Thursday, March 25, 2010

Utterly Shocked

There's a lot in my mind and a lot more going on in my body. But as I lay here and my Mom asked if I would write a blog, I told her I had other things on my mind. She offered to have someone else do it, but how could someone who wasn't even here write about it? So here's a recap of the last few days straight from the girl who lived through it.

The doctors prescribed neupogen because my counts were dropping. At one point my ANC was twelve. Neupogen boosts your infection fighting cells. It is the drug Ryan took to stimulate production before they harvested his cells. My ANC was at 189 after receiving the shot for 3 days. The doctors were unhappy with the small improvement. But it was an improvement; nonetheless. They decided to add additional doses on Tuesday. I went home that night feeling fine. At about 7pm I had lower back pain. We expected pain, but we didn't expect what came next. By 10pm I had taken two oxycodon, I was writhing in pain. Pain was pulsing from my tailbone to my head. The heating pad was helping, but failed to cease the pain. Finally, by 11:30 I was asleep. Only to wake up at 2am roll over and vomit. Thankfully, I fell back asleep.

I woke up at about 10:15 Wednesday morning. I limped to the bathroom in pain. I returned to my bed and had just enough time to vomit again. What a great start to my morning. Thank goodness my Dad rushed into my room with my favorite color of gatorade and the bucket of pills asking "which pills I wanted". We were at clinic by 11:40am to get one liter or fluids, IV neupogen, and anti-nausea meds. They admitted me at 5pm after a full day in the clinic because I had a low grade fever and high risk of infection. They went back and forth between going home and staying. In the end they decided I was "too precious" to chance. I was grateful for that plus they thought I'd be out in two days.

This morning I woke up to great news. My ANC was up to 1,332 and my platelets were at 88! Yes!! Unforutunately, my fever spiked and my blood pressure was very low. A new antibiotic was added. It's called Pentamidine. I was pre-medicated with hydroxizine and tylenol to be safe. I noticed I was cold and shaking a little, but I was soon asleep. I woke up shaking uncontrollably, cold, rashed, nauseous and I found it hard to breathe. Ryan called the nurse in while I slowly waddled to the bathroom (thanks fluids). I knew something was wrong. She came in and I immediately asked for zofran, hydroxizine, and oxycodon. She took my blood pressure, O2 stats, and temperature while another nurse brought in the medication. Next thing I know there were two doctors and two nurses by my bedside. Ryan was soothing me and holding my hand. I was in anaphylactic shock. It was a reaction to the medicine. Soon everything calmed down. I was on oxygen followed by a breathing treatment. Albuterol, Hydroxisine, Hydrocortisone, and Tobra were all added to my med. list. It was quite the afternoon. I'm still very sensitive and today's little stunt extended my stay for a good couple of days. Another reminder of how very fragile life is and how thankful I am to be here.


7 comments:

  1. HOLY COW! where did that all come from! i am glad you are doing better though. come on counts you can do it. i was really sad when i heard you were back in the hospital yesterday :( but the sooner the counts go up the sooner you can get out of there to finish up that wonderful online SS. now doesn't that sound exciting. Did you just pretend all this to get out of your classes young lady because it is not going to work. Ill make sure there still there when you get back home. take care of yourself. i think about you every second of every day. I love you!

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  2. Oh my goodness! I was so use to reading all of the good updates and then life throws you a little curve. Glad to hear they are getting your counts back on track. It is definitely a good remimder of how fragile things are and we can't ever take things for granted. I'm sorry that you're back in the hospital but glad that they are doing what needs to be done to get better. I'm with Chelsea...nice try attempting to get out of your classes :) I follow your blog all the time and look forward to each and every one. Hang in there and before you know it...back to classes. yay! Just a little hiccup in the road to make us all count our blessings once again. Take care, Love Kindra

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  3. Wow, Ceci!!!! No more stunts!!!!! Seriously, I am soooooooo glad you and your family and the doctors know so much. God has blessed you over and over with just the right people at just the right time. I am very glad your numbers are getting better. I am so very proud of you that you can keep a sense of humor in the midst of so much pain. You are such an inspiration! Much love and prayers, Kathy & Rexie

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  4. Sweet Girl:I know you have had some rough days and I am so sorry for that. Your Mom said this afternoon you were better. Praise the Lord!!!! I think Tylie knows that things just are not quite right here on the Floyd & Christianson acre's. Landon & Chaile were down to visit me and get into Grandpa's candy box. They are so sweet. I have lost my book that I use for quotes. Surely I will find it by the next blog. Have I told you today that I love you so much!!!!!!

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  5. OH, dear Ceci! We have been so concerned about you since Pam said the counts were going down. We were hoping to see you during our Arizona adventures--but hopefully next time. We experience the bitter to appreciate the sweet. We are so thankful for the medical knowledge of so many people and for small miracles and big ones too. Please know that we continue our prayers and fasting in Washington for you. We know God is aware of each small thing. You continue to bless so many of our lives. Thanks for keeping us updated. HUGS!! Tamara and Richard

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  6. My goodness, Ceci!! Talk about scary! You are quite the girl! You've been through so much, yet you still take the time to update all of us, and then even go ahead and throw some humor into it as well! When people ask how my trip to Arizona was, I tell them that the highlight was getting to see you, and that I can only come up with one word to describe you and that is AMAZING!!!! You are in my prayers constantly! Love ya, Jena

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  7. ceci i am ceci burkes sister julie u r a very brave girl i will be praying 4 u am praying 4 u and all yur friends and everybody u know this is a chapter in your story if u ever want 2 call me 703 795 6649 i have met your mom and dad a longt time age kissesjulie

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