Live Blogging from Iron Infusion

I’m cracking myself up here!  I love to blog.  And I am trying to live blog from my iron infusion.  Thought I’d hit you with some pictures from the event!  It’s nice and quiet here.  Sometimes it can be busy.  I found a great seat in the corner and the nurses were so friendly and helpful.  They loved the fact that I had brought my computer with me and I was documenting my infusion.  I know many of you want to know what this is all about so I am going to try and do my best to show you.

I actually got up and ran this morning!  Am I nuts?  Well yeah kind of!  Last year I started running twice a week and recently I tweaked my routine to Monday, Wednesday, Friday.  So now three days!  And I know I feel better when I run so I RUN!!!  It was wet this morning and I knew I had to get here for 9am.  So if I was going to run it was going to be before the school bus!!  I talked Ryan into it and we were off!!  He on his scooter and me, well running!!

I’m doing 2.25 miles now.  That’s my thing.  I think I can do 3, but I’m not quite there mentally.  I could totally pull it out of me but it would be hard to repeat.  SO instead I am going to increase my distance by .25  a mile until I’ve got 3 under my belt at each run.  I’ve learned to build it slowly.  Don’t go all gang busters or you won’t stick with it.

So got the run in, cleaned up and got the boy on the bus!  Off to hospital.  Checked in and got settled.  I brought all my gear with me.  iPhone, MacBook, some paper work etc.  I was all set.

I found a great seat in the corner and the nurses were so friendly and helpful.  They loved the fact that I had brought my computer with me and I was documenting my infusion.  I know many of you want to know what this is all about so I am going to try and do my best to show you.

I was only getting one bag of iron.  So it would take about 2-3 hours totals.  They made sure I was me and then made sure we both agreed what I was having done. Check, check , check!

My Ferritin level is at 23 which is not critically low but low.  And I have been dragging so it is worth getting it done.  My hematologist and I both know that it will just keep going down so makes sense to get it now.

They take your blood pressure a lot!  Every 15 minutes that is.  And they start with that.  Then to fun part.  Finding the vein.  These women are experts in the medical day care unit.  So leave it to them they will make it work!  I think the anticipation of finding the right vein is the hardest part.  The putting in of the catheter  is quick and just a pinch, but they do tape it down in the event there is a hurricane!  I was thinking “how the hell are we going to get all that tape off!”

So there it is!

And I’m hooked up to the pole on my right which holds the bag of yummy brown IRON!!!

So did I tell you that they take your blood pressure!!  It seemed like they just wanted to blog with me.  They were here every 15 minutes.  Can’t a girl get some blogging quiet?!  As you can see from the monitor, I’ve got me some GOOD blood pressure.  That was the highest reading of the morning.  We saw many readings lower than that one.  In fact the nurse asked me, “are you a runner?”  OMG I can’t believe she asked me that!  Music to my ears.  That must mean I may look like a healthy person!  Made my day!!  In fact I’ve always had low blood pressure even as an over weight person.  But I’ll take the great running question any day!!

So the bag is coming to an end and these efficient nurses will have me out of here in no time!  Let me know if you have any questions!  Here is a summary of what I recommend if you need to do this:

1. Eat something before you go.  And bring a drink.  I found that they will offer you food but it may not be what you want (hint, hint)
2. Use the bathroom before you get hooked up! critical!  You don’t want to take your pole with you to the girls room
3. Bring things to do.  Or you can watch TV.  I opted for live blogging!!  Tee hee.
4. Take a moment to look around and thank God for your health.  Medical Day Care services many ill patients.  Realize that you have already taken your health into your hands and you are managing your health!

There you have it!  Nurses remind me that I need to recheck my blood work in two weeks and give me a lab sheet.

I have the rest of the day to myself.  Hmm what should I do?!

Don’t forget to leave me a question/comment.  I love questions!