UPDATE: telescoping bowel / severe anemia

Neither problem DS related. Telescoping bowel due to intermittent action of pre hernia between small intestine and colon. Found w/ exploratory surgery while symptoms active. Not visible w/out symptoms.

Anemia probably caused by broad spectrum antibiotic given for suspected cellulitis in in injured toe. Autonomic hemolytic anemia. My body was eating my red blood cells and my bone marrow stopped producing new ones. Several units of blood and high dose cortisone. Cortisone will continue and then taper when safe. Surprisingly all my vitamin labs (including iron) were still good.  Body is now producing its own blood.

Very good docs, nutritionist, hospital pharmacist, etc. here in Port Townsend Wa. Even researched and tweeked my vitamin intake for long term. I am receiving home health care-nurse, OT, PT, social worker. Feel very safe and well monitored. We even have a local hemotologist who will moniter my progress. 

Long recovery ahead, but very grateful to be alive and thankful for the DS FORUM which gave good info about what the conditions were probably not. This is a wonderful resource. Thank you.

I'm so glad you are doing better, and that you were able to get the care you needed. Best of luck with your recovery and with your future with the DS.

Larra

Thanks.

That's great news after having such a scary experience in southern California! At least you are safely at home and have everything in place to help you heal. And, what better place to be than Pt Townsend! 

Wishing you a smooth and easy recovery from this point forward. 

Tricia

Thanks. I was very lucky to make it home and not have the anemia thing kick in while we were in the middle of nowhere. My husband says I was 3-4hours from death. The hemo was disappearing so fast, i didn't have much time if i hadn't had transfusions right away. Fantastic doctors, nurses and hospital staff & systems in place here!

I'm so glad you're getting a handle on all this. Take care.

--gina