Went for my blood test first thing in the morning at the
hospital, cause I had some training nearby, which is to
do with my current employment..
Date: 01 February 2003
> Impending visits to the hospital this week<
The countdown to going hospital happens now. I'm sure there's
a mental thing which happens when I know an impending hospital
visit is due. Anyway, I have a blood test due on 04 February
and transfusion due on 07 February. I'll keep you
posted.
Date: 20 December 2002
> Blood transfusion<
Written on 01 February 2003 - from what I recall everything
went fine with this blood transfusion. I do recall being
tired beyond comprehension! :)
Date: 08 November 2002
> Blood transfusion<
Everything went ok today. Got there 15 minutes late, which
was ok as they weren't ready for my transfusion yet.
Canula was inserted after the second attempt, and Medazolam
given. Next thing I remember was being woken up and the
tube taken out...
They used a different kind of needle/tube today (and from
memory I think the last time too). This new needle gives
less resistance when it's taken out. This causes around
75% less pain, so you just get the sensation of the tube
withdrawal, not the pain usually associated with it. Why
couldn't they use it in the first place???
As always with Medazolam I recollect little fragments of
thoughts which I believe happened while I was under the
influence. Today's recollection was just of pain. I do not
know exactly all what happens, and I do notice the nurse's
reluctance to tell me everything that happened! See specimen
A: Taj - :o)
Saturday...
Slept like a "baby" last night :o) - I was well
worn out after yesterday.
Spent most of today just resting, sorting out stuff on
the computer... My weekend feels so short after Medazolam
:o)
Date: 05 November 2002
> Blood Test<
Just a blood test today, which was straight forward. Bought
a digital camera recently and took it with me. See pictures
page for the result of this :)
Date: 09 October 2002
> Doctor's Appointment at Hospital<
Had a doctor's appointment today which went
well. These 6-monthly sessions are to see how my treatment
is going and to ensure I am happy with the service provided.
If there are any issues which I feel need to be raised I can
also raise them at these appointments.
Feritin (hope that's the right spelling) is
present in the blood and based on the amount your iron level
can be calculated from it (that's what I think anyway). If
this builds up too much they will have to think about giving
me a drug to bring it down. The level of Feritin would have
to be around 2000 to start using the drug, but as I understand
it my level is way below this.
In general the doctor feels my treatment is
going well and that there are no issues which need our attention.
Date: 27 September 2002
> Blood transfusion<
Went to work before going for my transfusion today, and also
phoned before making my way to ensure they weren't busy with
another patient before I went.
Arrived around 14:00, and canula was sited and transfusion
given. This was a straight-forward procedure, hardly any pain
when I awoke (I think I remember them saying something about
a new form of femoral line tube). If all transfusions went
this way I would be very happy! :) Altogether a good experience.
Date: 25 September 2002
> Blood Test<
Went to the hospital before going to work today. I find it
works out better this way than to start work then go
to hospital.
Everything went ok, and they are prepared for my transfusion
on Friday.
Date: 23 August 2002
> Blood transfusion<
Arrived at the hospital at 13:00, as appointed, but as they
were understaffed (damn NHS) I had to come back in an hour.
Seeing as I had a heavy bag I thought I might as well go home
and drop it off while I had the strength, and then come back
to the hospital.
Arrived back about 14:25, and they STILL weren't ready (inside
I was frustrated), but I didn't lose my temper (I never really
do anyway). They had to wheel in another bed, then moved the
other person (who was unconscious from the Medazolam) and
put the bed which I was to be on where they were (next to
the blood machine).
Awoke at around 17:45pm, everything had gone OK with the
transfusion (according to the Haematologist).
As I still had concerns with regards to my liver being tender,
I had asked the doctor to be present today. I informed the
staff there that I had arranged this, and the 'bleeped' the
doctor to come to the ward. My liver wasn't hurting like it
was the other day, so when the doctor felt it, there were
no complications. Doctors always give you this look
like, "are you sure you're telling the truth?",
which I got the feeling of today (which I hate so much!) but
we'll leave it at that. My liver was slightly enlarged, but
the doctor looked at some results from 1999, and my liver
was a little enlarged from back then (i.e. no real problems
then). My results were still not present from the ultrasound
I had had recently.
