[lenjan]

The hospital has volunteers, generally retired folks with extremely nice cars, transport patients back and forth if they need it.

My driver arrived at 10 a.m., because he had to go pick up somebody else on the way.

I got to the hematology lab about 10:50 and got my blood drawn so they could check whatever they wanted to check. Then I went down to the clinic and sat, and drank coffee, and waited. My dr. appt. was supposed to be at noon. At 1:25, he came strolling in.

So. Platelets are roughly the same as last week, which is moderately disappointing. I would have liked to have seen them go UP, but at least they didn't drop precipitously, so I guess I'm holding my own. I'm at 42,000, and optimal baseline is 50,000.

The bloodwork showed a bit of anemia, so I go back tomorrow for a blood transfusion. (The driver shows up at EIGHT. Ick.) Everything else looked OK.

But.

For the past week or 10 days, I've had terrible pain in my calf. If I sit or lie down too long, I can barely put weight on it when I get up. I shuffle like an old lady, and I've really been decompensating on walking the hallways for exercise -- most of the time I can only do one lap now, and for half of it I have to hang on to the wall for balance. So I thought, OK, I'm seeing a doctor today, I'll mention it.

He sent me for an ultrasound. I have a frickin' blood clot in my left calf. For part of the ultrasound, I had to sit on the edge of the table, where I could see the screen, and thus the pictures, and I saw it clear as day, before I ever got back upstairs for the nurse to tell me. It's not terribly huge or anything, but it's there, and now I have to give myself a shot in the stomach every day for 6 months. The nurse had me do it for real before I left so I could get used to it. It doesn't hurt, surprisingly, and I was so damn petrified they were going to put me back in the hospital that when she told me I had to give myself a shot in the stomach every day, I said, "THAT'S IT?!" Hell -- ANYTHING to avoid another hospital bed.

So, that's my mediocre to rotten news for the day. Remember the driver picked me up at 10? I got home about 5:45. One damn long day. I'm going to go lay down.

That's it for now .......

Candy

[jmo531]

((((((((((((((((((((Candy)))))))))))))))))))))

I am sorry to hear all of this. Hang in there.

Good news on the platelets at least.

Hang in there...I know it's a drag.

[(JD)]

((((candy)))) Wow that's a lot to contend with... I don't understand why the shots for 6 months for a clot, but I'm guessing it's because of all the rest of what you are suffering. Hope it all begins to get better for you!

[kimmydawn]

(((((((((((((((Candy)))))))))))))))))

many thoughts and prayers still coming your way! I'm glad you're holding steady.

love,

kd

[SS8282]

((((((((((((Candy))))))))))) I'm sorry. I hope you feel better soon. Please take care of yourself. huggles

[Rapunzel]

((((((((((Candy))))))))))))

You will get through this. We'll help you. Get some rest and take it easy for a while. I hope tomorrow is a better day.

Rap

[SleepsWithButterFlies]

That sucks CandyBear but a plus is....they caught it before it moved....HEALING HUGS
Is this Heparin?

[Mahali]

Kind thoughts for you. Hope you feel better soon.

[lenjan]

I'm not sure how it all ties in with the aplastic anemia part, but I'm not allowed heparin, and they wouldn't give me Coumadin because they said it didn't work fast enough. It's some injection called Lovenox, I think. It costs like $8 billion and I only got it today because the nurse found samples and didn't want me to go home without it. She faxed off an indigent patient form so that I could get 3 months' worth for free and I should know tomorrow when I'm back for a blood transfusion whether they give it to me. I don't know why not -- I'm unemployed and thoroughly without resources. My family and friends are helping as much as they can, and I've applied for as much state and federal aid as I can, but it's all still in the works.

