Warning: This post written under the influence of strong pain killers. May contain unintelligible gibberish, unfinished and/or run-on sentences, or just plain drivel.
I never imagined I would say this, but it seems I now have something in common with Rush Limbaugh: Oxycodone. Since I’d like to limit the things he and I have in common, I’m planning to be careful not to let my use of pain killers turn into an addiction like his.
As of today, I’ve seen three different doctors at the Cancer Center concerning my continuing throat problem. Pretty much all of them agree it’s related to the Xeloda I was taking. What they don’t quite agree on is whether it’s actually thrush, mucositis, or a combination of both. I’ve been taking the meds to treat thrush for five days now with no real improvement. Unfortunately, there’s no particular “treatment” for mucositis – you just have to wait for it to heal, much like a virus.
I took my last Xeloda pill over two weeks ago. Today’s doctor thinks that in about a week the Xeloda will have cleared from my system enough for my throat issues to heal on their own. Meanwhile, I have been unable to eat anything because of the excruciating pain of swallowing, and have continued to lose weight at an alarming rate (105 today). So, the newest approach is to have me take pain killers in order to “minimize the discomfort” of swallowing.
I was instructed to take “1 or 2” of the Oxycodone pills every four hours. At 1:00 this afternoon, I took my first pill. By 1:30, I still couldn’t swallow, so I took the second pill. By 2:00 I was surprised that I could actually swallow with much less difficulty, and I managed to eat more food during the next half-hour than I’ve eaten over the past four days combined! Wahoo! Then, at 2:30 I passed out in a drug-induced delirium. Four hours later, when I might have taken another dose, I was still completely out-of-it and pretty much unaware of anything but the drool on my pillow.
It’s been about six hours now since I took the Oxycodone and, although I’m certainly more alert, my eyes and limbs are still very heavy. I’ll have to take another dose here shortly in order to eat again, but I’m thinking this time I will just take one pill and wait a little longer to see if it can do the job on it’s own. Otherwise, I’ll be back in Wonderland for the next several hours. If I’m not completely spaced-out over the next few days, I’ll try to give an update on the eating situation. Meanwhile, I’m going to see if I can avoid that rabbit-hole I fell into earlier.
Alice about to take a tumble down the rabbit hole
P.S. – Some of you have already been asking about my office visit with the surgeon, Dr. Rajput. Unfortunately, it didn’t take place (chalk it up to poor communication at UNM). Now I’m scheduled to see him on Wednesday, November 4.
A Different Wholeness 
Mangia, mangia, mangia! You do what ya gotta do in order to eat. I’m glad you’re getting food down, whatever it takes! I’m wishing you all kinds of ice cream in the meantime, too….Sending you blessings, Karen. I think of you every day.
Ah, there you are. I’ve been holding my breath waiting for some word. Yahoo, a real meal! A friend suggested canned, sliced peaches which will slide right down. Thought that sounded pretty good.
Rush you will never be! But watch out for white rabbits, and if you see a cookie that says eat me, give it a try, it might help you to grow big. And don’t miss the tea party, you’ll fit right in. 🙂
Love you bunches.
A. Carol
PS, Karen – -I’m always hesitant to suggest anything, because usually when someone’s in the trenches, you’ve pretty much tried everything there is to try — but in case you haven’t — Healthy Trinity. It’s the most powerful probiotic out there & will replace the healthy microorganism critters that all the necessary evils destroyed. Particularly if this is thrush-relate, a probiotic will help, and HT can definitely be counted among the big guns. Hope you’re feeling better!
MIss Karen, Once again I feel better just knowing you felt a little energy to tell us more about your experience. I can’t help but be naive and wonder why they wouldn’t nourish you with IV’s, like they do in hospitals. And your writing is just as amazing and effective as ever. It will take more than a drug to alter you my dear. Your truest goddess essence…still shines through.
Lots of love,
K
Karen,
Hopefully your throat problem will pass soon. Could some very cold, old-fashioned ice cream make you feel better? David and I love all the teas we got from you and of course we miss seeing you and Tim. We are so impressed with your courage and determination.
Kay and David
I like the old Mycostatin for the Candidiasis. i am not sure if you can take it along with fluconazole. Even hope that maybe you are better as you read this.
keep up the good fight my friend.
Love your e-mail nurse,Candy
Tomorrow is the surgeon and i am wondering how you are today. Are you able to eat at all? Hope the Oxycodone is being good to you and not making you feel like Alice.
Love,
Candy
Oxycodone is a serious drug. It is something that many people become addicted to. Many of these people need oxycodone addiction help in order to kick the addiction. Please be careful and feel better.
Thanks for the website info on oxcodone addiction. Thankfully, I only ended up taking it for a few days back in November and was able to get off of it easily. But I’m keenly aware that it can turn into a problem for others, so I hope those in need of help will check your website out…