anemic. (The blood transfusion.)

And I do have a new tumor. It's in my skull at the back of my head, and it's the reason my tongue got funny. The tumor is pinching a nerve that goes to the tongue. (Can't do anything about this till I get out of here, but Dr. Lee has called my radiation oncologist to tell him.)

I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but can't imagine what. We still haven't gotten the final-final results from the spinal tap, which would show if I have cancer cells in my cerebro-spinal fluid, but from the preliminary results this is probably going to be fine. 

I'm doing a bit better on eating, and the numbness in my tongue seems to be going away. That's the one problem that the doctors couldn't explain. Oh, and I don't have a blood clot in my lungs, something else Dr. Lee was worried about. 

I still get dizzy when I get up, so I have to call a nurse even to go to the bathroom, but my blood pressure is still really low, which is caused by the C. diff. 

You know what is the worst thing about the whole experience? I'm not allowed to either pee or poop into the toilet. Rather, the toilet is fitted with plastic "hats," and then a nurse has to come along behind me and measure my output before disposing of it. 

I find this embarrassing. I try not to, but I do. 

@ Jeanne Sather 2009.

Comments

[amy]

Once I threw a real hissy fit because these horrible nurses (and I love my cancer nurses) kicked me out so I couldn't keep Marshall company during a blood transfusion. They kicked me out -- the only woman keeping a man company -- but let all women keeping women company stay. They talked about bras and sleeping garmets. It was fairly public, and Marshall was not comfortable. I was SOOOO mad! OK. That's my cancer blood transfusion story.

[Airedalelover]

Thanks for the update. Sorry about the potty issues - it is hard to overcome a life time of flushing!

Ellana

[carver]

Dear Jeanne,

You are very much in my heart and thoughts and I'll keep sending out good vibes for you. As ever, Carver

[Lolita]

Jeanne,
I remember that the worst thing about my bilateral mastectomy was that, after having no liquid all night and day, the night nurse fanatically kept checking on whether I had urinated. She threatened me with a catheter. I spent the whole night drinking and running to the bathroom to try to prove to her I didn't need the catheter. I've never felt so humiliated.

[Teri]

Dang it dang it dang it. Jeanne, I sure hope they know the royalty they are caring for in that hospital. Take care, and know you are in my thoughts. I will report your illness to the chamber of commerce... Let me know if you need anything searched - Mom has broadband, and the nurse-brain that I lack. love, Teri

[carrie s]

I'm A+ too-I wish we were closer together so I could give it to you directly. Keep doing whatever it is you do that makes you so strong. Love is all around you.