Two Steps Away From Death's Door . . .

END OF ROUND TWO UPDATE:

On Dec 11th when I was released from the first hospital after receiving 4 units of blood, I did all of my follow-up appointments with the doctors I was supposed to. My primary doctor drew blood on 12/21 to get another reading on my hemoglobin level, which turned out to be 9.1 - not bad - but ... between Dec 23rd and my Jan 11th follow-up with my primary doctor, I had (what I'll call) major episodes, and I was looking pale again, and feeling exhausted and weak, so ...

They drew blood again on Wed the 11th and asked for an immediate turnaround on the results. My primary doctor said that if she wasn't happy with the results, she was going to admit me into the hospital for more units of blood. My appointment with her was at 11:15am that day (the 11th), and by 4:21pm, she was on the phone with me and saying that she is admitting me to the hospital just down the street from her (and very close to my home) for more blood transfusions because the results came back showing that my hemoglobin count had gone down to 4.7, just above what it was the first time when I was knocking on death's door.

My doctor said that she was going to hand-deliver all of my records herself down to registration/admittance, and that I should get my ass down there right away. I said I needed to do just a couple of things and get myself together, and also pick up the prescriptions she gave me earlier, but would be headed that way soon. She was very insistent about me getting there and not waiting.

Mom and I got things together and then headed out to the pharmacy, but while I was at the pharmacy, my doctor called my cell and wanted to know where I was at - she's a pitbull - but that's a good thing. I told her I was doing a drive-by at the pharmacy and that we were on the way. She told me the doctor's name (a colleague) in the hospital who was going to be looking out for me because she's not associated with that hospital

Mom and I arrived at the emergency area where we were told to go, and they were waiting on me thanks to my primary doctor's care and hand delivering my records, as well as authorizing the direct admit into the hospital for blood transfusions. What doctor really does all of this - it's just unheard of, and I certainly never had a doctor do all of this for me in the past - she's absolutely amazing, but then ... she continues to call me her miracle, and says she's not going to let anything happen to me - I love that she's a pitbull and on top of it all.

By 6:30pm, security was wheeling me up to my private room (that was a bonus), and we learned that Mom would be able to stay over night with me for however long I was going to be in the hospital, so we had a Mother/Daughter camp-out and actually had fun, despite what I had to go through. They gave Mom a really nice over-sized chair that turned into a very comfortable bed that she could get all cozy in, and also brought us snacks since the food service had already closed down. The staff was amazing, and very attentive, with great dispositions and bedside manners, except for one nurse that I could have done without, but there's always gotta be one, eh!

The first night, I received one unit of blood, which can take up to 4 hours to transfuse depending on how fast the drip is, and ... I had to have them start the drip slow, and then gradually increase it, because it was extremely uncomfortable at first, probably due to the size of my veins I guess, but we managed to get through it. It all has to be done within the 4 hour window, because after 4 hours, the blood cells die and aren't any good any more.

The unit was started at 7:15pm and my vitals had to be taken every few minutes for a while, and then every 15 minutes for a while to make sure everything was going ok, and then vitals were spread out more, BUT ... that meant that into the night I could expect staff to interrupt any type of rest I was going to try to get. Interesting thing though ... all through the time I was in the hospital and Mom was with me, she slept like a log and didn't even wake up when staff came into the room to do one thing or another.

BOTTOM-LINE:

I had that one unit of blood on Wed night, which took my hemoglogin level up to 5.8, and then 3 more units of blood on Thursday, which took my hemoglobin level up to 8.7, then 1 more unit of blood on Friday, which took my hemoglobin level up to 9.7, but the doctor wanted to keep me over another night to draw blood Saturday morning to see if the level continued to rise. It did, and I was now up to 10, so the attending physician released me on Saturday afternoon.

So ... when adding the 4 units of blood I received when I was in the other hospital beginning Dec 7th, and the 5 I received this time, that's "9" altogether, and since 9 is my lucky number, perhaps this will be the end of it, but there's no guarantee. They're trying to keep my hemoglobin level up as high as possible before I see the GYN, and before I'm once again in the hospital for the main performance, but I'm not sure we'll be successful with this, so there's always the chance that I'll end up getting more blood before my OR Premiere.

