A Crazy, Hectic, Long Day on the Road to Fighting Cancer
Today was a very hectic stressful day. It started at 3:30am, when I had to get an MRI. The MRI was scheduled to get a another look at my vertebrae. The nurse gave me 4 mg of Dilaudid (normally I receive 2) and a Benedryl. When I got to the MRI group, they gave me what they call “protocol for sedation”. I was in dreamland!
Next thing I know I am waking up to the sound of people around me. I open my eyes and see the oncologist, Dr Bibb that works with my oncologist, Dr. Kookunoor. Dr. Bibb wanted us to speak with the neurologist and was very concerned with the initial findings on the MRI. He said I would most likely need surgery STAT and to stop radiation asap. I don’t remember most of the details of the conversation, so it is a good thing that I have my caregiver Lisa in town now, recording our conversations.
All of the drugs from the MRI situation put me into la-la land. I was having crazy hallucinations and was talking constantly in my sleep. I would say something in my dream and it was my voice that woke me up! I was talking to myself. Or I would be sleeping and talking to a person in the room sitting next to me, but talking about things that were totally irrelevant I guess the whole episode was pretty funny coming from the spectator.
I spent the next portion of the morning with my friends Juliet and Lara. Around 4, my lawyer Hillary came by to draw up legal docs for my will, power of attorney, etc. I was still feeling the effects of the medication and was having a difficult time listening and comprehending the legal jargon. Hillary was so sweet to go over everything several times to make sure I understood the documents. At one time, my room looked like a small business since we had 2 computers out, piles and piles of papers, a notary, two witnesses, the lawyer and me. It was all a little crazy. At least now I have this portion mostly taken care of. I still have a couple of docs that need to be finished, but that will be taken care of at a later time..this was enough for today.
During this time that we were working with Hillary, the neurologist showed up.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a Comment1 Comments
Melissa, we are reading, soaking up your information and thinking about you every day. It is so wonderful that you are surrounded by a group of caring friends and associates, and it's amazing to me that despite everything going on around you, you continue to write about your experience with such clarity and descriptiveness.
I've never met you, yet I feel I know you and much of what you are going through. Thank you for that privilege.
March 27, 2009 - 9:00amThis Comment