20 June 2023
Yesterday was a good day! As of this writing, no diarrhea (thank you Lomotil)! Not only did I make it to the credit union and filled the jeep up with diesel, I managed to rake leaves on the west side of the house where the mango is shedding so much, sweep the path, clean the pool filter, clean the patio, but also managed to kill weeds that were threatening to overgrow the house from all the rain.
My stamina held up pretty well until the very last. After the weed killing, I jumped in the pool for the first time since the end of May. I’m sure the water temp was in the 90’s from the hot afternoons. Even so, it was a refreshing dip.
Funny thing about cleaning the pool filter. It was exceptionally dirty since I haven’t cleaned it since June 5th. I use a water hose to clean the pleats and today the water pressure was only so-so. At times, usually the mornings, the water pressure is pretty good but sometimes in the afternoon, it is rather weak. I wonder if it has something to do with water usage? It was so weak I walked around to the front to check to see if the construction people had accidentally left the front hose running. It wasn’t that.
I wrote the above yesterday. That tends to be how I do these blogs. I start the day before posting, write a little, let it sit, then come back and review and then add anything new.
What’s new is around 1:30 am the diarrhea came back with a vengeance. I was up and down until around 8:30 am with episodes about every 15 minutes apart. I finally got it tamed with both a Lomotil and an Imodium. I still pretty weak from the episodes. It’s back to bananas, rice, applesauce, toast and tea. I had just gotten started back on a regular diet.
I would say there’s something more going on besides the chemo with my diarrhea but they performed a fecal occult blood test (to check for cancer and bleeding polyps) and also tested for Clostridium difficile (bacterium that can damage the large intestine) and both were negative. I can only lay it at the feet of the chemotherapy. Seems like 18 days is a little long for the symptoms to persist.
I canceled the afternoon’s dental appointment (cleaning). I dreaded the thought of being trapped in a dentist chair with the need to flee the room to find the bathroom. At least my bathroom is only steps away. The one in the dental office is down two long halls. I’d never make it in time.
Holy Cross called again this morning to see how I was doing. I mentioned the diarrhea and also that no one had sent the orders to my primary for me to get an x-ray and EKG. I’ll give it another day or two and then call the surgeon’s office and see what the hold up is. I can’t get them more than a week before surgery, so I have time.
With iffy digestive issues, I’ve decided to lay low for the day and stay in bed, read, and try to get enough nourishment and fluids to prevent dehydration.
Stay tuned!
