Better day, and my first time in a long time......

     Yes, today was indeed a better day than the previous. I didn't get much sleep, but I didn't feel as depressed as the previous day when I was still absorbing so much information. I tried using this evening to focus on the positives in my life, and developing a plan to get me to where I need to be. 

    Today was also the start of treatments because besides the Thalassemia I am losing iron from somewhere else so the Hematologist referred me to a Gastrointestinal doctor and set me up for 10 Infed treatments to start with. I am hoping that these treatments work because my hemoglobin keeps dropping. The blood panel from my GYN was 10, last week during my Hematologist visit it was 9.8, and today it was 9.1. I don't know, but that seems like a bad decline so I am crossing my fingers. My next appointment is next Friday, and I hope the energy in the Chemo room is the same or better than it was today. Seeing some of the men and women go through chemo is not an exciting thing to see, but the nurses there give the patients hope and try to make them laugh as much as possible. The funniest part was when the nurses were in the mixing room and the lights were flickering, and music playing. One nurse asked what was going on with the lights, and the other responded by saying we are in club chemo. LOL!!! That made all the patients laugh, and from that point more conversations  sparked. I was so tired I feel asleep a few times, and could barely physically laugh. Well, at least I thought it was from me feeling tired, but the nurse mentioned that the benadryl was kicking in. LOL!!! That explains why I couldn't keep my eyes open after trying so hard. The only problem that I had today was my blood pressure increased after treatment. When I came in it was 122/77, but after the treatment it increased to 158/83 so I was not released right away. Yikes!!!!!!  Well, I will be interested to see if these treatment help, and anxious to see the Gastro doctor next week to figure out where the blood-loss is occurring. 

"I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me, to make me less afraid, more accessible, to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise. I choose to risk my significance; to live so that which comes to me as seed goes to the next as blossom and that which comes to me as blossom, goes on as fruit."~Dawna Markova

Change isn't always good...

This morning I woke up happy to celebrate the second birthday of my Princess. I was also excited because  I was scheduled for a echo-cardiogram today, and I just knew that based on how I have been feeling that my heart had gotten better. During the echo I noticed something slightly different from the norm, but did not ask the tech about it. I was still feeling pretty confident that my EF had increased or at least remained the same. I had an appointment for the same day results so I also had an EKG, and saw my doctor to explain the results. It took awhile because she went back looking at previous EKG's and what was suppose to be good news for me wasn't. I was informed today that I have developed a bundle branch block, and the thing that makes me nervous is that I have been feeling better and much stronger. I just knew that today we would have discussed coming off the meds, but that may never happen. She explained to me about how the heart functions when it develops a BBB, and I listened. Especially, to the part about how she  is trying to prevent me from having to get a pacemaker. AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! Yes, that was the thought running through my head because I just can't understand why this is happening to ME.

    My next appointment which would have normally been in 6 months has been scheduled for 6 weeks because of the bundle branch. I left the appointment, and it didn't sink in about what had just happened in that office until I got to Walgreens to buy a bottle of water. As I drank the water it flowed from my eyes, and as much as I tried it wouldn't stop. I hoped on FB looking for a funny joke from one of my friends, but posted "Really not understanding this black part mediterranean body of mine. How could one feel so much strength and confidence of getting better only to find out that the opposite it occurring inside. **Sigh!** At this rate these meds will be a staple in my life. **Sigh**" That was my thoughts at that moment, and I couldn't help but to think anything else. I picked up my children from daycare which rejuvenated a smile, and proceeded to see my friends to celebrate my daughters birthday. Although I couldn't get my mind off today's appointment being surrounded with friends kept me distracted. Now "Fat, sick, and nearly dead" truly means something to me, and the good thing is that I just received an email saying that my juicer has been delivered. Starting on Sunday I am going on a 60 day strictly raw diet. I am at t he point where I will try anything that does not compromise my health. Well, my next appointment is in 6 weeks, but I won't wait that long to post something. I need to really listen to my body, and focus on getting better.

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." ~Mahatma Gandhi

Hydrochlorothiazide side effects....

