A week ago on Monday I had my first appointment with a hematologist here in Bellingham. The nurse took several vials of blood for analysis and the doctor explained the possible causes of anemia.
Tuesday a nurse from the hematologist's office called to see if I had any objection to blood transfusions. I said, "No" and at 11:00 am we (Marilyn and I) were at St. Joseph's hospital getting the paperwork done. A room was prepared and I took off my shirt, put on a hospital gown and the nurse tried to find a good vein. Since I had already used the only good one for a blood test the day before, she managed to find a space above it. They tested my blood for type and some other factors and in about an hour the first of two units of blood arrived in the room. In the meantime I had a very nice hospital lunch, mac and cheese and broccoli. I enjoyed that and relaxed. It takes about 20 minutes to give a unit of blood but 2 to 2.5 hours to receive one. That afternoon I received two units and looked forward to some new energy. Here is a picture from my telephone taken during the long afternoon.
Tuesday through Friday: Tuesday morning my stomach was churning and for the next three days I was able to eat almost nothing. I kept a few fluids going but my digestive system pretty well shut down on strike. Each day I could feel myself having less and less energy. I suppose I caught some sort of flu bug.
Saturday I began eating a little bit and more on Sunday. I wasn't able to attend church because I didn't want to expose others or be exposed to anything new and, I still had an elevated temperature.
This week things are going better and I'm eating more normally. Started walks a couple days ago beginning with a block and back, then two blocks, and today around our block. It is good to feel some energy returning.
Sorry to have been so absent from the blog. My head has been in books and I've read about one a day since I had to lie in bed or in the recliner for most of a week. It is wonderful to go on a fictional journey when one doesn't have the energy to get about physically.
Posted by Donel at March 23, 2005 05:35 PMJennifer, you didn't, by any chance, tuck the bottle of sherry into your bag by mistake? It appears to be missing.
Posted by: Marilyn at March 24, 2005 08:26 AMMany of you don't know Jennifer Russell personally. Her notes, and indeed her personal presence are welcome, thoughtful, and frequently provocative in a wonderful way. We had a great visit with Jennifer and Rick who drove up from Seattle yesterday afternoon. After working with Jennifer at our church for a year it was good to see her and get caught up.
I think everyone understands that the "flying chicken clock" sounds like Saturday Night Live and does belong in that category. So does Hairball. However I am pleased to have a mythical cat to scratch since it can get in and out of the house without having doors opened. It sounds like the ideal pet to me.
I hope the blood transfusions help with your energy, Donel. I guess if you can't get around much, it is nice to read a lot. Have you ever read anything by Robert Olen Butler? I think you would enjoy his book of short stories based on old postcards he's collected. It's called "Had a Good Time."
I LOVE kitties!!! I'm so happy you've found a new little cat friend! I want to meet this cat sometime... I still want to see your broadside collection too. I've been thinking of you every morning when I dish myself up a bowl of fruit, that's my designated "pray that Donel is experiencing the sweet things" moment. When I hear stories about a new kitten and a funny chicken clock I feel that at least some of those daily wishes I have for you are bearing fruit, if you'll pardon the pun.
I hope that you are well enough to make it to church on Easter, I'll be thinking of you.
Kj Hayes
Wait, on rereading, maybe you don't have a cat? I am confused. I got excited when I read about a cat and I just ignored the other messages. Jennifer, can be a prankster, that much I know. So did she just make all of that up?
I totally believed it.
Kj
Posted by: Kj Hayes at March 24, 2005 08:56 AMMany of you who know Dad well, know that a cat is the very last thing that would encourage him to heal up! He tolerates his "grand-cats" with his good grace, but is more than happy to have a home FINALLY free of all the small critters that the four of us (yes Mom is at least equally to blame) have adopted over the years!
Posted by: Jeni at March 24, 2005 11:18 AMJeni, Your mother has always stood by the statement that the cats were the fault of her children! I think you are blowing her public cover! I'm glad to hear that you are feeling better, Donel. Erin's video of her trip is nearly complete and you may be inflicted with a copy soon. More armchair travels. You will laugh when you see her imitation of God from Joan of Arcadia....only the most observant fan will pick this up but it is there. Love to you all (and I almost believed Jennifer...but not quite.) jj
Posted by: Janetj at March 24, 2005 12:10 PMJust so you know, Donel - opening the blog and finding a picture of you in a hospital bed was alarming. I said a word that I don't ordinarily use in church. Glad to read quickly and alleviate worries.
Posted by: Janet at March 24, 2005 12:16 PMWell, this is certainly an entertaining days worth of pranks and jokes! I have heard Marilyn say on more than one occassion "I can't believe you told that joke Donel!", and really I couldn't believe it either. And Jennifer! I can believe she would and will say anything! Including making up a cat. I won't soon forget Dicks and my 39th anniversary, and any of you who were in church that morning surely remember, how many times did Jennifer mention the Porters and the 39th? And I don't know who gave the dead chicken clock (and probably this one is made up too!!), but if it is real then my guess is that Janet Jensen gave it to Donel and Marilyn. Janet reminds me of my daughter, Beverly and my husband, Dick. If jokes aren't a part of life, well we should all just give up right now.
Laughter does heal and there is a good dose of it here today.
K
I only WISH that I had discovered such a clock. But now that we all have the idea perhaps we can put our heads together, build a prototype, and then maybe even market it through the blog. We'll make a million and retire the debt on the church building.
Thank you for your kind words and vote of support, Kay! I saw your daughter last night as a matter of fact (after the Maundy Thursday service) and I am honored to be included in her company! As for Dick....us G&S enthusiasts stick together! Hope your knee is feeling better. Bev said you were already up and around.
But we digress....back to Donel. The picture of you in person last night was MUCH better than the view of the hospital bed to which I objected previously. Nice to see you and Marilyn take communion together. Love to all.
Tennel wants you to know, Donel, that when he was sick he REALLY liked Blood transfusions. He would go from this weak-looking wee little guy to a robust, rosy, happy 3 year old. I was ready to patent the process and take it on the road. I understand they have oxygen "bars" in some parts of the world so maybe a drive-thru blood bank would be marketable?
Appreciated your gaze and your hug this week.
yours,
Gillian
Rick and I have just returned from a wonderful visit with Marilyn and Donel. They both exude a deep sense of joy and purposefulness.
There were a couple of surprises though that I must mention. I was so pleased to see Donel has a new cat. It's an orange tabby and it was sitting on his lap so snuggly. Every once and awhile it would mew this kinda-annoying cry and Donel, bless his heart, would reach over and with one hand scratch "it" (who knows about sex!) under its chin and with the other feed it a little kitty treat. I could hear it purr from across the room. My guess is Hairball weighs close to 25 pounds but they're happy!
The other thing is this gift business. D and M said they have received so many beautiful, tasteful gifts, etc - so who gave them the rubber chicken clock? I was sitting there mesmerized by D and Hairball when all of a sudden a small rubber chicken was flying past my nose! They then showed me the source. Someone with a Mad sense of humor has given them this clock with 12 arms holding each a small, hairless rubber chicken. At the top of the hour the clucking sounds start, the wheel with the 12 arms holding the chickens starts to spin, and then the appropriate chicken is released and flies through the air. M says it really is funny and only a few items have been broken by a flying chicken.
So that's the report from the McClellan residence. A good time was had by all . . . and Hairball.
Posted by: Jennifer at March 23, 2005 07:49 PM