It's New Year's eve, and in less than 12 hours, it will be 2013! How time flies...
Around this time last year, I was sick. I was having signs of HIV infection, and what should've been a season of parties, get-togethers, movie-watching and shopping was spent mostly at home in bed or at the clinic where the doctor couldn't tell exactly what's wrong except that what I have is something viral and that it was viral and it will go away on its own. (Of course she was right that it was viral, but how I wish she was right on her second remark.)
This year, I'm still sick. But I'm not ridden in bed anymore: I was able to attend christmas parties, I spent noche buena with a guy I'm dating, I treated my parents to a buffet dinner on Christmas Day, and I went to watch Sisterakas with S and my date last Saturday. Everything seem normal and I'm quite happy...
You read that right: I'm dating!
Let's call him J. I met him in RITM on December 12, the same day I got admitted for another blood transfusion. I went to RITM that day for another CBC to see how my hemoglobin count is doing. I went down to ARG to register, and there I saw him: a guy with cute smile chatting with another guy.
I kept looking at him not only because he had a cute smile, but I can't help but notice how clear his skin was. He's not artista-flawless, he's actually moreno. But if you visit RITM as often as I do, you'd observe that having clear skin is uncommon for HIV patients, either as a result of various HIV-related skin disorders or as a side effect of ARVs. (I myself have marks left by herpes zoster on my left arm, but it's barely visible now).
I bumped into him several times, but I wasn't the type who would initiate a conversation. There was one time I was sitting on a bench along the hallway when he passed by on the way to the clinic. I gave him a smile, and he smiled back! I thought that would be the start of a conversation, but he went past me and headed straight to the clinic. I thought, di siguro ako type.
When he got out of the clinic he was with two other guys. They sat in the same bench I was in, and started talking. It seemed to me the three of them knew each other for a long time already. The noise made me feel uncomfortable so I decided to go inside the clinic to ask if my CBC result is already in. Unfortunately it wasn't yet. The staff nurses noticed that my lips were very pale and hinted, I might need another blood transfusion. But that's something I was already prepared for.
When I got out of the clinic, one guy was just outside the door. I recognized him as J's friend. He asked for my number. I didn't know if it was him asking for my number or if it was J, pero di na ko nagpakipot pa, bigay agad! :)
The rest was history. A few moments later we were texting. I found out they've already left and having lunch at SM Southmall. I told him I was still waiting for my CBC and that if worse came to worst, I'd be there longer for the blood transfusion. He told me he'd go back to RITM later that day to meet other friends and see me also.
I got the CBC result a few hours later -- it was 62, the lowest I ever got. No wonder my head was throbbing like crazy and everywhere looks so bright! I called up S and told him about the result. He offered to be my bantay that night. How sweet. :)
Before the clinic closed, J, true to his words, arrived. He introduced me to L and to K, his newbie friends. I was already in the emergency room that time, waiting for a room to be vacated. J, K and L all stayed with me throughout and watched as the nurses and doctors tried to stick pink-gauge needle into veins. After 5 unsuccessful attempts, they thought I needed a break. J, K and L had to leave because J had to work, but he said if he has time he will come back to become my bantay.
I've only known J for a few hours, yet I felt like I've know him for a long time already. Magaan ang loob ko sa kanya, and I felt like he's a guy worth dating. When S arrived, I told him about J and he said he's happy for me. (Yey, may approval na agad si J! Hehe)
We continued to text while I was in the hospital. After I got discharged, we saw each other again for a movie date in Trinoma on December 19th. We saw each other again on Christmas Eve and I spent noche buena with his family. We watched Sisterakas with S last Saturday, and we stayed at S place for the night.
I feel good. I never felt this good in such a long time. Sometimes I even forget that I'm sick.
We'll see each other again in January 3. Haay, I can feel that 2013 will be good to me. Please, be good to me! :)
Happy New Year everyone! :)
Showing posts with label blood transfusion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blood transfusion. Show all posts
Monday, December 31, 2012
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Going home.
After finishing my blood transfusion on Thursday evening, I had a my blood extracted again on Friday morning for a few tests which include CBC. From 67, my hemoglobin increased to 97. Still way below the normal range, but enough for me to regain some color. I feel stronger as well.
