Hey, I'm back. It took awhile to feel normal - and I'm not completely there yet, but definitely more normal than earlier this week. I'm in a regular room, as Louisa has posted, and the view is amazing - though I only see it when I get up to use the bathroom. One of my best achievements earlier this week was being able to get up and being allowed to use the bathroom and NOT the bed pan (which just wasn't my favorite activity).
My newest achievement is not only walking, but walking often and without any shortness of breath. My heart rate definitely goes up, but it doesn't skyrocket (like it did 2 days ago) and I am talking while walking - it's the darndest thing, but people can't get me to stop talking... :)
Last night I slept great - I'm sure having Christy there was part of the solution to that one - it gets lonely in the hospital - which is ironic considering the amount of times nurses are coming in and taking blood, etc.
SO, I just got back from walking WITHOUT the oxygen. I sat for 5 minutes without the oxygen (and I didn't know what was being tested and I talked the whole time - which could've messed up the results) and my oxygen levels went from 99 to 93. Then we went walking without the oxygen - I was fine for the first half - levels around 90, then the second half went to 87 and I was lightheaded, so I slowed down and took deep breaths and ended up back at 90 at the end. All in all, not too shabby - better than expected.
My hematologist told me today that some of the genetic blood tests came back negative - so it doesn't look like I'm about to battle a life-long dehibilitating clotting war (thank God!!).
And (more good news) - I had an echocardiagram done this morning, and to the cardiologist's shock and joy, my heart's functioning has returned 20% post PE, which is really great!!
Good news all around!! I was happy to see some more visitor's today and I got a lot of schoolwork done :) I'm about to catch up with Mom who has been kind enough to run some errands for me today! A huge shout out to my Mom who has dropped everything to be with me every day, all day!! I love her so much and am so appreciative to have the best Mom ever!!!
A huge shout out to Dad, too, who has run interference, translated the Dr.'s big words, brought me breakfast most mornings, and who comes to see me every morning before work and every evening after work. I have amazing supportive parents whom I love very much!!!
Well, hello there! Glad you're well enough to post and that your results are looking good. Love you!
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ReplyDeletexxoo Carolyn & Dr. Willy
YEAH Julia! So pleased that you are doing better. The view is a big deal I know! I sat on a window seat at St. Francis for about 10 days with Mom and was pleased to be able to look at trees rather than AC units on a rooftop! (I definitely counted that as one of God's blessings!) The only thing that I kept wondering about was all the people rushing by on the Glenn McConnell parkway....were they taking the time to be thankful that they COULD rush by instead of just being confined to a hospital room? Seemed like the world was spinning so quickly while we were just waiting! But very soon, it sounds like you will be home. So glad that your stats are improving. We continue to pray for you and trust your care to God and the good doctors and nurses. Hope you have another good night. And you are right, there is nothing better than family and the love of a great Mom and Dad! Love and blessings, Libby and family
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