Today was the first day of my IVIg (IV gamma globulin) treatment. My platelet count right now is at an OK level (but still quite low) and apparently the roids I'm on are working, but not as well as they should be. So, since the roids aren't fully working (he has now lowered me down to 50mg per day) I get to go do IVIg treatments for 3 days in a row. Essentially this means that they are pumping antibodies into my system in order to "trick" my spleen into thinking the platelets aren't bad so that the platelet count stays high.
I never realized how much there is to think about when going for these treatments. First, being unemployed and all I started to hesitate about paying for parking. I mean, that's around $7.00 per day plus gas money to get there and back... a total of at least $21.00 plus gas (and the government says health care is free!) That can buy quite a lot of Kraft dinner. I could take the bus, but then that takes a lot more time (even though I have plenty of that right now) and because my wife Shiela was with me it would have cost us at least $8.00 per day to ride the bus there and back. I didn't want to park far away and walk because I wasn't sure how I would feel after the treatment or if I would have any energy, etc. So, I ended up breaking down and paid for the convenient parking.
The second thing to think about was lunch. I was going to be there from 11:00am to around 2:00pm. I did a little research thanks to some friends who work in the hospital and found out that you get some soup, a sandwich, a piece of fruit, 2 crackers and some tea. I figured I'd try the soup, but being the picky eater that I am, there was no way in the world I was eating a sandwich made by the hospital, let alone an egg salad sandwich (which I wouldn't eat even if I had made it). So Shiela and I smuggled in some leftover pizza from supper the night before.
The third thing is what to do for 3 hours in a hospital bed. Shiela and I ended up looking like we were going for a picnic on the beach when we arrived on the 3rd floor of RUH in Day Medicine. We had on shorts and t-shirts, a backpack full of games and books, and a bag full of food for lunch and another bag for Shiela's books. You'd think we were moving in or something! We were by far the most prepared patients that day.
Since I will be coming in 3 days in a row the nurses decided to just keep the needle in my arm for the full 3 days. I was fine with that since it means less needles...not only that but I dare someone to try and mug me on the streets of Saskatoon over the next few days. I mean, I think any robber would be freaked out if he tried to mug me and I just reached into my arm and pulled out a needle and started trying to stab him with it.
After the needle was in I thought we were ready to go, but then I heard a rumour that the Specialist was around, and he was coming to see me. I waited in anticipation to once again meet the Specialist face to face. As he approached my bed (without bodyguards) he started to pull all the curtains closed around my bed. My mind started racing as I began to wonder what was going to happen. Did you have to be naked for this treatment and noboday told me? Where exactly is that needle going? Luckily it turned out he just wanted to chat and explain what was happening with this process...oh yeah, and one more thing... Please sign here to agree to receive blood products and that you promise not to sue us if you get hepatitus C or any other disease from it. I knew that was coming because that was my one fear about this whole thing...I don't want to be getting a disease through this blood. The Specialist reassured me that it was extremely safe so I signed away (like I really had a choice anyway...if I want to get better I had to sign). The Specialist then left with his "Get out of jail FREE consent form" and pushed all the curtains open again. I don't know why they even close the curtains in the first place, especially just when they want to talk to you. I think someone should let them know that the sound carries through the curtain and the other umpteen people in the room can still hear you even if they can't see you.
The rest of the treatment went well. I read, ate the soup at lunch, ate my pizza, played cribbage with Shiela (we didn't get to finish though) and rested. Thanks to Cherie and Ben L for stopping by to say hi while I hung out there. It was much appreciated.
I'm back on the 3rd floor of RUH in Day Medicine on Wednesday and Thursday from around 11:30 to 2:00pm so if anyone is in the area and wants to get beat at cribbage or just sit and chat, feel free to stop on by...I know I won't be going anywhere!
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3 comments:
Sheldon, I'm really glad for this blob. I was driving home tonight wondering how things went for you today and then here I am reading about it. It sounds like you're in good spirits - I hope and pray that that is true. What's the deal with the needle stuck in your arm for three days?
Hey Sheldon, even through all these things your going through it's nice to have a few laughs! It's neat to keep up to date with what's happening with you as Brent and I don't get up to see you and Sheila too often, we wish we lived closer! Take care and I'll be praying for you today...
Hey Christy, the needle is in my arm for three days just so they don't need to go through the whole process every day. That way when I go there today they can simply plug me in to the machine and let the blood flow! It saves getting poked so much. I told Shiela we should try to hook it up to a Coke IV, but she figured pumping Coke into my blood may not be that good. Go figure! Oh well, I'll have to stick with using my mouth to drink Coke instead.
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