The doctor gave me calcium gluconate intravenously around mid-day to counter the effect of preservatives added to the blood I received. She told me and my parents that they are still studying the lab results and trying to find out the next steps to take. She did mention that a bone marrow biopsy is a possible last resort. So I guess I have to prepare myself mentally and emotionally for that.
The rest of the day was pretty much another waiting game. My parents called for my youngest brother to accompany me so that they can go home.
My youngest brother arrived around 8pm. He got lost. Haha. My parents were already about to leave when the nurse stepped in and told us I'm ready to be discharged in the morning. Yey!
She took away my IV fluid, and after pulling off the needle, I was amazed after I saw how big it was. No wonder they had a hard time looking for a suitable vein the other night!
It's Saturday morning. Today, we need to get hospital clearances signed off. And pay the bills. My brother will take care of that but he's still sleeping.
After spending five evenings at RITM. I'm finally going home. But I won't be gone for long -- I'll be here again next week for another checkup.
The doctor gave me calcium gluconate intravenously around mid-day to counter the effect of preservatives added to the blood I received. She told me and my parents that they are still studying the lab results and trying to find out the next steps to take. She did mention that a bone marrow biopsy is a possible last resort. So I guess I have to prepare myself mentally and emotionally for that.
The rest of the day was pretty much another waiting game. My parents called for my youngest brother to accompany me so that they can go home.
My youngest brother arrived around 8pm. He got lost. Haha. My parents were already about to leave when the nurse stepped in and told us I'm ready to be discharged in the morning. Yey!
She took away my IV fluid, and after pulling off the needle, I was amazed after I saw how big it was. No wonder they had a hard time looking for a suitable vein the other night!
It's Saturday morning. Today, we need to get hospital clearances signed off. And pay the bills. My brother will take care of that but he's still sleeping.
After spending five evenings at RITM. I'm finally going home. But I won't be gone for long -- I'll be here again next week for another checkup.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Pumping new life into the bloodstream.
It was early morning Wednesday when I was waken by the nurse to tell me that the blood matching was completed and that the blood is ready for pickup. Again, he told us to hurry because the cut-off is at 12 noon.
So I called my parents up, who at that time were already preparing to go to the hospital, and told them the news. By 10am my parents were here. After a few minutes of freshening up, my dad picked up the request from the medical lab and went straight to DOH Tayuman. My mom stayed behind.
While my mom and I were talking, a visitor entered the room and caught me by surprise. Let's call him M. He is a friend I've been talking to online for quite a while now, and a fellow RITM patient. I was surprised because I completely forgot he was visiting. After saying hi's and hello's, M handed me a box of cranberry juice. And then said, "Magpapa-flu vaccine lang ako sa baba." My mom overheard. I panicked, I'll be busted. She asked my if the guy was a friend from college, I told her he was a friend visiting because he lives nearby. And my mom asked no more.
(To M, if you're reading this, I'm very sorry if I was not a very good host to you... I'll make it up to you when I'm better. And thank you very much for the cranberry juice!)
I immediately texted S, my dear friend who was also confined at RITM also for anemia (know more about S in my blog entry "False alarm!"). He was also at RITM for a checkup and asked him not to visit me while my parents were with me. Minutes after, someone knocked at the door, and guess who it was? Handsome S, wearing a face mask.
I introduced him to my mom and this time, I acted coolly. We had a few minutes of chit chat when S looked at his phone and told me, "Ngayon ko lang nabasa." Haha! He immediately excused himself.
(To S, if you're reading this, thank you for the visit. It's a pleasure as always, I'll see you paglabas ko dito.)
After S has left, my mom asked if he was working here. I told him no, he's just a visitor. I know something is already running through my mom's head, and I don't think she's buying my alibis anymore.
Around 1pm, my younger brother arrived. He is a registered nurse, albeit non-practicing. He will accompany me for the next two evenings.
At 2:30pm, my dad arrived with the blood, three bags in total, and handed them over to the medical lab. The medical lab will have to prepare the blood first before it can be transfused to me, and I was told it can take a while.
At around 5:30pm, my parents decided to leave. While they were preparing to leave, S popped his head into the room to say goodbye. After he left, my dad said, "Bakit sya naka-mask? May sakit ba sya?" All these naive questions are really making me feel uneasy. If this continues, I'll be busted soon. I told him this is an infectious disease hospital, baka nag-iingat lang.
My parents left a while after and I was left with my brother, who was obviously bored. He only had my laptop to keep him company. Good thing Sun Wireless Broadband was fast in this area. He was streaming movies after movies, occasionally stopping to buy medical supplies needed for my blood transfusion.