A canula was sited and Medazolam was given around 15:15.
I tried to resist the drug (i.e. not fall asleep), but the
next thing I knew I was awoken around 18:00 (so I failed!!!
:o). Today I had some recollection of pain (maybe when I wasn't
fully unconscious), but the nurse didn't relay any of this
information to me.
Altogether this was a successful transfusion, although the
day didn't start out as if it would be this way. Nothing to
follow up really, the next appointment has been booked for
roughly 5 weeks away, so hopefully no problems in between
then.
Date: 21 August 2002
> Blood Test<
I came to the hospital before work today, didn't want to
start work, then leave, then go back to work again. Got there
about 9:00am or so. I let the nurse know I had an ultrasound
as my liver wasn't feeling 100%, and she said if I was worried
then we could arrange for a doctor to be present on 23 August
when I was due for my transfusion.
The blood test went without problem.
Date: 6 August 2002
> Hospital - Ultrasound<
Went to the hospital today for an ultrasound due to some
tenderness in the liver area. The result was that my liver
was a little enlarged, but that everything was OK. The enlargement
of the liver was/is put down to Sickle Cell, and therefore
nothing to worry about (if it doesn't hurt any more etc).
Date: 2? July2002
> Doctors - worried about liver<
Went to the doctor's surgery as I am concerned about my liver
(as it hurts when I press the area). He confirmed it was a
little large, but that it was nothing to worry about. He told
me to book an appointment at the hospital (see
above).
Date: 7 June 2002
> Blood transfusion<
I cannot remember the specifics to this blood transfusion,
but if there were any problems I would remember them (if you
know what I mean). Nothing to report here...
Date: 17 April 2002
> Blood test, for transfusion due on Friday<
Just a standard blood test procedure, to which the vein was
found promptly. Have hospital appointment on Wednesday for
blood transfusion. Lately have noticed that I haven't been
feeling 100%, which usually happens around this time. Started
taking notice of my s% etc lately, results for this weren't
at the hospital (someone didn't fill out the form for this
result!).
Date: 01 March 2002
> Blood transfusion<
Arrived at the hospital at 09:30am, as appointed.
Medazolam given at around 10:00am
Awoke at around 12:45pm, everything had gone OK with the
transfusion (according to the Haematologist).
Whenever I have Medazolam, I do notice a side effect of it,
which is that throughout the remainder of the day I'm fine,
but I have trouble recollecting my thoughts from earlier.
If I'm reminded of something that happened, I am more likely
to 'remember' it.
Date: 26 February 2002
> Blood test, for transfusion due on Friday<
Going for a blood test today, which is for my blood transfusion
which I am booked in for on Friday. Hopefully this will all
go OK (meaning they'll find the vein in one jab, not two or
three!).
Date: 02 February 2002
> Stayed in, treating pain with analgaesics <
Stayed in for most of the day today, just treating pain still
with analgesics, but it's getting better now, so much better
in fact that I am going to go to work on Monday. Went out
later to do a little socialising, but came in after about
1 hour cause I don't want to push my luck!
This is the last update of the current pain at the moment,
as there's no point continuing if there's no real pain to
document.
Osei
** current pain score **
- jaw = 15%, chest = 10%, rib pain = 20%
Date: 01 February 2002
> Stayed in, treating pain with analgaesics <
Woke up at 10:47am - realising that I could go to the doctor's
if I was quick. So, quickly left to get the doctor's opinion
on the pain which I have in my stomach / lower rib area. Arrived
there at 11:30am (morning closing time) and was quickly seen
by the doctor.
Conclusion: a quick diagnosis by the doctor was that
the bones in the rib actually make a lot of the blood
so the pain I am feeling in this area is from the lower rib
which makes the blood just aching from making the blood
so quickly (and to do with the sickle cell etc.), so there
was nothing to worry about.
