Yep. Believe it. I have been through quite an ordeal these past few days. Just typing these thoughts makes me get rid of some awful feelings. Starting last Sunday, when John & Joanne were here I began to develop cramps. . very intense.
J&J left to explore other parts of Florida (and had a good time they said!) while I continued to get worse. Went to chemotherapy last week and continued to feel bad. John & Joanne returned on Thursday and Friday we went over the the beach. Had a lovely lunch but then the cramps became so intense I had to lie down. Early Sat. a.m. Patrick took me to our local hospital's ER who said the CT scan was inconclusive but they thought I had ilius which is a freezing of the bowel. They wanted to admit me but I declined -- thinking Mayo was the place we needed to be.
So we drove to Jacksonville and got into the ER-after waiting 2 hours and they said to change out my narcotic pain med from hydromorphone to fentenyl. I put the fentenyl patch on and hated the feeling it gave me. I continued to feel intense pain. So Sunday, we went back to the local hospital and I just got home this afternoon.
My experience there was pretty awful - no food for 3 days. But the bowel is now back to normal and I will not take these heavy duty narcotics again. Just not for me. They also found a gallstone but it was a red herring -- many people have them and they are generally not painful like what I was going through.
So now I am in withdrawal and feeling as good as I can. It will be an uphill road to live without these narcotics but I have some substitutes so I hope to feel much better this week. Off to California next Tuesday! Patrick, of course, was a saint and not only drove my cousin and his wife to the airport (Orlando) but was there every day for me in many ways. The dogs thank him as well.
More later. . .
oh, peggy, I’m sorry you have been through such an ordeal . . . at least you are home! After staying at the hospital (plus driving and waiting forever) and having all of those tests and everything I know you must be exhausted. hope you are able to rest and recuperate! At least it sounds like you are back on track but what a nightmare. that’s very exciting that you are headed to CA next week . . . I’m sure you are looking forward to it! hope you can take it easy the next few days and that you continue feeling well! :) michelle
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks, Michelle. Things are much better today and each day will be an improvement on this withdrawal thing -- similar to stopping smoking I guess!. Hope you are having a good week! Also hope you and your family are healthy!
Deletehey Peggy-hope you are still doing well . . . i know this must be a rough time! but hopefully you are hanging in there and you are having a good weekend! :) all is well here in asheville and fb told me that you updated your current city back to asheville the other day. do you know when you are planning on coming back up here? i'm SOOOOO excited that spring is almost here!!! hi to everyone! :) michelle
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