At around 12 midnight, I was informed that the blood was ready for transfusion. At around 1am, my nightmare started. They couldn't find a suitable vein to to stick the IV needle. They said I was dehydrated. Three different nurses, five unsuccessful attempts. Both my hands were full of cotton balls, and after a quick glance at the mirror, I swear I looked as pale as a ghost.
It was Doc Mark who successfully stuck a the needle in on the 6th attempt. I thanked him big time.
It was 4am on Thursday when blood started pumping through my veins. After sixteen hours, and three bags of blood, my lips were rosy again.
So I called my parents up, who at that time were already preparing to go to the hospital, and told them the news. By 10am my parents were here. After a few minutes of freshening up, my dad picked up the request from the medical lab and went straight to DOH Tayuman. My mom stayed behind.
While my mom and I were talking, a visitor entered the room and caught me by surprise. Let's call him M. He is a friend I've been talking to online for quite a while now, and a fellow RITM patient. I was surprised because I completely forgot he was visiting. After saying hi's and hello's, M handed me a box of cranberry juice. And then said, "Magpapa-flu vaccine lang ako sa baba." My mom overheard. I panicked, I'll be busted. She asked my if the guy was a friend from college, I told her he was a friend visiting because he lives nearby. And my mom asked no more.
(To M, if you're reading this, I'm very sorry if I was not a very good host to you... I'll make it up to you when I'm better. And thank you very much for the cranberry juice!)
I immediately texted S, my dear friend who was also confined at RITM also for anemia (know more about S in my blog entry "False alarm!"). He was also at RITM for a checkup and asked him not to visit me while my parents were with me. Minutes after, someone knocked at the door, and guess who it was? Handsome S, wearing a face mask.
I introduced him to my mom and this time, I acted coolly. We had a few minutes of chit chat when S looked at his phone and told me, "Ngayon ko lang nabasa." Haha! He immediately excused himself.
(To S, if you're reading this, thank you for the visit. It's a pleasure as always, I'll see you paglabas ko dito.)
After S has left, my mom asked if he was working here. I told him no, he's just a visitor. I know something is already running through my mom's head, and I don't think she's buying my alibis anymore.
Around 1pm, my younger brother arrived. He is a registered nurse, albeit non-practicing. He will accompany me for the next two evenings.
At 2:30pm, my dad arrived with the blood, three bags in total, and handed them over to the medical lab. The medical lab will have to prepare the blood first before it can be transfused to me, and I was told it can take a while.
At around 5:30pm, my parents decided to leave. While they were preparing to leave, S popped his head into the room to say goodbye. After he left, my dad said, "Bakit sya naka-mask? May sakit ba sya?" All these naive questions are really making me feel uneasy. If this continues, I'll be busted soon. I told him this is an infectious disease hospital, baka nag-iingat lang.
My parents left a while after and I was left with my brother, who was obviously bored. He only had my laptop to keep him company. Good thing Sun Wireless Broadband was fast in this area. He was streaming movies after movies, occasionally stopping to buy medical supplies needed for my blood transfusion.
At around 12 midnight, I was informed that the blood was ready for transfusion. At around 1am, my nightmare started. They couldn't find a suitable vein to to stick the IV needle. They said I was dehydrated. Three different nurses, five unsuccessful attempts. Both my hands were full of cotton balls, and after a quick glance at the mirror, I swear I looked as pale as a ghost.
It was Doc Mark who successfully stuck a the needle in on the 6th attempt. I thanked him big time.
It was 4am on Thursday when blood started pumping through my veins. After sixteen hours, and three bags of blood, my lips were rosy again.
The blood(y) process.
I had the opportunity to ask the lab technician about the process of getting replacement blood while she was extracting blood samples from me on Tuesday morning.
She told me that after my blood is taken, it will be blood-typed and the staff at the medical lab will look for a suitable blood for me from various sources. I asked if I still need to look for a donor to replace the blood, she said no. She told me that there is an agreement with the bloodbank at DOH and RITM that replacement blood for HIV patients will be for free, and there is no need to replace them. Cool, another freebi! She said all we need to do is to wait for the lab to finish blood typing and if a suitable blood is available at the bloodbank, they will make a request and ask my parents to pick blood 'segments' from DOH Tayuman. The blood segments are basically a sample of the replacement blood stored in the bloodbank and it needs to be matched with my own blood before the entire bag is taken. So although the blood is free, acquiring it is tedious because my parents will have to make two trips from Alabang to Tayuman.
