Pneumonia. Again. Still. Unable to stop the coughing, I asked the chemo nurse this week who I should see for it – my primary care doctor, who tends to overreact and send me to the ER for lung trouble, or my oncologist, who is primarily concerned with the cancer, not other worries. She responded that I did the right thing already, as she didn’t want to give me chemo if I was already sick.
The nurse popped back in a little while later, letting me know that my doctor had ordered a chest x-ray, which we could do at the hospital before we left that day (after chemo, which we could have).
My oncologist called last night with the verdict: pneumonia. My lungs still have gunk in them and I have to lay low for a little while, taking more antibiotics, using the inhaler and such to
recover. What a lovely addition to chemo this week.
I’m very tired. Slept til 1 pm yesterday, but today I was awake a little longer, if not any more productive. Just tired. and drenched from the return of the hot flashes, which reappeared when I restarted chemo this Fall.
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Oh please let those antibiotics work, and FAST! Thinking of you, always.
Susan, thanks for keeping the people who have become so drawn to you posted. Now just get better, already!Hope these docs find the right balance of meds and backing off from too-intense intervention so they can prolong your life in comfort. Enjoy your “boys” – all three of them! Rachel
Praying the gunk in your lungs takes it’s leave and your energy returns. Just. Praying.
Thanks. I’ve been struggling to recover for quite some time – I just had to admit it – it’s NOT WORKING! 🙂
Once I admitted it, they had ideas.
Dude! What did I tell ya about that kennel cough?! Glad you’re getting fixed up. Get better soon, I am planning on crossing the moat next week to see ya!
Do! I forgot how much fun we have – I miss you already!
Okay, name the day and I’ll be there! xxoo
I’m thinking of you and hoping this pneumonia passes quickly. ((hugs))
Lifting you up, Susan ~ praying for healing for your lungs, added energy, and non-eventful chemo this time. Stay strong and let yourself feel the rest, not stress over what you aren’t getting done. God bless you!
Oh, Susan. Praying for you. Do take it slowly with pneumonia. One can relapse so easily if you don’t take time to get over it completely. Rest, rest, rest. Praying for peace and healing.
Apparently I did. Thank you. I’ve been resting most of the last month. And you’d be proud – I actually turned down work this week.
You’re in my prayers. My husband is recovering from pcp pneumonia he got because the chemo knocked out his igg. It was awful, he was intubated and. Der a cooling blanket in the ICU. I pray for quick healing and wisdom for your doctors to best treat you. Sending love and hugs your way
That is awful! Thank you for your good wishes. And hugs. I always appreciate that!
Oh, no. So sorry to hear this, Susan. I’m glad you managed to avoid the ER, at least. Wishing you restorative rest and clear lungs asap.
I spent the afternoon wondering how you are, as I shoveled laundry from washer to dryer. And here you are with a post! I am glad you are advocating for you and getting good care for your lungs. I send you healing prayers. My 8 yr old wants you to feel better soon too, and she likes your Lego Princess. 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to let us cyber friends know how you are doing. You are cared for by many. Gentle hugs to you. xo
You are so sweet. Thank you.
I need to cook up a big batch of gunk-be-gone and pour it into your lungs and kick the ass of this pneumonia. Be patient with getting it resolved, it takes ages (I know) but it will eventually drag it’s sorry butt out of your lungs. Until then, lean on all of us out here who watch over you and care about you EVERY DAY!
So sorry it’s yet another thing heaped upon you. Sending wishes for a speedy recovery.
Don’t you wish you could just hook up a vacuum cleaner or something and suck that gunk out yourself? Praying that the antibiotics quickly do their work and you feel bouncy again soon. I know it is hard to give in to the rest, but that is truly the best way to heal from pneumonia. And Pho. I’m a big believer in lots and lots of Pho for anything respiratory-related if you can stand it right now. Forget Dr. Overreactive PCP and Dr. Oncologist, that’s what Dr. J.J. prescribes. ; ) Pho, rest, and lots of hugs!
