Nausea drama for early November.

 Check my previous blog posts on my recent health at

https://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2024/10/my-experience-with-jaundice-and.html

https://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2024/10/coming-home-from-hospital-and-road-to.html

https://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2024/11/more-health-drama-in-late-october.html 

In late October, I was experiencing pancreatic pain due to the ECRP procedure earlier that month.

Good news, that pain subsided!

Bad news, it's now 2 weeks of daily nausea.

When I was experiencing pancreatic pain, I did feel nauseous but nothing could come out.

But since November 2, all the vomit that wanted to come out did. And even more that didn't exist that day come out on later did.

As noted in previous blog posts, my appetites was already declining.

Now, I didn't even want to eat anything, noting that it was all going to come out.

For example on 11/02/2024, I decided to have a few crackers. Not even a half-hour later, the contents were vomitted out.

On 11/04/2024, I called the doctor who suggested I go to the emergency room for IV treatments.  Not only did I get the IV treatments, I also got a CT scan. According to the scan, I now had a 14cm fluid mass that was bumping up against my pancreas and stomach. This was contributing to my nausea.

The doctors considered draining that fluid mass. The problem was that it's a high-risk procedure, and my other vitals (ie heart beat, blood pressure, etc) "seems fine enough" that they feel it wasn't bad enough to do a high-risk procedure. 

I did return to the ER the next day (11/05/2024) for IV treatment. They also did a CT scan, which showed the same thing as the day before.   During the IV treatment, the doctor offered a cup of water and crackers.  About a half-hour later, those contents got vomitted out, filling up to 12 fluid ounces in the green barf bag. 

Yeah, it's going to be a while before I tried solid foods again. 

But even then, I still needed nutrients. 

Some days, it was a sugar-salt-baking soda water mix.  It still provoked some reaction.

On 11/08/2024, I decided to try the chicken broth. It was liquid & nutrients.  But it definitely provoked an all-day nausea binge.

The next day (11/09/2024) , dad bought some Powerade. Powerade is known for electrolytes and it seems every article regarding vomiting says it's good to replace electrolytes.  Well, the Powerade tasted good, but provoked another vomit-binge. 

By Sunday (11/10/2024), I went to the ER again for IV treatments. Plus more nausea meds. The doctor suggested I contact my primary care doctor to get a referral to an IV infusion center closer to where I live.

2 days later (11/12/2024), I did speak with a primary care doctor (though not my usual one due to scheduling issues) and she noted the because I don't show the signs of dehydration, to hold off on IV treatments for now, and to take small sips of liquids to keep me hydrated. She also prescribed Pepcid AC for the very annoying acid reflux (which is now the #1 culprit keeping me awake when the rest of the body wants to sleep). 

Later that day, I ordered Walmart delivery for fluids (capri sun juices, Berry Gatorlyte, POG, etc).

Berry Gatorlyte tasted good, but I drank it too fast and caused a reaction. 

Today, I mostly drank water. I also had a canned soup, and some capri sun juices.  I seemed to have less negative reactions today. Not zero, but less than other days. Too early to declare victory. 

=========

As for what's keeping me financially afloat, I'll just say my employer offers Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) which helps, even though it doesn't pay as much as if you worked those days. 

If you're in my situation, definitely speak with your employer about TDI. 

 

More health drama in late October

 Last month, I wrote 2 blog posts about my health journeys

https://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2024/10/my-experience-with-jaundice-and.html

https://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2024/10/coming-home-from-hospital-and-road-to.html

When I published the 2nd post, things were eventually looking up for me.

By October 21-23, I was able to return to work as normal as possible.

However, 10/24/2024 happened. It was the day of my 2nd ERCP. This time, it was in a different hospital (Pali Momi) with a different doctor.

Here's what I posted on Facebook that day.

Pablo Wegesend

orstoSpden8552ue 24191:cc MO8bP2t30640o8m65ta82h farl030a9l   · Aiea  · 

Back in the hospital for a follow-up procedure. a biopsy of my pancreas, plus replacing a stent that goes from liver to pancreas. Also, one of the health professionals there was someone I knew from the school days (I'll keep the identity private, unless that person says OK with it public)

— at Pali Momi Medical Center.

It was originally planned to be a  "you can go home after the procedure", but then it was decided to keep me overnight.
Which was the best decision because early in the following morning (10/25/2024), I experienced the worst pain in my life. 
I was vomiting, then my pancreas was feeling it was being squeezed really hard from the inside.  
I was really feeling like "come on God, am I that bad?"
I was worried about bleeding occurring inside, but the nurses noted that my vomit was yellow & green, and if it was really bleeding, my vomit would've been red or brown.
While the worst would eventually be over, it would be a long time before the pancreatic pain or nausea to be gone.
I had to stay another day in the hospital.
Meanwhile. my appetite was basically gone. I could only eat a liquid diet, and even that was much less than normal. 
The few things that did comfort me in the hospital was

• Relaxation TV station
• the hot compresses to put over my upper abdomen when I rested

 Late afternoon of 10/26/2024, I was discharged from the hospital. 
But the side effects of the procedure didn't go away.
For days, I was experiencing pancreatic pain.  It was the #1 thing that kept me from falling asleep when the rest of the body was too tired to do anything.
It was so bad that only a few days later (10/29/2024), I had to go to the emergency room.  I had IV treatments, pain meds and  4 additional hot compresses for my abdomen. 
As for Halloween, it was stay home all day & rest. Though I did get a present from my dad, a new kitchen chair to replace that old one that was I was already planning to replace. 
As for what happened in early November ........ well, that's the subject of the next blog post.