...but here's what my hubby shared on Facebook while I was in the hospital:
Written on Tuesday at 1:02 a.m.
Just got home from 10 hours in the ER and ICU with Renee. She came home from teaching Friday complaining of flu-like symptoms and just sacked out. Saturday it wasn't better. Sunday she was having dizziness. We went to the ER to have her checked out. They think the symptoms were because of bleeding in her stomach or esophagus. She had an NG tube and they pumped 300ml of ruddy goo out of her stomach. They gave her 4 units of blood and I don't know how many bags of various clear stuffs. Her color is a lot better. There's no more red coming up the NG tube. So, the bleeding has probably stopped. We have a GI consult in the morning and they may put a scope down her to see what is going on. Prayers and good vibrations are more than welcome!
Various Facebook friends replied, and at 8:18 a.m. on Tuesday, Demetrius wrote...
Thanks, everyone! I got a call this morning that her hemoglobin count was stable at 8 after getting the 4 units of PRBC (packed red blood cells.) It was at 4 when she checked in. The nurse joked that she looks "about a quart low". And, that turned out to be pretty accurate! 7 is the cut-off for transfusing. So, she's above the hatch marks on the stick now to continue the automotive analogy. They took the tube out of her stomach. And, she's resting. I'm going back in once the GI consult comes in. I'll post more news when I have it.Then Tuesday at 3:40 p.m.The endoscope revealed 3 ulcers in her stomach. One showed signs of recent bleeding. That was probably the culprit. They clamped it and closed it. Now, they are watching her blood count. She'll be in for at least another day.
Wednesday at 12:03 a.m.
Renee's hemoglobin count is still hovering around where it was after the transfusion. That's good. Hopefully, she kicks production into gear and it starts to go up soon. She seems to be resting comfortably. She's still being fed intravenously. Sure... It's all cool and Matrix-y. But, she REALLY wants to be able to have something with actual flavor! That has to wait until they know they don't need to go back into her stomach.
Wednesday at 2:13 p.m.
I got to Renee's room and she was sitting up in a chair. Yay! Her blood count is still holding. And, she will be moving out of the ICU into a "step down" room. She's FINALLY having her clear liquids - chicken broth and Jello. (Yay, again!)
Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
They offered her actual solid food this afternoon. So, they think her stomach can take it. She's out of the ICU and in a regular room. Maybe home soon? (fingers crossed)
..................
Anyway, that's what Demetrius shared. I got out of the hospital on Friday, and everything since then is a blur. I've spent most of that time either sleeping or wishing I could fall asleep.
Going to go do that sleep thing now.
3 comments:
Renee! Sorry to hear you were in the hospital. So all is caused by ulcers? I have a big peptic one and have had it for about 13 years now. Used to really give me problems. Well, let us know how you are doing. Don't get to Facebook much, but got an email from the update thing you sent today. Sending good healing vibes your way. I am still dealing with cancer and my autoimmune issues so I can empathize.
Any food restrictions now? I am a big fan of probiotics and kefir. The probiotics vary a LOT by brand though.
Thanks for the support. Right now I'm mainly trying to catch up on my sleep, eating what I can, when I can. A lot of things I've been told not to eat, I wasn't eating anyway.
My big hurdle right now is getting enough rest and enough food that I can have the brainpower needed to get caught up on work. This little unplanned "vacation" set me back considerably, and I was already behind when I went into the hospital. On the plus side, at least I finally have a better understanding of my iron deficiency anemia, which I have had FOREVER.
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