Just ask Jennifer.
Oh yeah. I got to go to the football game this weekend. We put a whooping on Arkansas. It was great, except for the first half where we led 27-10. You see. I was worried about my wife that whole time. If you don't believe me, ask my friends at the game.
Jennifer was discharged on Friday. She was pushing for it, ready to get out. Was it too soon? I don't know. The endocrinologist originally hinted that she may keep Jennifer an extra day because her PTH was not measurable and her calcium was dropping. However, by Friday afternoon, the PTH showed just under 1 (mg per dl, I believe), when it should be around 80 under normal conditions. Her calcium, with supplements seemed to have stabilized by that time too. So, the endocrine docs were fine with her being released -- with the instructions to be aware of the hypocalcemia symptoms. If experienced, she needs to take calcium supplement ASAP (like TUMS). If the symptoms do not go away in 30 minutes time, she's supposed to take more supplement and get to an emergency room to have her blood tested and possibly receive IV calcium. She also convinced the other docs that the drain tube could be removed -- it wasn't holding suction anyway. She got her wish around 5:30 pm on Friday. Hello Houston traffic.
Before we got home, she was feeling symptoms of hypocalcemia (why is it that I can spell hypocalcemia but not
Jennifer was tingling in her fingers and around her mouth. We stopped at CVS. I bought Ultra TUMS and Coke in a red bottle (to settle her stomach). The TUMS is recommended as the source for quick calcium intake. It seemed to work.
That evening, she started tingling again. This time it never fully went away. She got up several times in the middle of the night to take more. By Saturday morning, the tingling was still there, but much better than in the night. So she said I could go to the game. I took Ben. He loves to talk...and he did.
About halfway to College Station, I checked in with Jennifer and found out she was starting to feel worse. She had taken more tums and promised to email the nurse (at his recommendation) if the symptoms didn't stop. I checked in again when I arrived at college station. Cat said the tingling stopped, so Jennifer took Grace to gym for some private lessons. I received a different story when Jennifer called. Luckily, her mom and dad came in to help, so she said I could stay at the game.
Hence my deli am during the first half. I kept checking in and her condition was fluctuating. Her mom recommended choking down on the TUMS, rather than taking two at a time recommended by the docs....eventually, it kicked in and her symptoms started to go away. By halftime, the news appeared much better and I got to enjoy the game....and Boy Did I. I think Ben was noticed too...that motor kept going and going and going......
By Saturday night, Jennifer was much better. No episodes overnight. By Sunday tho, she was nauseous and had a headache. It's no wonder. She's popping pills like a geriatric diabetic with a blood infection and high cholesterol....I mean a lot of pills. (No offense to you geriatrics out there --Mark). Any on of those combinations will mess with you.
Monday was better. She went in for more blood test. Received a call later to inform her that she can reduce her calcium dosage....the PTH is still around one. Hopefully those little parathyroid suckers will kick in and start regulating something...they act like their on the government dole or something.
Is Tuesday and life as usual...work, school, gym, kids, bedtime....
We go in on Thursday to meet with endocrinologist for more bloodworm and to discuss hormone management options. Next week will be a meting with the head and neck surgeon to discuss the results of the surgery and hopefully pathology on the lymph dissection. Fingers crossed.
Thanks to everyone for their prayers. It's been a tough juggle for all of us. I appreciate everyone's patience with us, both personally and professionally.
