The Scoop

I feel as if I don't even know where to start this post since things have been happening at a rapid pace over the last several weeks. And I'll apologize in advance, because it's not alot of fun information, but I'm documenting more for my sake than yours.

So after several weeks of not only being ill from chemo but having a crazy swollen IP (stomach) port as well as a crazy knot down near my belly button - both of which were incredibly painful - they admitted me to the hospital Monday morning (July 4). One of the few perks of being a cancer patient is that your doctor can simply place a phone call to the hospital and from the time we walked in the door until we were in our room was barely 10 minutes. They immediately did a CT scan and put me on two IV antibiotics. The CT tech ran the dye through my port, which is apparently a big no-no. This detail is important later on.

Wednesday, the doctor who did my colon surgery stopped by and decided the port had to come out because it was clearly causing some type of infection. The surgery was quick and pretty easy, and honestly not that painful.  Because it was an infection, he left both wounds open. I have one large 1.5 inch hole (height, width, and depth) from the port and a smaller hole near my belly button. Dr. W added two more IV antibiotics.

Remember how I said that surprisingly enough it wasn't that painful? It quickly became apparent that they were not going to stay pain-free after Dr. H came and unpacked and repacked them Thursday afternoon. Honestly, it was probably the worst thing that has happened to me in the last 4 months. I went on to have a complete and total sobfest meltdown the next time the wound had to be dressed. Did I mention this has to happen twice a day, and it will take a good month for them to heal? Maybe I'm being a baby, but I hate this more than anything else so far. And poor Brian is the one who has to take care of it at home.

Friday morning they let me go home. I woke up feeling really drained and was starting to have some stomach issues, but went home anyway. I felt worse and worse as the day progressed and by nighttime was having extreme issues. I was up the entire night without any sleep at all. I called the doctor and she gave me the option of waiting a few more hours before coming back to the hospital and I took her up on it. By Saturday afternoon it was clear that I was very dehydrated and a fever had developed so back to the hospital we went. 

When I arrived, Dr. W informed me that the lab results had just come back as positive for MRSA from my stomach. This is a big deal for several reasons. Number 1 I have cancer and cannot tolerate a long drawn-out infection. Number 2 if it is not treated correctly and quickly enough (remember that I had this issue almost a solid 2 weeks before they actually removed the infection?) the infection can go to your blood stream and that is a very, very bad thing. Not only did I have the MRSA infection, but the 4 antibiotics they gave me last week caused an infection in my bowels.

The good news is that after being horrifically sick for the past 24 hours, about 11:00 last night, I suddenly felt almost 100% better. I know that was a direct result of all of your prayers, and I desperately needed to feel better. I have never been so discouraged or miserable in my entire life. I am still feeling better this morning and I actually get to eat and drink, something I haven't done in 24 hours per doctor's orders.

I am going to be here at the hospital for quite a while. They're treating the MRSA with strong IV antibiotics and the bowel infection with oral antibiotics. I'm in isolation which means I can't leave the room and anyone coming into the room has to wear gown and gloves and shouldn't touch me.

My final health concern is that my remaining port is not working. After the CT tech used the dye in it, the port hasn't been functioning consistently and when I checked into the hospital yesterday, it wasn't working at all. This is important because I cannot get chemo without a port, but they cannot remove and replace the port while I have the MRSA infection. At this point, I don't see how I'll be able to have my next scheduled chemo on July 21. I have stage 3c ovarian cancer, people. I can't be missing chemo treatments!

Which brings me to those treatment changes I referenced last week. Because my IP port has been removed, I can no longer have the most effective treatment. They're changing my regimen, and the doctor assures me that the new regimen is almost as effective. And it's good, of course, that I was able to get 3 full cycles of the original chemo. The best news about the new chemo is that it is not nearly as tough on my body. I only go once every 21 days (instead of 3 times) and the side effects are less severe. Now my doctors have just got to get me well enough to have that treatment!

So there's the scoop. And bless you if you managed to read it all. :) I am so glad to be feeling better, but mostly grateful for the peace and calm I am currently feeling; something that has been missing for the past several days.

Psalm 16

1 Keep me safe, O God,
for I have come to you for refuge.
2 I said to the LORD, “You are my Master!
All the good things I have are from you.”
3 The godly people in the land
are my true heroes!
I take pleasure in them!
4 Those who chase after other gods will be filled with sorrow.
I will not take part in their sacrifices
or even speak the names of their gods.
5 LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine.
6 The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
What a wonderful inheritance!
7 I will bless the LORD who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I know the LORD is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
9 No wonder my heart is filled with joy,
and my mouth shouts his praises!