After the transplant to + 5 months!

Reminder: To read earlier posts, look over on the right and start at the oldest date!

 Well, it sure has been a long time since I posted and I’m sorry! I’m going to try to fast forward and recap things. This blog will cover the time from right after the transplant until the 5 months post transplant.

May 10^th thru 19^th

I think I was allergic to one of the meds they gave me before the transplant; takes

about a week to 10 days to show up. It was the one that is a cousin to

penicillin. They did that penicillin test to see if I was still allergic;

but I had just had some benedryl; so did that mask the penicillin test?

Makes me wonder. They gave me some different cream, but doesn't seem as

effective as the cortisone. This, too, shall pass. Thanks for everything...

BTW, I walked all the way from St Claire St to Walgreens to pick up the

prescription, and then the rest of the way home with a couple of rest stops.

May 19th

On our way home today!! I have had a nasty allergic reaction rash to a medicine given to me. It went from mid-line of my body, down and upward. I went to a special transplant dermatologist team to try to get rid of it but it kind of has to run its course. They've given me things to deal with it, but nothing will make it go completely away. Through the whole process of the transplant, this has been the worst part. I certainly can't complain about that but I will tell you it is quite uncomfortable.  The worst part now is on my face and head, so I got a note from the doctor yesterday so I don't get kicked off the plane! I will be wearing a cap and mask, so most people won't really see the rash, but I don't want to take any chances. There is nothing "catchy" about what I have, but people can panic (understandably). So, we will be home tonight and happy to sleep in my own bed and sit on my own couch!

The Seneca Hotel has been such a blessing and so much "a home away from home" in which I have felt safe, comfortable and content. It's just a shame they are turning them into apartments and will not be available for any future patients that come up for this procedure. A lot of the nice people that work here will no longer have jobs either.

I am so thankful that Eddie was able to come during this last week, I could never have gotten ready to ship the (3) boxes home and pack everything else, get to all my dermatology and other doctor appointments; let alone desire to either cook or get food to eat while feeling a wiped out as I was from the rash and the transplant itself.

Getting home is such a wonderful feeling after being away for 2 months! Sleeping in my own bed is glorious!!!  Now, if I can just get rid of this rash.   

May 24^th

Paula spoke with Dr. Burt. She told me to stop taking Fluconazole (diflucan). Let them know if it gets worse. As for the itching, I can try hydrocortisone cream, 1% which I used in Chicago to no avail.

I did the nebulizer thing last night in lieu of the diflucan. First part is the albuterol which is no big deal, but the other medicine is yucky tasting and you have to do it for so much longer and it makes your jaw tired, holding the breathing tube between your teeth. Had a few questions after the treatment started but no one to ask since I spoke to the pharmacist prior to treatment but didn't have a number to call him. So, I did my best then called and spoke to a respiratory therapist this morning and she said it sounded like I did just fine. So glad to only have to do that once a month!

May 31^st

Talked to Paula again since I had a cold sore in my mouth. It’s improving and no more popping up, thankfully. I'm thankful that Dr. Burt is not the

"take this pill" kind of guy and went with the salt-water remedy first! :) And rash is just about all gone, residual dryness and itching a bit where last was active. Lotion, lotion, lotion. Dermatologist appointment yesterday went well

and they saw nothing to be concerned about either!

She also shared with me my lab work from my most recent blood draw!  How in the world can my lipid numbers jump so drastically in such a short period of time? Holy cow! My lipid counts were through the roof! Apparently this is a side effect of the transplant. It’s nothing to worry about unless they stay high. Just watch future blood work.

June 7^th

Now that I have been on 7.5mg of prednisone for 1 week, my rash is coming back where it left off. It never went totally away until after I took my prednisone. Early in the morning I could see/feel traces of it at the fold of my elbows and underarms and under my breasts. Now, it is stronger again under my breasts and a little lower (on upper abdomen), and at the sides of my breast and at my underarms and upper/inner arms. Along with this seems to come a shakiness in my hands/fingers that is not there when the rash was not as prevalent. I was shaky when rash was present previously, if I didn't mention that earlier.  Should I try Benedryl? I really don't care to go back to the dermatologist, as it was very far and the doctor didn't seem all that interested. His intern was more helpful; but since I had no rash then to speak of or look at, just the residual blotchiness on my legs, he didn't even look at me thoroughly. (I didn't really mind since there was nothing to see.) He only recommended a good moisturizing cream/lotion (which I have been using) and sunscreen. 
Well, Dr. Burt says go back up to 10mg of prednisone. Sigh. 

