Monday, November 6, 2006

blood clot or pneumonia?

It all started last night when John was telling me how much pain he was in.  And his fever was climbing.  At first I didn't realize how bad it was.  I thought his side was only hurting because he was shivering so bad (his fever was about 100 at the time, but he usually runs 97 degrees).  So I told John if we could do something about his fever his side would stop hurting.  Maybe if we got some Tylenol down or something.  It didn't work, within one hour he was 101.3.  That's when I told him I was calling Hershey.  Hershey Medical Center is a fine hospital, but they ask stem cell transplant patients to wait till their fever reaches 100.4 degrees before they call and ask if they should be admitted.  And some of the doctors there make you wait till 101 degrees.  So I waited for John to reach 101 degrees, called, and was told "bring him in".

This was pretty early in the morning.  I don't drive much because of narcolepsy ( I am guessing that is what it is, I haven't been able to have it checked yet) so I began calling around to see who might take John and me to the hospital.  At this point John is screaming in pain every few seconds.  He may kill me for telling you all that because he is a pretty tough guy.  Finally he tells me he can't take it any longer and to call an ambulance.

So I called an ambulance.  They loaded him into the back and I got in the front passenger's seat .  It was horrible.  He kept repeating over and over, "I don't know how much more of this I can take."  I didn't know what they were doing to him back there, but he told me later that they were just checking his blood pressure, etc.  And that the more he couldn't take was the pain in his side.

The ambulance took us to the nearest hospital.  They wouldn't take John to Hershey because they have to take you to a local hospital, which stablizes you, and a doctor from there writes the orders to take you to the next hospital.  So at our local hospital they took some X-Rays.  And on John's right side where his lungs are thedoctor saw a "haze".  They told John he either has pneumonia or a blood clot in his lungs.  At this point orders were signed and he was wisked away to the hospital in Hershey, where he is right now.

Oh, wow, I am pretty nervous about everything.  The doctors at Hershey Medical Center talked with me today (yes, I am up here with John.  I am staying with John at the hospital during the daytime, and at Hope Lodge nights).  They said his condition is serious, and they are not letting him eat or drink anything.  I can't imagine not even being allowed to have a sip of water!  They told me they are leaning towards believing it is a blood clot.  Right now John is on saline for fluids, heparin in case it is a blood clot (this can help clots reabsorb), and zithromax (an antibiotic).  They also told me they were going to give him blood tonight.  This really scared me because his Hgb and his HCT are soooo low and he just got blood on Wednesday.  Wow that was only four days ago.  I am glad he is not back local, because it would take them days to try to find a match for his blood.  Last two times it took two or three days.  But that is another story.

Okay, so I am rambling as usual.  I left the hospital tonight feeling horrible.  I didn't want to leave him but he said "go".  I had to take my medicine so I came back here to Hope Lodge.  My car is not here so I can't go back to the hospital and spend the night with him (I have no ride).  Believe or not there are no taxis in Hershey, LOLOLOLOL.  It is just a tourist town mostly, so people don't do taxis.  So I told him that if I went to the Lodge, and he died on me tonight, after all of this, I would be VERY upset with him.  I told him I didn't want to leave, and asked him if he was sure, and he said, "I have a good feeling about this, I won't die tonight, so go, get a good night's rest."  So I left.  And that brings me till now.  I hope this last paragraph wasn't a little to real for you.  And it may seem to have levity in it, but I was very upset when I left the hospital.  But when I came back here to the Lodge I had others who did their best to cheer me up.  Some I knew and some I didn't.  It is so good when you have others who are there for you.  They helped pull me through my fear and funk.  So tomorrow I will be back at the hospital spending time with John again.  

Okay, enough rambling.  I hope some time soon I will have something boring to right about.  And please, if you are the praying type, pray for John.  I am having a feeling this could be a rough one this time.

All my love,  Krissy      

40 comments:

  1. Oh babygirl! My prayers are with you and John right now.  I had a very very bad lung infection last year (was it a year ago) I don't know, but my body was fighting everything and couldn't fight the infection.  They may be leaning toward the blood clot, but it may be pneumonia.. pneumonia hurts so bad when you are already sick.

    Let him know I'm praying for him. Keep me informed.

    Love you girl!

    Promise

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  2. Prayers going up for the two of you right now. For the healing of John's body and for your srtength and health to get through this and that you both will be back home in a few days. Hugs, Helen

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  3. Krissy, I am so sorry about John. He has been through so much...you both have! This past Spring I had a blood clot in my chest, and going to my local ER was the best thing I could do, because with Heparin,you need to have it within the hour! They like you to have it within 30 minutes!  Anyhow, a blood clot in the lungs was more painful to me than anything!  They will probably keep him for at least 24 hours for observation and tests.  Try not to worry because he will be in good hands. Please get some sleep hon. Take care sweetie.