So, it's 12:08am and I'm writing this. I'm not sure if I
can trust the doctor on what he's said. I know he's a doctor,
and with many years of experience couldn't doubt his
information, but from what I feel in my rib area it doesn't
feel as though it's a small issue. With this pain, I will
remain aware of it and hopefully it will not cause
problems in the future.
At the moment, my CPSs are:
** current pain score **
- jaw = 35%, chest = 25%, rib pain = 30%
Date: 31 January 2002
> Stayed in, treating pain with analgaesics <
Woke up at 10:47am - realising that I could go to the doctor's
if I was quick. So, quickly left to get the doctor's opinion
on the pain which I have in my stomach / lower rib area. Arrived
there at 11:30am (morning closing time) and was quickly seen
by the doctor.
Conclusion: a quick diagnosis by the doctor was that
the bones in the rib actually make a lot of the blood
so the pain I am feeling in this area is from the lower rib
which makes the blood just aching from making the blood
so quickly (and to do with the sickle cell etc.), so there
was nothing to worry about.
So, it's 12:08am and I'm writing this. I'm not sure if I
can trust the doctor on what he's said. I know he's a doctor,
and with many years of experience couldn't doubt his
information, but from what I feel in my rib area it doesn't
feel as though it's a small issue. With this pain, I will
remain aware of it and hopefully it will not cause
problems in the future.
At the moment, my CPSs are:
** current pain score **
- jaw = 35%, chest = 25%, rib pain = 50%
Date: 30 January 2002
> Stayed in, treating pain with analgaesics <
The pain was better today than it ever was. I think it's
on it's way out so I should be able to go to work next week.
I am able to eat better today (which is a good thing cause
I enjoy my food) but I haven't been able to eat properly for
the duration of feeling unwell.
** current pain score **
- jaw = 50%, chest = 35%, suspected hernia / rib / stomach
pain = 50%
Date: 29 January 2002
> Stayed in, treating pain with analgaesics <
Woke up at around 4 in the morning, took pain killers (as
the pain was quite severe). Woke up at about 13:00, as my
aunt had previously rang my phone and had come round but had
had no answer at the door (cause I was asleep). When she arrived
back I heard the door and let her in. Said she was worried.
Stayed in looking after myself. As I am not feeling any pain
at the moment I have thoughts of going into work.
Update: Pain is coming back - definitely not going
into work tomorrow as there would be no point being in pain
whilst working.
Pain Update: Pain is bad in my jaw, cannot chew my food
properly. Chest pain is still the same
** current pain score **
- jaw = 65%, chest = 35%, suspected hernia / rib / stomach
pain = 50%
Date: 28 January 2002
> Didn't go into work today - went to the hospital as
pain still present <
Well, woke up in the morning, and notified work that I wouldn't
be attending today. Pain is still bad, as it was in the beginning
and hasn't eased up at all.
Phoned the hospital and told them of the situation, that
I had been feeling the same all weekend. They advised that
I come in and have an x-ray and a general checkup.
Arrived at around 2:45pm. Had my sats taken (98%) and blood
pressure. They aren't sure of why I am still having pain,
considering I had a blood transfusion on Friday. I was given
an x-ray form and sent down to the x-ray department to have
a chest x-ray done. Results came back OK (but the Haemotologist
said she thought my stomach area (which is hurting) was a
suspected hernia).
The doctor said that the x-ray was fine. No indications of
any kind of infection like pneumonia could be seen from the
x-ray To tell you the truth, I don't think they knew exactly
anything that I was having. No abnormalities could be felt
for the pains I am feeling around my rib/stomach area. There
are no swellings around my jaw or anything, but it hurts like
hell! For the past 3 mornings I have trouble to eat toast
- just to show you the extent it hurts.
