Ry Posted September 9, 2004 Share Posted September 9, 2004 There is a point to this story (really) that relates to cancer and caregiving. You will recall I am the one that always posts that no one should go to chemo alone, you could have an allergic reaction, and someone should be with you..yada yada yada. You will remember that last March I ended up in the hospital with endocarditis from having my teeth cleaned. So now it is time for my 6 month cleaning and the infectious disease guy says I should have IV antibiotics prior to going to the dentist. So Tuesday I go in for the IV at the infusion center, alone. What happens? I have a severe allergic reaction to the antibiotic, scare the hell out of the nurses and myself, get rushed over to the emergency room and of course miss the dental appointment. So the point being....you should have someone with you during appointments. Looking back, if I had had someone with me they would have probably picked up on the reaction before I did. It also would have been nice to have someone giving all the infomation to the ER and acting as an advocate, what an experience. So I am still a little loopy, having some dizziness etc. and earned a day off work, so if my posts seem whacky I have a good excuse. Also, to my surprise it took awhile into this antibiotic for the reaction to start. I had almost finished most of the bag before I started to get itchy and feel a pressure in my chest. So don't assume once you started a medication and its been awhile that you will tolerate it well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted September 9, 2004 Share Posted September 9, 2004 Oh my gosh Ry how scary!!!! Please rest and take care of yourself!! You are right, it is important to ahve someone with you in those situations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAnn Posted September 9, 2004 Share Posted September 9, 2004 Ry, What a scary experience. Glad you are feeling better though. I always have someone with me even if it is a simple ct scan. You just never know. My husband always makes sure I'm not alone. Thank goodness! Take care and maybe your teeth are clean enough! TAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted September 9, 2004 Share Posted September 9, 2004 Ry,So sorry to hear this.You are not allowed to get sick,have allergic reactions,sneeze,cough,catch a cold,or any of that stuff.You are very much relied on here by everyone.John will have to keep a closer eye on you from now on.Hope you are doing much better now and don't have to go thru all that again to get teeth cleaning done.No more beer trucks for you,from now on every where you go John must go.(grocery store,hairdressers,drs,dentists,even the bathroom,etc,etc.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted September 9, 2004 Share Posted September 9, 2004 Geesh, for a minute there I thought maybe I had cut you off in traffic or something! Glad you are home and "enjoying" (heheheh) a day off - maybe you should try applying for vacation time instead of "earning" days off through the ER! Ah yes, trips to the hospital have become a "family affair" - may as well pack a lunch... Now, STOP THAT! Geesh! I'm with Frank...you're being fined for - hmmm, well, for LOTS of things! Good you're back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted September 9, 2004 Share Posted September 9, 2004 Becky you promised not to let it slip that you had taken on a second job--to help pay for the fines of the needy! Goodness, Ry, the things one goes through for clean teeth! Glad to hear you are on the mend. love and fortitude elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted September 9, 2004 Share Posted September 9, 2004 OMG Ry!!! That's awful and I know how scary that is. It sounds just like what happened to hubby with the Taxotere, but they have bags of benadryl ready to slap in the IV in case someone has a reaction. He turned red, tight chest, rash, almost passed out. I'm so glad you are ok. And you're right about having somebody there because he was so quickly going out that if I hadn't been there to yell for help, who knows what would have happened. I'm just curious - what was the name of the antibiotic? Only curious because I'm allergic to Septra, and I guess it's not uncommon to have allergies to sulfa-based drugs, although I can take Z-Pack just fine. Glad you're ok. Love, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O Posted September 9, 2004 Share Posted September 9, 2004 Man oh Man Ry.... You don't have to go so far to make a point! We believe you about not going for infusions alone! NOW GET BETTER! SHEESH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted September 9, 2004 Share Posted September 9, 2004 I would forget the teeth cleaning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Daughter of Bill Posted September 9, 2004 Share Posted September 9, 2004 Ry...........I say let your teeth fall out!!!!!!!! (and remember I am a dental hygienist!!!!) Good grief, the things that you will do to get a day off of work and a day off from being "hall monitor" around here. I do believe that you are going to be fined heavily by Frank. Seriously, that sounds terribly scary!! I hope you are feeling better real soon. Angie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvmydog2 Posted September 9, 2004 Share Posted September 9, 2004 Forget the cleaning Ry. Let them thangs fall out and get some fake ones. You are needed here you know. I noticed you had not been posting a lot for a few days and was ready to call out the posey for you. Hope you are feeling better tho. Take Care... