Alyssa's Biggest Supporter - Aunt SandyThe day started with such promise. Surgery was behind her, BP levels had been at acceptable levels and even her ever present nausea seemed to be on hiatus. All we had to do was get through dialysis this morning, then home she would go home. She had made big plans for the weekend...Friday, off to Eastview Mall to go purse shopping, albeit in a wheelchair. Saturday a movie and maybe a visit with her nieces and nephew...let the good times roll!
It's 8:30 PM on Thursday and we are still in RGH. What went wrong?
Alyssa flew right through her dialysis treatment, recording the lowest BP averages that she's ever had and she even dropped below her target dry weight. So far, so good. Anticipating the pending departure, mom & dad packed up her room and sent everything off with Deb as she departed for work. Then it happened.
Fearing the wrath of Alyssa, her regular doctors sent a hospitalist physician, that we had never met before, to deliver the news that Alyssa dreaded the most. Her platelets had fallen to 180 and her HCT had dropped to 24, levels that they felt warranted a blood transfusion and another night at RGH. You could feel the air being sucked right out of the room. The purses would have to wait.
But wait, if this illness has taught Alyssa anything, it's perseverance. So when one of her regular doctors came to visit at 4:00 PM, she laid out a scenario that might let her still go home tonight. Do the transfusion in her room, go home after, but return tomorrow morning for additional lab work. If Friday's levels rise, she's free to go purse shopping. If they remain the same or drop, she will have to have a plasmapheresis treatment.
As with the Foley catheter yesterday, Alyssa again prevailed having successfully made her case (the pouty face didn't hurt either.)
Between the "type and cross," ordering the blood and the transfusion itself, getting a blood transfusion is a rather long process. She was finally hooked-up at 6:15 PM and should be done by 9:15 PM. Dare I say it, if all goes well, we could be out of here by 10:00 PM.
Watch out Eastview, there are no Dooney & Bourke, Dolce & Gabbana, Coach & Vera Bradly purses that are safe.
dd
Lyss,
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of you. It's so good that you're taking control of your treatment and standing up for yourself. No foleys for you! My prayers are with you that you'll be home tonight. I can't wait to be home for easter so I can see you!
It's 9:00p and my fingers are crossed that Alyssa's sweet dreams tonight are in her own bed.
ReplyDeleteI saw an adorable pink bag at Coach yesterday and Jill LOVES the new purple Vera...thinking positive...I hope that you enjoy your outing.
Perhaps Alyssa has a future career in mediation or dare I say, the law. She sure knows how to influence people and advocate for herself.