There and Back Again...

A tale not written by hobbits.

I was released last night from a ten-day stay at the hospital. Originally, it was only supposed to be for the basic five-day treatment, as always, but it was somewhere around day four when things went awry. Ya see, when you are in the hospital the smallest hiccup in plans calls for the addition of more doctors and, ultimately, more tests. I guess a 103 temperature was considered a "hiccup" in plans this time.

On the fourth day my temperature spiked which prompted my chemo to be stopped and immediate antibiotic treatment to begin. At first, before they know the exact reason why your temperature has gone up, doctor's order general, intravenous antibiotics to start fighting until they understand exactly what's going. Then I was subjected to multiple pokes of a needle. The Infectious Disease[ID] Doctor, remember I told you more doctor enter the equation, ordered a slew of blood tests. This time I watched-It's funny the decisions you make when you are high on morphine.

What once were fantastic vessels for blood to come and go as it pleased are now shriveled little veins that the worlds best nurse would have a hard time locating. This makes taking my blood a chore. I watched as the nurse poked me, pulling the needle in and out of my skin to "hit the vein." Watching hurts extremely more than just looking away. I seemed to have made a mistake. Eventually these vampires got what they needed and I was left alone in my room- high and abused. I felt like a junky that had just been raped.

I've always found solace in taking morphine while in the hospital. The best part of this raw deal called cancer is the unlimited supply of Morphine. These ten days were no exception. I was a little worried that since they cut off my chemo they'd be suspicious of my pain, but not to be concerned. No one questioned it. In fact after a while I didn't even have to ask. Every three hours the NURSE would remind ME of my pain shot, asking if I needed it. Fantastic.

Later on in the stay, the ID Doctor started to think that this infection was coming from my gallbladder. Are you fucking kidding me?? I was transported down to Nuclear Medicine to take tests that involve putting isotopes in my blood that tags a certain liquid in your body[blood, bile, ect] and tracks where it goes under a gamma ray camera. It's long and involved. Also, I had to go a ultrasound. Good news, It's a boy.

The rest of the week, from my cloudy memory, went by quickly. After surgery was proposed then taken back. Then a procedure involving a tube going in the side of my stomach was proposed then taken back. In the end, I was sent home after a Blood transfusion with a prescription of Cipro[antibiotic].

Today is Valentine's Day and I'm really just too exhausted to give a shit.