For now, we're hoping that I don't have any more episodes between now and Thurs when I see my GYN at 2pm, which had to be rescheduled from last Friday at 2pm because of being in the hospital. After the meeting with her, things are going to be happening fast, and hopefully, before this month is out, my internal cosmetic surgery will be done and over with. I don't need the sh!t anyway, so just get the plumbers in there and get it done. If I was a lot younger, then perhaps it would be a different story, but at this stage of the game, I have no use for it. However, this time I can't tell the doctor's not to mess with my stuff while I'm under, because they HAVE to. Just give me the I don't give a damn drug and knock my ass out so that I don't remember a thing and I'll be ok.

I also have a follow-up appointment with my pitbull primary doctor on Wed, the day before the appointment with my GYN, and she's going to draw blood and get an emergency reading my on hemoglobin level before I get to the GYN so that we have something current. She is also making sure that my GYN has all of the records so that she knows what's going on, what I've been through, and what treatment I've been given so far. Really, what doctor does all of this stuff, or at least takes the time to do all of this stuff.

I consider myself extremely fortunate that I have such aswesome medical staff looking out for my purple ass, and in the end ... I feel more confident that I'm going to come out of it a raging lunatic ... just kidding, but certainly a happier person that it was taken care of by awesome, caring medical staff. I'm also hoping that there won't be any extenuating circumstances that determine I need to do other things. As it is, my primary doctor has a freakin' menu of things that she wants me to go through, which is good, because then it should give me a road map of where I'm at with my health, without living with the unknown. She's either a great physician, or saddistic.

As a result of not getting any decent sleep in a long time, and unable to really GO to sleep because of all the stress of this, I finally broke down (at Moonie's nudging) and asked for a sleep aid (I don't like taking drugs). She gave me the generic for Ambien, which I've had before a LONG time ago, so I know how fast-acting it is. I took one last night when Mom and I finally got to bed, which was about 11pm or so, and OMG ... my body woke me up once at 5:30am to use the restroom, but I was so out of it still that I went back to bed. I then woke up at 9:30am for another restroom break, but I still felt out of it a bit, so I went back to bed. I finally woke up on my own at about 12:30pm. Holy CRAP ... I slept the damn clock around.

Today is Sunday, and I've already had an episode (as I call them), and I'm sure it's a result of the hospital food I ate, but I'm calming down right now. Mom is keeping it charted and I think she wants to send me back to the hospital right now as a result. I'm not taking this lightly, but I need a rest from medical staff practicing their needlepoint on me.

Tomorrow is considered the Martin Luther King holiday here, so lots of places are closed, and I'm not sure my primary doctor's office will be open, but I'll check just to give her an update. I'll see how tomorrow goes, and if it gets bad, then I am instructed by the medical team to head right back to the hospital and get another unit of blood.

As it is, my primary doctor plans on doing another emergency blood draw on Wed for the hemoglobin count so that my GYN has it on Thurs. I'm SO glad that everyone is working together and monitoring my situation so closely. They aren't taking any lip from me, and with my Mother in town, there's NO way in hell I'll be able to get away with ANYthing - Moonie has joined that bunch as well, so everyone has ganged up on me. I love them all for doing it though.

My apologies for the length of my post, and if it's too much for you, just pass it by ... I know there are many who are keeping up with this thread, even though they aren't posting, as well as those who don't have accounts and catch the updates as a guest, and those who also get in touch with me through other means to let me know that they are following my progress, so thank you very much. Hopefully soon, I'll be able to give one last update and close this thread with the best of news.

I have to laugh though, because Moonie and my brother (Jet) have a crazy-ass sense of humor, and while I was in both of the hospitals, my brother is telling me to order the Twilight series, or Bram Stoker's Vampire on TV, and Moonie is throwing around vampire jokes left and right. I told him that he better have sexy and juicy blood, because by the time I'm done with all of this, I'm going to need a good source.

That's it for now my friends and fellow Entropians. I also want to thank Lykke BIG time for keeping up with me via texting, and making me smile as well - you girlfriend. I have made the most incredible friends from around the world in this universe, and I'm feeling rather blessed.