June 11^th

I am noticing my eyes feel "filmy" and "blurry". Is that part of the transplant/chemo reaction? Rash is no worse today (been back on 10mg of pred since Thurs) but not going away quite yet either. But, not spreading either. Just kind of hanging in there to see how tomorrow and Wed are before I talk to you on Wed or Thurs to check on blood counts as well (just taken this morning). The blurry/fuzzy eye thing is concerning. Maybe I should see my eye doctor. I went to an ophthalmologist and had quite a few tests and it came down to dry eyes. Every other part of my body seems dry so why not my eyes too. I am to use moisture eye drops several times a day. I usually use eye drops first thing in the morning so it is not anything foreign to me and I will just do it more often. Everything else was looking good in my eyes, so that is a relief!

Some very good observations are that I am experiencing many less twitches, for sure. I keep count of how many I notice and it has been 6 since transplant! 6!!! That is so cool! No pokes, jabs or stabs at all!

June 30^th

I am feeling so much better and better each week. Still have slight rash and still on prednisone 10mg due to that. I am anxious to see when I can reduce pred that the rash doesn't come back like it did before. I’m also walking more and more. Having more energy and napping less. It's only been 2 months since my transplant, so feel that's pretty good.

July 12^th

Things are going really well for me! It's been 2 months and 1 week today since my transplant and I'm feeling GREAT!! Improvements are happening weekly if not daily! I am still on 10mg of prednisone until the rash is completely gone! It is no longer actively spreading or itching but I still can tell it is underlying just beneath the service. Last time I decreased the pred it returned quickly, so I will wait until rash is more subdued before I start to wean off it. However, that is the only negative part of my report.

I am moving so much better, faster and easier at this point, I'm amazed! Last week, I jogged a short distance two times, I've been riding my stationary bike and walking the block fairly often (when it's not too hot to walk). The other day, my sister and I were doing a floor treatment of laying pennies in her archway to seal down as a decorative accent, which entailed sitting on the floor indian style and leaning over for a length of time which was uncomfortable; but I did pretty good, just a bit stiff after getting up. We were listening to oldies music and when a good tune came on we actually jitterbugged danced like we used to before my CIDP!!! I was so excited, I started jumping up and down, which made me more excited that I could do that!!

I am not experiencing any more twitches, zaps, pokes, tingles that came with CIDP! Occasionally I am shaky in my hands but I think that may be from the pred more than anything else, so looking forward to getting rid of that medicine! Balance is something I am still working on as is strength and endurance, of course. That comes with time but it is certainly better than it was.

July 13^th

YAY!!! Everything in NORMAL range!! Yippee Skippy! (re: blood work)

Aug 29^th

I'm down to 2.5mg pred now since Sunday and there is a difference in my energy level, for sure. I also was kind of sick over the week end, some tummy stuff. Not sure what is bringing it on, I'm not eating gluten or lactose and those are the things that are not my friends. I’ve starting a diet log so I can track to see if it is a particular food that annoys me. So, is the lack of energy from the tummy issue or the pred? Not sure, but am only biking at 10min daily now instead of 15min, will try to work up again. But, when I'm not feeling good in the tummy, I don't ride because that doesn't feel good either! Catch 22!

A note I sent to Paula:

“Something I'm noticing that is not going away is the breathing difference. I still am taking deep, anxious breaths often each day. My lungs just feel different to me than they ever have before transplant. Do others have this complaint? It's hard to explain, kind of like when you have a bad cold with a cough and your lungs sort of hurt is how mine feel. I haven't seen my PCP about this as I am going to a new doctor on Sept 11th since I am not too confident in the others I had prior to transplant. Do you think I should get a chest X ray? Should I see my PCP or would you want to order it for me since I am sort of between docs here? Then the results would go right to you up there for my check up in Oct? If so, let me know and I'll tell you where to fax order. I have noticed this feeling since the time I got home but thought by now it would be gone. I have taken my Acyclovir 2 times every day since I'm home and also the Nebupent as prescribed.”

Sept 4th w/ Paula

Paula,

Doing okay, keeping a diary of input and output, LOL. Nothing major going on, still at 2.5mg of pred and feeling a few twitches and pokes. Keeping track of these too. Hoping it turns to nothing more, but I'll let you know.

