I was torn as to whether to put this in "I, Caregiver" or "Daily Challenges" - it sure fits BOTH!!

Mom's on IV antibiotic therapy and, as many of you are aware, she is pulling her needle. She did it again yesterday, hadda BLASTER and messed in it. So this is not exactly unusual - just aggravating. What made it a big deal is that I have been feeling rough the past few days and yesterday I was absolutely miserable. Head throbbing, neck and back hurting, kidneys barking every time my foot hits the ground, legs hurting all the way to my ankles. So as soon as the nurse came and reaccessed Mom's IV port and gave her hjer IV, I had my son drive me to the walk-in clinic at 9:30 last night. I thought I might have had a strep infection 'cause my son's ex had come by to visit a week ago and didn't realize she was coming down with it. knowing my policy on NO SICK FOLKS ON THE PREMISES, she called Wednesday to let me know so I would keep an eye out in case any of us started getting sick. Well, the doc didn't think I had a strep infection - he thinks I am passing a kidney stone! It took me twice as long to tend to mom and I hadda pause a few times to lean against the wall and catch my breath. I was within a centimeter of calling Home Health and tellng them they hadda send someone out to change Mom as I didn't think I could do it! I did get through, however, but I don't feel much better today. My one biggest fear in caring for mom is if something happens to ME! Fortunately, I am ridiculously healthy (normally), and have never had to confront being incapable of caring for her. I think I can limp through if this doesn't get any worse... I haven't been this sick since I did have strep 20 years ago!!

Anyhow, If y'all don't see me around for a few days, it's because I can't stay up very long at a spell...

Wish me luck and please send "pass dat stone" vibes!

I wasn't running much fever Hap - only 100.3 - I don't think it got higher, but for me, that wouldn't be unheard of... I have had fevers of 103°-105° many times. I'm just a hot kinda gal, yaknowwhutImean The fever could have been from the virus or the pain alone!

I have been feeling better almost by the hour today - feel better than when I got up, for sure! My muscles are still sore, but that's expected and no biggie... just makes me move a leedle slower than normal.

I don't think I got my $150 bucks worth... wonder if they give refunds?

i hope it isn't a kidney stone. don't you hate to pay good money to end up dx ing yourself and then getting better yourself. i too hope your mom does'st come down with anything. your fever is what concerned me as unless an infection showed up in your urine, i wouldn't expect a fever. my prayers are with both of you, you to recover fully and your mom to avoid the illness. fingers are crossed and hope you have a little humor today. it really is good medicine and no co pay!

Hi folks, thanks for the kind words!
My take on this is that the walk-in clinic doc was fulla da brown stuff. I think I had/have a virus. There are lotsa reasons for blood in the urine and most of 'em aren't kidney stones! That doc's opinion didn't impress me because he didn't have a good explanation for why the only time my kidneys hurt is when I walked and jostled them, nor for the headache, neckache and incredible leg pain. The legs were worst of all! That diminished on Saturday night/Sunday morning and I was able to get up and see to Mom, etc. But later, the vomiting hit. OMG did I spend some MISERABLE time from Saturday evening until about 1am this morning! I can't remember being this sick in forever! But it finally stopped and I was able to fall asleep for a bit and when 5 am rolled around, it seemed like I was gonna live! I have had a barf-free day thus far and I have even been able to eat some crackers, etc. I feel washed out, of course, but not nearly so bad as the past few days, so I think I am on the mend. Just hope Mom doesn't get this...

Thanks again for your concern - the positive energy helped!

mb. hope you are feeling some relief now. hopefully you won't have side effects from the meds. we all know they have to put any possibilities on the printout to cover their butts so i wouldn't worry to much. feel better and when it's over, it's over!!if it were labor you would then face 18 to 40 years with the aftermath!! see, there is a bright side to most everything. take care, we are praying for a quick pass.what's with the fever though? didn't know that came with the program. sept. 1 is right around the far corner! you're almost there!

MB, How are you doing? I wish I lived closer to be able to give you a hand with everything. I can remember being so sick back in Jan. that Dan had to do everything. Thank God it was only one day that I really couldn't get out of bed and the rest of the time he was able to help me with grandma but had to take a day by himself. Kidney stones are painful from what I heard other people say and lucky I've never had to deal with those but did have the gall bladder/appendix attacks but that was when I was not being a caregiver so it wasn't as bad. Take care and know I'm thinking of you

Thanks folks... it was a truly miserable day for sure. I was afraid to take the NSAID drug the doc prescribed (the warning label was impressive - this excerpt particularly caught my eye: "Ketorolac may cause kidney failure." Like I NEED that!!!), so I took some hydrocodone that I had stashed from a dental abcess a couple of years ago. It barely touched the pain but simply made me feel loopy... I broke down about 9 last night and took one ot the doc's pills - it DID help. THe pain is not nearly so severe now (like first stages of labor) but I am still running a low fever and barfing every now and again. Makes it danged hard to stay hydrated or to take medicine with food when I just barf it back up a couple of hours later...

I woke up in the middle of the night and was feeling a lot better, so I went in to check on Mom and give her hr IV - you guessed it! That new needle didn't last 24 hours! So, I just sighed and brought her some ice cream.

If I continue feeling like I was yesterday, I will have to get someone in here to change mom... if it doesn't get any worse than it is now, I'll make it through. Not too terrible to get up and see to her then head back to bed.

BTW, neither of my boys' births caused this much pain!

I can hardly wait to live through this!

Momsbuddy, we all know what a good caregiver you are to your mom.You have shown you have the strength and will of Jobe.Now take some of the good advise you give to others and apply it to your self.If you discover you need help with mom, ask for it.
Passing a kidney stone is mucho painful.Sorry you are having to be going through such

MB, I understand your concerns. I am lucky to have support, "just in case". I can imagine a myriad of reasons that might stop me from being there for my Mom. It is my night mare. I have tried to lay out "contingency" plans, but none really suit me.

Male docs compare having to pass a stone to labor and having a baby. How would they know? When it is done, there is nothing to make it worthwhile except that it is over.

I will be thinking about you and praying for you to get passed this quickly. What horrible timing!!, There is no one who can care for Mom like you do, and this is a real crunch. We all know by now, the CG must be cared for. Other wise we are not good for much.

I hope that this is over by the time you see this and you are feeling relief.

Dear MB,
OUCH!
Drink water up to your eyeballs and take it easy until that blasted thing goes away.

Is there any way you can get some help until you are better?

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