Last Wednesday I went to the ER via an ambulance. I had gone to work as usual but as the day went on I kept coughing this tiny, tight, painful cough. I've had this cough off and on for quite a while now. When I got home Dennis said I didn't look great (thanks dear!). I rested in the Lazy Boy and tried to eat dinner but the cough kept occuring. After calling my OT and her advising Dennis to call 911 since I could have an infection and due to the ALS I was already at reduced lung capacity. Well guess what? It was discovered that I have blood clots in both lungs. While sitting around the ER waiting for decisions to be made, I had an "A-Ha" moment. My last few blood tests had elivated red cell counts (more red cells for more oxygen) as well as breathing problems/breathi-ness (debris in the lungs), AND being tired (stress on heart). Everything in the previous parentheses from the doctors.
So while I was NOT happy being in the ER, it seems some good may come out of the visit. I went home Thursday afternoon, armed with lots of instructions and prescriptions. I am on 2 blood thinners, one to kick start the other. One is a shot I have to take twice a day IN THE STOMACH! What fun!! At least I only have to take it until the Coumadin levels get to where the doctor wants it. So now I get to endure comments from Dennis about how it's a good thing there is enough stomach to pinch. But don't worry. Payback will be sweet.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Time Out
I did not call this post "Speed Bump #_" because it is not one. The husband of a former colleague of mine at another school was diagnosed with ALS two summers ago. This was about the time I entered into the "Is it ALS or is it Lyme" Sweepstakes. Every few months we would touch base via e-mail. Well I had not heard from my friend in a while so I sent out an e-mail asking how her husband was doing. She informed me that he had succumbed to ALS last October. That was 16 months after his diagnosis.
So many different emotions went through my head when I heard the news. Sadness for her loss, despair for rapid deteriation, and I'll admit it fear for myself. I don't want to go fast, I don't want to go slow/painful. Let's face it. I don't want to go at all! I know I have no choice when it comes to ALS. I wish I had some say in this and I do when it comes to my emotions.
I remember years ago a friend was dying after a long battle with cancer. She was a mother of 3 (2 girls and a small little boy). We were with her in the hospital as the end came near. Everyone was telling her it was ok, she could let go. One of her last responses was to say, "How can I? I'm a mother." Like my friend, I too am a mother. Perhaps my children are not young (24-14) but still they are my babies. I want to be there when the great milestones of their lives occur. A bonus would be to have time left over to spend with Dennis.
So many different emotions went through my head when I heard the news. Sadness for her loss, despair for rapid deteriation, and I'll admit it fear for myself. I don't want to go fast, I don't want to go slow/painful. Let's face it. I don't want to go at all! I know I have no choice when it comes to ALS. I wish I had some say in this and I do when it comes to my emotions.
I remember years ago a friend was dying after a long battle with cancer. She was a mother of 3 (2 girls and a small little boy). We were with her in the hospital as the end came near. Everyone was telling her it was ok, she could let go. One of her last responses was to say, "How can I? I'm a mother." Like my friend, I too am a mother. Perhaps my children are not young (24-14) but still they are my babies. I want to be there when the great milestones of their lives occur. A bonus would be to have time left over to spend with Dennis.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Speed Bump #6
I fell the other night. It's been a while since this has happened and as usual there was no warning, just a "swan dive". This time it was in the bathroom after I had crossed the "Great Divide" (see Speed Bump #5). I suddenly felt weak, tried to push the walker against the tub so I could sit down on it but I didn't quite make it. Down I went onto the ceramic tile floor, hitting my arm on the counter as I went down. "Oh crap!" I heard from the bedroom from Dennis. So as I lay on the hard, cold floor; I waited for my husband of almost 29 years come in to see if I was alright.
Unfortunately, "in my dreams" is what I came to realize. The man who has coached numerous teams for many years came in the bathroom with his coach's cap on. He proceeded to give me directions to crawl on my stomach out the bathroom, across the Great Divide, and onto the bedroom carpet. The goal was to reach the wing chair in the room where my hero would then try to lift me by the waist onto the chair.
Have I mentioned the fact I have little if any strength in my lower legs? So imagine this - I'm crawling on my stomach, dragging myself inch by inch. My coach is above me giving instructions and every time I moan or (heaven forbid) complain, I'm shushed because I'll wake the kids up. Not one time through this whole "situation" does he think to ask if I'm alright or if I hurt myself. In his defense Dennis later told me that he could tell I wasn't bleeding. So I finally got to the chair and onto my knees where I was ceremoniously lifted/squeezed around my waist till I could be dumped in the chair.
By the time I rested and then got to the bed, I was sore from the waist up. And I have decided on a new name for my loving husband of 29 years. . .Frau Brucker (Cloris Leachman's character from Young Frankenstein)!
Unfortunately, "in my dreams" is what I came to realize. The man who has coached numerous teams for many years came in the bathroom with his coach's cap on. He proceeded to give me directions to crawl on my stomach out the bathroom, across the Great Divide, and onto the bedroom carpet. The goal was to reach the wing chair in the room where my hero would then try to lift me by the waist onto the chair.
Have I mentioned the fact I have little if any strength in my lower legs? So imagine this - I'm crawling on my stomach, dragging myself inch by inch. My coach is above me giving instructions and every time I moan or (heaven forbid) complain, I'm shushed because I'll wake the kids up. Not one time through this whole "situation" does he think to ask if I'm alright or if I hurt myself. In his defense Dennis later told me that he could tell I wasn't bleeding. So I finally got to the chair and onto my knees where I was ceremoniously lifted/squeezed around my waist till I could be dumped in the chair.
By the time I rested and then got to the bed, I was sore from the waist up. And I have decided on a new name for my loving husband of 29 years. . .Frau Brucker (Cloris Leachman's character from Young Frankenstein)!
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