just a little report

[Guest guest]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!~

I sure do hope that 2004 is a better year for all of us.

Well, on December 20th I had an asthmatic attack and had to call rescue. I had been having difficulty breathing for a few weeks and it had escalated . When you feel like you are not getting enough air, you start feeding on fear and therefore need more air that you cannot seem to get into your lungs. I was in a panic mode. I had my c-pap mask in my mouth trying to force the air down and I still felt like a vise was on my chest.

The rescue would not transport me to Mayo because there were three other hospitals closer, so I had to go to a hospital that I had not been to. I wont do that again unless I am in worse shape.

I was admitted on oxygen and given dexatron injections twice a day. My blood (INR) got so thin, they were afraid that I was going to bleed out at any minute. I was given a total of 5 injections of vitamin K trying to thicken my blood and taken off the coumadin.

Finally, they had to give me two bags of fresh frozen plasma on Tuesday. The INR started coming down at last! They were scaring me!

  The antibiotics and the steroids gave me a terrible case of the 'shits'! I could not walk...had to use a potty chair and I could not wipe my own butt!! So embarrassing.

  So, my friends, this is how I spent my holidays. The cookies did not get baked, the gifts did not get wrapped. I had to though out some butter and stuff that sat on the table for over a week. I plan on making cookies some time this month.

  I was kicked out of the hospital on Christmas Eve, with home oxygen at 3 liters. I was very weak, but glad to be home in my own bed. A nurse came on Christmas day and Friday and Saturday. On Monday, my lungs were finally showing no signs of wheezing. YEAH

I saw a pulmonologist yesterday. I had testing done and x-rays and some other stuff. I see him again next week. I am off oxygen all the time. I have it to use if I need it.

I am trying to quit smoking!! this is really hard to do after smoking for over forty years. I am sucking on lollypops and straws. I did break down on day 11 and have one and I have had two today. I am not going to drive myself to the nut house...short drive that it is!

No smoking allowed in my house and I must go out if I want a puff. so far, so good.

  It was a dreary week with no sun and just yucky!! Today, the sun came out and it was 70 and I was outside most of the day just walking in the yard and sitting on the patio enjoying the sounds. My grandchildren stayed with me for three days and took real good care of me. They went home this afternoon. They did laundry, cooked and did some cleaning. It was nice having them here, but I am glad that they are gone and my house is quite again.

I was in the hospital just before Thanksgiving also. I do seem to catch a lot of infections in the winter. No fun...just stuff we have to deal with.

hugs, Ginger (: