Friday 2.15.2008

Day 10, Treatment #2

Another work day. I started out feeling like normal tired, with not an excessive amount of energy, but like I'm ok, I'll get through this day, and tomorrow I'll be able to rest.

I do ok, mostly. Around 10 ish, I think, I start feeling not so good. I couldn't pinpoint what was wrong, just that I wasn't feeling well. After a few more minutes, I was standing in the hallway getting ready to go into a patient room, and I heard a whoosh like noise in my ears. I thought Hm, I don't feel funny, but I think I'm going to go into this empty room and take my blood pressure.

I did, and a co-worker was in the room stocking linens. She offered to wrap the blood pressure cuff on my arm, and the results were 83/56. Hm, a little low. I don't feel funny, like nothing indicates that anything is out of sorts, but Hm.

I got a 20 ounce water, and drank what I could right then, and tried to keep it with me so I could continue drinking. I didn't feel nauseated, but didn't feel right, either. I was able to have my lunch about noon, and I tried to "take stock" and see if I was going to stay or have someone come in for me. I was functioning, and feeling like I was ok; but I was frequently checking in on myself to see if that was still the case.

Time went on, pretty soon it was about 2 pm. I have another 16 ounces of water in, and felt like I was "not drunk" or "not extremely fatigued", but that funny sensory weirdness I had before. And my legs felt real heavy, not like muscle pain, but maybe bone pain? I needed to have labwork drawn, and I took the opportunity to go to the lab and have it done. All was well with the draw, one poke and done.

Back on the floor, I do what I need to, and wonder about calling in someone to replace me. I'm still feeling ok, so I think I will continue to evaluate. One of the hardest things to do, for me, is to recognise that I need help, then asking for it. But I will. I will recognise my limits to the best of my ability.

And then, about 5:00, it was like, oh, I'm feeling better. Like, all at once. I don't know what it was, but it was gone. Allrighty, then. I finished out the shift and went over to the nursing home.

Mom was ok, still with a loose cough, but I got her cleaned up and tucked into bed. I came home, wrote here, and am going to bed. Tomorrow I plan a slower day, not much to do but rest.

By the way, I didn't wear anything on my head again today, just the very thin hair. It's a little awkward, but my scalp itches so intensely much I don't want to aggravate it.

Thank you for reading. I have seen several of you these last couple of days. I appreciate the wonderful hugs, and knowing that you're out there reading is absolutely wonderful. And I love the comments, too. Your support is helping me get through this.