Come one, Come all
May 5, 2013
Sorry this is a little bit of shameless self promotion but we're having a yard sale this coming Saturday. And by we I mean me, my sister, my parents and my friends. So it is a multifamily yard sale of massive proportions! Seriously, I'm unloading a lot of my stuff so you might find something for not very much money. And as a bonus - I will be inside my sisters air conditioned house (I'm kind of a stinker - I'll let her stay outside) so come visit me and pick up a few things if you feel so inclined. Message Adele or I on FB to get the address (we'll be at Adele's house in Lehi)
Love to you all,
Martha
Sorry this is a little bit of shameless self promotion but we're having a yard sale this coming Saturday. And by we I mean me, my sister, my parents and my friends. So it is a multifamily yard sale of massive proportions! Seriously, I'm unloading a lot of my stuff so you might find something for not very much money. And as a bonus - I will be inside my sisters air conditioned house (I'm kind of a stinker - I'll let her stay outside) so come visit me and pick up a few things if you feel so inclined. Message Adele or I on FB to get the address (we'll be at Adele's house in Lehi)
Love to you all,
Martha
Fame
When you are in the hospital with PML MRI's and spinal taps are kind of your lot in life. I had to get an MRI almost every week. Let's just say I was on a first name basis with the MRI team, which is not exactly how I want to be well known.
My sister and I go to the temple every Wednesday to do inititories. We are becoming quite famous there with the 6:30 crowd.We know nearly every sister temple worker and they usually say hi to us. Even the brothers at the recommend desk know us. If I'm going to be famous I would much rather be famous for going to the temple than going to get MRI's. They even call us the sister's Parker. Supposedly, the temple ladies fight over who gets to help me, probably because I'm in a wheelchair. But they don't know that they are blessing my life as much as I am theirs.
My sister and I go to the temple every Wednesday to do inititories. We are becoming quite famous there with the 6:30 crowd.We know nearly every sister temple worker and they usually say hi to us. Even the brothers at the recommend desk know us. If I'm going to be famous I would much rather be famous for going to the temple than going to get MRI's. They even call us the sister's Parker. Supposedly, the temple ladies fight over who gets to help me, probably because I'm in a wheelchair. But they don't know that they are blessing my life as much as I am theirs.
Miscellaneous
April 14, 2013
Sorry I haven't written in a while. This post is going to be chock full of random things. I went to Costco the other day, on a Saturday about 5:30pm. Don't do that! In my wheelchair I was about the same height as the carts. My sister and I have a running joke about how people at Costco never pay attention to anything around them. So I was afraid for my life. I was cart bait. It was an uncomfortable situation. But I got out of there alive, thankfully. While we were there, there were some vendors selling exercise equipment - like treadmills and ellipticals. They probably cost thousands of dollars but I made a discovery. We all know how weird I am, so my confession will not surprise anyone by its weirdness. I miss the smell of exercise equipment. Not the smell of sweaty bodies or antiseptic when you clean the machines but boy howdy the smell of the rubber and plastic and everything else. It takes me to my happy place.
I did wall squats with my PT and I miss P90X and Tony Horton. I never thought I would say that.
In other news, my sister-in-law is having a maxi skirt party tomorrow and I'm more excited than I probably should be. I'll probably spend more money than I should - just a prediction.
My family is going to Las Vegas soon because my cousin is in Beauty and the Beast. Even the car ride sounds delightful. I know I'm nuts, but you already knew that.
That's all for now - we'll post some pictures when we get back.
Lots of love,
Martha
Sorry I haven't written in a while. This post is going to be chock full of random things. I went to Costco the other day, on a Saturday about 5:30pm. Don't do that! In my wheelchair I was about the same height as the carts. My sister and I have a running joke about how people at Costco never pay attention to anything around them. So I was afraid for my life. I was cart bait. It was an uncomfortable situation. But I got out of there alive, thankfully. While we were there, there were some vendors selling exercise equipment - like treadmills and ellipticals. They probably cost thousands of dollars but I made a discovery. We all know how weird I am, so my confession will not surprise anyone by its weirdness. I miss the smell of exercise equipment. Not the smell of sweaty bodies or antiseptic when you clean the machines but boy howdy the smell of the rubber and plastic and everything else. It takes me to my happy place.
