Diagnosed, Scared to death, and waiting for CT... and dizzy!

Rockin Rn Rachele

Hi Everyone,

Need some help. I'm waiting for a CT to examine the extend of my NHL exasperation -- they are worried about the lymphnodes under my sternum and around my aorta (scary!) and they are also curious as to what's going on with me neurologically as I'm having a good amount of neuro-symptoms such as: neurologic nausea/vomitting, dizziness, syncope, disorientation, and occasional confusion. Sometimes I just have no idea where I am in space -- and I know that sounds weird but it's true. For example, I'll be driving in my car and all of a sudden I won't feel like I'm on the road, I'll feel like I'm floating or something like that, and then I get totally confused: I can't remember anything, like where I am coming from or where I am going to. I look at the clock and the other familiar things around me and everything feels foreign, even though I'm in my own car. I struggle to remember what I'm doing or where I'm headed. Everything around me -- even on my own street-- looks unfamiliar and foreign. It takes me about 10-15 full minutes to recover.

So needless to say, they are running a head, neck, chest, and abdominal CT on Monday to evaluate the extent of the damage. I've already gone through two rounds of radiation last year and so now I'm guessing they are going to want to do chemo but that's just a guess.

I'm dealing with military doctors here and they are really frustrating.... on one hand, I don't want to tick them off (I'm an ICU nurse, so I know just enough to be dangerous), but I also don't feel like I'm getting adequate care. I just now -- today -- after being treated for this disease process for over a year got a real case manager!!!!! Like, I know the hospital I work at has them -- and they are awesome -- but I didn't realize the military had them as well. Isn't that sad?

Anyway, I'm scared to death: I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. Nothing they give me even seems to help. The Meclazine (Antavert) makes me nauseated (and dizzy!!!). The Phenergan and Zofran make me dizzy (although not nauseated). The Fioricet helps my head not to pound ferociously (as it does), but it causes nausea and vomitting. Do you know why I feel like I'm chasing my tail???????? My main complaints right now are: syncope (that does not respond to meclazine), dizziness, nausea (that doesn't respond to zofran or phenergan), vomiting, night sweats, and all over aches and pains....

Any advise from anyone else out there?

-Rachele-
_________________
Rachele Conerly
RN, BSN

Rockin Rn Rachele

Well, that huge forum that says, "read this first?" Yeah, I forgot it read it. Sorry... so here's that information

- Age -- 25

- Age of diagnosis or time since diagnosis -- Dx @ 24

- Lactate dehydrogenase level (a blood test) -- Um, not sure about this one...waiting on labs right now...

- Performance status

- Clinical stage-- last time was stage two, now it may be three or four.

- Sites of metastatic growths -- may be involved in my chest... its known to be in my abdomen and groin.

- Treatments already received: Two rounds of radiation...six weeks a piece, five days a week.
_________________
Rachele Conerly
RN, BSN

brainman

Hi Rachele, I cannot answer your question because I do not have the same time of cancer nor the same treatment. I just wanted to welcome you, tell you how sorry I am that you have cancer, and let you know that I am thinking about and praying for you.

I know others with more helpful information will reply.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Rockin Rn Rachele · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:30 am Post subject: Thanks, Jim!

Thanks, Jim, I appreciate it...

Yesterday was so not a good day for me... hopefully today will be better. It's hard b/cuz I still have work/school/6 year old to take care of, it's hard to stop my life and be sick, you know?

-Rachele-
_________________
Rachele Conerly
RN, BSN

brainman

I am OK. I do not have a family living with me and no job so life is not easy. I also struggle with emotional problems; I am bipolar so there are days when I feel like I can do anything and others when I can't make myself get out of bed Confused

_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Rockin Rn Rachele · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject: Hi...

Hi,

Well, it should help without family and work to worry about, although I can say that I would probably drive myself crazy without living in complete chaos and always being busy...

Today was a weird day for me. I had 10 hours of class, and I slept through all of it -- thanks to the meclizine and phenergan that I'm taking. My classmates know I'm sick and kind of cover for me, so that's nice. Someone even took notes for me while I was knocked out! Smile

I've been pretty sick this week... I wish I knew how to feel better... I can't hardly stand being sick much longer.....

-Rachele-
_________________
Rachele Conerly
RN, BSN

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