Annoyed

I need a punching bag. For real. I'd use it a lot! It would be even better if it had a face. Ha ha, just kiddi...wait, no I'm not! 

Actually I think it would be good for my arms. I could kick it too! I'd like to open a "gym" where people can punch things & break things.

The month of hurt feelings

Ok, "rant" over...

Great story!

Thank you, Lymphedema http://www.lymphedemablog.com/2016/07/25/thank-you-lymphedema/

Annnndddd the research is on!

So I saw a Facebook post on one of the lymphedema pages I follow...apparently in Italy there are surgeons who have been performing lymphedema microsurgery since 1973! I need to research further to see if they do node transfer or the attaching of lymph vessels to capillaries. Just curious because here in the US we seem to be lagging behind on treatments for it. 

I also need to find out if there are any surgeons closer than Chicago who do the surgeries. 

Always on my mind

I hate it that I feel like I'm constantly telling my friends about appointments or my ER visits or my scans. I don't want to drive people away. I'm not looking for sympathy or handing out invites to a pity party. It's just that so much of my life is appointments, ER visits, arm issues, & scans. Sometimes I just need to tell someone. Sometimes I have a funny story that just happens to do with an ER visit. Sometimes I'm answering the question "How are you doing?" 

Sometimes I feel like I'm defending myself because I'm feeling judged. I guess sometimes it's to make people aware that I'm not sitting around living off the government. Believe me I'd rather be healthy and working. I worked during my chemo and radiation treatments. I check the job listings almost daily but I can't really apply for a job, get hired & then have to be hospitalized for an infection.

Frustrating! Ok, rant over. :-)

This reminds me of...

that time I had my first appointment with the gynecology oncologist and she was about to examine me. She had a nurse in the room & asked if a male medical student could come in also. I was behind a curtain at the time waiting in my gown  and saw all these feet below the curtain.

Sonething made me joke "It's like a party in here." I thought it was funny but the doctor did not. Oops!

https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/center-news/2015/08/cancer-humor-eases-stress.html

ER trip #4 & Courtney

At least I didn't have to stay in the hospital this time! :)

A nice PA came in to look at my arms & chest (yep, it spread) and told me they'd get IV antibiotics & fluids started. She also said she'd give me something similar to Motrin for pain. They went through the ordeal of accessing my port complete with making us wear masks & having a charge nurse put on the dressing (it's just tegaderm, not sure why other nurse couldn't do it). The nurse drew blood for a CBC but not blood cultures this time (they didn't grow anything last time according to my PCP).

I got the Ancef IV and then a bag of fluids over an hour. Never did get the pain meds. Never saw a doctor or PA again. 

I ended up taking a little nap since I was still very achy. I was awakened by Courtney Love asking how I was feeling. Oh, wait, not Courtney but a nurse with her hair color. Ha ha! She couldn't remove the needle from my port (just pull on it Courtney!!)  so I had to wait for someone to do that then I was given a prescription & instructions. 

Right now I'm wishing I had a scientific lab so I could investigate to see if I have a certain bacteria on my skin; find a cure for cancer; find a way to end lymphedema, etc.

Since I don't have a lab I'm considering making a comic strip with the characters: arm lymphedema, infection, bacteria, white blood cells, and antibiotic. Ha ha!

My arms are not as red now but are still fiery hot and I'm still achy all over but at least I'm at home! Yay!