Down for the Count

Before I start, I have to say that I have been SO lucky so far. I made it through 7 treatments with only one cold (which was no fun), but working with germy little kids all day, it could have been MUCH WORSE. Right after round 7, Chase got a stomach bug from his cousin and it was also going around school. I had 7 kids out with it. Needless to say, I couldn’t resist anymore.

I stayed after school late on Tuesday for a training (which was fantastic!) and was feeling fine. After I got home, I was feeling a little tired, but I figured that was just because I had such a long day at school. Wednesday morning, I woke up at 5 puking my brains out. Needless to say, I put in for a sub and stayed home, hoping for a 24 hour bug that would pass quickly. I slept in 2 hour increments all day, waking up to get sick before falling back asleep again. Water and juice wouldn’t even stay down. I was able to keep down a little sip of Gatorade each time I got up, but that was it.

Thursday, I woke up and was still getting sick. Called in for a sub again then took my temperature. It was 100.3 (I don’t ever get a fever!) My oncologist told me that if it ever got over 100.5 to call. Since I was close but not over, I just went back to sleep. When I woke up 2 hours later, I checked it again and it was 102.4 so I called the doctor. When I told them everything that was going on, they asked if I could come in right away. Well, right away ended up being 45 minutes later because I was getting sick again. Fun, fun! I get to the office and the first thing they do is give me a mask because they don’t want me sharing my germs with the other cancer patients. They do my weekly blood draw then I hear the nurses discussing my results. I didn’t catch much, but I did hear the word ‘critical’ more than once. Never a good sign! Then they bring me back to see the doctor (who I only see before my treatment… another not-so-good sign!) She tells me that my white count is 0.76 (3-4 is considered normal in chemo patients, hence one ‘critical’ comment), my pulse was 157 (hence another ‘critical’ comment), and that she wants me to go to the hospital. NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I do NOT want to go back into the hospital. Isn’t there anything else we can do? She went and checked their stock of antibiotics, thinking that they could maybe give them to me there, as well as a potassium and magnesium infusion since those counts were ‘critically’ low as well. They didn’t have what she wanted me on, so she sent me to the hospital. As much as I hated being in there, I’m really glad that I went. I was feeling very weak and had lost 11 pounds in 2 days because of the whole getting sick thing. The first thing they did was hook me up to IV fluids (through my port… I’m not sure if I’ve ever said how glad I am that I have that!). By 7 that night, I was feeling so much better. I hadn’t thrown up in 6 hours, though my stomach was still upset. The nurses took another blood sample, and my white count had increased slightly.

On Friday, I woke up feeling like myself again. My primary care doctor and my oncologist both came and visited me. I was told that I would have to stay until my white count was over 2.5. Boo! So I spent the day in bed doing school work. I made Chris go to Disney because it was opening day of Star Wars Weekends and there were some pins that he wanted. Our original plan was to go as a family with both sets of grandparents on Friday and stay til Sunday. My hospital stay ruined that, but I wasn’t about to let him miss out on the pins if he could go! I had Game Show Network on all day, and let me tell you, I would SO win some big money if I went on a game show!

The best medicine!

Saturday, my white count was 1.85, so still on the rise. Things can never be easy, though, so my hemoglobin dropped to 7. The oncologist came in and said that she was happy with my white count, but asked me if I was feeling tired or cold. Nope! I guess those are the symptoms of a low red count. She said that a red cell transfusion could be done, but since I’m so young, they don’t want to do that if they don’t have to. I also told her that I hadn’t had my iron supplement since Tuesday, so she started me back on that. She also took me off of IV fluids since I was able to keep down food and drink, so I was able to shower. I don’t know why, but showering makes me feel so much better! I was missing Chase like crazy, so Chris’s parents brought him up to the hospital to visit me. I had to wear a mask when I was with him, but it was so totally worth it! That has to be the worst thing about being in the hospital: missing my boy. I know he is in such good hands with either of his grandparents, but that doesn’t stop me missing him. When he was ready to leave, it took a lot for me not to demand that I be allowed to leave with him! Late Saturday night, I get a phone call from Chris. Guess who has the stomach bug now? I hate that I’m not there to take care of him when he’s feeling so crummy. He tells me that he’s not going to come to the hospital because he doesn’t want me to get it again (for which I’m very thankful!) I’m also very thankful that Chase is still with Grandma and Grandpa so he won’t get the bug back!

Sunday, my white count is 3.89. I’m busting out of this joint! Major bummer, though: the doctor and the oncologist both tell me that I shouldn’t stay at home until Chris isn’t sick anymore. I finish my book while I’m waiting to be discharged (why does that always seem to take forever?!?) Mom drives me home so I can grab work clothes, my meds, and a few other essentials before I go to sleepover camp at Mom and Dad’s. I got them to watch Star Wars with me, so that was fun! I also had my dinner of choice and one of my Dad’s delicious cakes, so it wasn’t too bad (even though I missed my husband and my bed!)

On Monday, I went back to work. My principal came through my room to ‘see if it was true.’ My response: ‘Huh?’ He explained that he heard I got out of the hospital yesterday and was back at work today and he didn’t believe it. He called me ‘amazing’ more than once (which I’m not, but it was nice to hear!) He also said that I’m crazy because I told him that I would’ve been there with my IV pole if they would’ve let me. I just hate missing school, especially this time of year because I’ve got so much to do with them. I got Chase back on Monday afternoon, which made the day even better! We got his playpen and he joined in our sleepover. Dad bought him a pair of Crocs, which he insisted on wearing with his pajamas while boogying along with Dancing with the Stars.

Tuesday, I finally get the news I’m waiting for. Chris is feeling better, his fever is gone, and he’s not getting sick anymore. We’re going home!!! As much as I love my parents, I was so happy to be back in my bed, using my shower, with all of my things. Most of all, though, I was ecstatic to have my family together again! I hate when this cancer takes time away from us being together. I understand that sometimes it’s necessary, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it!