Our H.S. biology teacher (Brother Joseph) had a funny sense of humor. He referred to hospitals as horsepistols. So maybe I’m kind of warped myself. I was back to the hospital again last week. I swore I was never going back but circumstances said otherwise.
A routine CT scan ordered my my oncologist showed suspicion of a clot in my leg. We have a family friend who is a top radiologist. I always get a CD of any scans, x-rays, etc. for him to read. He saw the clot and let us know how serious it was. Advice to get to the hospital.
Sue called my oncologist. Sue is my advocate, does all kinds of research and is on good terms with all my caregivers. After Sue told my oncologist about the reading. The question was who would call. Sue said “Rock, paper, scissors, you better call.”
And she (oncologist did) at 10:00 PM on Thursday night. Got to the ER around 11:00 PM, triaged right away then had to wait awhile for an ER bed. They sucked my blood, x-rayed my chest (I had a touch of pneumonia too), and did an ultrasound on my legs which, when they finally get the report to the docs confirmed a DVT in my right leg. Great, just what I needed to hear.
The good part of this hospital stay is that I was there because of the risk, not because I felt sick. Boring!! They gave me shots of Luvenox in my belly twice a day. The plan was to send me home with a script for the stuff. We even had a class on how to stick me. No Luvenox for me. That stuff is ridiculously expensive, almost $500 for generic with my insurance for 11 days!
The next choice was Xarelto, still too expensive but not even close to the other. So once that was settled, they put me on the stuff, wrote the Scripts and sent me home on Sunday afternoon.
Sunday was a real adventure in the hospital. Underwood had merged with Inspira (what a stupid name) and the Underwood computers shut down at midnight Saturday for the transfer. All the work on Sunday was paper. Insanity. We finally got home around 4:30 PM.
So now it’s almost back to normal whatever that is. I have no clues about normal after two years of chemo, etc. Visit my primary tomorrow, get a follow up chest x-ray tomorrow afternoon and finish the course of antibiotics (leviquin is some potent stuff — gives me chemo brain). Then if all is well with the x-ray, back to chemo on Monday.
Sorry to hear this, John, but it’s a good thing to not let such things slide. Blessings~
Thanks Dimple. Yes, it’s a good thing the CT scan caught the DVT before it went where it didn’t belong. Everything happens for a reason.
The weather is getting nicer. I have a new pair of sandals and an urge to get out and take some new pictures. Soon.
I really miss riding my bicycle but now I’m wary of falling off (balance issues with chemo) and bleeding (not a good thing with a blood thinner). I’ll walk or something.
Thanks again dimple. Blessings all around — we are all worthy.
I had not idea, John, although I have wondered about your absence. Of course we all know our presence isn’t compulsory everyday. I picture happier days ahead. 😮
Thanks, happier is why we are here and today is a happy one. Tomorrow? I’ll wait until tomorrow becomes now and now I’ll be happy.
Glad to hear this is a good day. Nice to see you and hear from you. Look after yourself and anytime you drop in is a good day. 😀 Take care.
Glad to hear you’re on the mend, John. We miss you when you’re not here. I’m glad you’re taking charge of your healthcare. No one is going to do it better than you!
Thanks Steve,
My daughter Sue might take issue with you. She does all kinds of research and talks to my oncologist as much as I do. Let’s just say we are in charge.
John, I am glad you followed up and are back at home. Happy you are taking charge. Please continue to do so and be as well as is possible.
Thanks Val,
Warm weather should help. Get me out of the house and into the warm sun.
Oh dear…. I am glad they caught it and I know what all those meds are having been on them and/or fighting with insurance for treatment. The antibiotic I was on… Same one for my pneumonia made me bleary headed or it was that I was so ill… Thank you for updating… Hopefully you will able to get out a bit with your camera?….. Michelle
Thanks Michelle.
Levaquin (or Levaquill) is often prescribed for pneumonia. It works but because it binds to the magnesium (and other essential minerals) in your body it can cause woozy heads, etc. It gets me everytime — feels like a double dose of chemo-brain. I took my last dose this morning. Phew. My pulmonologist called me yesterday after looking at the followup x-ray and said I was 99.99% there. Just take that last pill.
Here’s hoping that your convalescence is going well, John. I hope we’ll see you back on the blog soon.
Nudge. You have some exemplary reasons for your absences. How about raising some sand, eh?