Been A While

So, I'm still alive. I think. I went to the ER yesterday because I was coughing up a little blood. The docs are erring on the side of caution and although they sent me home, they're treating me for tuberculosis. I know, TB? In today's day and age? Well, the meds that I was put on for the Crohn's has lowered my immune system enough to make me susceptible to the infection. I think I only have pneumonia, but I'd rather they take the precautions necessary. So I'm home. Not allowed to go anywhere. Except stir crazy. I've played all my crack games on Facebook. Faxed the courthouse regarding my divorce, texted friends. Frittered the day away online. I'm too bored to sleep even. I'm going to have to take a sleeping pill later.

While I was in the ER, they gave me a dose of morphine. This was good...it immediately took away the pain in my joints from my fever. Bad thing? Remember my last post about wanting to say something that I haven't been able to? Yeah. Well. I said it. Or rather, I text it.

So, I think that in my morphine-induced coma, I screwed up a really good relationship. I'm being completely neurotic about it. Have been all day. I keep wondering if I screwed up. I really want to talk to him, but I can't have contact with him. And he's not really a phone person. This bites in so many ways. I suppose I should take it as a sign that he's still texting me, right? That maybe I didn't screw up that horribly? I don't know....

Being sick. Screwing up relationships. Sounds like my MO.

Remicade Question

From the comments yesterday: "there's not any nasty side effects apart from the bummer immune system?"

Well, actually, because of the bummer immune system, there are tons of nasty side effects. Serious infections, including tuberculosis, sepsis and pneumonia can happen. There have been rare reports of lymphoma (a blood cancer) occurring in some people. COPD can develop. If you're a carrier of Hepatitis B, that can redevelop. Rare cases of liver damage have been reported, including fatal damage. Blood and nerve disorders have been reported. Any and all of these reports have the potential to be fatal.

There are also allergic reactions that can happen while you're being infused or within a week or two after. These include: respiratory problems, hives, chest pain, high or low blood pressure, swelling of the face and hands, and fever or chills.

Most common side effects? Headache, stomach pain, respiratory infections, rash and coughing. Luckily, I just get these last things.