I did wall squats with my PT and I miss P90X and Tony Horton. I never thought I would say that.
In other news, my sister-in-law is having a maxi skirt party tomorrow and I'm more excited than I probably should be. I'll probably spend more money than I should - just a prediction.
My family is going to Las Vegas soon because my cousin is in Beauty and the Beast. Even the car ride sounds delightful. I know I'm nuts, but you already knew that.
That's all for now - we'll post some pictures when we get back.
Lots of love,
Martha
Today is a happy day
March 13, 2013
Happy day after birthday to me! I found out today that my physical therapist was approved for 10 more visits! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!
He only had 10 to begin with so that is wonderful! It was the second time that he had asked Medicaid for more visits so I didn't expect it would work. I'm very excited!
A few weeks ago I started thinking about walking on a treadmill and we found out that my Aunt and Uncle next door have one and so I've been trying it out and the other day I walked on it for 10 minutes! I was very joyful!
I found out that there is a program that will help me get a hand bike that I can use for free which also makes me happy.
I just got home from the temple with my sister. We go each Wednesday night and do initiatories and we're becoming quite famous actually, everyone recognizes us and is happy to see us. Tonight the two sisters who work in that area told us that they are happy that we chose their shift for our shift. They are sweet and it is nice to see them each week.
We end up laughing a lot while driving to and from the temple and we usually go in search of something to eat afterwords. Today it was Cafe Rio. Ole!
I won't mention the paper cut on my nose or how it got there...
So today was a very happy day.
Love,
Martha
Happy day after birthday to me! I found out today that my physical therapist was approved for 10 more visits! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!
He only had 10 to begin with so that is wonderful! It was the second time that he had asked Medicaid for more visits so I didn't expect it would work. I'm very excited!
A few weeks ago I started thinking about walking on a treadmill and we found out that my Aunt and Uncle next door have one and so I've been trying it out and the other day I walked on it for 10 minutes! I was very joyful!
I found out that there is a program that will help me get a hand bike that I can use for free which also makes me happy.
I just got home from the temple with my sister. We go each Wednesday night and do initiatories and we're becoming quite famous actually, everyone recognizes us and is happy to see us. Tonight the two sisters who work in that area told us that they are happy that we chose their shift for our shift. They are sweet and it is nice to see them each week.
We end up laughing a lot while driving to and from the temple and we usually go in search of something to eat afterwords. Today it was Cafe Rio. Ole!
I won't mention the paper cut on my nose or how it got there...
So today was a very happy day.
Love,
Martha
Magic Awaits You...
February 10, 2013
I know this sounds like a Disney Cruise commercial but it's not.
My eyes have been funky for at least 7 months now, I can see but I can't focus on what I want to focus on, which means I haven't been able to read. Most of you know that this is pretty much my definition of purgatory and I refused to listen to books on tape because I thought that was somehow saying I would never read again. I didn't want that so I just didn't listen. Stubborn as a mule I am, but there it is. On Saturday I decided to go to the library for the first time since this all began. There is something about the library - I could live in the library, well minus the dirty diaper smell in the elevator. (Yes - in the elevator, my mother is my witness) but it also smelled like books and like turning pages, like the unknown. It brought pure joy and magic to my heart. Just in case you were wondering the Orem Public Library is my library - I've been going there since I was a kid. My heart longed for the red bricks and iron sculptures but recent renovations have taken away the glory days. I grossly underestimated the library's book on tape collection. I thought there would be one or two here or there - but no, not at Orem Public Library. I won't ever underestimate them again. They had shelves on nonfiction, junior readers, teen and adult fiction and it was pure magic. Almost as good as browsing the book section at Media Play! If Orem Public Library had toes - I would be kissing them...
So next time you feel like a mystery, adventure, crime solving, romance or whatever - the library holds the key to them all! And magic does await you between the pages of any book. Yeah - I love the library can you tell?
Love,
Martha
I know this sounds like a Disney Cruise commercial but it's not.
