This past Thursday was my doctor's appointment in San Antonio with the Hem/Onc doctor. The appointment went well, the blood tests showed that the chemo is doing what its supposed to, because I am neutropenic, which means that my bone marrow is suppressed so I have to be extra careful of germs and getting sick, especially during cold and flu season. We also learned that I have something called Post-thrombotic Syndrome (PTS), its a condition where I have more pain in the are of the clot is, because of blood flow restriction due to the clot. The pain can last up to nine months, but thankfully the doctor prescribed me some medicine that should help with pain. I am also going to be continuing with my chemotherapy, and hope that I can have all the nausea and other unpleasant symptoms under control.
Joyful Love
&
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
ER and Cold
Last Wednesday, I went to the ER because my neck, on the side where the clot is, was very painful and swollen, my arm on that side was also swollen. I was also feeling faint and had a headache, I nearly passed out at the dinner table. Concerned, my mom and grandfather took me to the ER to get the clot checked out. A CT scan of my neck was done, and so was blood work. I was in so much pain, that they had to give me dilloted for the pain. The scan showed that the clot was the same as the previous scan, and the blood work showed that my white count was a bit low because of the chemo. The doctor who examined me knew that I was immunocompramised, and still chose to examine me even though she had a cold. She was coughing, sneezing, and blowing her nose, and she still examined me. Unfortunately because of my weekend immune system, I developed a cold/virus that I caught from the doctor. All weekend I was miserable. I had body aches, congestion, headaches, a soar throat, and a slight cough. Im doing a bit better today. Because of my immune system being low, it takes me longer than a normal person to get better from things, and my symptoms are more severe. Luckily I wasn't running a fever with this virus, so that was a good thing.
My family, as you can imagine, was very upset at the doctor for coming around me when she was sick, it was very unethical. We couldn't say anything to her at the time because we didn't want to upset her, and have that hinder my treatment. My grandfather did send an e-mail to the HR department, and hopefully she will be talked to about the incident. If a physician or anyone who works with patients is ill with something like a cold or any other communicable diseases, they should not be at works, and putting people at risk for becoming ill themselves. Its just good old common sense.
Joyful Love
&
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta
My family, as you can imagine, was very upset at the doctor for coming around me when she was sick, it was very unethical. We couldn't say anything to her at the time because we didn't want to upset her, and have that hinder my treatment. My grandfather did send an e-mail to the HR department, and hopefully she will be talked to about the incident. If a physician or anyone who works with patients is ill with something like a cold or any other communicable diseases, they should not be at works, and putting people at risk for becoming ill themselves. Its just good old common sense.
Joyful Love
&
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Pre and Post Surgery
Yesterday I had a small surgical procedure, that was my eighth one this year. Although the procedure was something minor, each time I have to go into the operating room, or under anasthesia. I still get nervous each time. I usually am not nervous about he actual surgery, but more going under anasthesia. While going under, you feel as though you're losing control. Having experienced it so many times you not only get used it, but some how come to like it. I know that sounds crazy, but one of my friends who as gone under anasthesia probably more times than I have says he likes it as well. People like my mom and grandmother who have had a few surgeries don't like the feeling of it at all, so I guess it depends on the person.
Then there is the pain when you wake up. Even though they tell you might be in pain, you are still not prepared for how much it hurts (depending on how invasive the surgery is), luckily they I have IV pain meds that just knock you out. The first few days our the hardest. Sometimes you feel as though the pain is worse than it was before the surgery, but it is a different kind of pain. For me, what helps the best , is knowing that the surgery is going to help me in the long run. Keeping this in mind, pushing through the pain, forcing your self to get up and move around, and taking your pain medication so that you don't let the pain get ahead of you will help you make a fast and safe recovery.
Joyful Love
&
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta
Then there is the pain when you wake up. Even though they tell you might be in pain, you are still not prepared for how much it hurts (depending on how invasive the surgery is), luckily they I have IV pain meds that just knock you out. The first few days our the hardest. Sometimes you feel as though the pain is worse than it was before the surgery, but it is a different kind of pain. For me, what helps the best , is knowing that the surgery is going to help me in the long run. Keeping this in mind, pushing through the pain, forcing your self to get up and move around, and taking your pain medication so that you don't let the pain get ahead of you will help you make a fast and safe recovery.
Joyful Love
&
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta
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