Sunday, April 18, 2010

I'm OUT!

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I'm OUT! I'm OUT! I'mOUT!I'mOUT!I'mOUT!

Yes indeed, everyone. You heard it straight from the horse's mouth. Oh, happy day!!!
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Well. It was true when I said it, anyway. And you, my faithful readers, gave me enough time to start a post instead of answering comments, which is one of my FAVORITE things to do. And therefore, ever so distracting.

Now I'm going to gross you out, or bore you - whatever - with more medical tales. It's become my life. I've lived at this hospital for more than a year now. And while the subject material may not be as fun as I've wished, it's what I've got, for telling tales of the present at least.

I spent about two days at home. I slept most of them away. Then I woke up, bright and chipper.

And that's all she wrote...

until I woke up in the ER around 8 pm last night.

Walter and Mom were with me. They told me a blood test showed infection. That when they brought me in, I was radiating heat, so hot they could feel it from a few feet away, A wonderful paramedic, sweet and kind - and extremely competent - was determined to set an IV. It became a challenge to him. It does to a lot of them, actually.

See, I'm a very "hard stick." That means it's hard to find a vein that will accept an IV without "blowing,' infiltrating, where the needle comes out the other side of the vessel instead of sliding into the vein.

Even if they succeed in setting an IV, the IV's aren't usually in strong enough veins. They have to hold up against these super-powerful antibiotics they pour into me to kill off the various resistant germs I get. The IV's don't usually last more than a couple of days.

But that's another story.

Last night, what we needed was an IV. Difficult, difficult. And our shining hero of a paramedic actually did it! They drew blood for tests, and then slammed me with Vancomycin - one of those super-antibiotics - and lo and behold, I came to.

Understand, I was comatose through all the excitement. It happened that way last time too, grrr!!! I mean, I paid for the darn ticket. Then I don't even get to see the show. But everybody else did! hmph!

It appears my left arm is deeply infected for about a foot long area, with my elbow in the middle. Red, and hot. And - please forgive the indelicacy - same goes for my entire left breast. Ouch!

I'd hoped to have more time to post. Now, as long as I don't get the sleeps, I will.

Be careful what you wish for...
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20 comments:

  1. WOW. I'd just as soon sleep through all that kind of excitement and wake up with it all over and done with; its not a show I care to stay up to see!

    I hope the Vancomycin is doing its job. I wish you perfectly painless stickers in the vampire department. I offer {{Hugs}} to you and to Walter and your Mom!

    Spring is here! I wish for the sap to rise in your bones and the birds to make a nest in your hair...well, maybe that's going too far...but you get the idea!

    xoxo

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  2. PS I will never complain about my back again. :)

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  3. Any stories are great, they mean you're still there.

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  4. Letting us know you are still around is the best news.
    Here's hoping the meds work well, thoroughly and soon.

    ((hugs))

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  5. Argh.

    Dear k, you ought to apply for a 6 month lease on that hospital room. You might get better rates that way.

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  6. Hi K!

    'Pup was in the hospital for a few days a couple of days ago, but nothing as dramatic as yours. He's much better now.

    You take care and eat and grow strong.

    Nancy

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  7. Good to hear from you, K!

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  8. Hope all is well. Hugs and prayers from an old blogging friend.

    DNR

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  9. Trying to be patient...trying not to worry.

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  10. Still checking in daily. Love you.

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  11. Your lurker misses you.

    Mona

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  12. I miss you, too! Checking every day! XO

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  13. Oh k, we're going on two months without a word...

    Do you still have a word or two in you for those of us who continue vigilant?

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  14. Hello from Minnesota.... Wish you were here.

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