The on-going, first-hand tale of a journey through medical oncology... and what happens after.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Where to start?

Let's not begin at the beginning this time. The tale is long, and the storyteller has to concentrate too hard on typing. I will start by saying that my dexterity and depth perception are definitely affected by oxycodone (or bactrim, or polyethylene glycol). So I sometimes find that I am correcting one word ten or more times! It is frustratingly clear that while I am recovering I will be car-free (too tippy to trust my driving skills) and typing-restricted (my depth perception is whacked). I get tired easily, so reading is a challenge as well. Total bummer. Guess that means mindless TV and movies (DVD and Netflix)! (Luckily for me, I have been offered the use of several DVD libraries by friends.)

Quick run-down on drugs in use today: Bactrim (trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole) - 160mg-800mg oral tablet, 1 tablet twice daily, antibiotic regimen to control MRSA (methicillin-resistant stapylococcus aureus) bacterial infection. Will be on this drug for seven days at home; OxyCodone immediate release 5mg oral tablet, 1-3 tablets every six hours as needed for pain relief; Senna-ducosate 8.6-50mg oral tablet, 1 tablet twice daily, to relieve constipation (hold for loose stools); Polyethylene Glycol (MiraLAX) 17gm/dose oral powder, once daily as needed (hold for loose stools); and, Ibuprofen - 200mg tablets, 2 tablets every six hours for pain relief, (can increase ibuprofen dose to maximum allowable 2400 mg per day as decrease dosage of oxycodone). Also still applying clindamycin 1% topical gel for acneform rash (chest, back, and thighs).

Incision is LONG, beginning at approximately middle of right waist, travelling across my abdomen (and slightly up) to just above my belly button, then straight up to end just below my sternum. It is sealed internally with soluable stitches (too many to see and count through the steri-strips) and the externally with seventeen steri-strips. Total length is about 10 inches.

More incisive dialogue to follow...

4 comments:

PN said...

Hello Ed, Glad to hear that you are home and back with your family. Hope your having a lovely Sunday afternoon! PN

Fred Allen said...

You are one incisive person, Eddy.

dws said...

Glad you are back home and doing well. I'm sitting here this beautiful morning reading your blogs with the patio door open. Just as I read about you being home a loud and annoying crow begins crowing. Karen Carpenter is suddenly singing, Why do birds suddenly appear everytime you are near. We miss you in class. I hate being the only smart ass.

carolephagates said...

Ed - We're so glad you're home! Wish we lived closer - we've got a huge DVD library which covers just about everything, from Disney to Saw! Be a good patient for Karen & Julia! Love and hugs. Carole & Rick