So anyway…..something is going on with the Mister. Nausea, vomiting, severe headache approaching 24 hours now. No pain, no fever, no symptoms elsewhere.

Despite my attempts (bland food, clear liquids, electrolytes, pain relief) he’s no better. Has not been migraine prone prior.

Home health nurse on the way.

Looks like some kind of a viral thing. 31 hrs with no relief from bad headache and nausea even after two rounds of nausea meds. Still no fever. No body aches. No appetite but taking in fluids pretty well. Negative COVID test but will test again tomorrow. All around miserable.

I’m feeling fine. Just hate I can’t fix it for him. Will continue to monitor and assess in the morning. 😔

TBH his immune system is compromised after chemo and surgery I’m surprised he hasn’t gotten something before now.

What an effing day. And currently at the ER with the Mister. So much going on. But…currently getting IV fluids. Bloodwork showed Sodium and Chloride low contributing to his severe headache and nausea/vomiting since Sunday. He’s been through the mill again. Can’t get a fricking break.

Thanks everyone 💜 Another bump in the road. Seems there may be a number of them to navigate on this journey. Most importantly, he’s stable tonight, home and resting. Tomorrow…well we just forge ahead 💜

Back in the ER 😔

He’s being admitted

After a battery of tests, scans, drugs and fluids, a CT of his abdomen indicated inflammatory infectious colitis. The drop in sodium level from the four days of nausea/vomiting. The headache consistently a result of all things going awry.

He’s on two specific antibiotics, magnesium (because it had dropped), sodium slow drip and the 5th anti nausea drug that finally helped him. He will be hospitalized 2-3 days with a GI consult to be conducted.

8 hours later and I’m home. Now to shower & eat.

24 hours after entering the hospital emergency department, we think his severe headaches and nausea have been comfortably addressed. A myriad of drugs injected for just these symptoms were administered. It’s compacine that appears to be the winner.

The fluids and antibiotics have been ongoing to address the infectious colitis. For the first time since Sunday the 27th, he’s resting & actually sleeping without pain.

The next 24 will be a marker to determine if the course is right. Damn I hope so

The antibiotics, the fluids & drugs to raise his sodium level, the fluid limits to retain the sodium, the now nonexistent headache, nausea & vomiting , the ability to tolerate a regular diet & a team fighting hard for his recovery led to….his discharge from the hospital late today. He is home!

Antibiotics continue 7 more days, w/salt tablets for 3. Protonix to counter digestive issues brought on by chemotherapy, a vitamin regiment & diet to maintain/improve immune system puts him on good path.💜

I’m awful lately for not responding personally to the messages of support and concern. So thank you ALL for taking time out of your busy days to show the kindness you have. I appreciate all of you very much 😘💜

And one week to the day of discharge, just like that…..he’s back in the ER.

He was admitted into the hospital yesterday afternoon. Despite protocol for raising it, his sodium level at a critical 119 value this morning. Headache, nausea and vomiting continue. Meds being administered to support relief and to get that sodium level going in the right direction. Kidney specialists on deck consulting with docs. I’ve lots of fingers and toes crossed.

Lung cancer fucks everything up. Because of it, he has paraneoplastic syndrome, kidney specialist diagnosis of SIAHD (hormone imbalance), hyponatremia (severe low sodium).

Finding the balance and assessing the risk:benefit ratio is tricky. Too much fluid (IV Route) can make heart work harder & form around the brain)

So oral route with Ure NA packets, salt tabs, thyroid med, med for low sodium, is pursuant to IV. A sodium level of 117 is current lab. Kidney, liver,damage, death VS heart, brain

I’m spending the night in the hospital with the Mister. It’s just the best to do so right now.

It’s been an eventful day but I refuse to let it reduce any positivity that does exist atm. I also refuse to let it define what tomorrow may or may not bring. For to do that removes all hope for a recovery from his condition. And I refuse to lose hope.

I will also say that the use of modern day drugs is the guiding light for recovery. There is promise and thus the positivity and hope.

41 hours later & home to finally sleep. Headway was made w/the med to stop the sodium level from plummeting further & management begins to bring it to normal range w/caution. Discovery of hypothyroidism w/treatment plan in place. Kidney function being observed w/optimism. New problem addressed w/Gastrologist & upper GI scheduled. Issue w/food intake direct result of dysphasia. Treatment plan TBD. BP affected & troublesome. Specialist team devoted to care 💯. What day is this? I couldn’t tell you

I have just a moment and can not go about this day without honoring my Vietnam veteran.

You fought bravely and you’re still fighting. Happy Veterans Day to my Mister.

He’s a complicated mess of acute a& chronic conditions w/symptoms just as complex. It’s being sorted out on the cellular, serum & molecular level.

Improvements are happening. Before long he won’t be a human pin cushion many multiple times a day.

I’ve learned more about his complexity than I ever planned. But with knowledge comes strength. And by golly I’m strong as an ox.

Tomorrow more examining for another condition that sheds layers off of this puzzle. It’s the last piece to make it whole.

A promising and forward motion day for him. The last puzzle piece solved. Sodium level has improved significantly with no associated symptoms. Hypothyroidism medication doing its job. Nutritional intake progress & toleration with no adverse effects. Gastric complication will be manageable with medication. All other labs of significant concern at or near optimal. Vitals are stable.

At this point maintaining at home is favorable. Discharge tomorrow is strong potential. Let it be so. 🤞