Well, the inhaler helps – one puff and the gunk breaks up, making the coughs actually do their job. But yeah, that would be great!
What’s Pho???
Vietnamese soup…yummy stuff with lots of good in it, for body & soul.
Sorry to hear this, I hope you feel better soon.
I’m sorry that gunk won’t just clear out. Hopefully the meds will kick in soon.
Oh, Susan! That sucks! I really hope the antibiotics kick in very soon and you are feeling much better. Much love to you and yours, we are thinking of you every day.
Here’s hoping for quick action from the antibiotics, wisdom for all your medical team, and healing and good rest for you.
So sorry to hear about the diagnosis. You are in my prayers – Eileen
Sending prayers and good thoughts for rapid busting up that pneumonia!
Ick! Hope you de-gunk and feel better quickly. Thinking of you daily.
Thanks for all the times you check in with your readers when I KNOW you don’t feel like doing it. We care.
Thanks, Donna. I read every day. I’m just not up to replying or commenting on your blogs all that often. And if I push it, I just reply with nonsense! 🙂
Hello, Susan. I started reading your blog when it was suggested by my friend, Heather. Since then, I pray for you, am uplifted by your faith that there is a place of respite in spite of all the trials, and learn from you! It is helpful to hear the thoughts that you think as you toil through this swamp you never expected in your life-journey. I am blessed to “know” you and to be assured that we will meet one day–if not here, then at the gate. Until such time as we meet face-to-face, I hope you can find some tiny amount of comfort in knowing that your work continues–in ways you never planned or wanted–to bless. I know you have joyful moments even in your most pain-filled days; I thank God for those moments and pray that the difficult times will not overwhelm you. Hugs, Colleen
Hope you feel better soon, Susan. You were on my mind so much yesterday – thinking of you and your friends who had posted about their time at ICE, which I went to visit yesterday.
Looking forward to hearing that you are feeling better.
– Lynn (via my new alter ego account!)
Praying that your pneumonia will be over with soon and that your energy will be restored leading to more special times with your dear boys.
Hi Susan,
I had pneumonia the entire month of November and felt like I’d been run over with a truck. I can’t imagine having it while getting chemo.
Please get lots of rest. There are lots of us out here who care about you and are praying for you to get better. You are an inspiration!
Hugs,
Chelle
http://www.lifeonthedomesticfront.blogspot.com
I’ve been following your blog for years but I comment rarely. I remember long ago I commented when you were first diagnosed and you went to my now defunct blog read it and then offered ME support.
Your kindness was astounding and much appreciated.
Anyway, I hope the pneumonia clears away soon. Much love.
Hey Susan, I was sitting here feeling sorry for myself because I can’t get to CES because I have to work. Then I head over here & get slammed in the head with the reality hammer, that you’d probably give anything to be able to get dressed and head out to your job.
I am so sorry you’re struggling so & hope you can fight off this latest assault on your body quickly! Thank you for once again reminding me about what is really important in this life!
Thinking about you and hoping you’re feeling better. There’s some nasty stuff going around…
Hi Susan,
Don’t know if it’s what Javamom meant, but Pho is a yummy bowl of soup. I think it’s the Vietnamese equal to my grandmother’s Jewish chicken soup. If you have the appetite, order up a delivery, stat! 🙂
You are certainly in our thoughts and prayers.
Rest! May the many thoughts and prayers comfort you and really allow you to rest.
Many thoughts and prayers to you from NE Pennsylvania! Lots of rest!
Try hot tea with half a lemon squeezed and honey added, it works! I get bronchitis every year and this helps a ton. The lemon is also full of vitamin C! Get better soon, I’am praying as always..hugs!
As always, so generous. Thank you for updating us. Hoping the gunk leaves and comfort returns.
Sorry to hear about the pneumonia. Get as much rest as you can. Sending ‘go away’ thoughts at all the gunk in your chest.
I have been reading here for a while but have not introduced myself and posted before. I pray daily for continued strength for you.
