Yesterday's hospital visit was interesting. For about a week and a half, I haven't been feeling very well. I've been nauseaus, headachey and have had less energy than I had before. So on Friday I called the doc's office and moved my appointment up from Wednesday to Monday (yesterday). My first stop was the Treatment Center where they draw blood for the CBC. When the nurse put the needle in, I fainted. After all I've been through, after gazillions of needles...I don't understand it. When I came to, he took my blood and I went to see my doctor.
Dr. Schuster didn't seem overly concerned about my having passed out. And he said that the nausea and other symptoms are a "classic GVH flare-up." Since I discontinuted the Tacrolimus two weeks ago, this is not unexpected. Unfortunately, he put me back on 20mg/day of Prednisone. He believes that it should be short term. I took my first one this morning. He also told me to discontinue another of my meds, the Actigall. Slowly, slowly the list of my meds is getting shorter.
My CBC results were mixed -- WBC 3.2, HGB 8.3, PLT 120. Dr. Schuster said I should come in next week instead of the usual two weeks because I'd probably need blood. I haven't needed a transfusion since the day of my last hospital discharge in April so this has been quite a long stretch!
After seeing the doctor, back to the Treatment Center I go for my Benadryl/Pentamidine. They gave me the Benadryl IV and then, about 10 minutes into the Pentamidine I fainted again. My BP dropped to 90/50. They paged Dr. Schuster and he told them to give me fluids, finish the Pentamidine and then to give me a unit of blood. So it turned out to be a whole day affair. We (Mom & I) were there from 11 to 6.
So far, so good. It's Tuesday morning and I haven't fainted again so hopefully it was from the anemia. Dr. Schuster said I should keep my appointment for next Tuesday anyway. I'll update my blog after that visit.
Thank you for checking in and for all your thoughts and prayers. Believe in miracles!!
I am glad you are blogging to keep us updated but I am not sure I like the info. You need to take it easy young lady. We are still davening for you and need you to get a refuah shaleima!@
ReplyDeleteCFL
Leah - I am so sorry that things didn't go well for you. I am down to 20 mg of prednisone from 30, so they are trying to wean me off with the treatments I am receiving. I hope all gets better for you soon. I am continuing to pray for you and hope you get better very quickly. I think about you often. Keep me posted on facebook. Sorry I missed you today.
ReplyDeleteLots and lots of love and hugs,
Marsha