With the aid of a Percocet taken around 9pm last night, I managed to get about 10 hours of sleep, pain-free. Woke up this morning with the same pain I went to sleep with – excruciating stomach pain. I’m not one to take drugs, I generally just push through unless it gets particularly unbearable. But this morning, I was crying, the pain was so bad. About an 8 or 9 on a scale of 10. And with the stomach pain, came another symptom – blood in my urine. My oncologist ordered up a culture and a stomach x-ray to see what’s going on.
Mom came to visit first thing this morning, and brought two mini bagel bites from my favorite bagel store. I managed to get them down, the only thing I could eat. My mom has the best timing. I was crying, feeling sicker than sick, and well… just wanted my mom. I dozed on and off, and after mom left, gave in and asked for more pain medication. For the next 9 hours, I dozed on and off, not moving from my bed. Mid-afternoon, the nurse came to give me a unit of platelets, as my level had dropped to 19. White blood cell count was down to 900, so the downward spiral to rock bottom has begun. Once I hit zero, then the upswing back to health begins.
I finally perked up for a little while around 6pm, and was actually able to eat a full dinner – first meal in days! It wasn’t the standard corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day, but it felt good going down.
And gently, quietly, almost without notice, my chemotherapy ended at about 12:30 am. I made it.
Just a few more days… holding on with everything I’ve got.
Music of the day: Siuil a Run, Clannad
The Road Less Traveled 
Tammy, you are so brave and such an inspiration. Your pain level of 8 or 9 would probably be about a 20 for me! I respect and admire you so much and am so glad we are both related to Gayle, Jan, and Randy!! I can’t wait to meet you one of these days. Godspeed, sweet young woman 🙂
It’s almost Wednesday. Rest now while you can. Take the drugs as needed. And PRESS ON.
Your inner strength will get you through this. Thank heaven for MOMS being there when you need them!
Tammy, we put a small reminder of what your amazing Inner Strength is in the snail mail and you should have received it on Friday. Hope you got it, sent it via the hospital and just hoped that it would make it through the system and arrive at your bedside on Friday. You have such amazing strength and positive attitude. Love, Aunt Gail and Uncle Don
I did, and it’s is fantastic! It is on my nightstand next to my hospital bed, and a constant reminder that I have such an amazing support network. Thank you for thinking of me, and sending your love and sweet encouragement.
Tammy, I’m usually one to resist medication, too, unless absolutely necessary. But when you need it, you need it. And it sounds like you did. I’m glad you took care of yourself and eased the pain. The next few days will suck, but you will soon reap the rewards. Hang in there and know that we are all sending comforting thoughts your way.
Thank you, my friend. You have been such a wonderful source of encouragement. I so appreciate your words, love and support.