I explained this to my parents, and although free blood is more than welcome, it did prompt another question. Why is my blood free, while other patients they talked to at the hospital told them they bought theirs? I tried to evade the question by saying I don't know.
It's another waiting game on Tuesday afternoon and my parents got bored, so they left and went to nearby Festval Mall for a stroll. I can't blame them, there was nothing to do in my room, and we didn't know when the request will be available.
At 6pm, the nurse informed me that the lab has found a suitable blood for me, and my parents need to pick it up as soon as possible, before 10pm. I quickly called my parents and they were back in half an hour. After my dad got the request, I told him that a nurse informed me we can use the ambulance to transport the blood segment if the ambulance and a driver is available. So my dad asked the nurse station if it was possible. Out of good fortune, the ambulance was available and they agreed to help us transport the segments provided we fill the tank.
At 7:30pm, the ambulance left the hospital with my parents to get the blood segments at DOH in Tayuman. The ambulance was back before midnight, without my parents though. They decided to head back home and return the following morning. The blood segments were handed over to the medical lab to confirm if it is a match for me, and I will be informed as soon as possible if it is.
Meanwhile, I was transferred to a new room -- a much smaller room, with a single bed, with electric fan and its own comfort room.
Again, I slept alone.
(To be continued.)
She told me that after my blood is taken, it will be blood-typed and the staff at the medical lab will look for a suitable blood for me from various sources. I asked if I still need to look for a donor to replace the blood, she said no. She told me that there is an agreement with the bloodbank at DOH and RITM that replacement blood for HIV patients will be for free, and there is no need to replace them. Cool, another freebi! She said all we need to do is to wait for the lab to finish blood typing and if a suitable blood is available at the bloodbank, they will make a request and ask my parents to pick blood 'segments' from DOH Tayuman. The blood segments are basically a sample of the replacement blood stored in the bloodbank and it needs to be matched with my own blood before the entire bag is taken. So although the blood is free, acquiring it is tedious because my parents will have to make two trips from Alabang to Tayuman.
I explained this to my parents, and although free blood is more than welcome, it did prompt another question. Why is my blood free, while other patients they talked to at the hospital told them they bought theirs? I tried to evade the question by saying I don't know.
It's another waiting game on Tuesday afternoon and my parents got bored, so they left and went to nearby Festval Mall for a stroll. I can't blame them, there was nothing to do in my room, and we didn't know when the request will be available.
At 6pm, the nurse informed me that the lab has found a suitable blood for me, and my parents need to pick it up as soon as possible, before 10pm. I quickly called my parents and they were back in half an hour. After my dad got the request, I told him that a nurse informed me we can use the ambulance to transport the blood segment if the ambulance and a driver is available. So my dad asked the nurse station if it was possible. Out of good fortune, the ambulance was available and they agreed to help us transport the segments provided we fill the tank.
At 7:30pm, the ambulance left the hospital with my parents to get the blood segments at DOH in Tayuman. The ambulance was back before midnight, without my parents though. They decided to head back home and return the following morning. The blood segments were handed over to the medical lab to confirm if it is a match for me, and I will be informed as soon as possible if it is.
Meanwhile, I was transferred to a new room -- a much smaller room, with a single bed, with electric fan and its own comfort room.
Again, I slept alone.
(To be continued.)
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Waiting for blood.
So here I am at RITM confined since Monday evening. It's now Wednesday afternoon. Allow me to tell you about my experiences so far.
The doctor told me I need to get admitted for blood transfusion around 5pm on Monday. Since I was half-expecting confinement, I already have an overnight bag with me and said ok.
I called my parents and told them that this time, I really have to undergo blood transfusion. But I told them there's no need to go to the hospital that night because there wasn't much to do, and the doctor said she won't put me on IV fluids yet.
So before I actually got admitted, I went to Festival Mall to buy myself some food to eat and toiletries. During my trip, a huge dilemma dawned upon me once more: is it time to tell my parents of my condition? I don't want to tell them because I don't want them to worry, and I didn't want to disappoint them. I want to tell them when I'm strong and normal, not when I'm confined at the hospital. But how can I hide it? The burden was so much, for the first time since finding out about my status, tears fell from my eyes. I felt stupid because tears were falling while I was doing my grocery, while paying at the cashier, ordering food and while having dinner. I guess I wasn't that strong after all.
