Coumadin... ai chihuahua

So, I went to Sonora Quest to get my PT/INR.  I was happily anticipating a quick finger prick and then I'd be out of there.

But NO!  "We can't do the finger prick; we're not technicians, and we don't have the equipment."  But, after looking at my arm and examining the vein options, the phlebotomist says to me, "Don't worry, I'm really good at getting blood from you challenging types."  She smiled reassuringly.  Frankly, I believed her.  After a thorough arm going-over, she went for my hand.  It was a perfect job. :)

Then off Nancy and I went to Walgreen's to get the Coumadin.  They were surprised to see me.  I've had my prescriptions there, at least the ones I can't wait on for my mail order joint, for probably a year... and I've never been in the place until yesterday.  Jane and Nancy have always gone to get my drugs.  I think they didn't believe I existed.

I was on my pretty red scooter, and thankfully, the aisles of the Walgreen's were uncluttered enough to get through.  Plus, I didn't hit a soul.  YAY! :D

Jane brought me my favorite salad for dinner, and I made inroads into the See's candy that my friend Annette had brought me in the hospital.  Oh lord, they have chocolate covered ginger.  WOW, that is SO good!  And despite those inroads, my glucose was great this morning.  I'm just about back to my weird normal. :)

Dr. Ramaswamy had said that as soon as he got the results from the PT/INR, he'd call to tell me how much Coumadin to take that evening.  At 4:30 PM, I decided to call, and they said they didn't have the lab results yet.  Gloria, Dr. R's nurse asked me if he'd put STAT on the orders.  I couldn't remember.  They were odd looking to begin with because they were generated in the hospital, and were not in any way like his normal lab orders.

By 9PM, I was half asleep at my keyboard, so I took my regular evening drugs and went to bed.  I figured it was better to not take ANY coumadin than to try and guess what to take.  Guessing and blood thinners do not mix.

The phone rang at 11:45PM.  Jane got it; Dr. Ramaswamy, beside himself and very apologetic said the test results were still not available, but take a half of one of the coumadin.  I did that, and took a Vicodin because my left leg was making it hard to get back to sleep.  .... I woke up at 9:15 this morning.  Holy moses!  I haven't slept that late in years!

And speaking of the devil; just got off the phone with Dr. Ramaswamy who told me how to dose myself for the next couple of days.  Then Monday, it's back for another blood letting.  Joy. :D

All in all, I'm doing really well.  I feel a bit fragile yet, but I think I'm getting stronger every day.  Hugs to all!

I am SO Happy!

It's wonderful to be home.  Nancy made me bacon and french toast this morning.  I slept through the night with no one coming in at two AM to find out why my heart rate went up.  (Dreaming a really good dream and you just woke me out of it?)  But the monitoring was most appreciated.


Must make sure I drink plenty of fluids and not walk too much.  There's a switch.  I got in trouble for walking too much in the hospital.  I thought it would be good for me.  Oh well.


I am wearing what are now my very favorite pair of earrings.  Got 'em on clearance from QVC.  Pearls... beautiful, dangly.  Let me see if I can find them.  They may be sold out.  There they are on the link above.  I got them in the sunset grouping.  So very pretty!


Now, it's time to rest up a bit, because I have to go out at Noon to get my PT/INR at the local lab, then hit Walgreen's to get my coumadin.  Oh boy!  :D


Hugs to all!

HOME!

This is just a quick note to let everyone know I am home.  I have a couple of new prescriptions, and I have to go to the blood lab tomorrow so they can check my clotting rate (PT/INR), but tonight I can sleep in my own bed, with my own pillows---and life is good!

A special THANK YOU goes out to Rebecca, my RN for at least three nights that I can remember, and to Janet from oncology, you made me laugh, and you made me so very glad to have met you.  You are an amazing woman.  Good luck on your treasure hunts!

Now, I'm all drugged up and ready for bed.  Peace, happiness and love to all.

Blech....

The good news is that I am off the heparin drip and just on coumadin.  That means, if all goes well, I will go HOME TOMORROW!

This morning, though, I had mutated into Zombie Tequila.  Vicodin and I just don't mix, apparently.  And the puking began.  And more drugs were given (Phenergan.)  And the Zombie Tequila emerged.

But, it's three PM, now, and Human Tequila is almost back.  Thankfully, the nurses tell me, I didn't manage to eat any brains.  I didn't eat anything.  Which was a bummer because I had had a nice breakfast ordered.  Alas.

Visitors are here so I shall close this post.  Love to all!

And I Give In

I asked for pain meds.  My left leg, in which I have Deep Vein Thrombosis, hurts SO much, I can barely move, and it almost reduced me to tears. So Dr. Ramaswamy ordered some Vicodin, but he says I have to get some anti-nausea meds on board first.  I've had one tablet so far, but I am going to bite the bullet and ask for another.

Oh, and it turned out that the creepy alarm that went off this morning was actually a fire drill.  Still not terribly reassuring that we patients get shut up in our rooms while the staff evacuates.  But, then again, I couldn't walk, so...  :)

Anyway, Dr. R says that if we can get the pain under control, MAYBE I can go home tomorrow.  Otherwise,we'll shoot for Thursday.  Good gods, that would make a week in the Big House!  Well, whatever....I just want to be safe and well.

And One Is Lost

It has been a disheartening day in the hospital.  The code blue alarm just went off, and it's here in the Progressive Care Unit (AKA telemetry.)  Even more disconcerting?  They just came and closed my door, so it is one of my neighbors.  I said a prayer.

Yes, that's how it has been today; lots of codes.  Sad.

I might be taken off the heparin drip today, then I might be able to go home soon....please!

Anyway, the last code has left me a bit shaken, probably mostly because they closed my door. I don't know WHY that bothered me so much.   I need to get a grip.

Okay, I just wanted to let everyone know I'm still here...in the Big House, that is.  My friend, Annette, came to visit, yesterday, bearing See's Candy!  YAY!

Be safe and stay well, all.

Tumor Shrinkage

Dr. Fastenberg came in this morning, and I finally got a bit more information on the results of Friday's CT scan.  The lymph node in the middle of my chest had significant shrinkage, but the most amazing news is that the tumor on my adrenal gland shrunk by HALF!

Talk about good news! :)  I am so very lucky.

I won't be having my scheduled chemos this week, but we do want to continue on this regimen.  Who wouldn't?  Dr. F wants to see me next Tuesday and we'll go from there.  As for my stay in hospital, there is no telling when I'll get sprung from 'dis joint.'  I can't wait to get home to Cisco, who has not been taking my absence very well.

Well, I'm going to go read for a while.  Love to all!