Okay this is weird. I went to give blood on Monday (July 21st). The gal that was taking my pulse asked if I have an irregular pulse. Taken by surprise, I answered "no". She took it again and then had another gal come for a 2nd opinion. She thought my pulse was normal. So a third opinion was called over. She said that it was irregular. I was sent away without giving blood and what is more I was told that I wouldn't be allowed to give blood without a doctor's permission. When I got home, I called my doctor and got an appointment for Tuesday (July 22nd). The doctor checked my pulse and did an EKG which were normal, but she said that it's better to be safe than sorry, so she referred me to a cardiologist. The funny thing was that the cardiologist called me back that same day and made an appointment for the next day (July 23rd). (So quick!) I went in yesterday and had a heart holter moniter put on me. I go back today (July 24th) around 11:00 a.m. to get it taken off. I have a follow up appointment in a couple of weeks to find out the result.
Ken is on his 8th round of chemo with 4 left to go. His hemoglobin has stablized, so he won't need a blood transfusion. His blood sugar is still elevated and he still needs to look into that. It is hard to find more time off work for Dr. visits. He is plugging along. He is definitely getting more worn down and ready to feel more normal, but he complains very little and still helps a lot.
So the irony of all this is that I am better understanding how "unfun" it is to wear medical equipment all day and all night. Don't shower. Be careful of dangling cords. Don't damage the equipment . Where to put the equipment while using the restroom. Be sure and sleep on your back. Itchy tape, etc. We call Ken's pump the ball and chain. I get it a little better. I am anxious for noon to come because then I will be free! The part that I still don't get: having chemo pumped in my body and the side effects, the noise that the pump makes each time the chemo goes in, 2 days without a shower instead of one. etc. My equipment is just gathering data.
Ken's is killing cells.
So this experience has given me one more reason to celebrate my husband's courage. He is definitely a hero to me.
Ken is on his 8th round of chemo with 4 left to go. His hemoglobin has stablized, so he won't need a blood transfusion. His blood sugar is still elevated and he still needs to look into that. It is hard to find more time off work for Dr. visits. He is plugging along. He is definitely getting more worn down and ready to feel more normal, but he complains very little and still helps a lot.
So the irony of all this is that I am better understanding how "unfun" it is to wear medical equipment all day and all night. Don't shower. Be careful of dangling cords. Don't damage the equipment . Where to put the equipment while using the restroom. Be sure and sleep on your back. Itchy tape, etc. We call Ken's pump the ball and chain. I get it a little better. I am anxious for noon to come because then I will be free! The part that I still don't get: having chemo pumped in my body and the side effects, the noise that the pump makes each time the chemo goes in, 2 days without a shower instead of one. etc. My equipment is just gathering data.
Ken's is killing cells.
So this experience has given me one more reason to celebrate my husband's courage. He is definitely a hero to me.
