Tears, ER, and Teeth

After 7 long weeks, yesterday was the last day that I was supposed to stop taking Dexamethasone (steroids).

My life - Dexamethasone = more normal life

I couldn't wait.

Then, after dinner, I felt like I was getting a fever. There are two things that I don't usually get: headaches and fevers. My body started to feel warm and achey. My husband was at church with the kids and I had to call him home after it was over.

10:00 pm. That is when it all began. During my Dexamethasone time, I've had a few "arthritic" episodes. They have been centered on my knees to my ankles and towards the end of the week. I would usually wake up in excruciating pain, and it would feel like someone had used at 2 x 4 to crush my knees and left me there. I couldn't stay still nor could I find any type of comfortable position. It was just a waiting game for the Tylenol to set in (usually 1-1 1/2 hours). Just pain. During those times, my heart would remember those with rheumatoid arthritis...

Yesterday, I was going back and forth from a fever. I had to call my oncologist. Thankfully, she was the physician on call! My fever wasn't so high, so we decided to ride it out the night. Usually, cancer patients have to call when they have a fever 100.5 or above because it could mean that it is the sign of some type of infection.

Weirdly, I could feel something in my knees as I talked with her. We talked and hung up. Then, the full force started to hit me in my knees. Why does it always happen like that? My knees started to freeze over and I ordered my husband to give me 3 Tylenol (I have reactions to Vicodin/Morphine so this is usually the pain relief I get). I was in pain and now was just waiting. I also told him to give me a towel to bite on. I bite down with the pain - we live in a townhouse.

Well, I waited and waited. Relief never came. Five hours passed. Another Tylenol and two more Advil. Had to call my oncologist at 3 am again. I ended up going to the ER because I couldn't take it. I was a sweaty mess with a towel in her mouth.

My husband had to literally carry me downstairs. Not fun. They accessed my port at the ER and gave me some type of medicine - relief. I slept for 2 hours. Then, they discharged me.

As soon as I got to the car, I could feel the pain start again. The doctor gave me a prescription for some pain patch, which I argued with my husband to stick on my arm immediately. When I called my oncologist hours later, I had to immediately take it off. Powerful stuff with addictive, powerful side effects.

Have to call my oncologist who was on call all weekend and my brother has to pick up a prescription tomorrow. Apparently, they can't give prescriptions when on call.

Back on the steroids for now. But, I am glad to if it will stop the arthritis.

Can you also pray for my teeth? They have a been a bit achey and some don't look good. A friend said that after her chemo, she had a ton of cavities. I've heard of people who have had chemo and afterwards had to get dentures. Don't want to go there. Have to find a dentist also.

Ok. Have to stop. My eyes are squinting and closing.

Overall, needing prayers!!!