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  4. Oh Krissy honey.  How are you doing?  Of course first things....please know you're in my thoughts and prayers. So sorry to hear this about John.  I hope it gets resolved quickly and he's resting comfortably soon. Sorry I've not been by sooner.  Gotten behind as usual.  Take care of yourself and John.
    Hugs, Barb  

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  5. Krissy, you and John are in my thoughts and in my heart.  
    Love,
    Nancy

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  6. Sending my thoughts and prayers both to you and John.
    ((((Krissy)))
    Gem

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  7. saying my prayers for you!! Take care

    God Bless
    angelrose

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  8. Krissy you know we are here for you and John.  And I count it a privilwdge to remember you both tonight in my prayers.  Rest in the fact that God is in control...we love you both.  Linda in Washington state

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  9. As always I will be praying !  May our dear Lord bless you both !  'On Ya' - ma

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  10. Krissy, I'm so sorry to hear this. You must have been frantic. I'm praying hard that John will get through this latest upset. Jeannette xx  

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  11. Krissy,
    I am so sorry.  You sound so afraid.  Heparin is the best thing to resolve John's clot.  You both are in my prayerrs..
    Hugs, LuAnne

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  12. oo my  krissy im so sorry ...my prayers are with u and john

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  13. krissy,

    prayers are with both of you and the doctors. John is in Gods very able hands. you get your rest and relax. love both of you.

    patty

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  14. Krissy you know my thoughts and prayers are with you and John.  Please make sure you don't forget to take care of you in all this.
    love ya
    d

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  15. You are right, he's a pretty tough guy and I know with me the more the odds are stacked NOT in my favor kinds pisses this Irish Broad off and then my temper kicks in and I find more strength to fight harder. I hope today is a better brighter day for both you and john!

    Kim

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  16. my thoughts and prayers are with you always. tell john i said hello and to get well soon. ((((hugs))))))))) to you both.
    Cindy

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  17. I am here praying and praying.  Should we go feed Michael in a day or two?  God bless you two!  xox
    http://journals.aol.com/valphish/ThereisaSeason

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  18. So sorry about this setback..   You can count on my prayers for you both.      Dawn
    A Couple of Nomads

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  19.  Oh my Krissy,  I am praying for you and John still.  How very frightening for you both.  I am glad he is back where they know him and can give him the best of care.  {{{{{{hugs}}}}}} to you both.

                          Julie

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  20. Very concerned this side of the Atlantic, Krissy - hope the pain is eased soon for John. Either way, an infection and thrombosis are serious things for anyone to have, let alone a person with a frail health like he has.

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  21. Words are beyond me. Just know I love you both, that I have John in my prayers, & praying for you to stay strong. You've both been through sooo much.
    Many hugs to you dear one, & prayers for BOTH.
    God bless,
    Sugar

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  22. Hugs and prayers Krissy
    Kate~

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  23. Gosh, Krissy.  I am so sorry.  I feel awful for John being in so much pain and being so tired and frustrated.  I feel awful for you, too having to go through so much, again, and when you are not feeling so great, yourself.  Sure hope this is all resolved quickly, and this turns into a short stay.  Tell John I am thinking about him.  You are on my mind all the time, too, Krissy.  Prayers your way...Love, Jae

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  24. Krissy-I know you are worried, but John is in the best hands ever - the Lord's. Holding you both up in prayer..May God bless you both.
    Michele
    http://journals.aol.com/glensfork4/these-are-my-thoughts/

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  25. HI, I got your journal through Lisa, don't take life for granted. I am keeping John in my thoughts and prayers, and hope he feels better and he gets the treatment needed to get better :)
    BIG HUGS****
    Angie

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  26. Krissy.....
    You and John are in my thoughts and prayers.  I know what it's like to have a chronically ill hubby in and out of the hospital.  Take care of youself.
    Hugs,
    Dana
    http://journals.aol.com/rainy35/RoadToSuccess

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  27. I KNOW THIS HAS NOT BEEN EASY FOR THE TWO OF YOU. AND I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE MY PREAYERS TO HELP KEEP YOU STRONG.  DONT EVER GIVE UP
    NOELLE

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  28. Of course you are in my prayers.  Do what you need to do, but please remember to take care of yourself so you can keep your strength.

    Hugs my friend,

    Deb

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  29. you and john are in my thoughts and prayers!

    Sharon

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  30. Krissy, I have had probs with aol - but thought I'd give it a try to leave a comment (they reckoned my screen name was invalid!!). It's worked, I sat here praying it would, 'cause I so wanted to let you know I am thinking and praying for you and John. Blood clots on the lung cause immense pain, Ron has suffered 3 over the years (1st one happened when he was only 35). If it's a clot, heparin stabilises and dissapates it very quickly. Pneumonia and/or pleurisy often accompanies a pulmonary embolism.
    Take care. Lots of love & hugs.
    Sylvia xxx

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  31. Oh my goodness! That is soooo scary! I'm glad you guys are where they can take good care of John!!! Hang in there, my thoughts are with the both of you and sending good thoughts and hope your way!
    http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind
    http://adventuresofaneclecticmind.blogspot.com/

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  32. prayers going up.

    Kathy

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  33. (((Krissy))) You and John are in my thoughts and prayers.  You know how to reach me any time.

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  34. I'm sending up immediate prayers.  Keep striving through it.  I don't think I could ever be as tough as you two are.
    Much love and prayers, Kellen

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  35. Hi Krissy...how awful!  I'm so sorry!  I'm glad he's in Hershey where they can take care of him though.  You guys sure have been through so much together.  WOW!  
    Just remember to take care of yourself also. ok?
    Pam

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  36. prayers coming...hang in there

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  37. You are lways in my thoughts and prayers but tonight i will say an extra special one for you both....
    love ya,
    carlene

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  38. hugs krissy, You are both in my prayers. For his healing and for you to have peace.
    love you.
    Barbara

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  39. Wow, I don't know how you do it, you are one incredibly strong woman. I tried to imagine this being my husband and I can't imagine what you must be going through. You are so brave, and so is John.  I just prayed for John & will continue to do so.
    Blessings,
    Melissa

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  40. Oh my gosh!  Just catching up.   I hope by now things have improved!  All my love and prayers! Barbara

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