Still in the hospital
I just wanted to let everyone know that I am still in the hospital after my surgery on Thursday.
Yesterday I started with a fever of 101.6 I was incredibly cold, weak, and tired. My fever broke, but I was still feeling pretty bad, and in a ton of pain. I was also having tightness in my left lung, so my PCP ran an EKG, and a blood test. They both came out negative.
They had been giving me liquid Noreco (Vicodin but Tylenol), but had maxed out my Tylenol maximum at 4am. Instead of trying to find me something else, the male nurse gave me Diloded (which lasts for only about 10 minutes). When my new nurse came on, I was dying from pain, a fever, and bloated (I still haven't passed gas yet, and it's been 3 days)
The doctor who was covering for Dr. Laguna yesterday said that I could go home. When I said I didn't feel well, he said he guessed I could stay for another day, but if I got bored in the afternoon, to tell a nurse and go home.
Later in the afternoon, my fever came back at 101.7. I was feeling horrible by this point, and I was lacking in my "output". They put me on a special fluid that was supposed to double your volume....but that didn't work either.I kept trying to drink, and Angel, my nurse *****ally is one
, kept bringing me pain meds and ice chips.During all this time, no one did anything about my temperature - no one was called, consulted, nothing,
Around 11pm last night, my fever spiked up to 102.2 (under the arm, so really 103.2). The nurse finally called a doctor, they wanted me to have a chest xray. There was infiltration in the left lung, so they wanted me on Levaquin. So in they come with a pill that is 1/4" wide and 1" long. I looked at it, and told my nurse that would never fit in my pouch. She said she questioned the doctor about doing liquid or IV, and he said she can take the pill. Really? WTF? The nurse was nice enough to call the pharmacy, and the pharmacist was able to get liquid levaquin for me. IT tastes horrible, but at least I'll be able to get it down.
So this morning, the doctor came in (The one who said I could go home) said it looked like I had had a difficult day. No kidding, really?
He said he was concerned that although the prescription was working and taking down the temp, he didn't think it was pneumonia.
Then my PCP comes in this morning, and says it isn't exactly pneumonia, but a rather rare lung problem that can occur after surgery. He says we will keep me on the antibiotics because they are working, and will prevent pneumonia from actually setting in.
So that's where I am now...extremely tired, still cold, but at least my fever is under control.
Sorry for the extremely looooong post, but this is the first time my husband has brought his laptop up since Thursday.
I hope you are all doing well, and I look forward to seeing many of you at coffee on Saturday ( if Melissa is still willing to take me!!)
Highest (Oct. '09) ~ 335 Surgery ~ 292.2 Current ~ 217.8.0 Goal ~ 170
Nicole,
I'm sorry to hear that you're still in the hospital. It sounds like it's been a rough and frustrating few days. Just keep advocating for yourself as only you know your body. You've been in my thoughts and prayers and I will continue to pray for a quick recovery! I hope you're home in no time. You can watch the 10 hours of Oscar coverage tonight and look at all of the stars in their size 2 dresses and think, that will be you soon!
Look forward to seeing you next Saturday!
Please keep us posted.
Kristy
I look forward to bringing you up to coffee next Saturday Nicole, once you get home & are feeling better. I hope now that you're on some antibiotics & hopefully they have your pain meds situation under control as well things will start working out much better & you'll be heading home very soon. But don't head outta there til' you're sure your good to go & you're feeling like things are "right" cuz' I know some of the docs you've been dealing with have been quick to get you outta there & had you listened to them you would've been right back in there. So, be sure to speak up if you're not feeling right tomorrow morning & it's time to go cuz' you are definitely your best advocate!!
I look forward to you getting home, getting this rough start behind you, & getting onto the next stage of things. This whole thing will be a distant memory soon & you'll be a big LOSER!!! 
Let me know when you get home & I'll swing over & visit!
on 3/7/10 9:28 pm - Clear Lake, MN
Kelly
