Just a Quick Update ...
03/08/08 UPDATE: Well, the mysterious source of my fever has been revealed. My old pal UTI (urinary tract infection) has settled in for a long visit, as she often does after I've been catheterized. I've had two days of antibiotics, so hopefully I will be feeling better soon.
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We had a little scare today when my temperature spiked to 101.5. For those of you not familiar with neutropenic fever, it's main symptom -- a temperature of 100.5 of higher (especially paired with flu symptoms) -- can signal an infection brought on by dangerously low white blood counts. I've been aching, chilling, and vomiting for days, so when we realized I had a fever, too, we called the oncologist's office. They insisted that I come in right away, so I cleaned up a little and we hurried to Knoxville. I was so terrified that they would put me back in the hospital that I cried all the way there.
I am please to announce that we got GOOD NEWS: my white cell count is NORMAL, my red cell count is only slightly off, and everything else looked fine except that my potassium is low. My lungs are clear, too. Since I won't actually reach the lowest point (nadir) of the chemo's side effects for another week, my local doctor's office will repeat the tests next Wednesday.
The long trip in my weakened state was an ordeal, but I happily came home and climbed back into my lift chair. I'll be so glad when I can get the effects of this stuff out of my system and start to regain my strength. There's a lot of things that I want to do that can't be accomplished sitting in my chair. That's okay. I'll take it slow. I'm just happy to have the luxury of time to heal and hope and -- LIVE!
:-) Sharon
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We had a little scare today when my temperature spiked to 101.5. For those of you not familiar with neutropenic fever, it's main symptom -- a temperature of 100.5 of higher (especially paired with flu symptoms) -- can signal an infection brought on by dangerously low white blood counts. I've been aching, chilling, and vomiting for days, so when we realized I had a fever, too, we called the oncologist's office. They insisted that I come in right away, so I cleaned up a little and we hurried to Knoxville. I was so terrified that they would put me back in the hospital that I cried all the way there.
I am please to announce that we got GOOD NEWS: my white cell count is NORMAL, my red cell count is only slightly off, and everything else looked fine except that my potassium is low. My lungs are clear, too. Since I won't actually reach the lowest point (nadir) of the chemo's side effects for another week, my local doctor's office will repeat the tests next Wednesday.
The long trip in my weakened state was an ordeal, but I happily came home and climbed back into my lift chair. I'll be so glad when I can get the effects of this stuff out of my system and start to regain my strength. There's a lot of things that I want to do that can't be accomplished sitting in my chair. That's okay. I'll take it slow. I'm just happy to have the luxury of time to heal and hope and -- LIVE!
:-) Sharon
posted by Sharon | 11:43 PM
12 Comments:
Oh, thank God! I'm glad things are okay! Hugs to you!
your probably tired of hearing it, but i searched josiah and ended up here. but im so glad it brought me here. im 20 yrs old and was diagnosed with systemic lupus when i was 12. i was sick for about 2 years but now i am in remission. i know what it feels like to keep asking "why me", but you have to live everyday strong. you are such a strong woman, i dont know how you face this everyday, but it is something to admire. stay strong optimistic.:)
Oh, thank God! Sharon, I'm so glad that it's nothing serious. You don't know how much I've been praying for you! :-D I hope you feel better really soon, and I hope you get to do EVERYTHING you've always wanted to do! Take care Sharon. And LIVE! Just like you've always done.
Peace, love, and prayers,
Lilly_
Dear Sharon,
You have inspired me to live life to its fullest after i read your blog. You are so strong and you make my day after i read your blog. I heard Josiah talk about your website on a radio interview and i came here. Your probably sick of "Josiah questions" but I have been wondering, is there anyway i can reach Josiah without myspace? Email, fainmail, ect.?
Good Luck to you, Josiah, and your family.
Mrs.Leming,
Wow, I cannot believe how one thing after another happens to you. Im relived that you are ok and that you’re still on the happy side of everything. How the ice cream going for you? Have a good night!
Much love
Sarah
Hello Sharon, I too am here because of Josiah, but, after reading your post about the 10 Best Things About Having Cancer, I had to tell you how amazed I am by your resilency and will to live. Do not give up!
If I may, I would like to give you the link to a friend of mine who is blogging about his heart failure. While this does not sound like a hoot, I think you would find a tenacity similar to yours.
http://mashland.wordpress.com/
Also, write whatever number the doctors said down on a piece of paper and then tear it to shreds or burn it. The doctors do not have crystal balls or hot lines to God.
Bernie Siegel is a doctor who has written much about his life long involvement with cancer patients. While attending one of his lectures, I was surprised at the many people who said they had been given very short amounts of time to survive and then with a laugh, said that they had these predictions has occured 10, 20 and even more years before. Dr. Siegel's work is inspirational and optomistic and full of hope. If you would like to learn more about him, I have included a link below.
www.ecap-online.org/home.htm
You sound like an amazing woman, who has been blessed with a truly, loving family, who all adore you.
Good luck to you and thank you for raising such a sensitive son with a beautiful soul. He sings like an angel and his words speak to my soul.
As a mother of two teenagers, I can appreciate the difficulty and challenges of parenting. You are a wonderful role model for them and now many more people in the world. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Susan Bostian
That is fantastic news about your blood cell counts being relatively normal. I hope your feeling better soon, and taking in all the rest you can!
Sharon,
I'm so glad that everything seems to be okay. I will be thinking of you as you go back on Wednesday. How is the new "eat all the ice cream" regime going? That may explain the "chilling....perhaps you have frozen the ole' tummy". :) So many flavors to get through.......
I'm sorry you are having to make the Knoxville tour so often. Your poor little car must have that route on auto-pilot. Your husband sounds like a wonderful & supportive guy. You found a gem in him!
Good thoughts are sent your way...along with prayers. Will your youngest kids be on Spring Break soon? I'm a teacher & our vacation break in Kansas is next week. That will bring you together-time with the kids, but also comes with exhaustion and a bit of frayed patience (if your kids are like mine...& they sound like they are) Gotta love 'em.
I'll check on you tomorrow. Take care and stay strong...I know that you will...you are compared to Muhammad Ali or perhaps the burly Strong Man in the Ringling Brothers circus in strength.
Sharla
P.S. - Eat some pistachio ice cream for me....the diabetic in me is jealous....mmmmmmmm! :)
Glad to hear that they found the source of the fever!!
Glad to see that they found the source of infection. The dreaded UTI.....get some antibiotics, live through the gross bright orange urine...and you'll be back stronger than ever! I am so glad that it wasn't something for serious.
Take care & I'll keep checking on you.
Sharla
dear sharon. i feel your pain. years ago both my parents had struggled with cancer. whenI read your blog i felt for the first time the unspoken thoughts and feelings my mom must have felt. you are extraordinary woman. you gave me an insight that i will carry with me through. as a medical profesional may i suggest if I may be so bold .Recently by trial and error i found that combination of berries, even frozen,lots of green,white tea and fatty fish i ate salmon tuna and herring canalso use sardines seemed to boost the immune system. that what i recommend my patients.
Hey Sharon,
I am Becky Sandstrom's friend Brandy. I have been keeping up with your blog and wanted to tell you that you are a true inspiration to everyone who has ever met adversity. I have been praying for you and your family. You have a real knack for writing, but I'm sure that this isn't the first time you have heard that:) Well god bless you and yours!
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