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Friday, May 01, 21:03:21 [ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, [6], 7 ]
Subject: HEALTH UPDATE


Author:
Stacy
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Date Posted: 21:44:46 09/06/04 Mon
 Once upon a time, a girl named Stacy had to have an unexpected CT scan. So sit back and relax and enjoy the story.

Not so long ago, in the kingdom of Doncaster Village, I had started walking for exercise. I had been walking about every other day for a little over two weeks. Then this passed Tuesday it was exceptionally humid but I went ahead and walked anyway. Boy it was pretty hard on me. I was huffin' and puffin' A LOT more than I usually do. Well that night my back started aching just like it did when I started having problems last year. Then the next morning I started coughing up traces of blood. Definitely not a lot but I don't ever like to see blood from coughing. My back was aching so bad that I didn't get much sleep since I couldn't find a comfortable position.

I started the next round of chemotherapy on Thursday but I had to be examined by the doctor first. I told him what had been going on and I wondered if it was from expanding my lungs so much more than usual when walking. He wanted me to have a CT scan this week but fortunately I was able to get one scheduled for this passed Friday. In the meantime my doctor said I could keep walking.

I went ahead and had my chemo. Unfortunately I had to have that painful shot again in my belly. This time my nurse, Jeanette, wondered if I put ice on the area first and numbed the skin.... just maybe the needle would be less painful.


Sounded good to me so I put ice on my belly until the skin was numb then she gave me the shot. YYYEEEEOOOOOOOUUUUCCCHHHHHHH!!!!!! DAGGONE!! I wasn't expecting it to be painful but it was AND it was more painful then usual!! We both kinda laughed and she said "guess it doesn't work". Well now I have a bruise there. That hasn't happened before. Well needless to say we won't be trying that method again.


I went in for my CT scan on Friday. As usual the nurses had a hard time getting the needle in to inject the dye into my system.

Well they finally got it in my hand. Again... YYEEOOOUUUCCHHH!!

The scan itself went fine. It only takes a few minutes. Then came the fun part of the story....

For the first time ever, I reacted to the dye they inject. As soon as she removed the needle from my hand my legs started itching. In a very short time my entire body was blood red and covered with hives. Fortunately it didn't affect my breathing. I couldn't stand laying there anymore so I sat up. They went to get the radiologist to have him evaluate me. He determined immediately that I needed a shot of Benadryl. While they were searching for a small needle I felt like I wanted to crawl out of my own skin. MAJOR ITCHING!!!! And I got real hot. Again I had to move so I sat on the chair instead of the table. It felt like forever but he finally came in and gave me a shot in the arm of Benadryl.

That's the first time I've ever had a shot in the muscle in the arm and it didn't hurt.


It took a while but the Benadryl started working. Eventually after about 2 hours I was pretty close to being back to normal. Since they were afraid of the Benadryl starting to wear off and the reaction could start all over again, they wouldn't let me drive so Mom had to come get me. They also didn't want me to drive since the Benadryl makes people sleepy. Of course I have to be different so I don't get sleepy from it... I get happy. But they wouldn't let me drive anyway. Thanks for coming MOM!!! And thanks to your boss Heidi for letting you!! What a life saver!

We finally got to leave there and I took my films over to my doctor so he could read them.


I dropped off the films at the front desk and went to sit in the chemo room with Tracey, my other nurse. I wanted to be in there in case I needed more Benadryl but fortunately I didn't.


After just a few minutes Dr. Hahn walked into the room smiling. I love it when he comes into the room and says "Stacy, you're still boring". He said that my cancer looked the same if not better. Whatever is causing the pain and blood is not from my cancer. I guess I'll wait to see what the radiologist sees other than the cancer but it's probably just from changing my routine and walking. THANK GOD my cancer isn't any worse!!

The good news about having the reaction to the dye is... my doctor said I can get away with having the CT scan without the dye so in the future I won't have to have that needle!!!! Thank YOU LORD!!

After that, we went back and picked up my truck and we went home. I ended up hanging out with a girl friend that evening and we watched movies. All in all not a bad day, just very eventful.

And they all lived happily ever after...

Last edited by author: Mon September 06, 2004 21:47:31   Edited 1 time.

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Replies:
[> Subject: I have to say it.....


