[2023-07-31] Roundabout and recovery day 24
The corner I thought I had turned yesterday may have been a roundabout. Today, I found myself back where I had started: experiencing chills, fever, fatigue and mild discomfort and starting a new antibiotic.
Early this morning, I got a call from my doctor's office indicating that they had received the results of the culture of the drain fluid from my right breast. The antibiotic I was on (Cephalexin) would not address the particular bacterium I have. My doctor had sent a prescription to my Costco pharmacy for a new antibiotic (Ciprofloxacin). I contacted my pharmacy as soon as it opened to ask whether I could get the new prescription filled as quickly as possible. By late morning, I had my new pills in hand and took one right at the pharmacy in Costco.
Oddly, I felt fine in the morning. No fever (36.9ºC) and no chills, with sufficient energy for a walk with my husband and sister. But after lunch, I was feeling cold and tired. So it was off to bed. I snuggled under my duvet, wearing warm pyjamas, thick socks, a light housecoat and a scarf around my neck. I dozed. When I awoke, my temperature had increased to 37.7ºC and would rise to 38.6ºC by late afternoon.
It wasn't until working on this post, just before supper, that I remembered that I had not taken any pain relievers over the course of the day. I checked my log in the MyTherapy app and saw that my last dose of Advil and Tylenol had been at 4:00 AM. I took one of each immediately. The only encouraging news I can take from this oversight on my part is that my lack of pain reflects that my body is healing from the surgery. I may not need much, if any, pain relievers to deal with my healing, but I still need them to control my fever.
I don't know whether the switch of antibiotics means that I'm starting at ground zero or whether the Cephalexin did some work. For now, I'm following instructions regarding Ciprofloxacin and trying to remain patient.
A friend commented on Saturday's post, saying "Love reading your story daily, what an inspiration you are. Thank you for sharing the good, the bad & the ugly - I can't end on a negative so I will add, And the positives ♥ those muffins looks delish btw!"
I replied: "I think it's important to share the good, the bad and the ugly. People who might come behind me need to hear these stories. And I, too, like to end on a positive note. This is a very good recipe for blueberry muffins."
So tonight I will end my post with a cute story from my trip to Costco. I came across a man pushing two carts in tandem, with the two back ends facing each other so that his son (no more than 3 or 4 years old) could sit in one cart and hold the handle of the other cart in front of him. Clearly, they had done this before. As I walked past them, observing this clever set-up, I said to the little boy:
— "Are you the conductor of this train?"
— "Yes, I'm the conductor of this train," he replied, clearly and decisively. "What's your name?"
— "Jen." I marveled at how articulate and social he was. "What's your name?"
— "Hunter."
— "Hunter's a great name. Very strong."
— "What's his name?" Hunter asked, pointing at my husband.
— "Chris." I then commented to the father about how bright and outgoing his son was. The father smiled and nodded.
— "Where's he going?" Hunter asked, as he observed Chris moving off down the aisle.
— "Just getting on with our shopping."
— As I said goodbye, I heard Hunter say to his dad, "Let's follow them!"
Recovery from surgery so often entails some good, some bad and some ugly. I know that my body is healing and that it's easier and easier for me to reach up and around. I just need to get past this infection. In the meantime, there is joy to be had. Walking with family members. Being well served. Having a pleasant conversation with a stranger. (And having a husband who makes great food while I recover.)
