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!