Author:
Cliff
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 22:05:06 09/06/04 Mon
Well, Stacy, I guess you were just ITCHIN' to get that scan!!!!!!!!!!! I'm glad to hear that the results were good. Sorry to hear about the hives--I know that can be serious sometimes. Patrick had a reaction to an antibiotic once--doc wrote a prescription for Prednisone and said told me to give it to him ASAP, before his airways swelled up. I can only imagine the itch--must have felt like hundreds of mosquito bites at once.

Keep sharing more GOOD NEWS!!!!
[> [> Subject: ALLERGY


Author:
Stacy
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 10:21:50 09/09/04 Thu
Mom had an allergic reaction to Amoxicillin a couple of years ago that sent her to the hospital in an ambulance. She turned blood red and in a very short time she went into convulsions. She was at work. I was on my way to pick her up and take her to the hospital when her boss called me back and said they had to call the ambulance, they couldn't wait for me. Fortunately they did because she went into convulsions while the paramedics were there. I wouldn't have known what to do if that would have happened while she was in the car with me. THANK GOD they were there with her. They said she could have died.
[> Subject: Hello


Author:
Bonnie
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 08:41:31 09/08/04 Wed
Hi Stacy, I have been reading your site, but it has been a long time since I have sent a message. One thing for sure you still have that great spirit and attitude! It is wonderful the way you can make "lemonade from lemons"--that is a very, very good thing!!

As you know I have another friend that is in remission from lung cancer, and she too, shares your great spirit and attitude. Like you she goes through these terrible stressful moments, but like you she too, has a wonderful spirit.

Since Jack's cancer (it was 5 years yesterday)I have read and read and read about the disease. I have learned that a positive attitude with lots of laughing is important to remission. Therefore, everytime I read your creative and funny emails about a stressful and hurtful ( I can't imagine the pain with those injections) time I appreciate so much your attitude! I know that it is something that must be worked at, but I believe that it is helpful with healing since laughter releases endorphins-nature's own painkillers-and that helps the body heal. The Ancient Greeks knew this a long time ago as they built hospitals next to amphitheaters to benfit patients. I find that amazing!

I guess I just want you to know that I continue to cry out to the Lord for your good health, and I give prayers of Thanksgiving when you have good news. I have added Tina Schmidt to my prayer list.

Also, you have a wonderful family. Everyone should have a brother like Mark. I enjoy your animals too!! Sending our love and prayers--Bonnie and Jack
[> [> Subject: HI BONNIE


Author:
Stacy
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 10:49:52 09/09/04 Thu
So great to hear from you!! I was just thinking about you the other day wondering if you all were okay since I hadn't heard from you.

Congratulations to Jack for reaching his five year survival date!! That is wonderful! Did you do anything to celebrate?

I have such a wonderful support group with all my friends and family that I can't help but have a positive attitude. Everyone is so supportive and positive! I am so blessed to have extraordinary people in my life! I've made new friends recently and have been enjoying the heck out of them. It's funny to me, when I try to think of adjectives to describe how I feel about the people in my life, they just don't seem to describe them well enough. Extraordinary, wonderful, fabulous, amazing... all these words aren't strong enough!!

I love my life more now than I ever have. I don't think it's because I've been facing my own mortality, I think it's because I am able to do so many things that I've wanted to do. I am on my own schedule spending time with all those that I love including my "children". I get to spend each day either outside or inside looking out the windows just thoroughly enjoying God's wonderful work. I can't explain the joy that I have inside me other than to say it tickles my inners and I have butterflies so often. It's sheer happiness. I am so blessed and I know it!! And I thank God every day for all his blessings in my life. Even on rainy days I'm happy, I know all the life outside needs a drink too.

I'm so happy to hear that your friend has a positive attitude also. It makes living life so much more delightful.

Thank you so much for adding Tina Schmidt to your prayer list. I haven't heard any more news about her, I pray that she is doing well.

I got to see Greg recently out on 895. He was sitting there in the median when I drove by. I didn't have enough time to cross all the lanes of traffic safely to stop to talk. So I drove down the road and saw another cop at the salt dome. I stopped and asked him to radio Greg and ask him if he could drive down there. So he did. It was great to see him. It's been so long. He always looks good, especially in his uniform. I was sorry to hear about his iguana though. Please say hello to him and Stephanie for me.

I continue to keep you and Jack and the rest of your family in my prayers.

