Good morning Carol fans! Knew you’d be interested in “Carol’s capers” these last few days! She is resting comfortably at Hopkins, awaiting a re-do of the nerve block she had May 1st. That will happen tomorrow. I have cut and pasted her emails together to recap how she got there. So what you read below is from Carol’s Blackberry to my computer! Keep the blog notes coming. Carol loves to hear from all of you!!
Sally


From Carol:

Long story, but big unexplained lower back pain caused me to call in
to the Stent Doctor Thursday (b/c it was the last procedure I had had so asked them about
the pain). They said, most probably not the stent insertion--it had been 6 days.
On-call doc suggested -"go to ER, get a blood panel so they can get a good look.
So, upon good advice, we didn't go to the local ER (where they don't know my
history) Frank brought me back to JH Emergency Room on Thursday evening.
It was VERY good b/c they are cross-referencing records, etc.

So trip here was not an emergency, that was good -- just a "let's get to the
why this acute pain" is coming more and more frequently – mid-day and middle of
the night. And the "walk it off, it is just gas" theory didn't seem to be
working.

All tests so far showing all labs are very good:
Tests so far:
Blood panels (all good, liver, billirubin in normal range, etc)
Flat panel X ray
Sonogram of kidney (just showed lots of Gas)
Dry CT Scan of liver
Regular CT (which is great resource for Dr Laheru, oncologist b/c he can compare
cell growth with history CT results.)
Dr Sam Giday (GI) said last night he wants to watch colon for any swelling. But
doesn't see any signs of concern.

Lots of theories at this point:
Kidney stones (probably not)
Pancreatitus (I am on IV liquid only, resting pancreas. May go back on fluids
today)
Nerve block has worn off (I go in Monday for a re-do on that. That's good!) I
would say they are zeroing on this one.


Okay, so here’s another amazing God Is In the Details moment:

This is a great story: (skip to ending: Nerve Block will be done on Monday) The
Pain Management Post-Doc Resident just came by. (He looks JUST like Chip! 30 yrs
old. Blonde, blue eyes, same build. Is an Army Doctor working at JH in a Pain
Mgmnt residency-just graduated last week and is re-locating to San Antonio next
Tuesday - the day after my procedure. His name is Brandon.

He was all excited b/c he was telling me that JH just set up a new system and
MONDAY is the very first day! :). Apparently in the past the Pain Mgmt unit
would schedule procedures all on Outpatient (yes, like my last one) but if a JH
In-patient needed a procedure they would try to squeeze them in to an already over
full schedule and it caused stress, frustration and irked Med Staff who had to
be reacting with no advanced planning.

Starting Monday (coincidence?) They have their first "okay, we have a scheduled
opening, Go out and find us an In-Patient to take this Spot!!) ME! --- I can't
tell you how excited he was to have affirmation for the "new system"!

ALSO: I mentioned to him that Dr Ehrdik was the attending the last time and Dr
Harrison did the block and it was a PERFECT 100% home run. And Brandon said-- "oh!
Dr Ehrik is the doctor scheduled for Monday! (Coincidence?) And since we had our
Post Doc graduation last week ALL of the other Residents have left-- ONLY Dr
Harrison and I are still here." (Coincidence?)

Then we chatted about how he had just moved his wife and 2 little 4 year old
girls to San Antonio. And he looked at my table and said, "oh, I see what you
are reading here. Are you a Christian?". He too is a believer!!!! Oh our God is
just so amazing - affirming, showing His presence, and hugs to me again and
again.

Well, there is my God Story

So, here is my status: all tests, vitals, etc are stable. They all seem to think
the pain I was experiencing was break through pain from the old Nerve Block
(done on May 1st) and apparently this is typical to need a tune up of the block
after this duration. (About 3 months) I am staying here just for pain management
through the pain episodes/flare ups, waiting for the Monday Procedure. Then
Monday I go home or spend the night. They will decide. (I may just come back to
this room to spend the night for Tuesday chemo - IF Dr Dan still wants to go
ahead with that schedule. We'll just make a game time decision on that I guess)

.

In the meantime, I'm resting and hanging out. Had to take a pain hit a couple
hours ago. It doesn't work completely, but just taking it to a dull ache helps
b/c I at least know what it is.

Food: they are switching me from IV fliuds to oral liquids now that confirmed
pancreas is quiet. Maybe then solid food tonight. Basically I am just me,
waiting around 'til Monday's block.

Love,
Carol