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• Back, leg, or stomach pains
• Black, tarry stools
• Bleeding gums
• Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• Bloating
• Blood in the urine or stools
• Bloody urine
• Blue lips and fingernails
• Blurred vision
• Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• Chest pain
• Chills
• Clay-colored stools
• Cloudy urine
• Cold sweats
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Cough or hoarseness
• Coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
• Coughing up blood
• Cracks in the skin
• Darkened urine
• Decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability
• Decreased frequency or amount of urine
• Diarrhea
• Difficult, fast, or noisy breathing, sometimes with wheezing
• Difficulty with breathing
• Difficulty with swallowing
• Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
• Dry mouth
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Fever
• Flushed, dry skin
• Fruit-like breath odor
• General body swelling
• General feeling of discomfort or illness
• General feeling of tiredness or weakness
• Greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
• Headache
• Hives
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased hunger
• Increased sweating
• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Indigestion
• Itching
• Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of heat from the body
• Lower back or side pain
• Muscle cramps or pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Nosebleeds
• Numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet
• Pain in the joints or muscles
• Painful or difficult urination
• Pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• Pale skin
• Pinpoint red spots on the skin
• Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• Rash
• Red, irritated eyes
• Red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• Red, swollen skin
• Redness, soreness, or itching skin
• Scaly skin
• Seizures
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• Sores, welting, or blisters
• Sugar in the urine
• Swelling of the face, fingers, legs, ankles, feet, or lower legs
• Swollen or painful glands
• Tenderness of salivary glands
• Thickening of bronchial secretions
• Tightness in the chest
• Trembling
• Troubled breathing
• Unpleasant breath odor
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Unusual weight loss
• Vomiting of blood
• Weakness and heaviness of the legs
• Weight gain
• Wheezing
• Yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Cramping
• Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• Feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• Hair loss or thinning of the hair
• Inability to have or keep an erection
• Increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
• Loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• Muscle spasm
• Pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
• Redness or other discoloration of the skin
• Restlessness
• Sensation of spinning
• Severe sunburn
• Weakness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Losartan (Cozaar) side effects......

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Hoarseness
• Swelling of face, mouth, hands, or feet
• Trouble in swallowing or breathing (sudden)

Incidence not known

• Abdominal pain
• Black, tarry stools
• Bleeding gums
• Blood in urine or stools
• Coma
• Confusion
• Convulsions
• Decreased urine output
• Difficult breathing
• Fast or irregular breathing
• Headache
• Increased thirst
• Irregular heartbeat
• Large, flat, bluish patches on the skin
• Muscle pain or cramps
• Nausea or vomiting
• Painful knees and ankles
• Pinpoint red spots on skin
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Upper right abdominal pain
• Weakness or heaviness of legs
• Yellow eyes and skin

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

• Cough, fever or sore throat
• Dizziness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Headache

Less common

• Back pain
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Nasal congestion

Rare

• Cough, dry
• Leg pain
• Muscle cramps or pain
• Sinus problems
• Trouble in sleeping

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Coreg side effects...That's a really long list

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Allergy
• Chest pain, discomfort, tightness, or heaviness
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
• Generalized swelling or swelling of the feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Pain
• Shortness of breath
• Slow heartbeat
• Weight gain

Less common

• Ankle, knee, or great toe joint pain
• Anxiety
• Arm, back, or jaw pain
• Blood in the urine
• Bloody, black or tarry stools
• Chills
• Cloudy urine
• Cold sweats
• Coma
• Confusion
• Convulsions
• Cool pale skin
• Cough
• Dark urine
• Decreased appetite
• Decreased frequency or amount of urine
• Depression
• Difficulty with breathing
• Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying position
• Dry mouth
• Fainting
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Fever
• Flu-like symptoms
• Flushed, dry skin
• Fruit-like breath odor
• Headache, sudden and severe
• Inability to speak
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased hunger
• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Itching
• Joint stiffness or swelling
• Large amount of cholesterol in the blood
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of consciousness
• Lower back, side, or stomach pain
• Mental depression
• Muscle pain or cramps
• Nervousness
• Nightmares
• Noisy, rattling breathing
• Numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• Pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
• Pounding in the ears
• Pounding, slow heartbeat
• Rapid breathing
• Seizures
• Shakiness
• Slurred speech
• Stomachache
• Sweating
• Swelling of the fingers or hands
• Temporary blindness
• Tenderness on the upper right side of the body
• Trouble with breathing even at rest
• Unexplained weight loss
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Weakness in the arm and/or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe
• Weakness or heaviness of the legs
• Yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

• Sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• Swollen or painful glands
• Wheezing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Back pain
• Diarrhea
• Prickling or tingling sensation
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• Bleeding gums
• Blurred vision
• Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• Changes in vision
• Cold hands and feet
• Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• Decreased tearing
• Difficulty with moving
• Feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• General feeling of discomfort or illness
• Headache
• Inability to have or keep an erection
• Increased sweating
• Joint or muscle pain
• Lack or loss of strength
• Loose teeth
• Loss of sexual ability, desire, or performance
• Loss of strength or energy
• Muscle aches, stiffness, or weakness
• Nausea
• Persistent breath odor or bad taste in your mouth
• Redness and swelling of the gums
• Sensation of spinning
• Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• Sore throat
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Sugar in the urine
• Trouble sleeping
• Unusual weak feeling
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.