Going to stay quiet and just keep an eye on these things.

Sept 6th w/ Paula

Hi Paula,

Just checking in to say I'm doing okay. Tummy has been better these past few days. But, guess what?

Rash is back a bit, ointment helping already just frustrated that it is still inside me for some reason! I am

also still taking Allegra 2x/daily. It's at a very small area right now (upper right side breast), with little on

other side too (very minor).

Sept 11th w/ Paula

minor inconvenience, ointment keeps it much less irritating. This is my 3rd week on 2.5mg of pred, so Sunday I may go to every other day at this rate, what do you think about that?

Did you get my phone message about my Dr. visit today? He's ordering an Albuterral inhaler for me, ask Dr. Burt if okay.

Sept 18th w/ Paula

Just to let you know, I went to have a blood draw yesterday, so results will be forthcoming.

I also got an inhaler today, my insurance didn't pay anything for it , first time they've not

paid for something, so I guess I can't complain. I will just be curious on EOB as to why.

Sunday and today I skipped my prednisone, I can definitely tell a difference in my energy level and stamina these past few weeks since I've been dropping the dosage. But, it'll all be for the best eventually. The rash has been behaving, fortunately!

Sept 19th w/ Paula

I'm feeling really energy-less lately. A lot more than usual. Coming off pred, do you think?

Today is especially worse, had to go back to an electric cart at Sam's Club after I was at Salvation Army. I slept from 11pm last night until 10am this morning. HHHmmmmm Gave myself a B12 shot Sept 10th.

Sept 25th w/ Paula

Hi Paula,

I’m still tired a lot but better than the other day. I'd like to stay here for a while and try to adjust at this level.

I'm going to talk to a nutritionist on Friday to see what I can do to help boost my adrenal production naturally. If she suggests anything "pill wise" do you want me to check it with you and Dr. Burt first? I found I cannot (and should not) do the lecithin (soy based) as I took 2 pills and broke out in a horrible rash around my neck and chest. It went away quickly as soon as I stopped. But, apparently, when one is on thyroid medicine, one should not take soy products. Didn't know that one! Also biotin made me sick in my stomach. So, I think talking to a nutritionist might not be a bad idea. Give her my whole picture of health and medicine regimen and go from there.

Hair is coming in now, darker, thicker and a bit curly. Hmmm, this might be fun!

A friend comes & I'm discharged!!

To read earlier posts, look to the right - Jan 2012 starts it all...

Wednesday, May 2^nd

Jackie came on at 8pm (actually still Tues the 1^st), start of headache, and the question is; do we wait to see if it gets worse or do you nip it in the bud? We decided to stop it early and got the Zophran right away and the Norco for the headache. Went to sleep and 1:30 am they came in to draw blood and we had good flow out of the PICC line tonight, Yay! I do have to sit up though for this to happen for some reason, it just works better for me that way, so I just do it. And then I usually go to the bathroom and get weighed and vitals done. I finally lost a lot of the water weight, about 10 pounds and feel so much better, so much less bloated! I had an Ensure since I still do not want to eat a lot of food. Stayed awake for a little while, watched some of the weather channel with this guy who took pictures in Puerto Rico; down in the caves and up in the mountains. It’s such a beautiful island. I actually got engaged to my first husband there.

When Jackie came in about 5am I needed platelets, my numbers are at 7! Which is my favorite number and it is the number of completion, biblically. I shared a bit of my story with Jackie and got a bit teary eyed as to how blessed I have been through this whole process.

It’s a quiet, peaceful morning here; not much color in the sky yet. If not too colorful, I probably won’t take a picture. It’s supposed to be 85 degrees today! You never know what you’re going to get, weather-wise. Not that it matters to me, being inside all the while. It’s supposed to get cooler again over the week end.

Thursday, May 3^rd

Overnight, I was awake, asleep, awake, asleep. Nothing bad happened, but did have some nausea and headache medicine before I went to bed. Wake up for blood draw, drink an Ensure. Wake for vitals early.  Needed platelets again today (#3) and those wonderful Neupogen shots to get the blood cells multiplying!  I’m at day +7 and I will keep getting the Neupogen shots until the numbers start to rise – so, rise numbers, rise!! Beautiful sunshine this morning, I slept through the sunrise but I imagine all will enjoy the warm sunshine today.