Yes I do have a wonderful family. I completely and unconditionally love my family. My Mom and Dad are my foundation and that cannot be shaken. I thank God everyday for giving me the parents that I have. They "fit" me perfectly.

I 100% agree that everyone should have a brother like Mark. I absolutely adore my brother. Wow, I'm just sitting here getting teary eyed thinking about how much I love that guy!! He is so amazing to me. I pray for peace of mind and happiness for him, I want him to be as happy as I am. I can't imagine having anyone else in this world any better for a brother. I have so much pride in him. When I'm with him and I get to stand back and watch people gather around him or when I watch him in his cars... my head is held up high and my chest is bursting with pride. I am the ONLY sister in this whole world that can say "THAT'S MY BROTHER" and be talking about Mark!!
[> Subject: Health Update


Author:
Rhea
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 09:09:40 09/08/04 Wed
Well Stacy, I was able to get to your site today and Wow was I impressed. You could have a career in web design! Glad to hear cancer is not growing nor causing your bleeding. I give you credit for getting out and taking those walks. I have my sneakers under my desk but haven't taken a walk since early spring.

I have a shellfish allergy and am told it is probably the iodine that I react to. Do you have problems with shellfish?

Well, I just wanted to let you know that I visited your site and as always have you in my thoughts. Thanks for sharing your news. Wish I had the time to spend on the website.

Hope to see you Sept 17th for Zhongting's luncheon.

Love, Rhea
[> Subject: the simple life


Author:
Patty
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 11:55:56 09/08/04 Wed
Ok... is anything with you ever simple??? LMAO!! You need to call me so we can hook up for lunch and I can fill you in on what has been goin on here lately... ugh :(
[> [> Subject: WHO ARE YOU KIDDING??


Author:
Stacy
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 19:02:42 09/09/04 Thu
Simple? Yea right!! LOL!! I guess you forgot that I'm still married to Mr. Murphy of Murphy's Law firm.
[> [> [> Subject: Murphy's Law...


Author:
Patty
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 21:42:03 09/14/04 Tue
All I have to say is YOU LAWBREAKER YOU!! Had to stop back in to check on you :) Hope all the tests you have turn out to be good. You know you never have been normal SO WHY START NOW???? LOL Work is a pain in the backside (cleaning up the language for anyone else who might be reading) but.... (^^$(*&_)*(&%^%#%^$E*_)(*&)(*&%*@!#$@$#@^#!%#@!%#@^$@#%$ and that about sums up how I have been feeling about the job lately... that opening you sent me sure sounds interesting :)
Hugs :)
[> Subject: Hi there


Author:
Terri
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 22:55:24 09/08/04 Wed
Stace - Just checked your web site after you sent e-mail stating it had been updated, and have to tell you I'm amazed. You do have quite a thing going on here.

I also have to echo your friend Bonnie's sentiment. Your resilience and attitude have been so positve throughout your treatments that it can can only mean good things for your recovery. You are a role model to all of us.

Anxious for the next good news.

Love ya cuz,

Terri
[> [> Subject: HI TERRI


Author:
Stacy
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 19:43:27 09/09/04 Thu
Thank you so much for the kind words about the role model. That's very sweet of you.

I really enjoy working on this web site. I just wish it had more going on. I would love it if more people would post messages about anything they want. I want this to be an interactive site, not always just about me.

I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. I am sending my deepest sympathy and love. Here's some photo's that I found of your Mom and Dad at Aunt Betty's family reunion that I think you'll enjoy.







And one of you and Greg


[> Subject: Hi Stacy


Author:
Al R
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 14:11:01 09/09/04 Thu
Whew what a scare with the blood thing! Glad that wasn't serious. Mom had a reaction to the dye once too, and Benedryl was the cure all for her. Glad you are doing well.....see ya up at the lot!
[> [> Subject: HI AL


Author:
Stacy
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 19:54:40 09/09/04 Thu
Fortunately it was only traces and it was only for three days. I haven't seen any more since. BUT my back still hurts some. It is definitely unsettling to see blood after coughing.

I think that was the calmest I've ever seen you when I saw you at the lot a couple weekends ago. And you were actually sitting down!! Everything ok?
[> [> [> Subject: Yea I guess........


Author:
Al R
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 09:08:23 09/17/04 Fri
Just been in a real funk lately, hopefully it will wane soon. Life is too short to be upset. You on the other hand are lookin good, were ya out on your saturday night walk?
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