On the mend

On the mend
I am back on steroids and starting to feel much better again.  I do not like the idea that I am dependent on them.  When you are on steroids your body stops producing its own steroids.  When my steroids have been withdrawn (we have done this twice now), my body is not kicking back in with my own steroids.  I become very ill, as a result of this. 

The illness is difficult to describe.  Firstly, I have overwhelming nausea ( I have taken loads of anti-sickness drugs, so I am worrying a constipation again!).   I managed to avoid being sick, but the journey was unpleasant.  I feel extremely tired.  I cannot sleep properly because my fever is rising and falling.  I am shivering, and then feeling extremely hot, over and over again.  My arms and legs feel lifeless and weak.  I feel ill.  Sitting down, I have my head in my hands and feel very poorly.

I am seen by my nurse, and sent for another blood test, to check for an infection.  The woman who took the blood walked me back to the nurse because she was worried about me.  My nurse does my observations - blood test, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen levels, blood sugar levels (another needle).  A doctor comes to visit, and concludes that the problem is the steroids.  I am given a prescription to continue taking steroids.

I go to my radiotherapy session, which was grim because I feel sick.  I am pinned to the bed, and agree with radiotherapists that I will wave if I need to be relieved due to sickness.  I manage to do the whole session (playing Queen - Jazz).

I have a bite to eat in café so I can take the steroids.  Go home to bed and sleep properly for a few hours.

My mum ends up not going home, as planned.  She did leave last night, but sadly will miss my step grandmother's funeral (which is in Cardiff).

I feel a lot better today.  I am still a bit ropy, but improving.  In bed, but brain is now working again!