News from Auburn: Update Nov 9 2008


I like to limit my newsletter to only once per week, but I thought a short note was appropriate under the circumstances.

DONATE BLOOD!

The LifeSouth blood bank saved my life this week.  Normal hemoglobin for a male is around 14.  Since my diagnosis I've been between 9-10.  On Tuesday at UAB I was around 7.  On Wednesday at EAMC it dropped to around 5.5-ish.  Over the course of Wed-Friday I received 2 units of fresh frozen plasma and 7 units of red cells, which put my hemoglobin count up to 11 - which is still low for a man, but that's the highest it's been since I was diagnosed last Feb.  It's been holding steady there for around 24 hours, so it looks like the leaks have been stopped.  (Yes, we checked the poo.)  Things are under control again now, and around noon today I came home from East Alabama Medical Center.  

For the first time in months I have color in my hands!

After two back-to-back hospital stays, Viva and I agree that we'd prefer to have an uneventful week.

Auburn people If you want to visit, please call first.  The hospital is not a place to get a good night's rest, so Viva and I are both very tired.

Thank you all so much for your concern and your prayers.  We are very grateful!  And, if you can, donate blood.  I used a lot of it this week.

Posted: Sun - November 9, 2008 at 08:22 PM           | |

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