Wednesday 23 November 2011

Day +7 and I'm filling up like a balloon....

...and by that I mean I've put on 4kg in a day... in water retention! One of the side affects of the chemo is that it kills the cells in the mouth and gut (nice!) and so I do not absorb my food/nutrients and water properly.  Hence the nutritionalist coming round to give me advice on what to eat...personally I think she should spend her time finding some edible food in this hospital before preaching to me...but that, they say, is another story...


It means that I am technically dehydrated, even though I drink lots of water so last night was awake all night being given 2 litres of fluids (2 bags) through my hickman line, each bag taking 8hrs to transfuse, that, on top of the two bags of blood I had today and the various other drugs I am given through my line adds up to a lot of fluid....boy can I feel it now.  My hands hurt, my ring is stuck on my finger as they are swollen up, my face hurts like the skin is being stretched across it...so although I don't want what is to come, I think they are going to give me a lovely little drug which makes you wee all the excess water out...oh another night of no sleep for me! 


A few other new things...it's almost exciting to be able to talk about new stuff happening in my little room....(almost!).  I have had my first GCSF injection today, this is a growth factor that I will have injected into my stomach for 7 days to try and help stimulate the new cells.  My mum has found me a great snack that I love...Del Monte Fruit bites...they are like healthy sweets, yummo.  Rich has been tasked with purchasing me lots more for when he visits on Saturday!   I have got round to tasting the beef and tomato pot noodle and was pleasantly surprised...yes they are still my main lunchtime snack.   Dinners have improved because I now eat ready meals that Rich and Mum bring me.  I have had a visit from the occupational health adviser who has asked me to do 2 lots of 10 minutes a day on these weird freestanding pedals...you sit in the chair and pedal and I have to record how I feel etc...  Sorry if I seem ungrateful but I am 31, I know how I feel, I know how to exercise, I know I will feel weak when I leave hospital, I really don't think 20 mins a day on these pedals will change my fitness dramatically!...Linking in with the nutritionalist above...I also know what I like to eat, I know about calorie intake, I could probably write a book on diet, food and healthy eating....Big Big Sigh......


Can you tell I am a right grump today...I swear this lack of sleep is making me ill....how ironic!


On a positive note I have been able to skype with my brother in Oz and see my lovely nephew Robson and the new arrival little Harry...always a way to perk me up...they are basking in 36 degree heat...I added that to make you all feel jealous, my climate controlled room means I have no idea what the weather is like outside!  I have also just spoken to Rich which always makes me happy.


Until next time... I'm off to sleep...oh I must stop with these jokes! ha ha....

1 comment:

  1. Me too - just spoken to Richard and that has made me happy as well! It's good to keep up with your progress in this way - and we're wishing you a speedy return to full health again. You're not missing any decent weather - very Novemberish, i.e.damp and dark, though not too cold yet. Don't envy you your food, but glad you've found some alternatives to the hospital menu. Pot Noodles, eh? Not had those for years! Hope you can still manage a bit of reading to keep your spirits up and pass the time. Thinking of you, and sending our best wishes. from Dom and David (Richard's ma and pa!)

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