May 20
5:45 woke to use restroom. Stumbled to bathroom. Strange dream.
6::30 alarm sounds. I’m so exhausted and weak feeling I choose to hit snooze multiple times.
7:00 I still don’t eat to get up, but now I need to. Long day ahead. Need to make sure I have gospel tracts my bag.
2 Samuel 22-23; Psalm 57; Romans 16:5-6
9:20 The nurse that injected me with the dye for the PET scan is a month younger, but looks older than me.
Anyways, her brother was struck by lightning several years ago. She thinks he may have been struck twice. He’s had heart problems ever since. I was able to tell her about the lightning strike support group on Facebook.
I really need to get the business card created and printed.
Oh, the nurse (Tracey P) was a preachers daughter and not allowed to wear pants growing up. She asked about where I got my culottes. I divulged my out of box resourcefulness. She loved it.
Actual PET scan lasted 25 minutes. During test, the back of my head started burning tingling feeling that started at base of brain and slowly moved to top of head. I was a little dizzy upon sitting up. Nurse couldn’t explain tingling except maybe for laying down so long. (I don’t think that’s it.
Finished about 10:30. Went to next area
12:45 had rough go of it at echocardiogram area. First nurse was not very kind. I had no clue what to expect so I was a little nervous to start. I asked if Joe could join me but she told me only patient is allowed. Once back to the room she told me to undress from waist up and put a small towel on bed to cover up with. I was appalled. It wasn’t barely going to cover anything. I’m not doing it. I asked for a gown. She told me she’d have to check the cart to see if they have any gowns. I just sat there asking God for help. After couple minutes the nurse brought a gown tossed it on the bed and told me to make sure the slit was facing out.
I proceeded to do undress and put the gown on facing out. Laid on bed and draped towel on top as well. Tears started streaming down my cheeks. I asked God to help because I could feel a meltdown coming.
The next nurse (Courtney) called my name but I couldn’t answer. She entered the room and called my name again. I told her I was trying not to cry. She asked what upset me. I told her about not allowing my husband to join me and at first not having a gown. She gave excuse that they didn’t have much room. Told her they shouldn’t schedule more than one test in a day. It’s just too much. She asked if I ever had an echocardiogram. I told her not that I recall. I informed her that I didn’t know what to expect or what was going on. She explained a little and answered my questions. When done, she gave me time to clean up and change. She then walked me out to the hallway. She asked if I wanted my paperwork if not she was going to shred it so I took it.
Halfway down the hall the tears started flowing again and I felt like I was going to fall. I saw the bathroom and ducked in there. Upon entering bathroom, I fell on the floor and bawled my eyes out for a while. Once I gained my composure, I exited and proceeded to tell Joe we could leave. He looked at me and asked if I’d been crying. I started crying all over again, but managed to tell him a short version. I saw a nurse at the check in desk and decided to ask the nurse to tell the other nurses to be nicer to the patients. She asked what happened which caused me to cry even more. She asked me to stay put and she would get the supervisor. When she came back, she informed us that the supervisor wasn’t in right now. Gave us her number and asked us to call her.
12:45 on to next appointment – chiropractor. I actually look forward to this appointment. This Dr is only one that believes me and is willing to help.
1:05 Dr Beakley’s office called. Needing to schedule a procedure and wanting to schedule it while I’m at the breast center next week. Initially I told her I just came from bad experience at hospital and I don’t want to do more than one procedure at a time. It’s too much for me to handle. She apologized for my bad experience and asked what happened. I told her I’d need to step outside. I proceeded to tell her what happened. She asked me about when would be good. I asked her to explain what it was that Dr Beakley wanted to my husband because I probably wasn’t in right frame of mind right now. She was happy to oblige. I handed phone to Joe. She explained it again to him. He asked where procedure would be done, location on my body, and how long it would take. I’d be in breast center the entire time and no need to change departments. Should only take thirty minutes. I can’t recall name of procedure presently. Joe told me it’d be okay and I agree to follow his suggestion.
P.S. Dr liked my shirt. It has “In the Garden” hymn on back. He said he woke with very song playing in his mind this morning
1:15 Joe and I called back to a room. Dr was glad I brought my results so he could have copies for his files. He asked about what had been going on and testing. Glad to hear that I’m stage 2 presently and that’s it’s a slow growing cancer. Glad to hear that oncologists are okay with my treating it naturally as well. Told him I would continue even if they didn’t agree, but I’m glad they are onboard. Asked what their action plan was. He asked if I was concerned. I told him a little bit the thing that’s bothering me the most was losing my hair. He told me that he’s seen lots of patients needing chemo and their hair grew back quickly. It at even grew back curly. I told him my action plan of losing my hair in my own way and that I’m praying that it’ll grow back curly. He smiled and said it probably will.
Asked what brought me in. I told him my left shoulder has been hurting something fierce and I think it popped out of place but while we were visiting Jakob one night it popped in middle of night and then I felt some relief. He checked and was able to pop it back the rest of the way. More relief.
Joe’s turn. His is due to Dezirae karate kicking him and bruising his rib. He chuckled. She almost broke his rib. At least we know she can defend herself.
3:30 finally how. I’m exhausted. Tummy is cramping fierce (dumb Eve’s curse). I need to lay down for a nap.
5:45 woke to alarm in my ear. It scared me. I fell asleep playing wholetones on my head phones so I wouldn’t wake Joe. I’m so exhausted. No energy. I can tell I haven’t juiced today.
6:20 need to get up.
Found fresh juice in fridge and gladly drank 8 oz.
Dezirae graciously cooked spaghetti for dinner with kale as the veggie after picking green beans with Mom and Holly for couple hours.
After dinner, drank chia seed DE chocolate milk to detox from radioactive injection from today.
https://www.karenberrios.com/detox-from-a-pet-scan/
10:30 exhausted and going to bed.
https://www.alichristian.com/giftsforawarrior
May 21
Woke at 3 something to use restroom. My whole body hurts. Thirsty.
6:30 woke by pain all over body
Psalm 95, 97-99; 2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 22; Psalm 30;
7:30 tired. Deciding to snuggle with Joe for little bit. He was up most of night smoking the brisket for tomorrow. Snuggling with Joe makes me feel secure and everything thing’s going to be okay. Just like spending quality time with God in Bible study, journaling, and prayer makes me feel secure and anchored in the midst of the storm.
Crazy day. Slow moving. No energy to start. Sinuses congested. Mucus getting thick and yellow. Lack energy.
Amazing thing – I asked family for help picking up the house and they actually got up and helped. I’m tickled pink.
Rae came with me to pick up cakes for church and take few items to church. I wasn’t thinking and asked for single layer cake. Should have asked for two layers. We got a thing of cheesecake too. I just didn’t want too much cake.
11:30 finally finished with the bulletin. Took me a long time to pick out the hymns as I was trying to coordinate with the activity. Printer kept giving me hassle too.
Pain level 6/7. Tingling and stinging in legs and feet. Lower back throbbing intensely. Muscles stiff and achy. Hands swollen and throbbing. Shoulders ache. Skin sensitive. Slight headache. Wore out.
Able to drink fresh juice once today. Night vitamins and meds taken.
A friend lost her brother suddenly today.
Thankful for…
1. Jakob home for a visit
2. Dezirae actually cleaned her room
3. Knowing that my children and immediate family know Christ as their Saviour.
