I am getting ready for another trip to my parents - for my 2nd set of 2 day boosters. The traveling has been hard for me, I miss my family a lot every time I need to pack and get on a plane to head "home" to my mom and dad in NJ for the treatments at Getson's offices in Marlton. I have also found that I don't feel well after the ketamine, how much of that is likely due to all the messing around with meds that has been going on I can't be sure of yet. Before and after the transfusions I eat very little. I am also tired almost all the time. And because I have become so much more pain free, I have been removing my Fentanyl patches. My pain may be ready for that, but my body is not. I have become extremely sick with flu-like symptoms twice in the last 2 weeks, and both times a reapplication of a Fentanyl patch has cleared up a lot of my problems. It is a good thing that my sister is a nurse and figured out for me what was wrong both times, I had NO CLUE!! I am only on a 12 mcg patch now, but I still became violently ill 3 days after removing it last week. Yuk!!!

My pain has been reduced quite a bit. But it is not all the way gone. It is different now, more muscle pain and stiffness, perhaps from just not moving the right way and from my body not being in alignment. Weather changes still impact me profoundly. And I have the withdrawal issue to deal with - obviously I am going to need to consult a professional, I can't just yank my patch off and go to zero as I was advised by Dr. Getson (I only weigh about 110-120 right now). There is also the issue of rehab with my shoulder, neck and head which is still off-balance and a bit atropied. I must return to my job in a month and a half, but I will still be a little crooked when that happens because I doubt my PT will get me fixed in time.

So far, this has been rough. I've lost a lot of weight. I'm always tired and nauseated. But my ears are fixed (HOORAY!!). And I've made it through 12 infusions and an occipital block (OUCH!!) and have learned not to jank off my morphine patches without a plan, so hopefully things will go more smoothly in the future....

More time is needed before I can conclude whether the ketamine infusions are a successful treatment for me for the long term. I wish I could have started all this months ago!!

Please feel free to ask me any questions you might have....

Much love and peace, Sandy

Sandy, my friend..

I really haven't any questions..I just want to say how proud I am of you..What you have endured and are about to endure is so commendable...On top of the medical issues..not feeling well even after your infusions..and missing your family and suffering a broken heart due to that alone is just unbelieveable..I want to say that I am honored and privilaged to know you....Bless you my friend..Stay strong and fight with all of your mite!!! You will make this happen...

Love, Kathy

Thanks - home is where the heart is - truly. Especially when you have been married to your soul mate for over 25 years and have children and a beloved pet, and just don't feel well....

XOXOX

Hi Sandy,
Thanks for taking the time to write to us despite all your challenges!
That's great that you have a reduction in pain, and you still have yuor boosters to go, which willbring more pain reduction.
It seems that if there were a plan in place for a gradual withdrawl of the fentanyl patches and a plan for your meds, you could have been able to bypass all the additional challenges brought on by that!
I am surprosed your Dr. didn't recommended a gradual titrating of the patches.
You have been in pain and stiff for a long time, and will take some time to rehabilitate, but the important thing is the reduction in pain!
We are so proud of you and will keep you in our prayers for a steady incline in relief.
Love from Hope4thebest