Hi everyone. I haven't written anything because I have been so miserable. I have a repeat 2-D echo on Tuesday. Dr. Scavina said minimal fluid is around my heart and we have to recheck that. I also start physical therapy on Tuesday for strengthening and trying to build my body back up. I am extremely weak, very deconditioned. I'm on some new medication that is really rough. Nausea, headaches, fatigue. Hopefully, it gets better and also helps to stimulate my appetite. The weight loss continues. I was always wanting to lose weight, but this is getting to be ridiculous. I never thought it would be so hard to just walk around the house. I am just exhausted after doing so. Have a good weekend, Linda

Update from Kara

Hi everyone! I know it's been a while since my mom has posted. I just thought I'd let everyone know what has been going on: ... absolutely nothing. :) Mom has been taking it very easy. She hasn't posted because there really hasn't been any change or anything new to report. We are currently working on reconditioning her body. Her cardiologist told her that although there is no damage to her heart muscle, that it is as if she has been in a serious car accident which caused severe trauma - and she will have to rebuild her strength. She has to re-train her muscles to utilize oxygen more efficiently so that her heart does not have to do all the work. He mentioned cardio-pulmonary rehab, which I think would be a good idea. In the meantime, she is trying to move more - walking laps around the house, etc. Thank you to Karen C. for continuing to come over and draw blood -- we are thinking of you and praying that all goes well at your next appointment.

The cardiologist called me the other night and said the 2-D echo looked basically normal, he wants to recheck one thing in about 3 weeks. The Holter Monitor looked okay. There is still no explanation for the racing pulse and shortness of breath. I am incredibly weak and trying to walk around the house to gain some strength. They can't seem to find a reason for these problems. I have been wearing a Lidocaine pain patch over my rib fracture sites, but I question if that is really helping. I had really hoped to be feeling much better at this point in time, but trying to remain patient. Linda

Thursday

Well, the day of rest from Dr's. didn't quite happen. I got deathly ill from the CT prep and was violently ill all Monday night. I ended up at chemo Tuesday morning and got my usual...4 hours of fluids, steroids, anti-nausea drugs. I did feel better after that. Wednesday, I went to cardiologist. He is trying to figure out what is making my heart race so crazily. One theory is the chemo may have damaged the heart muscle. I hope that is not the case. I had a 2-D echocardiogram yesterday and they put on a Holter Monitor for 24 hours. I am going up to NSH to have it removed this a.m. Now, I have to wait to hear from the Dr. Let's hope the heart looks good. I might be running out of things to go wrong! Linda

Monday

I spent the day at NSH today. I went in at 8:00 a.m. because the nephrologist wanted me to have 5 hours of IV fluids prior to the CT scan. I just had a scan with dye last Wednesday & we're trying to keep the kidneys protected. After two unsuccessful attempts at starting my IV, I told the nurses not to try anymore. I called surgery & they sent one of the nurse anesthetists to start the IV. First try-no problem. So, I got my fluids and then had to start drinking Gastrografin (contrast medium for the scan.) I was supposed to drink 6 glasses between 12:00 and 2:00. If you have followed this blog, you know how difficult & disgusting that is for me. I took a Zofran & did what I had to do. Ugh! Anyway, The scan was very quick, I was then allowed to go home. We left the hospital about 3:00. A very long day for a 5 minute CT scan. Tomorrow-no doctors! Wednesday, I have to see a cardiologist for this racing pulse I have and I go to see the lung surgeon's partner. Hope everyone had a lovely Easter. Linda