Friday, December 5, 2008

Friday, Dec 12th UPDATE:

Well, I know yesterday evening I was all giddy about how great the prcedure went and im guessing maybe the cosmos decided to punish me for spreading the rumor about what a simple, easy process this was.

Fell asleep with no problem whatsoever. I had been informed that the side effects from the talc could range from chest pains, breathing problems and fevers. Around 11, I was lying on my right side (always the right side, no?) and I woke up and realized I needed to turn over because I didnt feel so good.

Mom shot up and noticed my blood-oxygen level was in low 70s. I have the nurse paged, but mom runs out into the hallway and flags a nurse in before they can respond.

I am now quickly running out of breath as each second passes. My low blood oxygen level now had some 4-5 nurses and doctors in my room and I am gasping for air in what I can only describe as the most frightening event of my life. I can handle any new cancer procedure but this was something I had never experienced before.

Poor mom could only sit on the edge of my bed and rubbed my arm as I took in one frequent, shallow breath after another, my eyes bugging out of my head with fearful tears welling up. I remember one of the nurses looking up at my mom saying, in the mist of the chaos, "Our jobs are never done, are they?" Some moms, sadly, are done at this point, but Im thankful Pam still feels an obligigation to keep my feet lotioned and my legs shaved and my back rubbed and scratched at all times.

I dont know when the first phase of the fever/breathing issues subsided. I want to say it was around 1-130 and I slowly began to fall asleep.

Around 3pm, I woke up and it started again - couldnt breathe, room is packed with nurses and doctors, and this time they're sending up the transport x-ray machines which was all torture because for ONE, my oxygen, BP and Heart Rate all get crazy when I sit up or try to move around and TWO, they put that big metal board behind my back and then asked me to either hold my breath in for the shot, or breathe out for the shot - - - WHAT?!?!? I cannot breathe, I cannot talk.

Phase II lasted even longer. I was on a temporary dose of 100% oxygen and the guy wroking on the oxygen was trying to switch me to a oxygen mixture. (I dont know why they dont want people on 100% but they dont) In the middle of one of my spazouts, the guy messing with my cannula and my mask, he took one of them off for just a little bit too long and I got one of those coughing spazms that quickly turned turned into me getting sick - mom, like a championn, quickly pulls over the trashcan and I swipe the oxygen mask from the guy.

Im too tired right now to give you anymore details, but I just wanted to let you know how incredibly AWFUL last night was. Things will get better.

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

And yet you still post for us. I hope you are getting an uneventful night with the rest you need and pray the worst is now over. Pam and you both Rock! What kind of lotion do you prefer? Feel my hugs. Love, Sue

Karyn said...

Keep on keeping on girl....you are amazing...

SurlyTammy said...

Fort, as always your in our thoughts, prayers and good wishes. I'm sorry you had such a sucky night and that today is restful and uneventful for you.

Anonymous said...

Things will definitely get better. Prayers are definitely with you right now.

Love,

annie said...

I love that you and your mom have such an awesome relationship. It can only get better from here! Love and prayers coming your way :)

Anonymous said...

Mo- we're praying for you and sending you that Positive Fortener Vibe every minute of the day. We read your post everyday and wish you nothing but the best.Willie-mo sends you hugs and kisses and says if Pam needs a break he will come over and rub your feet and back
Love Bobby, Judy and Willie

Anonymous said...

you are incredible.. actually more then incredible, another word should be created to describe you...
praying for you..merry

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your scary night. I;m hoping things get better very soon. Healing energy coming atcha! MWAH! Marisa

Anonymous said...

You are my inspiration. Your inner strength is incrediable. Hang tough, you will get through this. All of our positive thoughts and prayers are coming your way!!

angelsamoungus said...

You are also my inspiration. Prayers are with you always.

Love,
Terri

Anonymous said...

I am counting on not seeing you when I volunteer Tuesday night. So keep hanging tough and get out of there ASAP!!
Sue

Anonymous said...

Love ya!

Anonymous said...

You are such an amazing person, and I want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Back when you were at MedCost, you were my biggest role model and I loved coming to work with my mom and visiting you. I remember when I had the hives, you made me the top ten reasons why it's cool to be sick, or something like that..but I loved it and I kept it for years. I wish I had it right now so I could say the same things to you. But stay strong girl. Stay positive, and know that you are loved by so many people.

Love,
Cydney

Nancy Kramer said...

Thinking of you often!!!

Anonymous said...

Fort I just want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you!!!!!! ANYTHING YOU NEED!

Anonymous said...

Fort, I am thinking of you and praying for you. Your sense of humor and strength are inspiring. Emily (Meyer)

Anonymous said...

YOU ARE ONE IN A MILLION MELISSA & your insights and humor have enriched each of our lives that you are a part of. Thank you for sharing this battle with us and the world. Your view of life is incredible and your life reflects my "savor every moment" motto. I am blessed by having you in my life as a kid, a teenager and then an incredibly strong and dynamic woman. I am proud to know you and to love you. yaya st

Anonymous said...