Love to you all.

 

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I've chosen not to post my specific clinical condition, but based on what I've written in this thread, it's not too difficult to figure out. It's female reproductive system-related, and that's all I care to share at this point.

And for a non-clinical description of what is about to (most likely) happen ... the tennis court along with the balls are about to be excavated, so I'm going to have to take up a different sport. I've always loved basketball (which is really my favorite), so maybe I'll get back to shooting hoops again.

I know that may be a bit cryptic or confusing, but if you know anything about the female anatomy, then I'm sure you can figure it out. I'm allowing humor to mask my anxiety about it at the moment, just as I will in pre-op before the big show, but then I'm ready (as I said before) to get the I don't give a damn drug, along with knocking my ass out with the drug that prevents you from remembering anything and getting it over with.

I'm ready to get back to my official Cyrene writing (I'm working on Vida's character for the Chronicles), as well as eventually getting to Part 3 of the MS9/Senator covert ops adventure that still has unfinished business that takes me deeper into Zekkonian territory undercover. I've kept in touch with Ed so he knows what's going on, and he and the team are being fully supportive. We still have time to finish what needs to be done, so I'm going to make sure my health stuff gets taken care of as quickly as possible, and then start writing again while I'm recovering.

Thank you for asking and your well wishes, and when I have any further news, I'll update the thread.

 

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Thank you my dear, for always being supportive, and for being my text buddy too.

And HOT on my bucket list is FINALLY getting my ass over to Denmark to have a lovely visit with you two for sure, and ... after all this nonsense is done and over with, there should be nothing standing in my way. I think RAZER said he might stop in to say hello as well when I make it there.

We've been trying to make this happen for a long-ass time now, and there's nothing I'd like better than to sit back and relax with you guys and take a wine glass for a spin or two - although, I prefer a nice dry red wine to white, or a nice brandy, but seeing I'm not much of a drinker AT all (can't tell you when the last time was), I'll be a cheap date ... BUT ... I'm funny as hell under the influence!

On another note ... I'm incredibly excited and VERY happy that you have joined our Cyrene Team as well, because that means I get to continue working with my media and entertainment partner, and have an opportunity to REALLY kick some ass and get creative with our "soon to be" new home.

Love you much my dear, and thanks for being there!

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OMG ... I can't remember when I laughed that hard ... that absolutely made my week for sure. That was just pure brilliance Peter, I LOVED it. Thank you for giving me such an awesome ab workout.

I can't wait to enjoy your warped sense of humor in person my dear, and ... I want to thank you as well for being such an awesome (long-time) friend, and for being there whenever I needed your assistance with something. I also appreciate that you host my radio station and keep the server in tip-top running shape so that MSR streams out the sounds without a hiccup.

Love you too Peter ... you guys are just too awesome for words, and I'm blessed to have you as friends - it actually feels like family any more because we've become so close.

When it's all over and done, we'll have a big celebration somehow!

 

THERE'S BEEN A SHIFT IN UNIVERSE ENERGY
(Translation ... doctors are getting off their asses and making things happen sooner!)

Thing is, I've had an issue since 2pm on Sunday, and I'm FRICKIN' over it, so ... I called my primary doctor's office today (Mon.) and let a little of my own pitbull out. My Dr. wasn't there, but I relayed my upset to one of her awesome assistants and she said she would leave a message on my Dr.'s cell. I said I just can't go through this any more, because getting blood tranfusions are ending up being a waste of damn time without correcting the problem right away.

I'm in a neverending cycle to get my hemoglobin level up high enough so that something can be done, BUT ... if I have to wait a few days before getting in to see my GYN, I've already lost enough to require more, so it's a pathetic circus and I'm absolutely done with it. If you've ever had a blood transfusion, then you know that it's really not a fun time, because you're tied to a damn machine via IV, you've got a gazillion interruptions the full 4 hrs it takes, and NO one pays any attention to what time of day it is. Inside the hospital, it's like Las Vegas - machines everywhere, but the one-arm bandits are the lab techs practicing their needlepointing at all hours of the day and night, and quite frankly, I'm tired of being a pin cushion for their asses.

