Getting Settled Into the Coumadin Routine

When one is on coumadin, there is a test to determine if the dosage is "correct". The INR number is an indication of how "thin" your blood is. Before the drugs, my INR was 1.1. The goal, on the drugs, is 2.0 to 3.0. To get me there fast, a series of shots were scheduled twice a day for up to 7 days along with the drug. Sue was able to give me the shots. After three days of drugs and shots, my INR was 3 and the shots could stop. Now, I continue with the drug and get the INR tested twice a week for a while to see that the combination of drug dosage and my diet allow the number to stay in the 2 to 3 range. Drug dosage can be adjusted weekly if needed. It is estimated that I will be on coumadin for three months.

I'm Too Upset to Write Something Cute - Now I Have a Blood Clot

My daily temperature has come down to 99 degrees. It's still a little hot, but not as bad as the 101 degrees.
My stamina is returning to a level consistant with being at Day 25. Thats good.
Thursday we were in Mayo for one more test to find the cause of the fever. I was getting an Ultrasound of my upper right chest area where the Central Line used to be. It was 10AM, and my next appointment was at 12:30 to see my main doctor. The ultrasound technician finished the test, said that I could get dressed and asked me to wait a few minutes while they checked with the Doc to make sure that they got all the images that were needed. The Tech returned, said that the testes were complete and that they had moved my 12:30 appointment up to "immediately". Historically, my main Doc is never early because he is very busy. Something is up!
When I got to the next appointment, there were a few people that I had been working with on the fever challange. "Mr Jester, we found a Blood Clot during the Ultrasound and we have to start treating it immedately!" I will tell you more after I get my mind around this new development.
For now, I have started taking a blood thinner and have joined the Mayo Coumadin Clinic. I go to the clinic at least twice a week to have my blood tested and the coumadin dosage adjusted. The treatmnet will last about three months.
It is wonderful that they fould the clot before it caused any problems. It just sucks that I have one.
bye

I Feel Like I'm On The Dr. House Show

Do you watch Dr. House? He is a specialist in diagnosing people's problems. 50 minutes of the one-hour show are sprent experimenting with various drusgs while they are zeroing in the real cause. Well, I'm definately in the first 30 minutes of the show! They put me on another antibiotic for a week. NO change in my temperature yet. - They removed my Central Line because their best guess was that it has an infection in it. (One that does not show up in any of the cultures we did.) So, it's out and now, whenever they need to draw blud or infuse a drup, they have to "stick" me. My veins have all withdrawn into hiding! We drove to Mayo Monday through Friday of last week. That is 85 miles rund trip. I wish I was still in the hospital!

Good Blood Counts are Not The Whole Story

Unfortunately, I have had a low grade temperature for the last 4 or 5 days. Yesterday, it spiked to 102.4! I am exhaused most of the time. I sleep, or at least sit with my eyes closed about 20 hoursa day. We went to Mayo yesterday to have blood drawn so see if I have an infection. The odd part is tht I do not feel ill. I feel like I can't keep my eyes open, hardly have the strength to walk and have this #@$% temperature. I hope that the testing yesterday an today finds something.

My Blood Counts are Doing Great!

The recent blood tests show that all the counts are returning. They (Doc's) say that the numbers are improving even faster than they would have expected. I am a model patient.

Been Home for Three Days Now - Still Sleeping a Lot

The trip home was uneventfull - I even stayed awake for the entire 55 minute drive.
Now that I've been home for three days, I notice that I am still sleeping most of the time.
Eating is getting better although it is not from hunger as much as I know that I have to eat.
The Taste Buds are still on their wild journey - I never know what is going to taste good today.
I go to Mayo today (8/16) to have my blood drawn and tested to see if all of the numbers are getting better.
bye.

Now Let It Try to Fall Out!

Well, here I am - shaved from the neck up.