MS Treatment – Solumedrol Day 5
Last night… Thought we’d go in at a decent time tonight as I have messed up Lloyd & Emeraude’s evenings/bedtimes during this whole treatment. Lloyd has badminton and so Emeraude came with me to MGH and I hoped to get her some supper at the cafeteria between IM Toredol and the IV Solumedrol treatment (they close at 17:30 and Lloyd & Emeraude tried this yesterday but arrived too late).
We arrived at 16:50 to my absolute favourite lady, Local Cathy 🙂 xo. She was concerned about me getting the treatment so early and I was in need of a new standing order for pain meds anyways so she suggested we go ahead to the cafeteria. This worked out well as any later (I’m pretty slow so that the walk down the hall consumed quite a significant amount of time) and we would have missed our opportunity. They had perfect size little pot pies for Emeraude which was also really neat. We ate, enjoyed each others company and there were some ladies working on putting up a display which Emeraude found very interesting as well.
18:04 Back down the hall…
Cathy says we can take the obs WOOHOO! there was only one night of my treatment where I was not able to enjoy this priveledge (it had worked out ok anyways, same night as a meeting and nurse Mary was nice enough to roll in a table so that I could set up my laptop as I wanted to make some notes of the evening’s events/discussions). Emeraude was quick to inspect the room; found unwrapped gauze pads, steel stool, remote, had herself set up and playing pretend to keep Mommy very well entertained in no time!
I was set up to my IV in no time and then received the Toredol before Emeraude & I headed outside (puddles for her, bad habit for me) and enjoyed some fresh air. Time flew by although I didn’t feel very well and was wishing I hadn’t eaten so much salad at the caf (should’ve left room for crakers!).
was done receiving my treatment by 16:55 and the nurse took out my IV with Emeraude sitting on my stomach supervising. Lloyd had called just a few minutes prior asking about going out for a walk and so I was now debating how to take advantage of the chance that my girl might get to bed on time (what a blessing that would’ve been). I couldn’t figure it out though. I knew I needed to get the rest of my pain meds (hadn’t received the subcutaneous Dilaudid yet and new I would not make it through to bed time on my legs – nor be able to get to sleep – without some relief). I had just missed my nurse however when I finally figured out I’d have to leave the van behind and went to the nurse’s station to request the pain meds before leaving. The ladies crossing shifts had already started their ‘report’ and I was advised that I would have to wait until they were done (I could’ve just cried at this point. Aside from the pain, I had so very much hoped to get Emeraude in bed on time and put the ods of my treatments working as well as possible in my favour). There was a bonus though, Sheryl was coming off her shift afterwards and was nice enough to give us a ride (waiting for me to be done although she had already put in a 12hr shift!) home and there fore let me avoid cab fair.
20:12 DONE! out the door, put the car seat into Sheryl’s vehicle (thank you Sheryl!) she stopped by the petro for me (what? still no milk!) and then Emeraude & I were home and I had her on her way to book and bed. Hopeful that this 5 day treatment (as opposed to the 3 days I used to do) of 1500mg Solumedrol IV will work well and give me at least a few (or maybe a couple, trying to stay realistic) weeks of ‘normal’ living. I have so much to catch up on around the house and with the kids from the last 3 months of being out of comission and going to MGH 3-5/day for pain meds *sheeeesh* and the fatigue! well, that seems moderately better already I think. I had a good 7 or 8 functioning (mostly) hours today (that only seems great until you stop and count how many hours you worked/lived/accomplished things today – fit shower/meals/travelling/hospital visits in there and all of a sudden my day was pretty short but still better than the 5-6 hours I was trying to manage on just a few days ago).
I am relieved that the past months have allowed me to shed some of the excess weight I had put on in the fall (very hard to drag around ANY extra pounds,my joints don’t like it and it’s more tireing) and am beginning to worry about putting it all right back on as I have missed eating and don’t know where I should be finding a happy medium (plus, I have yet to document my $39 shopping spree at Fields which gave me a whole new wardrobe that I would sadly miss lol). I think I will make time to read/surf/write to Fytness Fanatiks and take advantage of the great support and ideas available there (thanks Amanda!)
Prayers Welcome!!!! Thank you to all the nurses who were involved in my care during this treatment.