Can you tell that I'm a bit of a tyrant right now! I've earned it and I won't stop until I'm back to normal again - or at least some semblance of normalcy.

So, what did I accomplish? ... I have a 9:30am appointment with my primary doctor on Tuesday morning, and they were able to work with my new GYN whom I have yet to meet, and move my appointment up with her to 2:15pm on Tuesday as well, instead of 2pm on Thursday because of the urgency of what needs to take place, and take place NOW.

Lowering the pays off sometimes!

At any rate ... that's where we're at right now, but I have a feeling that things are going to be moving MUCH faster as a result, so as soon as I know what's up, I'll leave a message here before I head off to Round 3 - which I'm hoping is the final act in this not so popular play.

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Hey Hon ... perhaps I'm so out of it right now that I've lost my damn mind and I'm not sure WHAT the hell I'm talking about! I think I'm having an altitude problem with that one myself. And thanks for tossing back a few on my behalf - that's mightly generous of you, so enjoy it and we'll share a virtual brew or two when I'm sane again.

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Thanks AG, your generous offer is graciously accepted, and I'm sure you and the rest of Manticore will do an outstanding job of taking care of business without a doubt - especially with the turrets. Nice to know you guys have my back - I'm feeling more secure now.

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Thank you very much, your thoughts are greatly appreciated, but I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get any real rest until this is all over with - hospitals don't believe in rest, which is ironic, because it's a very important part of recovering and getting healthy - go figure!

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Hey there Mandel ... thank you VERY much for your kind offer to share your hemoglobin, but after what I've learned and gone through since Dec 7th, you better hang on to all you have, whether it's filled with cheap wiskey or not.

I hope it will be better going forward too, now that I've managed to kick a few balls around - funny thing is - my doctors are females. I guess there's something to be said for brass ovaries, eh?

And BTW ... your English is just fine Hon - I have no issue understanding you at all. Thank you again for sharing your well wishes and a bit of humor, it's all great and positive energy, and that's what I need the most of right now.

HUGS TO ALL OF YOU

 

That's hysterical Peter ... is that really a true story? Sometimes I can't tell from you.

All I can say is ... I might have had a private room at the second hospital I was at that was closer to me, BUT ... the staff was MUCH better at the first, which is where I'll be headed when the big show comes to town. It's a much larger hospital that's part of a huge network of hospitals that have been around for a long time, and includes a Women's Hospital and a Children's Hospital specifically, so they know their business quite well.

I DID have an issue with one person who just didn't do my first IV right at the second hospital, and it hurt like frickin' hell during the blood transfusions, not to mention that it left a knot and bruise. They had to change it out the next day, BUT ... they called in the BIG guns to handle the job.

The charge nurse of the floor, who was actually a super great person with a sense of humor, brought in her trusty $35,000 star wars machine to assist, and she's the only one allowed to use it - guess because she's the only one trained on it?.

It's called the "Vein Finder" (they could have at LEAST been more creative with the name) ... and it's a HUGE-ass machine which I think is an ultrasound sort of thing that projects a flourescent lime green square on your skin that exposes where your veins are.

It was fascinating to watch, and when she put it over the top of my left hand, she pointed out how one of the veins "rolled" when you touched it. My only thought was ... I wonder how much they're gonna slap on my medical bill for THIS one ... I'm not too worried about it, because I have great insurance. Bottom-line was ... she got the job done and done well, so I was happy.

Oh the tales we can tell of hospital adventures ... by the time this is all over with, I should have some doozys, because I'm a one-woman stage show in pre-op!

 

AND THE 3-RING CIRCUS CONTINUES

I'm going to apologize ahead of time if my content becomes a bit ... well, out of sorts, because I'm about ready to raise the roof a few feet as a result of what just happened earlier.

First ... I get a call from my primary doctor at 9am telling me there's really no reason to come in to see her at 9:30am (she's really close) because there's nothing more she can do there in her office for me, but rather ... the GYN needs to take over and make sure that things happen and that I get admitted to the hospital and the slice and dice is done ASAP (well, she didn't actually use those words, but you get the picture).

