16 November 2023
Sorry about the inability to load the site yesterday. Hopefully iPage has fixed all the problems.
Wow! Yesterday, either I was feeling better before the massage or Tom worked miracles. I felt better than I have in a long time. I still get dizzy if I stand up too quickly and I’m still unsteady on my feet but I felt pretty good. Turns out I was the second cancer patient Tom had worked on that day and that person was having troubles with his chemotherapy, also. Small world. I’ve already scheduled my next month’s massage. It really does help me.
It’s official, Fort Lauderdale is the wettest city in the U.S. After today, we may be the wettest city in the world. It has rained pretty constantly all day yesterday and it looks like today will be the same. I keep looking out my front door to see if I’m going to be flooded again. Fort Lauderdale reported 8 inches of rain in some areas with 4 more expected today. The city also reported some “ponding” on Riverland Road next to my house – a tactful way to say it is flooded.
A couple of times we had wind gusts of 50 mph (tropical storm winds). When you look at my pool, you can see the results.
Farah, Dr. Jellinger’s assistant called yesterday and clarified that I’m to take prednisone every other day and after 4 days of pills, schedule a blood draw. I remembered to ask her what my cortisol level was and it was 1.2 µg/dL. The normal range is 6.7-22.6µg/dL. I’m severely low. Hopefully the prednisone will do its job and get me back in the normal range. It’s either that or I have a real problem with my adrenal glands or pituitary gland.
This morning my blood pressure was very low. I’ve taken it four times this morning and it’s 99/72, 83/58, 97/62 and 78/64. I texted Dr. Velez and told him I was dizzy and had low blood pressure and gave him my cortisol reading. I then left a message for Dr. Jellinger about whether or not to stop taking blood pressure medicine. While I wait for an answer from Dr. Jellinger, Dr. Velez texted me to stay hydrated and stop the blood pressure medicine for a few days. I gave each the other’s phone number in hopes they will consult each other. My symptoms for adrenal insufficiency are pretty much the same for chemotherapy.
I can’t believe how well I felt yesterday and how badly I feel now. Just as I think I’ve turned the corner, a step into the path of a Mack truck. Tomorrow is hydration infusion and I suspect I need it.
What I don’t understand about hydration is, here at home, I drink plenty of water, Gatorade, coconut water – all of which supposedly keep you hydrated and I even take Pediolyte. How can I be dehydrated? Yes, Jardiance makes me pee more but I more than compensate for that with fluids. I still have night sweats but I can’t be sweating out that much fluid.
I know I said I would quit whining on this post but some days are harder than others.
Stay tuned!