Rest, my dear, as best you can. Prayers for you and yours, as always… thinking of you. xoxo CGF
Aw crap. Was hoping your pneumonia days were behind you… 😦
Rest rest REST! I think of you often…
Sorry for your troubles Susan. Treat the pneumonia with kid gloves, and well, at least you get a break from chemo. The things we have to see for good news since “c”! But if anyone can see light in the dark tunnel, it’s you! Would you believe I was so happy I could almost cry when I heard I had stage 2B breast cancer? Yeah, after hearing days earlier from breast surgeon “I’m hoping for stage 3.” Hang in there girlie! Feel better.
Wow – tough thing to hear, but you’re right — that’s SO much better!
Praying for you. With hope that will be a relief soon!
Hope you feel better today! Love to you, Susan.
Thinking of you and yours – hope you feel better soon!
I’m sorry to hear about this latest “round” you must endure. Sending encouraging thoughts and prayers your way.
Hoping that you are feeling better each day. Thinking of you everyday.
Susan,
This constant onslaught is just overwhelming. I keep thinking about you and saying to myself, “C’Mon, just give her a break!” Please. Sending you warm thoughts and virtual hugs. – Gayle
Thinking of you and sending up prayers.
Hi,
I have been reading your blog for months and have told all my friends about it…I only read a few blogs and this is one of them and I have been praying for you every day. Just thought you should know. Your work in your field and on this blog are an incredible inspiration. Thank you for finding the courage and energy to be the amazing mommy, scientist, and writer that you are. Please rest. I look forward to all the new entries and following your work, but please rest. We will wait.
Much love and many prayers to you,
Faithful Reader
I hope you’re recovering from the pneumonia and feeling much better!
Thinking of you ! Hope you’re feeling better real soon.
Love You and praying for you .
Hi sweet Susan,
How’s the coughing today? Are your three boys (Big boy and 2 lil ones) keeping you entertained through this very hard time for you and them? I hope so. And I hope the ladies who come together here at your site are bringing you smiles, too. Have a good day. No troubles if you’re too tired or busy to respond. We know you read these ….
Rachel
Hope you’ve found some space to rest and recuperate from this latest onslaught to your body.
Thinking of you Susan. I hope the cough has improved and you’re feeling stronger these days.
Hi Susan
I think of you everyday and wonder how you are doing each day.
I was wondering…were u not under 40 having your mammo initially that showed IBC?
Was there breast cancer history in your family? I am journaling any facts I can for my son, my nieces and nephews and would so appreciate your personal info with discovering MBC. Thanks, Diane
Continual prayer for strength and rest are raised in your name. You touch lives in profound ways each time you share.
Hi Susan.
Just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you. I hope that by now the cough is easing up. xx
Take a deep breath and relax. Wait…don’t do that. (small very bad joke…)
GAH. I hope that you’re recovering quickly from the pneumonia and are getting some rest so you can kick some ass again. xo
I’ve been thinking about you a lot, Susan. There is some new facebook status thing going on for breastcancer awareness. It doesn’t increase awareness, nor does it help. I kicked the asses of the people who sent the messages, telling people to take part and told them about a friend of mine, who sadly passed away before Christmas:
http://menmedia.co.uk/tamesideadvertiser/news/s/1468699_amazing-fundraiser-for-willow-wood-hospice-loses-fight-for-life
Hopefully they’ll support her husband’s fundraising efforts, her legacy, rather than unthinkingly writing some dumb status update.
I hope you’re doing ok. I don’t pray but I am sending positive thoughts to you and your family and friends, all the way from Europe.
i totally missed this, Susan, and just wanted to send you love and healing and a check-in from the great white North. hope you’re holding up and you’re getting lots of gentle care & entertainment from your boys.
You were part of the reason I went into oncology nursing and I thank you for that. Every day at work I try to make the lives of my patients just a little better. You inspire me.
Yuck!!!!!!This has been an awful pneumonia year, I know so many people who have had it!
I hope you feel better soon, Susan! My mom had pneumonia recently, and seems terrible! Get better, good thoughts coming your way!