My eyes have been funky for at least 7 months now, I can see but I can't focus on what I want to focus on, which means I haven't been able to read. Most of you know that this is pretty much my definition of purgatory and I refused to listen to books on tape because I thought that was somehow saying I would never read again. I didn't want that so I just didn't listen. Stubborn as a mule I am, but there it is. On Saturday I decided to go to the library for the first time since this all began. There is something about the library - I could live in the library, well minus the dirty diaper smell in the elevator. (Yes - in the elevator, my mother is my witness) but it also smelled like books and like turning pages, like the unknown. It brought pure joy and magic to my heart. Just in case you were wondering the Orem Public Library is my library - I've been going there since I was a kid. My heart longed for the red bricks and iron sculptures but recent renovations have taken away the glory days. I grossly underestimated the library's book on tape collection. I thought there would be one or two here or there - but no, not at Orem Public Library. I won't ever underestimate them again. They had shelves on nonfiction, junior readers, teen and adult fiction and it was pure magic. Almost as good as browsing the book section at Media Play! If Orem Public Library had toes - I would be kissing them...
So next time you feel like a mystery, adventure, crime solving, romance or whatever - the library holds the key to them all! And magic does await you between the pages of any book. Yeah - I love the library can you tell?
Love,
Martha
I walked!
February 3, 2013
This was the best Groundhog's day I've ever had and ever will have in the history of the world! I walked (the fact that I had a gait belt around me and a physical therapist holding on is completely irrelevant). This day will go down in history as a landmark in my progression. I then spent 45 minutes with the PT trying to figure out how to post the video. My mom, dad and the PT discussed aloud solutions and I just sat back and laughed. Coming soon will be a video of this monumental occasion!
Love,
Martha
This was the best Groundhog's day I've ever had and ever will have in the history of the world! I walked (the fact that I had a gait belt around me and a physical therapist holding on is completely irrelevant). This day will go down in history as a landmark in my progression. I then spent 45 minutes with the PT trying to figure out how to post the video. My mom, dad and the PT discussed aloud solutions and I just sat back and laughed. Coming soon will be a video of this monumental occasion!
Love,
Martha
Shoes, Glorious Shoes
February 3, 2013
Something magical happened. I exercised with the PT without my shoes and exercised with him with my shoes and I could walk with my walker so much better. I'm telling you - it was magical! I will always wear my shoes when my PT comes. As a side note, I just might always wear my shoes from now on. I'm telling you folks - it's magical!
Love,
Martha
Something magical happened. I exercised with the PT without my shoes and exercised with him with my shoes and I could walk with my walker so much better. I'm telling you - it was magical! I will always wear my shoes when my PT comes. As a side note, I just might always wear my shoes from now on. I'm telling you folks - it's magical!
Love,
Martha
A long time coming.....
January 28, 2013
O.K., O.K., O.K., I know this blog entry has been a long time coming, but.....I'M HOME!!!!!!! I came home January 4th and it was a delightful day! I haven't been home since August 4th so it marks the end of my hospital/rehab center days. I forgot to write about Christmas, on Christmas Eve I went bowling with my brothers and sisters. They got me one of those rail thing-a-ma-jigs so I could roll the ball down the aisle. I had my niece and nephew help me, even though it scared them spit-less (my little nephew clapped for himself every time he touched the ball, it was the highlight of my day).
I also saw Savior of the World, the green cast, which was phenomenal, fantastico, superb. brilliant! I loved it to pieces! A shout out to Whitney, Rob, Brannon, Jeannie and Blake and anyone else I know, you did a great job!
I forgot everything else I was supposed to remember. The bottom line is I'm home and I'm happy and I'm with my family.
Oh, yeah, I finally have an OT and a PT. I stood up for the first time in months with my OT last Monday (he helped me stand up and then he let go of me and I stood for a minute completely unassisted). I might have cried after he left. Hopefully (fingers crossed) between the two of them I will be walking soon.
Love, Martha
O.K., O.K., O.K., I know this blog entry has been a long time coming, but.....I'M HOME!!!!!!! I came home January 4th and it was a delightful day! I haven't been home since August 4th so it marks the end of my hospital/rehab center days. I forgot to write about Christmas, on Christmas Eve I went bowling with my brothers and sisters. They got me one of those rail thing-a-ma-jigs so I could roll the ball down the aisle. I had my niece and nephew help me, even though it scared them spit-less (my little nephew clapped for himself every time he touched the ball, it was the highlight of my day).
