Pain
For some reason, when I think of “pain,” I sing Bowe.
But pain sucks a lot more than Bowie. These incisions are ITCHY, and it feels like I’m ripping them open when I move. After a whole weekend of this, it kinda got to me. Any stressor increases my jaw pain (TMJ), and then the headaches start. Usually, I have a mild muscle relaxer on hand for the jaw pain, but I’m out. So then it was call after call to the nurse navigator, GP’s office, oncologist. Even the hospital (someone else directed me there).
And even after all that, they didn’t give me actual pain meds, just my muscle relaxers. Tylenol has just not cut it. It even hurt to type.
Chemo hasn’t even started yet!
I’m typing this one-handed while we drive the kids to Josh’s parents for the night so they can go to school tomorrow. Josh will go with me, then, to the Mayo appointments.
Chemo still hasn’t been scheduled but apparently the folks up here have been waiting on the final word from Mayo. Kinda hoping to heal up first – one pain at a time. I moved my shots to Wednesday so I had some time to get over these damn incisions.
4 Comments
Allison Nussbaum
Laura — I’m so sorry. Did they suggest alternating Tylenol and Advil? You can do Tylenol every 4 hours and Advil every 8 so you always have a good load of meds on board. You can take up to 1300 mg of Tylenol and 400 mg of Advil per dose. I only know this bc my husband has had 3 joint replacement surgeries and tries not to take the pain meds. If you know all this already ignore me.
Take good care. I’m thinking of you and sending powerful juju across the miles.
Allison Nussbaum
Laura — I’m so sorry. All of this sucks.
Did they suggest alternating Tylenol and Advil? You can do Tylenol every 4 hours and Advil every 8 so you always have a good load of meds on board. You can take up to 1300 mg of Tylenol and 400 mg of Advil per dose. I only know this bc my husband has had 3 joint replacement surgeries and tries not to take the pain meds. If you know all this already ignore me.
Take good care. I’m thinking of you and sending powerful juju across the miles.
Lydia
Oh, that sucks! Hang in there. Sending good healing (non-itchy) vibes your way.
Amy V
If I could scratch your itches I would, seriously. How annoying. And hey MDs, get the lady some legit paid meds. As a fellow TMJer, teeth clencher/grinder —- damn. I am so sorry. Sending strong, positive vibes and lifting you up in prayer.