I’m getting company today!!! Yay, my girlfriend Carol is coming up from Florida to stay with me for about a week! I’m so excited. She and I share the same birthday and we’ve been friends for about 15 years. It’ll be good to have her here, we laugh a lot! She owns her own business and can use the break as well! Works well for both of us. J She brought me CHOCOLATE!! And a few other little goodies, she is such a good friend! She knows I’m gluten free, and she brought some yummy GF treats.

This is a post SCT picture, we didn’t get to get a picture together when she was up in Chicago with me!

Before Carol got there, I took a shower (nice of me, huh?) and noticed a slight rash on my lower left abdomen. Hhhmmm, wonder what that’s about. I showed it to my nurse Carolyn, and she said we will keep an eye on it.

By the time they came back to give me my  evening meds, the rash had spread farther across my tummy and was under my bandage at my PICC line (which concerns me most, of course) and up and down my right arm and hand. I noted that my knuckles were very dry and rough the last few days but thought it was from washing my hands so often and using the sanitizing stuff.  I did have to get platelets again, which you get Benadryl and Tylenol prior to that, and the rash is still spreading not getting any better! Tomorrow the dermatology team will come in to take a look at it.

Friday, May 4^th  

Waiting for Team Burt to check on me and let me know how my numbers are doing!  Today is Day +8 and all is going well as expected. Dermatology came and examined my rash. No action taken at this point, we’ll just see how things go from here.

I had a bag of platelets and one unit of red blood cells as a boost, when you get them they usually raise your blood counts by one point and I was at .2 and it should put me over 1, which is why I may get to go home!

Saturday, May 5^th

1:15 am, my nurse tonight is Joe and he just came in to draw blood.  I didn’t need any meds before bed tonight, Yay! No nausea or pain meds which have been the norm for me before; but I do have a little discomfort from the injection sites of the Neupogen, just not enough to worry about.  I got a bed that is different than most of the others here that I have heard about in that mine doesn’t “blow up and release”. I think it’s been a blessing though because the bed makes a lot of noise when this occurs. I just have to roll back and forth, right side, left side and a little on my back. I’m not much of a back sleeper because I don’t seem to be able to breathe as easily in that position. If I put the top of the bed up a little bit, that works okay.

Everything is going just wonderfully, I’m glad to say.  I had my middle of the night usual ritual of toilet time, Ensure, a little TV watching and then back to sleep. Awake again at 5:30am with just a little back pain in the lumbar area from Neupogen. I might do a Norco, perhaps. And I might get discharged today! Yes, today is the day!! Blood count is up so I can leave!! The best part of the whole day was getting the PICC line removed! My regular nurse was leaving early, so another nurse I had met only once before for a short stint was the one to do the honors. This is a picture of how long that sucker was that was in my body. It went from my inner arm (just above my elbow joint) to the center of my chest.

This is Lauren, wonderful nurse who removed my PICC line:

Carol came in to this good news and we packed up my stuff and went to say good bye to some folks on the floor! I also had to wait for something before we could actually leave the floor and when we could we walked over to the Galter Pavillion to the Walgreens there to get my prescriptions, and they were closed! They close at 4:00pm on Saturdays and it was about 4:10pm. It took all I had to make that trek, which is only about 2 blocks but that was all I could do. We took a taxi back to the apartment.  Got hold of Amy and they transferred the prescription to the other Walgreens. I appreciate Walgreens for that perk, you can order from anywhere and they can get it for you from any other Walgreens, even in another state! Those of you following me for a SCT, this is a good note for you to get settled in a Walgreens near you if possible so you can do the same.  As I rested, Carol went to pick up my prescription (she only needed to know my home address) then we order Thai food from Grubhub.com. It tasted so good, because we got home about 5:00pm and until we decided and they delivered it was about 6:30pm and we were HUNGRY!! I had to take another pain pill for my achy back and about 7:30pm I crawled back in bed, talked to Eddie a little bit and then just crashed. It felt so good to lie down on a real bed (queen) and spread out if I wanted to! To be able to roll over without having to lift my body and turn side to side is great! Slept until 11:15 when I woke to use the bathroom and I took my Clonazepam (like Xanax) and slept until 4:30am. Woke for a little while again and went to the kitchen to set up the coffeepot for when Carol woke up and went back to bed and slept again until about 7:30am!

