We are back!

Back at home. Yes, I have a bit of a cold, but that is minor compared to what my hubby came back with! While we were away, we had a really good time of it. Really. But I have to say, we did have our share of strange "mishaps." Although all turned out fine.

The first incident was that Dh(dear husband) got bit on the ankle by a cat. Yes, a cat. I kid you not. He was playing with the thing, (it was a little rough) but it didn't break his skin until he started walking away. It was then that the thing pounced on his ankle and bit him, leaving two little vampire - cat puncture marks. So, after doing some research we decide its prudent for him to get rabie shots. So, ok.... which actually are not as bad as "the old days" ....so Dh informs me. He said the needle is in the arm and quite small now. But he did have to get 5 shots. Poor guy.

So that was number one. The second major health issue we had was that Dh developed something called ITP. THat is short for "not good, this can kill you." Actually it stands for something else and actually it kills very few people, but you can die from it. And at one point we weren't too sure what the outcome would be.

For those of you who know my husband, he is generally a very healthy, very physically strong person. But one evening I noticed some red dots on his skin. We thought maybe it was an allergic reaction to the detergent used to wash the sheets or something like that.

The next day the dots spread, then he started bruising very easily. We decided that although it was probably nothing, that we would pop into the hospital and get him checked quickly that evening ...just in case it was "something."

So, long story short....he got a bloodtest, and it was discovered that his blood platlet level was at 10% of what it should be. That is not good. You need your platlets for your blood to clot normally. He was admitted to the hospital immediately. They were afraid that he would start to bleed somewhere in his body- (joints, or brain) The doctor was very good. He spoke english and reassurred us that he sees a few cases of this every year and usually it responds well to some medication. So, they put him on some medication within the hour.( The name ITP simply means a loss of platlets due to some unknown cause. )

We were both very surprised that it was something that serious. And we were both nervous about him starting to spontaneously bleed. He had had a headache all day. But we were expecting that by morning he would be somewhat better.....that the medicine would kick in and do it's thing.

The next day was an incredible crazy wild ride. I went back to the hospital the next day, he was in good spirits, and had had a good sleep. The nurses took his blood in the afternoon, and the results came back worse that before!! His platlet level had dropped to only 2.5% of what they are supposed to be. So the doctor said that they would have to transfer him to a larger hospital in a big city to get a platlet transfusion. Hooo boy - we did not expect that. Immediately your mind starts going through all the "what ifs".... "What if he has a brain hemmorage on the way to the hospital?" "What if the platlets are somehow infected with something else that will kill him?" ....well, those were actually my only two big what ifs, but they went around in my head multiple times, plus they have other what if's associated with them.

The ambulance wasn't ready to go until 10pm, so I had time to run back to the hotel and grab stuff for both of us to take with us. Then I rode along in the ambulance with him. We made what I think is a two and a half to three hours drive in two hours. We practically flew there. Which on the whole is a bad idea for someone with ITP on bumpy roads. But maybe no one told the ambulance driver that. It was incredibly bumpy.

Once we got to the hospital in the larger center, any fears that I had about quality of service quickly disappeard. It was nicer than the Hilton. It was crazy nice. Very clean, professional and amazing service! Dh got looked over in the ER, blood tests taken...they concluded that he had survived the trip with no bleeding, and they said they'd evaluate in the morning when the results of his blood test would come back and the it could be decided as to whether or not they'd do the transfusion. They said that the hematologist would be in in the morning.


Ok, I know this is lame, but it is getting late and I have to get up early in the morning, so I will have to leave you hanging on the proverbial cliff. Just until tomorrow...... when I will finish this story--------- as there is no way I can finish tonight!! (sheepishly) SOrrryy!!

TO BE CONTINUED

Quick note

Ok, we are back, and I am tired. I have the sniffles and a sore throat, so I need to go to bed...especially since tomorrow will be a busy day with an early morning. We are fine though. I will write up an actual post on sunday. Sorry for the lack of posting.

Upon arriving back, the weather has been quite nice... nicer than I expected...I was bracing myself for grey, cold misty....but it's been reasonably sunny, and quite warm.

Ok...will write something soon!!

Questions....

Ok, while I will share later about our trip, I would like to respond to Peg's questions that she tagged me with awhile back- (sorry if the responses aren't too interesting- internet cafe- can't think)

Here's the deal: Remove the blog in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone up one place.
Then add your blog to the bottom slot, like so:

Clare Pink Cupcake
Queen of West Procrastination(oops I did something to this one!)
VanderMeander
following the herd
The confused foreigner
(Sorry I haven't learned to link yet)


Next select five people to tag (only if you wanna, no pressure):
Kirsten
Amy
Tiffany

What were you doing 10 years ago? Just started work as an egg farmer, bought my first pair of overalls. I was moonlighting as an undercover RCMP officer in Rosthern SK....well, no, just kidding...... I had just reported to my first assignment working with you know who. If you don't know who that is you can email me. :) I was living in Saskatoon, with 4 other roomates at 204 Central. It was all quite a blast.Good memories.

What were you doing one year ago?
Living overseas trying to learn a new language among other things.

Five snacks you enjoy:
milk chocolate
vegetable thins with milk
hummus on wheat thins
ice cream
chocolate chip cookies


Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:
I like papayas
Theme to the Flintstones
Lord Most High (From the Ends of the Earth)
Brown Eyed Girl
Faithful One



Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
Let me think about that one....


Five bad habits:Leaving some food on my plate....even if it's just a bite, I almost always leave a morsel...I don't know why( I didn't even notice until someone pointed it out recently) ; letting receipts and papers accumulate in my purse; slouching; eating too much fattening stuff!; forgetting the clothes in the washer for too long.

Five things you like doing: Dancing; being in nature; swimming; singing worship songs; good conversation with friends (usually should include something we all find quite funny).

Five things you would never wear again:
1994 red satin bridesmaid dress; skin tight acid wash jeans; mall bangs; very very large glasses; duck boots (killer blisters!)

Favourite toys:
Settlers of Catan- have you played? very fun.
Skip Bo: my husband and I play this a lot, it is one of the only games I can fairly consistently beat him at. He is good at most games.
Fashion Plates: I think it was a Christmas gift from my parents when I was about 10- it's a fashion design sketch plate thing for kids it could easily go on the list of all time best little girl gifts.
Barbies: they were one of my all time fav's
Lego: no explanation needed.

Note: someone in this small internet cafe has intense onion breath.

At long last!

Ok ok, I know, I know, I've been gone for a long time....sorry for the long hiatus. I've been on the road so to speak, and I didn't end up having a lot of online time...so not much posting has happened. I will write some hilights and low lights of our trip soon,but we are currently still on the road and I can't think very well in internet cafes for some reason. Let's just say it's been an eventful time- including rabie shots, an attack of the flying gecko, a frightful night time visitor, and one fairly close to near death experience. Stay tuned for this and more. ("the more" being things like rest, helpful learnings, and refocused perspective..etc) And we are both just fine.