Monday, February 10, 2014

Where Have I BEEN Lately?




  Basically I came home Wednesday night and went to bed and that's where I have stayed! I got up only to dress and go to the doctor on Friday feeling sick and weak. My Urologist sent me to my primary care who called in two prescriptions (thinking I had UTI and diverticulitis), had me go to the lab for blood work and then sent me to the pharmacy downstairs for the contrast dye and check in at Hospital Registration in time to start drinking the 'stuff' because she had me scheduled for a CT scan at 3:00. Since I had already been sick in bed so being up this long was a real effort. Coveniently all three places - both doctors and the hospital are all next to each other. Everyone was so very nice to me. I guess I looked pretty pitiful. By the time Isaias, the technologist, came to get me for the procedure I was shaking like a leaf and so cold I could barely walk. He was very kind and gave me warm blankets as he put the IV in. He used the same arm they had used for blood work just a half hour before. I barely felt either of the needles. 
He entwined another warm blanket around my arms and yet I was still shaking. I never felt the dye during the IV probably because I was so COLD!! Isaias even walked me back to Louis Dean in the waiting room. LD  had already made a run to get the meds. All I had to do was get home and crawl back in bed which I did!!
I expected to feel better by morning - but I didn't. My doctor called Saturday after getting the results from the lab - Kidney infection and my white blood cells were really high. NO diverticulitis so I could stop THAT med which I was happy to do as it gave me such a headache! I do think I was a little better on Sunday but no where near where I should have been. My doctor called this morning and had me come in this afternoon so the only times I have been up and dressed and looking decent was to go to the doctor. Poor Louis Dean! I have looked AWFUL and I didn't even care!
Bottom line - she gave me a shot of Rocephin which will work with the antibiotic I'm already taking.
She will call me tomorrow and if I'm not better I have to go to the hospital.
I have battled bladder infections for over 25 years but I have never had one turn so mean on me!
Praise God I have insurance! I will NEVER take those insurance cards for granted!
I am blessed to have great doctors (both of them have called to check up on me)  and kind nurses and technologists.
They make all the difference. 
Louis Dean and I call them 'Baylor Angels!'

What has Louis Dean been doing while I have been secluded in the bedroom?
Cooking. Waiting on me hand and foot. Bringing me meals in bed and not complaining when I could only eat a couple of bites. He repaired a broken canvas and the arm of a chair. He did laundry - I noticed a rug I bought for the quad's bathroom last week hanging outside in the gazebo. He DID keep damage control to a minimum but when he offered to bake bread I assured him he should wait til I got well and he could make cinnamon rolls for all the 'Baylor Angels.' He has been beside himself with worry. I read up about kidney infections and wisely cautioned him that SOMETIMES it requires hospitalization. He lost his beloved first wife to cancer after 41 years together and gets really scared when I am ill. Thankfully that's not often.

I have been in the den since we came home this afternoon which is a good sign. Still resting but it's the first time I have even felt like sitting at the computer!
The bright spot of my day arrived in the mail!


A lady from Finland and I have developed a true bond of friendship over the last couple of years.
She knows how I 'redeem' old blue jeans so when she found this book she snapped it up and shipped it off to ME! That was a couple of months ago. She thinks they must have rowed it over!


As much as I love the book - THIS is my favorite page!
Seeing HER handwriting.


It is loaded with all sorts of ways to use denim I would NEVER have dreamed of.


Written in Finnish it transcends the language barrier with the most wonderful photos!!
May I say, "Kiitos!" to you, my dear Jutta!!
God knew just when this book should arrive! His timing is always perfect.


I thought I would read a lot since I haven't felt like getting out of bed but I was surprised to find I was too sick to even do that! Now that I am hopefully on the mend I intend to finish this book! I have been reading it for weeks carrying it with me everywhere I go but seldom getting more than a page or two read at a time.
It's a good book and interesting. Just not a fast read or a thrilling page turner.

