Ok, here goes.
Last Sunday morning I was getting ready to leave for a Santa Fe trip, and I had a small accident while getting things on the house all set up. The forecast said rain, and I wanted to make sure my water catchment system was fully functional before I left. I slipped coming down off my ladder and bumped my mouth. It really didn’t feel like any big deal whatsoever, but the tooth I bumped started to bleed and didn’t want to stop.

I really wasn’t sure if this was going to interfere with work or not. Knowing that one should never work with an open wound…but it seemed so minor…it was almost laughable!!

But being the cautious, health conscious girl I am, I decided to stop by the emergency room on my way out of town because the silly thing continued to bleed and swell!!!

While the ER Docs were assesing the situation, they took a blood sample. That’s when stuff started to get really weird!!! LOL. My Doc came back with the results wearing an unpleasant grimace. My heart goes out to Doctors having to deliver bad news, and I tried to be my normal chipper smiley self. He said that my Platelet level was extremely low and my blood had lost it’s ability to clot. A normal platelet count is between 150,000 - 400,000. My count was at 11,000. He stated sternly that I needed to be admitted into the hospital immediately and that I was in danger of bleeding to death. Me, being me, I nodded and smiled. I think I said something to the effect of “of course I do.” He took this to mean that I wasn’t taking him seriously and he continued to drive home the point that this was extremely serious and I could die!! Which made me laugh….because what else can one do when they realize their plans for the day have been completely derailed???

Ok, so that part sounds terribly scarey. And more craziness ensued. But I’ll skip ahead to the good news!!! This blood condition is NOT work related!!! YEA! It is NOT contagious!!! YEA! and it is NOT Luekemia!!! YEA! It IS treatable!!! YEA!

In fact, as of today, my platelet levels are back up into the normal range. However, I had to undergo an intense treatment of steriods to get that level back up…and I haven’t found this treatment to be at all pleasant!!!

The experience as a whole had merit. As an observer in a world where control cannot be maintained by a single individual, I feel blessed by the carnival ride type of life experiences that I collect as I go. I always try to welcome the new ones, however difficult they appear at first glance.

The first night in the hospital was the hardest. I wasn’t aloud to get out of bed alone, or cross the room without an escort. I had a guard while I peed!!! Now, if I had felt sick or somehow diabilitated…this may have seemed normal. But I felt fine and strong, so it seemed a little like the Twilight Zone. I had to sleep with bed railings up!!
And they kept reiterating, that if I should fall…I could die. A bizaar sensation that causes in a persons brain, let me tell you!!

But I remained calm and mostly amused. I have always understood life to be a precious delicate thing, not to be taken for granted. And I truly believe that I have lived most of my days accordingly. But I spent that first night in a very deep mediatative state, communing with my heart and body. I used visualization technique to focus my life energy on creating platelets. And whether or not it was my spiritual healing powers or the harsh chemicals flowing through my IV…no one can say…but I got better each day!!!!

They released me a few days later when my count was up to 62,000. I’m still undergoing the treatment, and seeing a Hemotologist in Santa Fe. And the prognosis is good. I should have no problem monitoring my self and staying out of danger. And it is not a cause for early retirement!! In fact, I hope to be back to work fairly soon!!! I MISS YOU GUYS!!!

As many of you know, I’ve spent some time in the hospital recently. But before I get into a post about my radical experience…I have to write my heart felt Thank Yous to all of the incredible people who have rallied around me to give support!!!

First to my bestfriend Twilight, without her, my life would have an unspeakable void. No one else can laugh and cry with me the way she can!!! And of course thanks to her awesome husband who raced her to be at my side when I needed her. He has never hesitated to go an extra mile or two or three for a friend!!

Second to my dearfriend, sister in spirit, Megan Fein. Who immediately determined that we have the same blood type and was instantly on stand by in the event that I needed an emergency transfusion. After-all, we have to keep our “working girl” blood pure!!! LOL
She was on stand by with more than blood though, she had prayers and support sent my way from everyone!!!

Next a special thank you to my wonderful special gentlemen who make my life a fuller experience on so many levels. Thanks to the men who sent me flowers. A girl can’t help feeling better being surrounded by beautiful things!! Thanks to the men who sent me cute and funny e-cards…although I got them days late, I really enjoyed each one!! Thanks to the special man who shared his wealth of medical knowledge with me patiently and helped to increase my awareness….You are a true patient Advocate!!!! And a very special thank you to the man who sat on the phone with me, to share a beautiful sunset, during my first night in the hospital. A sexy and soothing voice after visiting hours is just what I needed!!