Sending prayers and love your way my spirited friend. I hope that you get some sleep after all of those visitors tonite. I'd vote you "most popular" for sure at the hospital, too bad they don't have a yearbook so you can show off your new title. You amaze me everyday with your strength. See you tomorrow!
XOXO,
Tracy
OMG....i am posting...i am using a digital camera...what is next? maybe I will join the cyber world of myspace......we'll see.?

Susie Q said...

You have all our prayers and thoughts...you and your Mom are two of the strongest women in the world. You are both amazing...God Bless you.

Love,
Sue Combs and family

Jami said...

Your strength is so amazing Fort. Praying, praying for your strength and your family's! Love you!!! Jami

Anonymous said...

Saw you last night Melissa. You are my champion and my bestest, most favorite patient/buddy EVER! Stay strong, be brave, and have peace in your heart. You are a fighter. Now get your rest and know your friends and family love you and so do I. Patty, Lisa, Donna, and Rachel all send their love and prayers. The staff here at the office and patients as well are all thinking of you and asking about you. Love, Joni

Anonymous said...

Fort, there are not words to describe your ability to somehow make others see the best in life while you are experiencing the worst. Thank you and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Lisa and Pony

Unknown said...

Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way! You WILL get better soon!

Casey James said...

Fort, Lisa really nailed. You create laughter and life no matter what your circumstances are. Thanks for keeping it real! Love, Casey

Unknown said...

Hey, It's Misti's sister. I just wanted to let you know that I follow your blog and not only think it's awesome, but think you kick ass! You are completely amazing! All my thoughts are with you!! ~ Kristi

Anonymous said...

Hey Fort,
I am amazed at you everyday. I am praying for you everyday and if the praying doesn't work, I did the worm in the catseye for you. Love ya girl.

Leary

Anonymous said...

love and more love...strength, calm, and more love---sending it all along with all the prayers I can

Anonymous said...

Melissa, I just learned that you have been fighting for your life again. My prayers go out to you and your family in this struggle. I have been reading your blog just now for the first time, and I see the same wonderful, funny, creative, spunky girl I had the pleasure to work with in senior English at FHS. Knowing you has been a gift. Seeing you a few months ago was wonderful and showed me you have that fighting spirit that inspires us all. May God be with you, and I'll be in touch again.
Love, Mari Lou Moore

Anonymous said...

Melissa, After Melissa and I saw you at Dr.Romer's office, I ask her how you were doing.She forward your blog to me to read. I have to admit I read your blog every week. I am amazed at all the things you do while battling cancer. You are always in great spirits even when taking chemo. Your words and pics are so inspiring. I enjoy coming into work everyday just to see if you blogged yet. You helped me see how to enjoy life.I am praying for you to get better, cause I believe you have alot of people here to inspire still. My prayers are with you and your family. Debbie Mann

Anonymous said...

I am amazed by your strength, and are sending you and your family prayers of peace.

Jessie (Muhleman)Rindler

Anonymous said...

Your whit brightens all of our days while you endure such a struggle.
We all love you very much and wish you to get better soon.

Anonymous said...

We're thinking of you during this tough time. Love you, Patty & Dan

Anonymous said...

FORT -

You are the strongest girl i've ever met! I'm praying for ya, Johnny Mac, your mom, dad and brother and the rest of your family. Hang in there!!!!
Kelly ENRIGHT CUmmings

Anonymous said...

Looking for an update every day. Please post.

YSC girl

Anonymous said...

After reading alot of the comments people are saying... one really stuck out. You ARE a amazing, inspirational and the strongest woman I know... MORE than inspirational, amazing and strong. Someone said that there should be a better word to describe you, the only word that comes to mind is Fort. Simply a word, the name Fort, you, that encompases all of it. You truly are one in a million. All my prayers, good vibes and all around positve thoughts are your way. Thank you for the positive infulence you have on all of us.

-Stephanie Shaw

Dru said...

There was a time when I took care of whatever ailed you and your brother. It pains me to know that I cannot fix you with tape and a few well placed bandaids!
You are still the tough young lady that I remember. Your detailed accounts of what you are going through help us to focus all of our positive energy just where it needs to go. Can you feel it?
My love to you and your wonderful family. Dru

Anonymous said...

Hey Fort you are totally amazing and strong. We are praying for you and you are in our thoughts every day. Love you kiddo...Love your cousin April

Mary Lou said...

Melissa....YOU are amazing! Your spunky spirited soul truly leaps off the pages of your blog into our hearts forever.....Peace, love, and positive thoughts coming your way....
Love,
Mary Lou Holland, your fifth grade teacher

Anonymous said...

Hey Fort! My wife and I have been reading your blog for a while now. You're an amazing chick and our thoughts and prayers are with you always. Hang in there girl!!!!

I also want to let you know we had a little girl, Ellia Stuart, 9 weeks ago!! Oh how the time flies! Could you imagine Stu with a little daughter??! Seems like yesterday when we were all making asses of ourselves in Panama City!! Take care Fort! -Love, Stu