Weekend Updates

Mom Update

I finally have a handle on what’s going on with my mom. The surgery for the broken bone in her neck is done and went well. They’ve got her pretty immobile, but she has physical therapy. She’s got a feeding tube in and is on a ventilator. I was able to “talk” to her today while she was conscious (they keep her on pain meds which make her sleepy) – my dad was relaying thumbs-up from her. I sent some pictures of the kids for him to show her. Told her I was feeling great.

I’m planning on going to see her on Monday when my WBC is out of the danger zone. I’ll make sure to double-mask and will probably wear gloves as an extra precaution. And also wear layers. I can’t tell you how much I loathe having to head into a hospital with folks who have COVID. That is the kinda shit that could kill me. This is why people like me need herd immunity.

Symptoms Update

I really am feeling pretty great. I’m up and moving around today, somewhat motivated! This is usually a good sign I’m out of the worst of it.

As compared to the first infusion, no real dry mouth. The amount of water I drink a day has to be part of that. I’ve been able to eat pretty normally – pickles and other pickled veg for when the heartburn or super mild nausea hits. I’ve taken those nausea meds less this time around. No terrible acne rashes. Very little neuropathy, no feeling like I’m out-of-body. Worst thing this time around is fatigue, stomach cramping, and my fucking jaw.

I napped a bit Monday and Tuesday, more so rested Wednesday but was still working around it. Then Thursday and Friday I worked normally. The first infusion, I worked about half time. I really enjoy my work, so it’s a great distraction to have. It probably helped it was MEA week and the kids were at Nana’s on Thursday and Friday.

Emotionally, it’s been a bit harder, obviously. I would have been at the hospital already if my WBC hadn’t been in the danger zone (that 7-10 day window). I’ll feel a lot better when I can talk to her docs/nurses.

Also, my hair is now truly falling out. We buzzed it pretty close but it still looked like I just shaved it. Now, it’s got little bald patches – truly bald. This is way better than having to watch it fall out of my head in curly strands. These are just little tiny hairs. It’s gonna be weird once my eyebrows and lashes go. I feel better about it, and the kids have been less judgy, so I don’t feel so weird about it.