And I thought April was bad...

Let's just say that April wasn't a banner month for me. I got sick. I hurt my back. My car was wrecked. It wasn't a very good one for me. Surely May would be better?

No such luck.

Warning: If you don't want to read personal scary medical stuff, stop right here and come back another day.

On the morning of May 1st, I was sitting at my computer when I noticed my shirt was wet with little light brown spots. Right over my left nipple. The freakage level racheted up a bit when it wouldn't stop. I called in to work and told them I was going to the doctor and would check in later.

My own doctor was out of the office that day, so I went to a walk-in clinic and saw the doctor there. After lots of questions and examination, he agreed that something was going on - probably an infection, but he wanted me to schedule a mammogram and ultrasound examination to rule out breast cancer. I knew there was something not right going on there, but to have the C-word out there was terrifying. Still, I would do whatever needed to be done. In the meantime, he gave me prescriptions for two antibiotics to take care of the suspected infection and sent me on my way.

A week later, the leakage stopped and everything was feeling more normal - except my stomach which was a bit upset. This is not unusual for me and antibiotics, so I didn't think anything of it. I continued taking the pills until the 10 days were up (as prescribed). On the 11th day, my stomach suddenly rebelled. Extreme diarrhea, explosive vomiting, sweats. My temperature started downward, 95, 94.3, 93. I went to bed.

The next day, I couldn't get out of it without great effort. I dragged myself to the doctor who looked me over, asked some questions and told me that I had overdosed on antibiotics. As antibiotics are cumulative it would take a couple of days for the toxicity to go back down. My own body was doing a pretty good job of it with all the throwing up and such, but it would still be a rough couple of days. He couldn't understand why this other doctor had put me on TWO. (If anyone tries to prescribe two at a time, question it!!!)

I went back home and back to bed. And there I stayed. No dreams. No tossing and turning because it hurt so much. The stomach cramps were severe and painful. I couldn't eat. Couldn't drink but tiny sips of water.

Wednesday was when my mammogram and ultrasound were scheduled. I dragged myself from the bed again and got into the shower. When I realized I couldn't lift my arms, I also realized I couldn't drive myself to the appointment either. Darling Man came and took me. By then I was having a hard time staying conscious. I was freezing cold, felt like I was burning up, and was sweating like crazy. After the mammogram, I sat in the chair to wait and passed out. I woke briefly when a nurse put a heated sheet around me and realized that I was cold. She asked if I wanted some juice or crackers and brought me apple juice and cheese crackers. Never have I tasted anything as wonderful as the apple juice - but the crackers just wouldn't go down. I needed a wheel chair to get out. And back home, I collapsed into bed and didn't move again.

Until this morning. When I woke up and actually felt alert. And hungry. I finished the crackers on the bedside table and the sprite that was still there. I didn't want to push it, but I finally went downstairs and made myself some chicken noodle soup. I ate half the can and now I wait - to see if it stays, to see if I want more.

But I don't have to wait for my results. The mammogram and ultrasound were clear - no breast cancer.

SURELY June will be a better month...