update and Jim emailed with Gish

[debnevada]

Hi Guys:
Update: i do not have a bacterial infection. I have a viral infection. The interferon has messed up my immune system. i look jim's advice.

The only reason I bring this up is because i betcha there's a bunch of people just like me.

I'm this sick because of the tx drugs and because I one of THOSE. Miss caretaker. I have worked 40-45 hours a week since all this started for a troubled company ..my husband is unemployed right now and have not taken decent care of ME. But my whole life i've been "the caretaker" and I guess my value system for myself leads with that. Joanne talked with me about this being a problem. I try to be too strong all the time. as hard as it is and will be, i have to change. does this make sense to any of you?

The plan is to take this week off. I basically have "the flu" in spades. Good news is the fevers are under good control. Joanne wrote a letter to my boss telling him this and also cautioning him that I will have to drastically reduce my work times. no response from him yet.

Gish responded on Sunday and said I needed to be seen weekly, get blood and urine cultures, chest x-rays and teeth exam for right now and then get labs weekly now too. He said that after all this was discussed I could inject so I will inject tonight.

So that's it. I'm allowed to take anything I need to get through the flu...tylenol es, then four hours later advil, then six hours later tylenol and so on, sleeping pills, and theraflu.

i'm at least eating today and sleeping a little better.

deb

[debnevada]

Hi Bug Honey
Saw your posts to me.
My perception was that antivirals protect you from viruses too.

BUT

if IFN is messing with your immune system you are still open to viruses. I was puzzled by this too.

Deb

[ladybug52]

I didn't get sick at all on tx, but now I've been very sick for a week and a half. My take is that since riba is an anti-viral, it fights viruses. Not sure there's any science to back that up, just what I heard somewhere before.
Bug

[honey11]

Deb,,,,Take care of yourself especially while you are on the tx.  I know what you mean about at times trying to do it all but you will find out on tx,,,,you can't be that person.  Other family members have got to realize this and help you to make your tx as easy as possible.  Lots don't even work on tx so they can just get through it.  Hope you are better soon and slow down!

[FullOfHope77]

I've always heard that the drop in 'whites' leads to other issues like infections etc. but my experience has been that during tx I have not had other viruses? I don't understand it and have had fewer in between as well. Not sure it tx helps some if the whites don't get too low but it they do the warnings are consistent that other infections are more 'available'. I too hope you the best and will be thinking the best for you! good luck!

[jools57]

I'm glad you are feeling better, your name caught my eye, since i'm in no. nevada. take care of yourself, and get some much deserved r&r...tho i know that can be hard sometimes...we do need to take care of ourselves while tx.

the best to you

[EspritLibre1]

you're doing the right thing... in taking action and getting some things resolved, and have been given some words of wisdom above so only will say... hope you will feel better and better... Libby

[ladybug52]

Did you see my last post to you (which was around 4 am this morning) I was responding below to your first post again. I remembered about Sfbaygirl txing till it nearly killed her. I hope you slow down and take care of yourself for awhile. Also, my original question to you is how do they know if it's bacterial or viral?
Good Luck,
Hugs,
Bug

[painterlady13]

Deb I am glad to read that you got ahold of Gish and are able to continue.  I agree with everyone here YOU NEED TO TAKE CARE OF YOU!!!!  Hubby will just have to understand that and understand just how sick you are or how much worse you can get if you don't take care of yourself.   I am the same age you are and I was raised to be the caretaker also.  But I have let that go to the wayside when I realised that on TX it just wasn't possible.

Good luck and get some rest...
Nicki

[mauilady]

As much as I hate this quote:  "It's all about ME!"  (or you...?!)  You know what I mean.  Take care of yourself and the rest will follow.  Oh yeah, and REST!  There was just something on UCTV tonight on how caregivers have the most stressful job.  You need to come up with an alternative until your TX is over.  

Take care of yourself, my friend.

Aloha, Michelle

[debnevada]

oh dear ...i'm not young! I'm 47!

[GrandmaA]

Maybe you can get temporary disability. That's what my son wanted me to do, but my job was easy and I could do it on tx. I had every other Fri. off. I thought it was the former generation that had that caretaking thing. The young women I see are pretty independent, many of them don't even want children. I think being a mother makes you caretake. I'm so glad you got to the bottom of your problem and are seeing Dr. Gish. I go to his clinic also. I sure hope you feel better real soon. Take good care.


    

[DayLyn]

I'm so glad to hear that you've got things somewhat resolved.  I don't know you, but I did read your last posts, and was very worried about how things were going for you.

Thank goodness you took the initiative to go directly to the doctor for input.

You DESERVE a break girl.  

I feel truly sorry that no one is taking care of you the way you need to be taken care of.  Now is the time, I suppose, to take control of letting go.

Wishing you the best, and hope that you'll let us know how things go after this week of rest.

Daylyn

[orphanedhawk]

I'm so glad you got a hold of Gish and at least know whats going on and what to do about it. Try to do whatever you can in your life to take care of yourself.
     Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[missy60051]

It's a good thing you finally got to the bottom of the problem, we hope.  I really wish you didn't have to work so much.
You do what you got to do to get better and quit pushing yourself so hard.
? Did they lower your interferon?  until you get better that is.

Missy

[Forseegood]

I just hope you feel lots better soon...I know whatcha mean about women and that "caretaking" thing, my mom tried to teach it to me, but I shook it off:) be well...and take care of *yourself* for awhile...