Sunday, May 6^th

I got up for breakfast, spent a little time on the computer; probably facebook and my e mail. I actually managed to stay up until after lunch, and then I took a 2 hour nap. At about 5:00pm I was able to remove my bandage off the PICC line incision and take a shower! Can l tell you how glorious that felt? I wasn’t tethered to an I.V. pole nor did l have to wrap my arm in saran wrap to keep the PICC line dry. The rash is still pretty prominent and tomorrow I go for blood work, so I will make sure they know it is still present. Other than that, I am feeling pretty good. I’m going to get dressed and maybe take a walk down the halls in this hotel!

Monday, May 7^th

We went to Galter Pavillion this morning for my blood work; I don’t know when the results will be back from that. Took a cab today to and from everywhere, feeling pretty tired. We went to the Castle and the Elephant for lunch then went back to the apartment and I took a nap. When I woke up I was a bit hungry since I only had soup at lunch so I ate some leftover tuna and crackers. Ate dinner and went to bed early. Carol is still here and she is reading a lot and just relaxing herself. She owns her own business and this has been a good break for her (so she says, she’s a good friend to come babysit me!).

Tuesday, May 8^th

I still got the rash, using hydrocortisone ointment on it. They told me to stop taking the Diflucan, because it could be what is causing the rash. It has spread all across my torso and arms and it itchy as all get-out! Ointment is not really helping, neither is the prescribed anti-itch medicine! L They are going to have me up my prednisone to 60 mg for 3 days, 40 mg for 3 days, then 20 mg for 3 days, 10 mg for 1 day and back to my normal 7.5 mg to start the decreasing regime I am on. If this is the only bad thing that has come of this whole transplant process, it is so worth it. Other than that, I’m just still tired (of course) and weak. If I’d do a little something, I’d get so tired. Carol went out grocery shopping for me this morning and made a grape salad which looks absolutely scrumptious. We had lunch from downstairs today, Carol had a huge Greek salad and I had chicken salad and French fries and we both have leftovers. 

Wednesday, May 9^th

Carol left today, we had such a nice visit and I am so thankful that she was here for me. It seems like whenever I needed someone when something was going to go wrong or when I needed extra help, God always had someone here for me at that time! Ruth Ann was here when I had that dizzy episode, Eddie was here his first time when I got the fever and needed to get to the ER, and Carol when I needed help with getting me and all my stuff out of the hospital and back to the apartment. Of course, God himself has been with me through it all in a way no other could be! When I was here alone, I seemed to get along just fine and nothing happened that required anyone else but Him and me!

time after SCT

Scroll down to read earlier posts....

Sat early a.m. 28^th

Friday I had chemo, did pretty well thru it but around 7pm I got dizzy again. Went to bed around 10pm and was still dizzy but when I woke at 1:30am I wasn’t dizzy anymore. I had the most pleasant experience at this point.  As I lay in my bed I felt like I was being cradled in the arms of my Heavenly Father. If you can picture a set of hands cupped together with me lying in the middle; that is exactly where I felt I was. It was the most peaceful feeling I think I have ever known. I spent time with my Father, had a little snack (Ensure again and a rice cake), was able to have a private time in the bathroom, and fell peacefully to sleep. Dr. Burt should be in to see me in the morning, hopefully he will be pleased and hopefully my numbers are going in the right direction. I don’t know what are in the plans for tomorrow with the meds; maybe just some antibiotics. So far; so good. Good night. Thank you Lord, you’ve been such a blessing.

If someone wants to know the plain truth of why I feel the way I do about my belief, it’s so simple. Knowing in your heart, in your very being, that there is a God that made the heavens and earth; and that He sent His son to die on a cross as a sacrifice, for you, for me, for anyone to be forgiven of our sins and share a place in heaven with Him. If you believe that, it is so uncomplicated and it gives you a peace that goes beyond all understanding. Then you know you have a place for eternity and are in a right relationship with the Father. It is such a comfort, so overwhelmingly peaceful. 

2:45am

Woke up with hunger pangs, as I didn’t eat a lot today (yesterday really) so I have some Ensure on the table and asked for a cup of ice to help. Feel better in the tummy and helped my headache too which could be because I was hungry or because I wear my eye mask around my head all night! Nothing like having something wrapped around your head all night, but if you don’t it’s hard to sleep. Now, little bendy straws present a problem with drinking the Ensure; when you drink from them, they want to drip little brown spots on your nice, clean gown and it looks like you’re lactating chocolate milk! Ha ha ha. Well, you know, we are in a women’s hospital with lots of babies, so…guys, I don’t know about you but we women have a good excuse!

