Scary Scary Wake-up Call
On Thursday morning, I went in to the clinic to get my blood work done. They were checking my A1c, Thyroid, and the usual. As I've made it clear on here, I've been feeling pretty weak and sick since before Thanksgiving. Even the simplest daily activities leave me out of breath, even just standing. I thought it was all related to my thyroid and the fact that I'm still on the wrong dosage of medicine, nearly a year after my diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Boy, was I wrong. The clinic called at 3 PM on Thursday and told my husband to get me to the Emergency Room, immediately, because my hemoglobin level was 6.9. For anyone who doesn't know, like I didn't, hemoglobin is considered low if it falls under 13.5. I was nearly double what is considered low!
So, my dear hubby rushed me to the ER, where I was taken back immediately. I guess I started getting concerned when I told the check in nurse what my hemoglobin was and all of the nurses looked at me. I even had an IV in place and five tubes of blood drawn before I was given a bed. Barely an hour later, the ER doctor was able to confirm that my blood count really was that low, and that I had to be admitted and have a blood transfusion. I was terrified. My sister even brought my mom, brother in law, and niece up to the hospital to see me before I was taken upstairs and admitted.
Once admitted, it was decided that I would receive 2 units of blood over night and see where my blood count was the next morning. by morning, my count had raised 8.4. It was still very low, but thankfully, the doctor did not want to raise my blood count too much, because my body would start to build blood on its own, so I was released around 3 PM...I have seriously spent most of the time since then sleeping, probably because I was so sleep deprived over the last couple months and I didn't sleep in the hospital at all.
This experience certainly scared the devil out of me and woke me up to my reality. I need to get better. I need a true doctor who will help me get better, so my husband and I will be buying health insurance at the end of the month, even though we do not have much money...it needs to be done. My health has to take precedence at this point.
I'm supposed to take it easy over the next month. No strenuous exercise or activities. I'm supposed to try yoga and pilates. I'm also supposed to take a good multivitamin with iron, folic acid, and b vitamins. Additionally, I should be following a diabetic/heart smart diet rich in lean proteins that contain iron and other vitamins and minerals that will help my body become stronger and build up my hemoglobin levels.
I'm scared, terrified in fact, but I will not give up. I will get a doctor who cares about my health and will work with me. I will follow a better diet and do the exercises that are recommended for me right now, even if I have to do those Sit & Be Fit videos. I will be here for my family. I will ensure that I have a future, and that my husband and I get to have the family we want.
This was my wake up call. I cannot rely on government/free programs to ensure I receive quality health care. I truly do have to pay for it, because I do have health issues that I cannot deny or ignore.
So, my dear hubby rushed me to the ER, where I was taken back immediately. I guess I started getting concerned when I told the check in nurse what my hemoglobin was and all of the nurses looked at me. I even had an IV in place and five tubes of blood drawn before I was given a bed. Barely an hour later, the ER doctor was able to confirm that my blood count really was that low, and that I had to be admitted and have a blood transfusion. I was terrified. My sister even brought my mom, brother in law, and niece up to the hospital to see me before I was taken upstairs and admitted.
Once admitted, it was decided that I would receive 2 units of blood over night and see where my blood count was the next morning. by morning, my count had raised 8.4. It was still very low, but thankfully, the doctor did not want to raise my blood count too much, because my body would start to build blood on its own, so I was released around 3 PM...I have seriously spent most of the time since then sleeping, probably because I was so sleep deprived over the last couple months and I didn't sleep in the hospital at all.
This experience certainly scared the devil out of me and woke me up to my reality. I need to get better. I need a true doctor who will help me get better, so my husband and I will be buying health insurance at the end of the month, even though we do not have much money...it needs to be done. My health has to take precedence at this point.
I'm supposed to take it easy over the next month. No strenuous exercise or activities. I'm supposed to try yoga and pilates. I'm also supposed to take a good multivitamin with iron, folic acid, and b vitamins. Additionally, I should be following a diabetic/heart smart diet rich in lean proteins that contain iron and other vitamins and minerals that will help my body become stronger and build up my hemoglobin levels.
I'm scared, terrified in fact, but I will not give up. I will get a doctor who cares about my health and will work with me. I will follow a better diet and do the exercises that are recommended for me right now, even if I have to do those Sit & Be Fit videos. I will be here for my family. I will ensure that I have a future, and that my husband and I get to have the family we want.
This was my wake up call. I cannot rely on government/free programs to ensure I receive quality health care. I truly do have to pay for it, because I do have health issues that I cannot deny or ignore.
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