Friday, February 13, 2009

Back To UCSF

Yes, you read it correctly . . . I was back at the hospital on Wednesday. A few weeks ago I noticed some bloody chunks in my drain and I was having some pain just before in the kidney area. It cleared up and the pain went away the next day so I didn't think to much of it. Then it happened again and cleared up again. After the third time we called my doctor to see what we should do.

While the doctors were setting up an appointment for me to go down to San Francisco I started having crippling pain in my stomach. That started Saturday night when it was so bad it woke me up from a deep sleep. I went to the bathroom but it was only getting worse. I had to kick my dog Rikki off the bath mat so I could lie down. Courtney came in and had me take some Tums then helped me back into bed. I woke up the next morning feeling fine. I was ok the entire day. The next morning (Monday) I was woken up once again by the pain. I took a couple Tums and it seemed to get a little better. All day Tuesday my stomach didn't feel great but I managed to work out in the gym and go to PT. That night the pain came back and with a vengeance. I was on the bathroom floor again crying. Courtney had to help me up and into bed once again.

The next morning Courtney called my doctor to inform him of what was going on. He was concerned so he had me drive to UCSF to get my drain checked. They were worried that even though it seemed to be draining it may be clogged. We had to rush down there to make my appointment. We were driving through a crazy rain storm with accidents left and right but we made it.

Everyone was excited to see how well I was doing. The last time they saw me in early October I was about 100lbs and still walking with a walker. Now I am about 14lbs heavier and walking with a cane. I told the doctors (the ones that deal with my drain) what was going on. They asked if I wanted to be sedated but I said "No." I have been a little needle shy lately. Besides they told me people that live with these types of drains permanently usually don't need sedation.

First they filled up my kidney with fluid to see if it would drain on it's own but it wasn't. It causes a really uncomfortable pain but it was tolerable. Then they pulled out the drain leaving a wire to guide the new one. It was pretty painful and once the drain was out it felt like someone was burning me with a match (or when you pour alcohol on an open wound.) At that moment I wondered if the little needle would have been less painful. Then they shoved a new drain back into my kidney and I decided that is I had to do this again I would totally take the sedation!

I was told that my drain had pulled out so it was good I got in there and had it fixed. The doctor also told me that the physical activity I have been engaged in may be causing the bloody chunks. He doesn't want to tell me to stop doing what I am doing but just to be careful. I guess I can push the limits sometimes.

So far things seem to be better. I have started rowing. Only about 10minutes at a time. My kidney is always sore afterwards so I limit rowing to once or twice a week. I feel like I am going crazy if I don't keep trying new things. Life will be so much better once I get my ureter fixed. I currently have not had any more stomach pains but if I do I think they will be moving up my CT and MRI scans. These days nothing seems to be little. I can't ignore anything that feels wrong. My greatest fear is that I have sarcoma tumors growing in my abdominal area and if I do I want it caught right away. But I try not to think about that.

I watched the new Survivor this evening and it was a little tough. I watch all of these people thrown into the wilderness and so many of them seem to poop out. I think to myself I could do better then that with only one good leg! It kills me to see people give up or start walking while the rest of their team is running. I know when I watch Amazing Race it will have the same affect. Courtney and I applied for that show just before I got sick. I keep working hard so I can get strong then I will reapply for Amazing Race. Hopefully this time we will get picked . . . Even with a bum leg I think we could rock that race!

I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day. I will be spending my watching the Tour of California in downtown Sacramento with Courtney. I will be meeting up with some of my sponsors and hoping I get a glance of some of the pros!

Powered By God,

Jamie

PS I went 6 miles in 54minutes in the elliptical machine. That is two minutes faster without even trying!


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey you! I am so sorry to hear that you had to go through all that pain! As always you come out witha positive note. You are in our thoughts. Enjoy your Valentines Day! XO
Amy

AM! said...

Thank you so much for the update. and 6 mi in 54 min!! dang. have fun at the tour

michaelzeal said...

Thanks Jamie
always an inspiration!
Keep smiling and give Courtney a big hug.
MJ & WInk

Jake said...

Jamie,

You blow my mind every time you update! Keep faithing in Christ. I hope our paths cross again in the near future.

God Speed,
Jake

PS: You & Courtney would totally blow the competition out of the water on the Amazing Race (that's my fav. reality show, btw.)