CoVid experience from November

I said that I would share my CoVid experience and I'm finally going to do it.  First, a comment made by someone gave me the impression that some people are tired of hearing about my medical stuff.   If that's the case, it's fine if people don't want to read my blog.  Also, if I talk about it too much, it's because that's what I do all day long.  Med schedules, doctor appointments, trying to find doctors, investigating doctors, calling places more than once because no one gets back to me, getting blood drawn, only seeing medical people and new illnesses popping up that I need to figure out. I don't go out places or see my friends. I can't do so many of the things I enjoy. This is my life, so it's what I talk about. It might be hard to hear, but it's even harder to live. This virus and GVHD have changed everything. 

In November, on a Saturday, I developed a slight cough.  I knew exactly what it was.  Sunday, the cough was gone and I felt fine.  Monday I woke up with a fever and went to get tested.  I was okay for the next few days and started to have more labored breathing.  I already have GVHD in my lungs so it was very hard to determine what was happening.  Friday morning was bad and I started to pass out on the toilet, but I've learned through the years to lay down when that feeling hits.  I curled up on the bath mat and I was yelling for Lee.  Lee called Boston and they said to go to the ER.  I'll leave out all the gorey details of getting to the hospital. 

I was taken into a room and so much started happening at once.  The doctor called on a phone and I have no idea what he was saying.  I was scared, I was sick and I didn't know what was happening.  I realise now that most people, even the medical professionals, didn't know what was happening.  The nurse who was with me was giving me shots and told me what they were, but I have no recollection what was really going on.  I do remember one doctor asking me if I wanted to be put on a ventilator, if it came to that.  I couldn't believe I was hearing those questions about me.  I remember crying to my sisters and saying, "What did I ever do to deserve all this"?  It was horrible!  I was pissed.  I'm still pissed.

Eventually, I was brought up to a room.  The transport person covered me with a white sheet, which freaked me out, and then i realized the covid ward was also the geriatric ward.  Fuck NO!  Then I was put in the room with someone who had infections and again..a big fuck NO! They ignored me.  I was physically shaking.  The room was terrible and how dare we treat our elderly so poorly.  I talked to my roommate when she would get agitated and I was able to tell the nurses that she liked orange juice. I knew she was catholic so I said a prayer with her.  I wonder if I was put in the room with her for a reason.  We did okay together.  She passed away a couple weeks later and I think of her often.

The day after I was admitted, I was released.  The goofy doctor (that is the most polite word I could find to use) told me that I was kicking covid butt.  I had received the plasma etc., but come to find out one of the treatments was never completed.  The plasma was also a slight problem because of all my different blood types.  The supervisor of the blood bank took care of my stuff personally.  I had more than one person tell me that I'm special.  Well, I know that!!

This is only part one, because I was admitted into the hospital again in less then a week.  It was bad.  Part 2 to follow.

Peace out Peeps 😷

Not my photo, but awesome!

Dr visit and Infusion

 Friday was an interesting day.  Lee and I were on our way to Boston for my IVIG infusion and Doctor visit, when we hit snow!!  It was almost a white out at one point and lucky for us the roads stayed fairly clear.  We were on the outskirts of Boston, in the left hand lane, when a snow plow on the opposite side of the barrier, violently threw wet snow on all the cars in our lane.  It was scary!  I am still shocked that there wasn't a major accident.  Stupid head plow driver!

The IVIG infusion is to raise my IgG level, meaning my immune system.  In my 14 years of going through all this nonsense, I've never had a low IgG level.  We suspect it's another side effect of covid, as if diabetes wasn't enough.  What a mofo!!  I did get both vaccines without anything major, other than a backache. Thank goodness. There is a thought that because my immune system is low, my body didn't fight the vaccine, it just accepted it.  Kind of cool.

I was able to see my doctor in person for the first time since October.  He came to the infusion area to see me.  He said that my blood work looked good.  We are hoping that I won't have to do another infusion.  It took us over 3 hours to get to Boston, 4 1/2 hour infusion, (with Lee waiting in the lobby) and then a ride home.  We don't like 11 hour days with traffic. 

I hate my trips to Boston.  They always freak me out, but once I get there my emotions change.  I feel at home there.  I feel safe there.  It always ends up being hard to leave the comfort of being well taken care of.  I know the doctors and nurses.  I even had the same infusion nurse that I had over three years ago before transplant.  It's nothing like the complete cluster F at Danbury Hospital, with the exception of the awesome nurses in Danbury. I will be sharing my Danbury Hospital covid nightmare very soon. 

Our awesome neighbors Lynda and Tom took care of our dog, Sadie, when we went to Boston.  When we got home, there was a very pretty flower arrangement waiting on the coffee table.  How sweet is that!!  They are the same people who made sure we had Thanksgiving dinner after I got out of the bad hospital.  There are some very kind people in this world and we are lucky to know some of them!

Peace out Peeps! 🐥😷