More problems

[Guest guest]

Just a note to let you know I was in the hospital from the 26th through the 29th.

As you know I have been having problems with swelling & possible flares. On the 22nd I developed a lump near the jaw line on the left side of my face & it was swelled much more than the right side. Used moist compresses & the hardness went down a little. Checked back with the dr. on the 23rd & he gave me the option of the ER if I wanted or keep on using the compresses. I opted for the second. Talked to the rheumy on Christmas Eve & he said see how I do but he was worried about the possibility of an infection. On Christmas Day my face blew up big time. The jaw line & also cheek bone were very tender. Called the Rheumy on the 26th & he sent us to the ER to possibly be admitted on IV therapy. He came in & checked me out & talked with the ER dr. They did a CAT scan which showed nothing. The ER guy questioned the radiologist & made him re-read it because you could feel & see the swelling & lump. They were thinking either infection or blocked salivary gland. They decided to put me in and start me on IV antiobiotics. I was all set to come home on Friday when a blood test they ran on Weds. grew some bacteria. They were almost positive it was contaminated but ran two more, one from each arm an hour apart on Fri. to be on the safe side. As of yesterday it was negative but since the other took 3 days to grow, they are not taking any chances. If something grows on one of these I will be put back in for more IV antibiotics. They had the ENT come in & he thinks it might be tooth related. So I will be going to the Dentist on Thurs. when he gets back in the office. My PCP thinks it could very well be a possibility & pain is being masked by the high dose steroids. The rest of us aren't convinced this is what it is. There is still swelling & a lump & the rheumy is really concerned.

I also have been having problems with balance & falling. In the last 3 weeks or so I have fallen 4-5 times. Reached over to get wrapping paper on the chair next to me, about 3 inches away & landed on the floor. Knelt down by the hutch & fell over, etc. Friday night I headed to the bathroom & got really dizzy, went to grab the door or the door frame & couldn't find it & next thing I knew I waas on the floor. Ted said he heard something & looked over & there was my head sticking out from behind the door on the floor. He couldn't figure out why I was crawling on the floor. Of course he thought it was hysterical. He did come & help me up. Thank God no one walked past, it wasn't a pretty sight, especially with my nightgown exposing everything & then some. My PCP thinks it could be caused from a film sort of like scar tissue, that is on my right eardrum caused by the flare in my right ear when the disease was confirmed in September. I am on oral antibiotics & just waiting to see what happens.

I am under strict instructions to do nothing. We are going to a country club today for a brunch from Bridget's work for employees & their familes with the Dr's approval. Tomorrow we are having friends over to grill steaks, watch movies & play some games, & New Years day we are gong to Beth's. All this has been pre approved & I am not to do anything.

HOping Christmas was good to everyone & the new Year will bring happiness & better health to everyone.

Love,

Susiecue