Light at the end of a tunnel or close to it


Aaah, what a week I've had. It has been seven days since my last post. I will divulge the why's, what's and how's shortly. But first check out blackpeopleloveus.com then read this ny times article about it. Also read up on theses:


Harry hits puberty.

Shatner starts his trek.

Gore, our next president?



Phew! Okay, let me start about my week. On Monday morning, I got ready for work, but when I went to my kitchen to get some food I almost doubled over. My head started spinning out of control and I could catch my breath. I figured that I should stay home because I didn't want to pass out on the road or something like that. The rest of the day I stayed in bed. The next day I made it a mission for me to go to work. I usually wake up at 4:45 am to get ready then head out the door by 5:40. I started my daily morning routine. I was overwhelmed by nausea as I brushed my teeth. The head spinning and shortness of breath came back. This time I did double over. Fabienne woke up to me balling by the shower stall. It was so unusual for me to feel this way. I truly felt that it was my time to go. It seems that I was heading for the pearly gates. I felt so horrible. I stumbled to my bed where everything was a little better. I could feel my heart straining itself beating. *slush* *slush* I decided to call my job and tell them yet again that I won't be able to make it. I really never take off work unless it's when I have to take a vacation which comes once in a blue moon. My mother woke up and Fabienne told about my condition. Fabienne kept insisting that I go to the emergency room. I am not a person who enjoys hospitals but I was all for it this time around. After my mother dropped off Fabienne, she came in my room to check up on me. I wasn't getting better. Better for me was laying down on my bed. If I got up to walk I would drop for good. She wasn't sure If she should wait until later to take me to the hospital. I went to sleep, woke up but I felt worst than ever.

My mother called her friend Carline and asked for advice and Carline said that she will be right over. One of my bosses called me and asked me what was wrong as I was trying to call a fellow co-worker, Andrea, but her line wasn't working. I told my boss that this doesn't happen to me (i'm always the healthy girl) and my mother's doctor friend thinks that I might need a blood transfusion. At around 11 o'clock Carline came to our house. I went to the bathroom and when I came out I passed out in the hallway. My mother and Carline rushed to my aide and I told them I would be fine if I stayed still. I wasn't fine. I threw up in the sink in the kitchen then passed out again in my living room. A towel dabbed in rubbing alcohol was applied to my face for me to keep conscience. My poor mother and Carline dragged me to Carline's car. I could see Victor, my mother's boyfriend, pulling by the house. He asked my mother what he could do to help. I am not sure what she said to him. I was lying in the backseat.

At the hospital, I was given a wheelchair and I waited to be called. In the waiting area, a women's health talk show was playing on the television. I was wheeled to another area where the nurse took down some information from me. I was then moved to the actual emergency room and was given a stretcher. I waited for the doctor. I was a while till the doctor came. I went to the bathroom and things just went downhill. I vomited and passed out again. Only this time I could remember who got me up on the stretcher or how I ended up next to the nurses desk. I was told that I would need a blood transfusion. My mother was strongly against it in fear of the blood being contaminated. What If I caught Hepatitis or worst some other dreadful life altering disease? The results came back on my blood levels. I had a hemoglobin level of 3.2. A normal person's level is at 13. If I didn't have the blood transfusion I would have died. I was told that I would be getting 4 pints of blood. Good grief! The nurses, as nice as they are, butchered my arms. First the IV, then after the first pint, they need to take some blood from me to run some tests.

Mother called everybody she knew. My father came from Long Island to be by my side. My aunts and cousin also came to see me. I was mostly asleep while they were in the room because I was so drowsy. The doctors told me that I would be taken to ICU later that night. After the second transfusion close to midnight, my visitors slowly made their way back home. They provided me with such positive vibes and I am forever thankful. I said goodbye to my mother and Fabienne. Finally, at 4 am the orderly came and took me to ICU. I was probed some more by friendly nurses asking for my blood per my doctor's orders. In total of my stay at the hospital, they took 13 or more vials of blood. I will not comment on how humiliating being in ICU was for me.

The next day, or should I say the next few hours, my doctor told me why I was moved to ICU. I was tested for Leukemia. It seems that my case is very similar to early onsets of Leukemia. The test came back negative. It didn't hit me like it should have but I was relieved. I would be moved to another room later that day. Mother came by and brought some food. I was very thankful. She stayed with me until 8 pm. She looked so tired. I felt bad for putting her through all that. I was moved once again to another room.

The doctors are still not sure what caused me to have my condition. Some say that it might be hereditary but it's is too soon to venture a guess. I was told not to go to work for the next two weeks. I would have to be on strict bed rest during that time. I have to watch my diet and eat lots of greens and food with iron. I always wanted to be a veg-head maybe this is my calling. I have been home since Thursday night. My arms are still very sore from the IV. I have been sleeping for long hours at a time. I am grateful that I am well and loved. This ends my tale. I will go to sleep now.

G'night.


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