checking in

Hi you all.  I wanted to check in.  

Today was a long day.  John went to get blood here at the local hospital.  Two bags.  He has been needing two bags about every five days.  His Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA) never did go away.  He had a test yesterday from the home healthcare nurse (she comes three mornings per week).  She tested John to see at what stage the AIHA is at.  We will get the results on Monday, because John has an appointment on Monday at Hershey Medical Center to see Dr. Claxton.  He actually has several appointments, so we are going up to Hershey on Sunday night and returning on Wednesday.

I am wondering how aggressive Dr. Claxton is going to be to try and continue to improve the AIHA.  I hope he will be aggressive about it.  John is having somewhat of a hard time.  He is weak and tired a lot.  He has to lay down a lot.  Especially after about day three of getting his blood, two days before he needs some more, he gets very weak.  He also has to use his walker and get pushed around in a wheel chair a lot.  I was hoping for a little more than this for him by now.

Don't get me wrong.  We are both still thrilled with life, and enjoying life every day.  We are spending some wonderful time together.  And if it is the way it has to be, then at least he's alive.  But I do hope they can make him even better.  

Things are kind of hard for me right now.  I am so backed up on EVERYTHING.  You can't be away from home for about 7 1/2 months out of the year and not be backed up!  I feel dreadful, I just can't get done what I want done. 

And to top it off, yesterday (Weds) I had the worst asthma attack I have had in years.  Actually, a day long of asthma attacks.  I ended up having to go to the Emergency Room Wednesday night.  I am now on Prednisone (a steroid) and Zithromax (an antibiotic).  I have a bronchial infection.  Of course this whole time I didn't recognize I had bronchitis.  I was just pushingmyself to get everything done.  I don't have time to stop and rest. 

This morning (Thursday) was no exception.  I had to take John to go get his blood.  So after I got home from the Emergency Room last night, I got a few hours of sleep, got up, and went back to the hospital with John.  The whole procedure at the hospital took six and a half hours.  I was having to use my rescue inhaler while there.  The hospital doctor is allowing me to take four puffs on the inhaler every four hours.  I have been doing that a lot today.

I wanted to get so much more done today, but I have to pace myself with the bronchial asthma.  Oh well!

Okay, so that's about the situation.  I'm somewhat tired.  But never defeated.  I'm still taking things one day at a time, one minute at a time, as John advises me to do.  The brightest moment is just around the corner...

Krissy :)