So after doing my grocery, I went back to RITM. I was interviewed by the pretty doctor, Doc Sheena, who was very cool, and filled out all the forms needed for my admission. Unfortunately that night there was a scarcity of rooms, so they had to put me in a room that looks like it's never been used in a while, with no electric fan and no toilet. But I didn't complain because at least I was alone in the room.
I spent the evening alone. I wasn't able to sleep very well because of the heat, and they won't allow me to turn off the lights.
So far the only tests done with me are ECG and XRay, which were done before I got into the ward. I was instructed to fast so that they can extract blood in the morning and do some more tests.
At 7am, breakfast arrived: 1 piece of hotdog and a cup of rice, with no spoons nor forks. But I couldn't eat my breakfast yet because I'm fasting.
At 8am, it was time to take my ARVs, but I couldn't because my blood hasn't been extracted yet. So I followed up with the nurse. At 8:30am, staff from the clinical lab arrived and took my blood. Soon after the blood was taken, I took my anti-tb medication, isoniazid. After 30mins, I took my breakfast, barehanded, which I found homey, and took my ARVs afterwards. I took my ARVs late for about an hour.
Nothing much happened the entire morning. Around lunch time, a poz friend I met online visited me. He was at RITM for consultation also. After lunch my parents arrived, so my friend had to leave.
The first question my mom popped was, "Anak, paano ka ba nakarating sa pagkalayo-layong ospital na 'to?"
I laughed. Haha. But deep inside, I was uneasy. I told her this is the only public hospital in Metro Manila that is not congested and cheap. I'm not sure if she bought my alibi, but she never asked me again. Whew.
(To be continued.)
The doctor told me I need to get admitted for blood transfusion around 5pm on Monday. Since I was half-expecting confinement, I already have an overnight bag with me and said ok.
I called my parents and told them that this time, I really have to undergo blood transfusion. But I told them there's no need to go to the hospital that night because there wasn't much to do, and the doctor said she won't put me on IV fluids yet.
So before I actually got admitted, I went to Festival Mall to buy myself some food to eat and toiletries. During my trip, a huge dilemma dawned upon me once more: is it time to tell my parents of my condition? I don't want to tell them because I don't want them to worry, and I didn't want to disappoint them. I want to tell them when I'm strong and normal, not when I'm confined at the hospital. But how can I hide it? The burden was so much, for the first time since finding out about my status, tears fell from my eyes. I felt stupid because tears were falling while I was doing my grocery, while paying at the cashier, ordering food and while having dinner. I guess I wasn't that strong after all.
So after doing my grocery, I went back to RITM. I was interviewed by the pretty doctor, Doc Sheena, who was very cool, and filled out all the forms needed for my admission. Unfortunately that night there was a scarcity of rooms, so they had to put me in a room that looks like it's never been used in a while, with no electric fan and no toilet. But I didn't complain because at least I was alone in the room.
I spent the evening alone. I wasn't able to sleep very well because of the heat, and they won't allow me to turn off the lights.
So far the only tests done with me are ECG and XRay, which were done before I got into the ward. I was instructed to fast so that they can extract blood in the morning and do some more tests.
At 7am, breakfast arrived: 1 piece of hotdog and a cup of rice, with no spoons nor forks. But I couldn't eat my breakfast yet because I'm fasting.
At 8am, it was time to take my ARVs, but I couldn't because my blood hasn't been extracted yet. So I followed up with the nurse. At 8:30am, staff from the clinical lab arrived and took my blood. Soon after the blood was taken, I took my anti-tb medication, isoniazid. After 30mins, I took my breakfast, barehanded, which I found homey, and took my ARVs afterwards. I took my ARVs late for about an hour.
Nothing much happened the entire morning. Around lunch time, a poz friend I met online visited me. He was at RITM for consultation also. After lunch my parents arrived, so my friend had to leave.
The first question my mom popped was, "Anak, paano ka ba nakarating sa pagkalayo-layong ospital na 'to?"
I laughed. Haha. But deep inside, I was uneasy. I told her this is the only public hospital in Metro Manila that is not congested and cheap. I'm not sure if she bought my alibi, but she never asked me again. Whew.
(To be continued.)
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