Just an update on what has been going on this week so you are in the know and know what to pray for (speaking of which I need to update the prayer blog).
Tuesday afternoon I was on my way to drop Becka off at gymnastics and take Maddie with me to Quality Infusion to have my dressing changed on the midline. About 10 minutes from gymnastics I began to experience severe pain in the stomach (diaphragm area) that radiated under the rib cage on both sides. I usually experience some cramping that grabs and lets go, and grabs and lets go, after my IV treatments each afternoon but this pain was higher and was consistent. By the time we arrived at gymnastics it was pretty bad. I dropped Becka off hoping she wouldn't sense I was struggling and tried to quickly get to Quality Infusion where I knew if anything happened I would be near medically trained people.
I went through periods of sweating and mid way there I felt I should pull over because I felt I was going to pass out. I continued on and got to Quality Infusion. I was extremely shaky and feeling like it was all I could do to hold "things" together. I just kept praying God would get me there and inside safely. He did.
As soon as I walked in their door they asked, as they usually do, "how are doing today?) and I lost it. The pain was so bad. They immediately walked me to the ER right there in the building. At that time my blood pressure was 142/?. My blood pressure is hardly ever over 100/70. They began asking questions and immediately brought the doctor in. I was transported by ambulance to another one of their facilities where they did an ultrasound of the entire abdomen and a CT of the entire abdomen as well as blood work and a chest x-ray. It was determined that the IV med I am taking has caused the gallbladder to not function as it should resulting in "sludge". This didn't surprise me as I have read several Lyme testamonies where this has happened and has resulted in the gallbladder being removed. We were told that had we been in an ER that was in a hospital they would have admitted us and done surgery to take it out.
It was explained that there is a risk of the gallbladder being further agitated and rupturing. Our options are to stop the IV med, take meds to help with the sludge or do an ultra sound every two weeks to check on if things are working. We contacted the Dr. Salvato's office yesterday morning and were given the go ahead to continue the IV med and were prescribed a med that will help with the gallbladder/sludge. We were also prescribed 2 meds at the ER Tuesday night.
Yesterday and today I am hurting but not near as bad as Tuesday afternoon. We are supposed to call and get into see a GI specialist that will help us "control" this. We are wanting to get a referral from Dr. Salvato knowing this isn't the first time this has happened in treating Lyme and knowing we will most likely end up with a specialist that is familiar with Lyme. We have an appointment Monday with Dr. Salvato where we are hoping to iron out several things and get answers as to where treatment will go from here in light of what is going on with the gallbladder.
Things have been frustrating and crazy but I am still at peace that my God has it all under control. Everything, no matter big or small, is for a reason and for His purpose. May His will be done.