I also stopped eating a couple of days ago -- no appetite and the mucositis makes chewing and swallowing impossible. Thus, I'm on IV nutrition as well. The yellow liquid is the actual "food", and the white milky liquid is fat -- it's a 80/20 ratio.
I continue to be very weak and fatigued and concentrating/focusing is difficult -- I'm getting help to compose this blog entry. I was started a pain alleviator, Fentanyl, a few days ago. They have it set up where I push a button to get a "hit" when I need it. It lasts me a good hour and takes the edge off and helps me rest comfortably. Fentanyl is a narcotic and is 80 times stronger than morphine. It is so powerful (and potentially deadly) that it is actually LOCKED, and only the nurses can access it with a key -- you can see the lock below and the syringe within contains the good stuff. I guess they don't want me going berserk and overdosing.
Despite this difficult time, I know I will be recovering eventually and I remain optimistic. I thank you all for your support and the kind comments you have left me.
I will leave you with some lovely Spring pictures of the Stanford Hospital grounds/gardens my girlfriend took. Till next time.
I am so sorry you have to through this Jess, but I know in the end it will make you stronger. Take care my friend! I am thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteA frog goes into a bank and approaches the teller. He can see from her nameplate that her name is Patricia Whack.
ReplyDelete'Miss Whack, I'd like to get a $30,000 loan to take a holiday.' Patty looks at the frog in disbelief and asks his name. The frog says his name is Kermit Jagger, his dad is Mick Jagger, and that it's okay, he knows the bank manager.
Patty explains that he will need to secure the loan with some collateral.
The frog says, 'Sure. I have this,' and produces a tiny porcelain elephant , about an inch tall, bright pink and perfectly formed.
Very confused, Patty explains that she'll have to consult with the bank manager and disappears into a back office.
She finds the manager and says, 'There's a frog called Kermit Jagger out there who claims to know you and wants to borrow $30,000, and he wants to use this as collateral.'
She holds up the tiny pink elephant. 'I mean, what in the world is this ???'
The bank manager looks back at her and says ... " It's a knickknack , Patty Whack . Give the frog a loan, his old man's a Rolling Stone " !!
(You're singing it, aren't you ? Yeah)
DMH Gloria Marsh
Jess,
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine how you are going through this difficult time however, I believe in you and thanks for sharing the lovely flowers with us. You are strong and you can do it.
P.S. Please let me know your mailing address at the Stanford Hospital so that I can send you a card directly.
You may send mail to Jess at the following address:
ReplyDeleteStanford Hospital
Bone & Marrow Transplant Unit (E1)
Jess Cortez
300 Pasteur Dr. #5607
Stanford, CA 94305
You're doing good.. :)
ReplyDeleteIt must be hard, but I know you'll get through this. We are all praying for you.
ReplyDelete