That’s what I’m looking for as I move into day 8 of my fevers. This past week has taken such a major physical toll on me than I’m finding myself choosing to focus on every possible edge.
Here is what I mean.
To begin this journey, I’ve started out 30 pounds down from my original “fighting weight” of ‘98, and down a ton of strength. What this means is that I just don’t have the physical reserves that I had available to me during my original Series.
This week has seen me have significant physical challenge and because of that I feel I have to adjust strategy a little bit. By looking for the edge, I mean that if a given test can be performed with a lower level of involvement for me that’s what I choose to do, (example, a portable chest x-ray done in my room verses one that requires me to be carted through the hospital, wait in the X-Ray Dept. and then physically get in front of the x-ray).
As a patient you need to be very pro-active if you choose to follow this kind of strategy, because while my health care professionals definitely want the best for me, they don’t necessarily order tests and procedures with the lowest level of involvement.
My Energy
At present it is the most precious resource I have, and there is a careful balance required between playing pro-active patient and conserving your energy. Basically, you’ve got to choose your battles. I don’t think anybody can really understand the fatigue I feel unless you’ve been in some kind of similar situation. I remember during my first experience this discovery of super low energy was quite something for me. At present, for example, just being in my hospital room with a couple of people does significantly drain my energy, and that’s just “being.” I don’t have to be interacting or communicating in any way with them. This is the main reason why I choose to put myself in self-induced isolation. Every single ounce of energy I have is precious, and specifically in the last 48 hours I have chosen to heighten my awareness of how I use it, just that little bit more.
I’ve got some awesome, kind of scary pictures of my chest after my Hickman was pulled, and I’ll get those on the web site shortly – don’t worry, I have a buddy who does that for me. You will be able to see how red and inflamed my skin was where my infection was most concentrated. Despite my fevers, I am pleased to say that the site is making continuous improvement. Stomach troubles continue, but that’s to be expected after any prolonged meeting with Mo. To be honest, the most difficult part is the energy I have to use to constantly go to the bathroom.
I had another visit from Mr. Ryger last night and let me tell you he is a wily old fellow, as this time he found a totally new way I had never experienced before to come at me. His approach is all new with different warning signs, but same symptoms. He was around for a while last night and I didn’t sleep very much at all, again, and I am really hoping that all that will settle down once we get this fever thing straightened out.
That’s where we are, still making progress, I feel, though it may not seem like it many or most days.
Always…
Live Life. Love Life.
Geoff