All other functions are as normal. Hospital prescribed me
with:
Ibuprofen 400mg (1 to
be taken 3 times daily)
Co-proxamol (2 to be
taken at 4 hour intervals, no more than 8 in 24 hours)
Amoxycillin (antibiotics - to get rid of any general infections
I may have)
Mouthwash (for some small tongue ulcers)
Bonjela Teething Gel (related to the tongue ulcers??? - )
Date: 26-27 January 2002
> Stayed in, treating pain with analgaesics <
The pain hasn't gotten any better, but is under control with
analgaesics, which is OK I suppose.
Contemplating whether to go into hospital or not, but this
will only involve morphine
and being 'doped up', which isn't a nice feeling. Hopefully
I will get better over the course of the next few days. Not
going into work tomorrow, will phone in the morning to let
them know...
Pain Update: No more back pain, but jaw is worse and pain
still in chest.
Date: 25 January 2002
> Went to the hospital for blood transfusion (1:00pm)
<
Well, woke up as normal today, still in pain. Went to do
things before the hospital, then started making my way at
12:15. Arrived at the hospital at 12:45 and had to wait as
there was someone who had to have an emergency transfusion,
which I was not happy about.
Had a line sited and the drugs which I was to be given drawn
up into syringes. When they were finally ready (roughly 45
minutes later), I was then guided towards ANOTHER chair! Now,
I'm not a fussy person, but you can not give a transfusion
in a chair (reclining or not)! They could see I was not happy
about this, and went and wheeled a bed from another cubicle.
My S% was 59%, which is high for me, and is the reason
for me having my aches and pains.. When they brought the bed
in I was administered my sedation, Medazolam, and then woke
up around 4 hours later, to be told I had an x-ray (which
I knew nothing about because I was sedated), and that everything
went OK with the transfusion.
I still wasn't happy with the treatment I had received today,
and so hence me writing all this on my website (which previously
wasn't updated for 2 months). Hopefully all these problems
will be OK for next time. Still feeling the effects of the
sedation to a certain extent right now. I will wake up in
the morning not remembering all the things I have done today.
such is life...
Date: 24 January 2002
> Took the day off work <
Didn't go into work today. Woke up this morning and having
a considerable amount of pain. Going to phone the hospital
if things get any worse to let them know I will be coming
in.
Pain Update: Still hurting, but not going to go into hospital.
Will attend appointed blood transfusion tomorrow as planned.
Date: 23 January 2002
> Having pains today - also hospital for blood
test (1:00pm)<
Last night (22nd) I went to bed early, feeling tired
and lethargic. Woke up in the morning feeling pretty
much the same way, however, when I went to work I started
to have aches and pains, reminiscent of a crisis. I
took the day easy, not doing anything too strenuous,
and went to the hospital for my appointed blood test.
The nurses at the hospital gave me coproxamol
which helped the pain a little. Went back to work to
finish the day and then went home and rested. The pain
lasted all day, and didn't 'let up', which gave me reason
to believe I would be having a crisis.
Jaw hurting a little, like when I am going to have
a crisis. Took more analgaesics, pain subsided.
Areas affected: Back (all over), chest (mostly left
side) and jaw (left)
Date: 07 December 2001
> Went to the hospital for blood transfusion (1:00pm)
<
Had to wait 30 minutes, as the person before arrived
1h 30mins late for their appointment. When transfused
I normally have a bed, as it is much easier to site the
femoral line in the groin. However, as the person before
me was late I had to have a reclining chair. Wasn't very
happy about this situation!
Date: 05 December 2001
> Went to the hospital for blood test <
Two days before I have a blood transfusion I have a blood
test to cross-match the blood I will be transfused with.
I went on my lunch break from work (taking up all my allocated
time).
Date: 27 November 2001
> Hospital just phoned, appointment postponed <
The hospital just phoned to say my appointment has been moved
back to next week Friday (7 December 2001)... Also, my throat
is better now.
I think my throat is going to get better now, so I won't update
with anything about this anymore. I have a hospital appointment
booked for Friday 30 November 2001. Update will appear after
this...
Woke up being able to talk okay this morning. Still taking
medication as prescribed, and drinking plenty of fluids. Hopefully
I will be a lot better tomorrow.