Sorry for the mass, impersonal information!
Good evening!
I went to the doctor today and it was very informative. They checked my INR (International Normalized Ratio) and it was still at a 1.1 (it should be between 2 and 3). This means that my blood still is not thin enough. I am still being given the lovenox shots (by Jim) and, while very painful, those are preventing any clotting from occurring. They don't want me to be on this forever, so I will be on the shots until the coumadin kicks in. They've doubled my dosage and I have another appointment scheduled for Thursday morning to check my INR.
I've also been given a new pain medicine and muscle relaxers to help with the headache and the pain and tension in my neck (this is new as of today). The headache may take a long time to go away, if it does. I was told that for 6 months I should think like an old lady. If an old lady wouldn't do it, then I shouldn't because it is a serious neck injury. Tough pill to swallow as an otherwise healthy 25 year old. I may even need a bracelet or pendant showing that I have this condition, in case something happens.
Today I learned just how fortunate I really am that nothing more serious happened. I'm grateful to Dr. Reynolds and Dr. Blackwell for referring me to the neurologist, Dr. Marrufo. I'm REALLY grateful to Dr. Marrufo for taking me four days early during his lunch break, fighting for me, and getting me into the ER and covered by insurance. Dr. Reynolds salutes him for saving my life.
I have another appointment with Dr. Marrufo on Monday, 2/27.
That's the latest! Thank you for your continued support, thoughts, and prayers! Big thank you to Wanda and Gary Riddle for our dinner and desert tonight! The dogs loved your attention, too!
Love,
Käthe (& Jim, Leif, and Fin)
We love our winter wonderland, too.
Really grateful. Really grateful.
ReplyDeleteLove, Dad
I'm grateful for your ever positive self -- you are a teacher to more than just your 6th grade students!
ReplyDeleteHug,
Katherine
Hi Kathe -
ReplyDeleteKatherine Weeden shared your update with me, and I just wanted to let you know how much I have been thinking of you. We forget so often how valuable and vulnerable our lives are, and you remind us to "do" instead of "plan." I am so glad that you are being treated and that the pain is becoming manageable. I hope it will leave you entirely in the not too far future.
Wishing you and Jim all the best!
Silvia Fleming
I love this minus the "think like an old lady" bit. :( That must be really tough for you, but it is also AMAZING that this was caught before something worse happened. I'll pray for that blood thinner to start kicking in and for your body to heal faster than an old woman's. ;-) Hang in there, lovely lady!
ReplyDeleteDad- Love you so, so much!
ReplyDeleteKatherine- that means a lot coming from you! Whenever I think of a teacher who made the biggest mark on my life, I always think of you.
Silvia- Great to hear from you! Thanks for your kind words.
Kuhfuss- It IS tough... no climbing for me for a while. But this ol' lady will be back in form soon, I pray.