Medical Update

Hi All!
Ok, had my infusion (IVIG) yesterday and it went better than last time. I insisted on the nurses using the vein that I pointed out and running the infusion at the lower rate that I preferred. I even checked the pump and was going to change it if they didn't listen to me! However, the doctor and everyone listened to me today and it was relief. I was so nervous about going. There have been some VERY grumpy nurses. There are specifically two nurses who are in their 40's and 50's who are grumps and I actually get nervous going to infusion because they make me feel uncomfortable! One turned to me very seriously and said, "we like it when people complement us but when they tell us we are doing wrong we become offended". I was shocked because I feel like they always get cross when I am not happy with the care and then I become scared to ask for something or when I feel sick from infusion. So Thursday night at prayer meeting I asked for us to pray for a nurse to be there who was nice. I know the names of the ones who are nice too. When I went yesterday that specific nurse was there and I have not seen her for ages. She told me that she was not rostered on for today but got called in! What an answer to prayer!...hehe....it really was...she did my jelco and was so nice and happy and set my rate and made the day a lot more comfortable...praise the Lord. That little answer to prayer really helped me endure the IVIG a lot better. The doctor increased my pre-meds which I think helped.
Although last night when I got home I felt much better, as the night went on I became anxious and over the Christmas shopping and all! I don't remember much from last night but Alan was telling me more about it. I really wasn't myself last night and the infusion does that to me. I have been so normal the last 2 weeks...it is odd when you suddenly change. I was uncomfortable and aggitated and weird...was definitely infusion and then when I woke this morning my muscles were all twitching and shaking and I woke up with a really sore, reasonable lump under my left arm which makes me feel nauseated when I touch it! It is quite big and was not there before infusion yesterday. So I am guessing it is an immune response to the IVIG infusion and is my lymph node that has come up really hard and sore. The IVIG is human antibodies so technically every 4 weeks I am receiving a foreign antibody and immunity so my body has an immune response (just like babies when they have their immunisations) and it responds with headaches or flu symptoms, confusion and aggitation, muscle spasms and shaking and of course, the lymph nodes coming up. I will go to my GP this week to check that it is just the lymph nodes...as I said it was not there yesterday and only this morning....must be related to an immune response from infusion. So I feel all weak today when yesterday I woke up feeling so strong before infusion....infusion really does affect me strangely for a week...the immune response to it...and then after a week, the infusion strengthens my whole immunity so I can live without many more infections for the whole month! It is so strange how things work.

My big gynae surgery has now been re-booked. It is gonna be on the 21st January...only about 5 weeks away. Pre-anaesthetic on the 17th! An appointment with my haematologist in regards to any bloods that may be needed on the 4th of January. It is a private operation so I won't go into any detail but i am excited and scared all in one. I will have a rather big abdominal incision. It will be interesting to see how long it takes to recover but I am anxious to have this surgery out the way. It is two weeks before Isaac starts big boy school. We thought it was wise to do that because if Isaac starts school and I suddenly have surgery he is likely to worry about me while he is at school and want to be home. So if I have it in the last 2 weeks of his holidays he can be involved and know I am not sick, just having surgery and can spend as much time visiting me as he would like, feeling reassured. The pneumonia bout 5 months ago really scared him. I should be home recovering by the time he starts his new school and reception...and I can try and support him more rather than being in hospital. SO that is big news.

Did I say Isaac got his "preschool diploma" last week. He graduated from preschool....so cute. He cried afterwards and said he was sad because he wants to stay at preschool and not go to school. He is now on 7 weeks holiday before he starts school.

Well, I have almost finished my Christmas shopping and will be glad when I am done. It has been overwhelming at the shops! BUT, I must admit...really fun.

We went swimming with my neice again this past Tuesday. Isaac always enjoys that.

Ok, I am a little tired from the computer and need to finish looking decent before Isaac is up from his afternoon sleep!
Thanks for checking up on us....
Love Charisse