Thursday, June 7, 2007

Turning the Corner

My temperature is down today, which is a good thing. My clinical nurse stopped by earlier and said that I have turned the corner today: my white counts are 250 and they should be 500 tomorrow. This means I get to go home tomorrow, but only if I don't spike another fever today.



I'll be happy to get home and sleep in my own bed without a nurse coming in at 4am to check my vitals and weigh me. Seriously, does some evil doctor order the nurses to bother patients as much as possible? Why couldn't they weigh me during the daylight hours? The last two nights, she needed to draw blood at 4am. She couldn't get it out of my IV so she left the task up to phlebotomy, who comes in at 6am. I'm pretty sure the nurses don't have any choice over when this stuff needs to be done, or do they? Maybe they're so bored overnight that they break up their tasks throughout their shift just to give themselves something to do. "Hmmm, I know, I'll draw blood at 4am, that'll be fun!" Sheesh, no wonder I'm so tired when I wake up in the morning.



I'm on my own today as Mike felt comfortable enough to leave me so he could go to work. My clinical nurse commented on what a good gatekeeper he is. He's been really good fetching me ice for my boost, ice water, clean sheets, and anything else I need. He's not getting much sleep either because every time the nurses bother me, they bother him. The evening nurse asked me to turn on the light so she could open up the Tylenol packet. Mike was not a happy camper. The overnight nurse who brought me some more medication had the decency to simply open the bathroom door and use its light. Mike's pull-out sofa is not as comfortable as the other ones he's had here, although he was hopeful when he first saw it. He'll be glad to be home too.

I won't be alone all day as my brother, Michael will be stopping by this afternoon. I think Kathy is coming by sometime today and Melissa will be here tonight while Mike goes to his volleyball playoffs (I hope his team does well). Right now I'm enjoying the quiet while I write this blog and watch a little tv.



I hear the Irish team outside my door. Please hold for this brief commercial............ Wow, for once I can actually hear what the clinical nurse is telling them about me before they troop inside for my debrief. They're gone and it seems like I'll definitely be going home tomorrow (still depends on the fever).

I'm having Boost for breakfast. I was going to order cereal, but Boost probably has more calories and I definitely need the calories. Strawberry Boost is pretty good, but only if it's really cold or poured over ice. I don't think I'm up to eating lunch yet (especially hosptial food) so I may order more Boost or one of those slushies.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

The first thing that entered my mind was, "What about having Boost and Cereal for breakfast?"

The next thing I thought of was a variation on a bit from Monty Python with a couple ordering breakfast at a diner. Except instead of Spam, Eggs, and Spam she's ordering Boost, Eggs and Boost and he's ordering Boost, Boost, Boost, Eggs, Boost, Sausage and Boost.

And then the vikings start singing....

(Yes, I know I'm weird. The scary part will if anyone else recognizes the Monty Python bit.)

Anonymous said...

Really, I just came here to get an update on Angela's title bout with Priscilla. Wasn't expecting the Spanish Inquisition!

Dun, dun, duuuunnnnnhhhhhhh!

[And yes, G, tis me.]

Julie B.

Unknown said...

Ok, I don't know the song "Turning the Corner". I was also going to insert some more Monty P. but the stuff I had in mind is kinda gross for the comments section so I'll leave it alone. We'll not totally...since they kept you awake all night long they must have had the machine that goes "BING"! It's terribly expensive you know!

You're worth it!

WashingtonGardener said...

Good seeing you tonight & I'm sending good vibes out now hoping you get released as expected tomorrow AM. I'm trying to brainstorm fattening food for you - I think Mac&Cheese type comfort food - bread & pasta - beside all the ice cream and smoothies.

BTW I turned the Wrong way leaving your room - got lost on way out - not too badly - but enough that two differnt staff persons offered their assistance.

Anonymous said...

WashingtonGardener: If it's any consolation, I needed four people to help me find my way in, two more on the way out, and even following the signs, still managed to make another wrong turn on the way back to the car.

I suspect the building was designed by a deranged psychologist who ran out of mice for his mazes. :-)

Anonymous said...

Ahhh, but NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition!

I have always been fond of the wacked out spaceship from Life of Brian, myself. Not to mention that demon bunny from Holy Grail.

I did a bit of shopping in Dubrovnik and found some funky earrings with a bit of sea-green in them. Will try to get them in the mail this week or find someone heading to the States who can carry them over. If you are going to be doing the bald and scarved thing, funky earrings are a must.

Hope you are feeling better and are back at home.

Hi Julie B! 'Member me? (Substitute "Jennifer" for "Gila"--that will help).

Gila