Update from the Clown

Hi everyone, it has been a veryyyyyyyyyyyyyy long day. I just wrote this and lost it that quick. You know how my potassium was too low, well last night the pump, pole, and two bags of potassium/saline were brought to the house around 7:30. By 8pm I had the first liter bag going, at 2am the alarm on the machine went off that the bag was empty. I clamped it off, and threw the bag away, and went go the second bag to hook it up, but it would go thru the line. I had a blood clot in my IV line. I called 911, around 3, they show up but aren't allowed to change an IV that is attached to a port in this county. They were there until after 4am. When they left I got ready and went on to the hospital. I got there about 5am, it took them awhile to find out what they needed to go. Finally they called my Dr. and he told them to just change the IV out so I could go home and get that potassium in me. Well I got home around 7:30am. Hooked back up to the pump, stretched out to rest since I would have to get back up in just two hours for my driver to come get me. I hadn't been down 10 minutes when my shirt became soaked. I thought, girl, you didn't tighten the line to the IV, so I go into the bathroom to see better. The nurse never applied pressure when she took out the first IV before installing the second IV. The saline backed up and literly forced the IV out. This time I am applying pressure, calling 911 to take me to the hospital. I get there at 8am, a new IV started, blood thinner put into it to be safe, then hooked up my bag, put 3 warm blankets on me as I was freezing, turned off the lights, shut the door and just let me sleep. They even put a post it note on the lab door that I was in the ER sleeping until they came and got me. I was out like a light and having some really weird dreams. I was taken to the GI Lab and fell right back to sleep, they had to keep waking me up to ask questions that they all ready had the answers in front of them. Then they would let me sleep then more questions. Then my Dr. showed up, blood was drawn, my potassium was 3.6 normal range, those two nurses were jumping around like they had just won the lottery. I could have cared less at that moment. I just wanted to have something to drink, and go back to sleep. I was third to be done, so I got to rest until I was taken to the the room for my procedure. I saw the guy getting the white medicine in a syringe, I call it twilight, he called it knock out and that was the last thing I remember until I was back in my recovery rooom. At 3:30 they called my driver that I was ready for pickup. But the nurse who took out the IV, hadn't flushed it with a blood thinner, and had managed to have the needle go thru her glove and ***** her drawing blood. She had to have her blood tested, and it took them almost 2 hours to get my port accessed again to draw blood on me, plus an HIV test to be safe. The nurses all knew I have leukemia, and I was questioning them why they were working around a sterile area in my shoulder without masks on. They were not aware that my entire blood system is full of leukemia. That made them notify the other lab regarding the nurse that my blood will show up that I have this rare form of leukemia. The lab wasnt aware of this. So then they had to do more blood work on the nurse. I bet she'll be more careful the next time around. Now I am finally getting to eat. I was given a deli tuna sandwich on white bread from one of the nurses who didn't want the other have. I ate too bites and it was all I could handle. Now that I'm not so thirsty like I was when I got out of the hospital, I can finally eat something that I can handle. Then I'm going to bed. Well friends, it's been swell, writing all this information for you twice tonight, be well, be happy, and please enjoy the season of Christ's resurrection this Sunday. I love y'all, Kathy

Holy WOW. What an ordeal. That is a lot to have happen in one day. I hope that tomorrow is a less eventful day for you. Rachael

Hi Rachael, I was too tired to care yesterday. All I know is that I didn't have an ulcer like I was told, and there's no bleeding going on in my pouch. It is raw, and that's from the Gleevec chemo pills. I just found it more amusing yesterday then anything. I did go to bed last night around 10:30 and just woke up. Since I can't drive today, I am just going to work on my room, rearranging it so I can get my Tony Little Gazelle in here to work out on when I'm not going to physical therapy. Mom says to quit telling the professionals how to do their job. Obviously someone needed to, they sure didn't know what to do. I have to tell them what size needle to access my port, that my head has to be lower then my feet, and a pillow under my right shoulder propped up to get the best results. When they finally listened to me and put their masks on around the area and around me, they finally got the job done. People in the professional world don't always know us better then we know ourselves. I'm off for now. Have a beautiful weekend. Love Kathy

JEEZ la-weeez KATHY------- you have been through the ringer and back......... YOu are ONE STRONG COOKIE!!! My hats off to you!! STAY STRONG- Love MARIA

Hi Maria, read what I wrote for Rachael. I didn't care one bit yesterday, I was just too tired and still drugged to worry about it. Mom says to quit telling the professionsal how to do their job, but obviously someone had to tell them, they sure didn't have a clue. I went to bed at 10:30 and woke up at noon. I think after church tomorrow I would like to cookout. I'm not strong, I just take life one day at a time and rely on God to get me thru it. It was more amusing yesterday then anything. Love Kathy

Girl, you have been through it!! I have to say, though.....I've never met anyone that has such a great attitude even though you have so much to deal with! I'm so glad that the Lord saw you through it all and He continues to sustain you day by day. You are a blessing to all of us! With love & prayers, ~Melodie

Thank you Melodie, He's my rock and strength. I give him all the praise. I just let him take over in situations like that. I was more amused then anything and still drugged enough not to care. I just wanted to sleep. I'm glad He's a part of my life. He keeps me going when I want to give up. With love, Kathy

wow Kathy, you certainly have a lot on your plate. Sorry you're having such a horrible time. Its good to hear your potassium is back in the normal. At least you're finally able to eat something other than liquid. My liquid diet is kicking my butt. I'm having such a hard time with these protein drinks. They're super sweet. I've been able to tolerate them better by watering them down however it seems like its taking forever to drink; however it takes me no time to drink plain ole water. I even tried putting unjury flavorless powder in a glass of decaf tea and it was worse than the other drinks.... the powder definitely had a taste to me. The tuna sandwich sound good to me and I don't even like tuna! lol Hope your potassium stays where it needs to be Happy Easter!

Hi April, tuna is good in protein, forget the bread for the time being, bread especially white causes sugar to go up. You haven't been out long enough to handle the bread yet. It will fill you up to quick. I'm over three months out and have only had one slice of wheat toasted, and could only muster about half of that unbuttered, just to put something on my stomach. Try it on some shredded lettuce, it's great that way. More of a salad then just a sandwich. I'm going to grill out some deer tenderloins. I thought when I thawed them in sal****er last night that it was just two pieces, and discovered when they thawed, there's a lot, so I will have plenty to grill tomorrow after church. Be careful, and enjoy your Easter as a loser. I love you, Kathy 283/269/215/130 hopefully

I'm not a big deer meat fan, but sounds like you're going to have a lot of it! lol On the bread thing, I don't plan to eat any bread until all the excess weight is off. Carbs are not my friend! My surgeon doesn't recommend any raw veggies until 6 months out either. I have a pretty straight forward meal plan. Have a great Easter!