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nancy B Posted September 9, 2004 Share Posted September 9, 2004 Oh my gosh, how frightening. Sure hope you are feeling better. Take care of yourself. Love and hugs, Nancy B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeTaa Posted September 9, 2004 Share Posted September 9, 2004 Wow - now I know to what you were referring in that earlier PM. My goodness, woman, I can't believe your bad luck! I guess THAT'LL teach you to impose such large fines on people. Can you say "payback"? Take care - and next time, get the tag number on that beer truck. Praying for us all, TeeTaa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betplace Posted September 9, 2004 Share Posted September 9, 2004 (((Ry)))) How scary for you! Hugs and prayers going out that you feel better soon. I'm with the rest, this teeth cleaning thing has gotten outta hand, let em fall out! Blessings Betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debaroo Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 Ry, please don't go to the dentist anymore...we love you and would gladly overlook your teeth as they rot; decay and dissolve-you are our touchstone-our keeper of the phone numbers-we need you and your great sense of humor, not to mention your ability to make anyone squirm who dares not request a hall pass...now, if we had, say, scratch and sniff computer screens, or smellovision, I'd say its worth giving the dentist another try.... Seriously. Please take care of yourself, we love you, and your teeth look great from here . Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NellW Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 I agree, let the teeth rot!! That must have been quite an experience, and I am so glad to hear you are home and resting. Man, I gotta watch out for that beer truck, it must be in our area! Hope you are feeling much better by tomorrow. xxoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remembering Dave Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 Dentists are evil people. They do nothing but cause pain and evidently make people go to the emergency room. I have been studying George Washingtons wooden choppers and think I could probably carve you a good set if you want. Do you prefer Oak or Cherry? Wow, Ry, that sounds awful, so glad you are back home. David C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remembering Dave Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 Ry, just glad you're OK now. Yes, you learned your own lesson, didn't you? I'm a real stickler for not letting anyone go anywhere near a hospital or oncologist clinic without an advocate, and an advocate who's hearing is still good (which is a big reason why I try to go with my Dad to all of my mom's colon cancer appts., treatments, surgeries, hospital stays, tests). Take care, Karen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carrie Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 Ry, I totally agree with you. Everyone should have someone with them during chemo. I am lucky enough to have my life partner she goes with me every tuesday and has since all of this started she also goes with me to all of my doctors appointments. I too had an allergic reation a few weeks ago to the carboplatin (I had been taking it this whole time and was 10 minutes from being done with the iv (it is cumulative, over time it built up in my system and I developed an allergy to it, imagine after 6 mos.). Anyway I don't know what I would have done if I had been alone. Carrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerbil runner Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 Yikes! Sounds like you're destined to pay heavily for dental care, Ry. Maybe a once-a-year cleaning would be a better idea, unless you have dental problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted September 10, 2004 Author Share Posted September 10, 2004 Peggy, the drug is called Vancomycin. David, dentists are evil, but my hygenist is a sweetie and I really go to talk to her as much as I do to get my teeth cleaned. Angie: Frank does not have fining power! Carrie, I was also amazed that it took so long to react. Thought I was imagining it at first but there was no mistaking that lovely blue color! Jen, it's funny both the infectious guy and my GP said once a year is plenty. I am thinking maybe every 8 months. I told them they had to come up with a new plan that did not involve IV's because I'm sure I'm banned from the infusion center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 Ummmm, RY, how do you TALK while getting your teeth cleaned? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted September 11, 2004 Author Share Posted September 11, 2004 Well Beck...we talk in the hall on the way to the room, we talk while she is getting out the tools etc. then she talks to me while she has her hands in my mouth and I grunt back. When its time to rinse and her hands are out I comment on whatever story she's been telling me. Then we talk while we wait for the dentist to come in and check. I could talk if my jaws were wired shut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 Ry, Good grief. I agree, if you have to do it, once a year is plenty. Tell John he has to pay a fine for letting you go by yourself. A BIG fine. I am glad you are better. I want attention too, but that is going overboard. Take care of yourself girl. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dede Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 Ry So sorry to hear about your allergic reaction. I agree that everyone needs someone to be with them when having a procedure that involves intravenous fluids, CTscans, or whatever. Hope that you are soon feeling 100%. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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