Saturday, September 27, 2008

Hospital day 2

They didn't stop bugging me the whole night. Blood draws, vital signs monitoring and respiratory therapy. They have to do what they have to do! But I did tell the respiratory therapist to bugger off and come back later. Well, not quite that rude but I thought 3am was a tad early for respiratory therapy considering I was still breathing.

Diana arrived in the morning to hang out with me. We both had a good morning nap as both of us had a shitty sleep the night before. She did not have a good sleep night as Max was throwing a wobbly because of the storms that were passing through Baltimore. It was a major drool event for him. Poor bugger.

The blood work came back just fine. No infections. The only thing that was somewhat low was my white blood count. This is what makes you very susceptible to infections. But from the time I checked in I was put on two IV antibiotics. So this was not a big concern. The CT scan results finally came back and Dr. Erlich came in to give us all the latest and greatest news. After reviewing all the tests and scans he did not believe that what showed up on the x-ray was another tumor. Whew. He also ruled out bacterial pneumonia and told us that the most likely culprit was still the radiation pneumonitis. I know this sounds strange but we would have been relieved to have been told it was only pneumonia. So it was even better to hear that it was once again the radiation pneumonitis. I am not trivializing the radiation pneumonitis but it seemed like the better option to the two previously mentioned possibilities.

They have put me back on the steroids and I am currently on IV steroids and antibiotics. When I am discharged I will continue the steroid tablets but will ween off them at a much slower rate. The steroids really seemed to help last time as I was feeling great right up until a few days after I quit them. Bulk up - here I come. Step aside AAAhhhnold. I think I'm ready to govern Kaalifornya.

Di and I shared a nice (brought in) Chinese dinner supplemented by the hospital vegetable lasagna (for Di). We then watched a Chris Rock special on HBO. Crude but quite funny. Oh yea, Mike visited in the afternoon and brought me some biltong and sourfigs to snack on. He was quite proud of himself as he dove here in a pretty heavy rain shower.

Carpe Diem.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Guess where I am

In Hospital!!!

I was admitted yesterday after my appointment with Dr. Erlich. He had them do a chest xray on me and saw what he considered to be a pretty bad pneumonia on my right lung. Yes, the naughty cancer lung! I was admitted in the afternoon and by evening I was already sick of the food. Fortunately, they stopped me from eating or drinking as I had to have a CT scan later in the evening. Oh yea, they took the obligatory 4 gallons of blood and piss for testing and checked my vitals every 14 seconds. Welcome to the world of hospitals.

Diana came to visit in the evening and she brought a whole bunch of food and snacks. For later of course. I had the scan done about 9pm (pretty quick) and then had to wait for "transportation" back to the room. So what did I do? Waited til 9:30pm and then took my IV pole, and with Diana in tow, buggered off to the room. I was hungry and I wanted to watch the debate. When we got to the room the nurse just laughed and asked where the transportation bed was. I told her that I couldn't wait any longer and that Diana made me leave the transportation bed in the parking lot as she was angry about the wait as well. You know that I'm kidding about the bed in the parking lot. Right? The rest is very true. Diana was shocked and amazed at my chutzpah and guttsyness.

We watched the debate together and I ate like 3 pigs. Diana was afraid to get her hands anywhere close to my mouth. More tomorrow.

Carpe Diem.

Going to see Dr. Erlich

Sorry all. I know I have been tardy in updating the blog. It's been a slow week as far as "exciting" news is concerned. I have been feeling like crap. This has been going on since last Wednesday and doesn't seem to have improved. I have been in touch with Dr. Erlich every day and I am on a bunch of different meds to get all this under control. Today I am actually going in to see him.

The radiation pneumonitis is playing havoc with my lungs and subsequently my breathing and coughing. The fall allergies have not helped the situation. Hopefully we will get this round of "nonsense" sorted out!

Carpe Diem.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Weekend Update

Very little went on this weekend. Lots of rest trying to shake this bug or whatever I have. This is a bad time of year for my allergies as well. So I know that they are also contributing to this mess! We will talk to Dr. Erlich on Monday and see what else he wants to do.

The only saving grace this weekend was watching Man U play Chelsea in the English Premier League. Great game until Chelsea tied it up. The final score was 1-1.

Carpe Diem.