Candy

[SleepsWithButterFlies]

Awww CandyBear that all sucks but it is cool she found a way to get you this med. Just cause you need it and qualify I have found you do not always get ..trust me I know first hand so I am mega happy someone helped you to get it..Did they give you odd like stockings to wear? To hold the clot while it goes away? (( CANDYBEAR ))

[January]

((((((((((((((( Candy ))))))))))

I'm so sorry about the blood clot and your count. The good thing is they can do something about both. I know it might not seem to optimistic right now, but you hold on, woman. Ok? We all love you and are praying for you!

Hugs,

Jan

[lenjan]

I hear those white compression stockings went out of style a few years ago. For a bit there in the hospital, they had these things they wrapped around my legs that were like an automatic blood pressure cuff -- they automatically inflated and deflated in a steady rhythm. Supposedly that's the big thing to prevent blood clots now. Why they didn't keep them on me the whole damn time, I don't know.

Candy

[Myzen]

Phew!

Candy, I can feel your courage from here; and your sense of humour!

(((((((((((((((((((((Candy)))))))))))))))))))

M.

[dottie]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Candybear}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

You have a hearty attitude. Glad you were able to get your medicine.

[DaveyJones]

I'm sorry to hear of this setback, Candybear...and after all you have been through already. It's just not fair!

Here's a link to Aventis pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program for Lovenox...Just print it out, fill it out and send it in: http://www.needymeds.com/papforms/loveno0022.pdf.

Hope this helps. Get better soon!

DJ

[Lexicon78]

Try to hang in there. I know this can be very discouraging.

[Azalysa]

{{{{{CandyBear}}}}}

Sending more prayer support and warm *HUGS*. You are one tough lady. Hang in there sweetie!!

[lenjan]

Heeeeeeeey, and today it got even better. I had to go in for a blood transfusion. 2 units take 4 hours....sitting in a chair (a recliner, at least), strapped to an IV. Bah humbug.

As the nurse comes to disconnect me after it's all done, she says, "Your white cell count (fights infection) is down, but I'm sure you know that" (I *have* had a small cold). Then she tells me to avoid fresh flowers, fruits and veggies,and public places.

Fabulous. Somebody brought me flowers last week (though they're dying and I can probably just pitch them), and my refrigerator is chock full of fresh fruits and veggies, as I never got to see them in the hospital. Perhaps this is God's way of telling me I need to eat more fast food. ;-)

I'm just really frustrated with it all.

Candy

Then she tells me to avoid fresh flowers

I guess I'll have to cancel my plane ticket.

[bipolar_bear]

((((((((((((((((Candy))))))))))))))) I am glad that you are getting the care you need. I am happy they filled out an application for you. It sounds like it should fly through the approval process. Hang in there. You are such a brave person. My thoughts are with you.

[lenjan]

Well, the med company gave me ONE month free, because my state insurance aid is pending. The nurse said to wait about 3 weeks, and if it hadn't come through by then to let her know and she would fill out another form, but that it takes about a week to get. Luckily they had some on hand at the hospital pharmacy.......where I waited for an hour and a half because they're so f'ing incompetent. They have about 5 pharmacists working back there and no one knows what anyone else is doing.

THEN, I left my keys there, which I didn't realize till I got home and patted down all my pockets, looking for them. A couple coming to visit someone in the building got buzzed in by their friend, so that's how I got in the front door, and then used the cell to call the landlord (lives next building over) to let me in the apartment. Good grief. I have a friend coming over to clean today, so she went and picked them up for me and I presume is now on her way.

If I had to pick a word for my mood, it would be "frustrated." I'm tired of being sick. I'm tired of worrying about blood counts and infections and transfusions. I'm tired of being trapped in my apartment, when I want to be working and among my friends.

ARGH.

Candy

[wisewoman]

Candy, you are a journalist, write a book. I swear truth is stranger then fiction huh? I am sorry you are going through all of this. I gave my hubby luvanox injections and he is so skinny he had pretty bruises everywhere. It is a low molecular weight blood thinner that stays in the system much more briefly then heparin etc. Hang in there, glaad you found the clot early. I am thinking of you.