Second ... my records were faxed over to the GYN I was supposed to see at 2:15pm this afternoon, BUT ... I got a call from that GYN's office manager at 1pm telling me that based on the records, she would not be able to treat my kind of case ... WTF?

Third ... I called my primary doctor back and she was PIIIIIIISSSSSSEEED ... it's not like I hid anything from the GYN at all, and gave a full accounting of what my issue was, including the fact that I had already been in the hospital for blood transfusions.

Fourth ... I need to get the HELL off this computer right now, because I just got a call from my primary doctor telling me that she got me an appointment this afternoon at the women's hospital pavalion in a half hour and was in the process of faxing over all of my records to them. I TOLD you she was a pitbull ... she is NOT going to let anything happen to her miracle.

Fifth ... not sure when I'll be back to add to this, but I'm asking that if you have ANY positive energy to spare at all, that you send it out to the universe for me to catch, because I'm a wreck right now.

Thank you ever so much to all of you who have walked with me on this incredibly difficult path toward getting the issue resolved ... even in your silence and not posting in this thread, your PM's, emails, and Skype messages are uplifting, and I greatly appreciate the genuine warmth and caring that you have shown.

Hugs to you all, and I'll see you when I see you!


To Lykke ... I'll be texting you with updates.

 

THE CIRCUS HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN, AND "DR. PITBULL" SUCCEEDS
(Translation ... I've been pushed around enough and it's time to get the job done!)

However, the path today of getting to the point of starting the process was not without incident. When I got the call from my primary doctor's office that an appointment was made at the women's hospital GYN department, and that I should go there NOW ... there really wasn't enough time to get there for the time the appointment was scheduled for, BUT ...

Before I could EVEN get my ass out the door, I had issues. When Mom and I finally got into the car, I had to run back into the apartment one more time, but guess what? ... I locked my damn KEYS inside and had to call the leasing office to come open it up for me. THEN ... I had to stop for gas, and by the time I got to my appointment I was a half-hour late. The doctor I was going to see was already gone, BUT ... because of the urgency of my situation, there was an awesome doctor that wasn't on-call who took care of me (she ROCKS) ... I am SO fortunate.

Bottom line ... they are setting everything up for me to be admitted to the women's hospital tonight (3rd hospital in a little over a month). I brought Mom home and parked my car, and now waiting on my sister-in-law to come pick us up to take us to the hospital. I don't think Mom is going to be able to stay with me this time - don't know - but I DO know that things are about to shift into warp speed - I know you all know what THAT means.

The plan is to stabilize me - although my hemoglobin didn't drop as much as I thought it might have - it went from 10.0 last Saturday afternoon, to 8.1 this afternoon, which my primary doctor said is good for ME, but it should be higher, especially if I'm headed for surgery. I know a lot is about to happen pretty fast, so while I'm a bit (ok, a lot) hyper about it, I'm just glad that SOMEthing is finally going to be done.

Since eating ANYthing aggravates my situation, when this is all over with, the first meal I'm going to have is a big-ass juicy steak with garlic butter, special mash potatoes with pepper gravy, and Southwestern Eggrolls with avocado/ranch dressing from Chili's restaurant - THEN, make myself a batch of my special mac 'n' cheese. I'm frickin' drooling right now, but I refuse to eat anything until this issue is taken care of.

That's it boys and girls ... I'm signing out now ... my sister-in-law is here, and I'm headed to the women's hospital. I'm actually rather excited because it's a MUCH better place and newer and nicer, and the primary color is PURPLE ... is that not an omen or WHAT.

Ciao for now, and thanks for being the greatest community EVER!!!!

To Ripper ... I know how you feel dear heart, and we've been close like that, so no problem that you haven't posted a lot in this thread. There are a lot of people who have contacted me via PM, email, and on Skype to share their thoughts and well wishes with me, and I fully understand that everyone is not comfortable sharing thoughts publicly on such a sensitive issue. Hugs to you Sweetheart, and I'll catch up with you when I get back home.

Ok then ... Scottie? ... beam me up!