Sat, April 28th 6am

The wind is blowing like crazy, not sure if it’s raining or sleeting or snowing! But, it is definitely windy. I haven’t turned on the tv or asked anyone yet, but I will. No sunrise this morning, it’s covered by clouds, but there is definitely one in my heart. 

  

Got woke up about 4am with news that my hemocrat count was at 7.7 so I had to have 2 units of blood and some potassium, the potassium part isn’t unusual for me. Got that right away, but it takes a while for the blood to come up from pharmacy. Once that got running, I started to feel a bit better, I was definitely feeling like a weak little puppy there for a while.

Had a most beautiful sunrise this morning! After the aide helped me to the bathroom, I could see the sun through the screen of my window just getting prettier and prettier, I managed to get up and go over to lift up the screen (blinds of a sort) and I took about 10 pictures. Oh, the Glory of the Lord in the morning, it was just beautiful and really blessed me.

 Day +2 today, I am neutropenic now, counts are at .6 that means the numbers are going where they are supposed to.  And I feel good, I really am feeling good; I know it’s all in the good Lord’s hands.

My nurse, Alex, just brought in my blood results and I am officially neutropenic; “TLTC” Too Low To Count. That means being extra cautious, washing hands, keeping clean, vitals every 4 hours instead of every 8 hrs. If I walk the halls, I have to wear gown, gloves and a mask. And visitors must be extra careful too. This is just as expected and numbers are where they should be at this point! I’m smiling!!

Sunday, April 29^th

Dr Burt just came in, we talked about how I was feeling and that I will be getting another unit of blood today. We were also talking about the sunrise and he said something I found very special and want to share it with you. He was telling me how he loves to watch the sunrise over the lake whenever he can; he says it’s like “watching a moving mural from God”. 

Monday, April 30^th

Last day of the month, feel really good today! Overnight, there was a minor issue that God took care of as only He can! My nurse Alex was going to tell the PCT Carmellita to let me sleep until blood draw time of 3am instead of waking me at the 4 hour time of 1:30am for vitals, but she forgot (that was the God part). So, while Carmellita was taking my vitals, Alex came in to do the blood draw at this earlier time and it was good thing because my lines were clogged and she had to order certain “cleaning out” fluid which has to sit in the lines for an hour to break down the clog. If she had come in at the 3am time instead of the earlier time, she would not have gotten the blood draw in time for the early morning reading that has to be down to the lab by a certain time! Thank you Lord!!

While I was awake I had an Ensure and a couple of rice cakes because I was hungry! I guess having something to eat is a good thing; it will help me get stronger, yeah! I was also able to sit in the bathroom and take care of that business in private. I sure hope when this is all over and I’m out of here I don’t wake up at 3am to go to the bathroom! But, for now, let it come when it may.

I was able to go back to sleep and I slept until 5:45am. It was cloudy this morning so I wasn’t able to get a sunrise picture today but that’s okay, you can’t have a beautiful sunrise every morning but it’s still a beautiful day – This is the day the Lord has made, and I shall rejoice and be glad in it! 

Tuesday, May 1^st

Starting about 7pm last night, boy did I get a headache. It started just slightly but by 8pm it was much worse, so I went to sleep. Woke up about 9 and it was a little more; probably put it at a 7 out of 10 pain wise, so I called in the nurse and got some Zophran for my tummy, because that was a little iffy too. She called the doctor on call and he just wanted to give me some Tylenol, well I wanted to laugh; Tylenol doesn’t do anything for me, so I got some Norco and I slept pretty good, waking occasionally with the headache at about a level 4. All I have to say to those who do this behind me, is don't try to be superman; if it starts to hurt or you get nausea, ask for medicine! It it's bothering you, they have a pill for that! haha! Actually, it's much easier on you if you can stop the pain/nausea before it gets too bad than wait and have to fix it later and it takes more meds to help.

When I woke this morning about 4:30am to visit the bathroom, I just felt lighter like I had lost a lot of my body fluids. My feet and toes felt better and my stomach felt smaller too. I was retaining a lot of fluids and my feet and lower legs were really swollen. My poor little toes looked like sausage links. I don’t know if it helped, but I lay upside down on the bed with the head of the bed elevated so that my feet were elevated too! My mom and mother-in-law used to do this when they felt bloated in the legs/feet and I thought it might be worth a try! It seems to have worked pretty well!