6 weeks and a set back ;o(
Well I have been progressing well over the last few weeks, able to take a 1 mile walk 2 or 3 times a day. Still all on the flat, haven’t tried going uphill which would be easy to find as I live on the side if a mountain but east to west on regular roads is fine for now.
There is a manmade pond at the entrance to our sub and it’s a gentle downhill walk to get there but the walk back used to have me in agony so I have to say I am a bit scared to try it. I also don’t think I am strong enough yet. So many years lying in bed having to work flat has definitely weakened all my muscles.
Day before yesterday (17th July) was Tim’s birthday, unfortunately he didn’t feel well so didn’t even want to go out for a beer to celebrate. He said all he wanted to do was curl up in a ball in bed. He doesn’t go out for a beer often but if given half a chance he’s first in line. He has a t-shirt that says “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Which is a quote from Benjamin Franklin (supposedly.)
I had hoped whatever it was would be brief and not get me but it was not to be. The next day he was feeling much better so it was only a 24 hour type bug thank goodness. He woke up feeling better, I woke up feeling like I had been hit by a semi repeatedly. I hurt everywhere, all my nerves were on edge, every movement sent shooting pain somewhere, even my skin hurt.
I struggled to just stay hydrated all day daring not to move any more than I had to. Tried, Ibuprofen, aspirin, my Lortab, nothing helped. I just laid there listening to my talking books. Didn’t even sleep! I took a sleeping pill that night hoping a good nights sleep would bring relief the next day.
I know my immune system is compromised because of the op’s and transfusions but I was shocked when I woke up this morning, I felt weaker than I think I ever have, I had more energy and strength after 5 days in bed after the op than I did this morning.
The aches had gone but I felt like it had taken every single ounce of my strength to fight whatever it was. I almost passed out getting down stairs, my legs felt like they had lead weights on them, I was shaky and just trying to get a bowl of cereal down me so I could take my meds was almost too much to bear.
It sounds ridiculous I know and I think you have to have experienced something like this to really understand the severity of it but it is horrible. I started this post (lying down) a while ago and keep adding a few sentences here and there as I feel able.
I was back to not being able to get warm again so had to sit in the sun for a bit then lay on the lounger in the 90F shade. Bliss!
Tim had said a while back he didn’t want me around anyone as I might get something and not be able to fight it. The only thing I can imagine is we went to Costco about a week ago, I try to remember to disinfect the trolley but you do pick things up to examine them and put them down again, who knows how we picked it up.
It just goes to show you how careful you have to be if you are immune compromised. You would think with all that new blood (4.5 liters!) there would be some anti-bodies in it to help me fight infections, I guess not.
Here's hoping I am back to normal soon (whatever that is ;o)
