I'm Getting Better...I Think

From the title of this blog, you kind of know where I'm headed. It's kind of like Weekend at Bernie's II.... you know the outcome, it's just the middle part that might throw you a curve.

Well, after last night's blog I was doing pretty well. The fever went down to normal for a few hours and then at 9am this morning it shot up to 101.3 again. I suffered for a few hours and decided it was time to call the big Dr in St Louis. My doctor up there is 1) the head of the renal department at Barnes, and 2) one of the leading renal dr's in the nation. I think the world of him despite never seeing him anymore since I am just a checkup patient. He normally only sees those who have just received a transplant and follows them for about a year. That's when the real doctoring takes place because so many things could go wrong and the meds have to be constantly adjusted to find what works best.

So...I called StL and spoke to the Kidney Transplant Nurse and told her what was going on. I explained that I felt like I was not getting any better and that the current course of action was not helping me. She gave me several options. I explained that I dont want options - just tell me what to do. (I get very stupid when I am sick! Talk to me like I am 5 years old.) She said to return to the ER in Carbondale and get re-evaluated and to have the Carbondale ER doctor to call Dr. Brennan in St. Louis to consult about what course of action to take. And if needed I could be admitted to Carbondale or tranferred to Barnes.

Well, I ended up back in the ER where the nurses and xray techs were wonderful. The Doctor was condescending to me, had not checked out my chart prior to entering the exam room, and actually told me that my local Dr had the same knowledge as my StL doctor - that "knowledge is knowledge". I about fell out of the gurney.

Well, after an IV antibiotic and another bag of fluids - I started perking up. My temp went down to normal and has been that way for 8 hours. I am starting to feel like my normal self and I hope my energy (and balance) returns, too.

One thing popped into my mind this weekend while I was in bed. I was very sick when Elvis died, too. Is it me getting sick that kills the current biggest performer, or them dying makes me sick.... hummmmm.

Im not out of the woods, but the treeline is in view!

Still Sick... Very Sick

It's 2am and I am feeling pretty good for the first time today.

My diagnosis from the "cute" doctor was not exactly right. I ended up going to the ER yesterday when my temperature stayed over 101 and got an IV of fluids and diagnosed with tonsillitis and possibly a tick-borne disease. I am on antibiotics now, but they said I may have one more day of fever before I start feeling better. One of the other things going on is my liver and kidney functions are slightly abnormal. My kidney Dr in Carbondale seems to think those numbers are only due to my dehydration and my body working overtime to fight the disease. I hope he's right. I am getting this whole week off work to recuperate.

Yesterday I got very stir-crazy and frantic when I was feverish (102) and that kind of scared me. I was just sure that I would end up in the hospital for a biopsy or something.

One of the problems is making sure my kids stay away from me - after all - them getting this is the LAST thing I want! Amanda wanted me so badly tonight and it was so hard to not hug her.


I have now been sick 4, going on 5 days. Here's what I have learned.
1)Sickness Sucks!
2)Drinking water nonstop has several bad side effects.
3)My Co-Workers are awesome.
4)My gf has been awesome too.
5)There's only so many ways to lay in a bed.
6)I have a newfound respect for Cindy's 14 months of laying in that bed with nothing to do but worry, stew, flop around and pray.

I will let you know when I get better. I's 2:30 now... starting to get the chills again. Better get back to my wonderful bed.

Still Sick

Still Sick