The Further Adventures of Getting Old

[Cheyenne Ranger]

Howdy Pards,
 
Just got back from a wonderful 4 day stay in the hospital; this would be the hospital that has the second highest patient count in Harris County, right behind Ben Taub--there was standing room only and most of it was out the door.  That being said I did get pushed to the top of the list in quick order--G.I. bleeding will do that for you.
 
Began by passing blood last Sat and ended up in S-ICU by Tuesday night.  At one point had a BP of 109/53 and hemoglobin of 6.3 (14--18 is normal for males).  Average human body has 6 quarts (12 pts) of blood; my final count was 7 units transfused before it was all over not even considering all the units of saline and other "volume expanders" that went down the IV tubes.  
 
I got to see the radiated blood travel through my body in one test as well as the small wire that was inserted into my groin move up and down in my femoral artery--and that was just in the first night.  BTW:  to any future S-ICUers out there:  Bed 5 at Houston NW Med Center is right by the door and the crash bars slam open and close all night; also the nurses there are known as the "Tight T-Shirt Crew--there is not an ulgy one among them.)
 
I learned that I can drink 4 liters of "cleansing solution" in 3 hours and keep it down.  I also learned why the use of a bedpan is mentioned in Amendment 8, dealing with "cruel and unusual punishments."  Ended the adventure with a series of pictures of my colon--know some of you can't wait for Christmas to get you own personal set of these :>)
 
The bleeding is over for now but not sure why it started (or stopped for that matter.)  And we don't know if/when it might reoccur (there's something to consider in the early morning hours when you have nothing else to worry about).  I'm at home but will be recovering for the next 6 weeks or so.  I'll be making a meaningful difference in children's lives after Spring Break but will (again!) be on light duty.  
 
In any event I'm off to take my iron pills, drink plenty of H2O and really appreciate the standard toilet of the average American home.
 
Cheyenne (who sits carefully on the porcelain saddle) Ranger

[toecutter]

I've had deer lose much less blood than that...and I ate them!  Y'alls gots to be more careful. On the bright side you'll sure get a lot of dry fire practice in. Good luck and good health  

[Cuts Crooked]

Went down that road myownself just about a year ago pard. When I had that little stroke back in April all of the various and sundry medications they shot into me had an after effect that the Sawbones didn't catch onto, I developed a GI bleed that went undetected. Lost 7 units of blood, jist like yerself before we figgered out wat wuz happenin!!! :shock: I wuzn't eatin much after the stroke on on accoutta my teeth being broken off in the efforts to keep me alive in the ER during the stroke, so it wasn't until I finally used the terlit several days later that I realized I wuz seriously bleedin' ta death!  :shock:  :shock:  :shock:

[Cheyenne Ranger]

Since about the beginning of the school year I've been fighting different physical problems--most un-related one to another.  

BUT:  I'm doing OK now, I love my wife, my job and we are well enough off to have the time and money to play now and then.  Could be worse (and probably will get so down the trail) but all in all, life is good.

Hope everyone else is doing as well as can be expected--spring is in the air and behind that, can the smell of gunpowder be far behind???

ÇR

[Horsefeathers]

Cheyenne , My  wife collapsed without warning at the dinner table one night years ago. Her heart stopped. A EMT neighbor got her going again. It happened again at the hospital. All the tests done and no reason found for the bleeding or the source.  Just that she used a lot of aspirin. She  has been fine ever since. So keep tabs on yoir problem. And keep well.  Horsefeathers

[Cheyenne Ranger]

Thanks HF,

I was taking one a day but stopped that.  Been OK but then I felt OK before I went down--sorta like you feel fine when you go to bed and wake up dead :wink:

CR