Louis Dean has baked us some potatoes and he has a fire burning in the fireplace. The weather is cold and nasty and our A/C-Heat unit decided to retire this morning. LD ordered a new one and it has already been shipped out. We have central air and heat but rely on the one in here a good bit. We have the central one on and are running it with abandon!
It's nearly 9:00 and I am not in bed! Woo HOO!!!

16 comments:

  1. Many warm hugs and love to you and prayers as you continue to get better. So glad you felt well enough to let us know how you are. Extra hugs.
    Joy

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  2. Many prayers being said for a speedy recovery.
    Thanks so much letting us know how you are doing.
    Hugs and Prayers:)

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  3. I feel so bad for you, Linda. This sounds like it was a terrible ordeal...the worst part is having to drag yourself all over for tests and doctor's visits, yet you'll get nowhere without them. It makes me wish doctors still made house calls. I'm glad they got to the bottom of it and you are on the right meds. I hope you get well soon.

    LD is an angel...I have never heard of a more loving, kind and devoted man than him. I had no doubt while reading your post that he would step up to the plate and take care of his beloved! Bless him.

    Your book looks fantastic. Maybe looking at pictures instead of reading is just the tonic you need!

    Take care, my friend!

    XO,
    Jane

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  4. Oh I just knew it was pretty serious. I have only had a few major bladder infections, but would rather have a baby.
    Your DL is so sweet. I know how me must worry, losing his first wife. I appreciate these little bits and pieces of your life.
    Thanks so much for your encouraging comment on my Wake Up Call post. I know I have some great blog friends to help along the way.

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  5. Dear Linda, you are still in my prayers. I don't believe I have ever known you to be this sick. I hope things clear up and you do not have to go to the hospital. The fact that you are able to post makes me think you are on the road to recovery.

    How lovely is that book that Jutta sent to you! I, like you, believe that God's timing is always perfect and it came at just the right time.

    Take care and feel better. Lots of love coming your way.

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  6. Bless your heart. I am so sorry you've been so sick. Praying for a quick recovery. You sure have had a time.

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  7. God love you...you put up with something for a lot of days that should have been tended to immediately. I hate to think where the state of this country's medical care is going. I've had it happen with myself and now you and there are plenty of others in Blogdom who are sadly singing this song. Glad, though, that you've had good doctors once you saw them. I hope that you'll just take it easy until you are truly are feeling very well. Praise God that you didn't have to worry about another malady, too. I am sure that the men feel anxious. Mine tends to wander off...out of the house...goes visiting...I don't get the nursing care that LD gives you! Take care you, two. And is there anything more comforting in all the world than a baked potato? I think not.

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  8. How awful for you Linda. I so hope this infection is knocked out soon and you are back to normal! Many blessings love.

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  9. Glad you have figured out the problem and have the right meds to deal with it. Hope you are back to your old self soon:)

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  10. so sorry to hear you are so sick, my friend is battling the same thing you are and has been really sick.. if you are to sick to read we know you are sick... hope the shot and meds work quickly and no hospital is necessary. you must be better since you could write this... feel better soon and God Bless LD

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  11. You poor thing,I hope you are finally on the mend now. So lucky to have such a great caretaker.

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  12. So sorry you have been so sick-the lovely folks at Baylor are indeed angels. We have two "Baylor babies" (grandbabies) and the staff is always excellent. Our doctors are Baylor docs also and we love them! So glad to hear you are on the mend. Take care-I'll be keeping you in my prayers!

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  13. So sorry you have been under the weather! Love the surprise book that arrived in the mail! I happen to have a few Finnish books in my library, since we have friends who live in Finland. Hugs to you. :)

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  14. Linda, I have been worried about you. So glad you are getting care form the drs. I knew LD would be taking care of you if you were ill. Bless his heart. Please get well soon. I miss your bubbly posts. What a great time to get a gift from a wonderful friend. Be good, do as the drs. order. Blessings , xoxo,Susie

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  15. So glad to hear that you got a diagnosis and are now receiving proper treatment for you condition. You are in my thoughts and prayers through this.

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  16. Dang I'm just reading this post. I hope my future reads find you HEATHLY Weathy and Wise. Okay I want Heathly for you at least. Hugs

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