I also saw Savior of the World, the green cast, which was phenomenal, fantastico, superb. brilliant! I loved it to pieces! A shout out to Whitney, Rob, Brannon, Jeannie and Blake and anyone else I know, you did a great job!
I forgot everything else I was supposed to remember. The bottom line is I'm home and I'm happy and I'm with my family.
Oh, yeah, I finally have an OT and a PT. I stood up for the first time in months with my OT last Monday (he helped me stand up and then he let go of me and I stood for a minute completely unassisted). I might have cried after he left. Hopefully (fingers crossed) between the two of them I will be walking soon.
Love, Martha
The Best Christmas Present Ever!
December 21, 2012
I was supposed to the move to the 300 hall here at the Care Center (the 300 hall is where long term care patients are located) let me tell you about this hall. It's old and the rooms are tiny and unrenovated. It looks like a hospital straight out of a horror movie. I didn't like it and wasn't looking forward to moving. Tenille, who kindof runs the place, came in my room while Dad and I were packing things up. She looked at my Christmas tree (a big THANK YOU to Heather and her family for bringing me a Christmas tree! I love it!) and my wall of pictures and then started thinking. She said hold on a minute and she left to go find Rory, the administrator, and then talked him into letting me stay here. I can't even tell you how big I smilied when she came back, said "Merry Christmas" and told me that I could stay in this room until January. I've been here long enough that my CNAs, and nurses feel like my second family and I didn't want to move to a different hallway and a different group of people. I think Heavenly Father knew that I needed something to help me get through to January and this was it.
I am so grateful for this blessing!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
Love,
Martha
I was supposed to the move to the 300 hall here at the Care Center (the 300 hall is where long term care patients are located) let me tell you about this hall. It's old and the rooms are tiny and unrenovated. It looks like a hospital straight out of a horror movie. I didn't like it and wasn't looking forward to moving. Tenille, who kindof runs the place, came in my room while Dad and I were packing things up. She looked at my Christmas tree (a big THANK YOU to Heather and her family for bringing me a Christmas tree! I love it!) and my wall of pictures and then started thinking. She said hold on a minute and she left to go find Rory, the administrator, and then talked him into letting me stay here. I can't even tell you how big I smilied when she came back, said "Merry Christmas" and told me that I could stay in this room until January. I've been here long enough that my CNAs, and nurses feel like my second family and I didn't want to move to a different hallway and a different group of people. I think Heavenly Father knew that I needed something to help me get through to January and this was it.
I am so grateful for this blessing!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
Love,
Martha
SAvior of the World
December 8, 2012
I saw the first act of Savior of the World on Thursday night. I may have cried a lot. That's what happens when Jannette and Suzi come and give you a bear hug. There was a long line of people hugging me and I didn't recognize everyone because I have trouble seeing and couldn't look at everybody. I had no idea so many people loved me and cared about me. It was humbling and yes there were tears then too. The performance was wonderful and I want to give a shout out to all my Savior of the World peeps. You're awesome and I love you. Green Cast - I'll see you soon!
Love,
Martha
I saw the first act of Savior of the World on Thursday night. I may have cried a lot. That's what happens when Jannette and Suzi come and give you a bear hug. There was a long line of people hugging me and I didn't recognize everyone because I have trouble seeing and couldn't look at everybody. I had no idea so many people loved me and cared about me. It was humbling and yes there were tears then too. The performance was wonderful and I want to give a shout out to all my Savior of the World peeps. You're awesome and I love you. Green Cast - I'll see you soon!
Love,
Martha
The Feeding Tube Fiasco
December 8, 2012
If anyone ever tells you that a feeding tube doesn't hurt, they are telling a bold face lie. They hurt like the dickens. While I was in the hospital (before I started rehab) one of the neurologists got it in her head that I needed a feeding tube, I don't know why. So they tried to do it and they got it in but for some reason, they couldn't get it in the small intestine. They let it sit overnight and they were going to fix it in the morning but in the meantime I had a tube down my throat and it hurt to swallow.
The next day when they came in, the tube had magically worked itself into a knot resembling a figure 8, which had never happened before - yet another way that I am singular. ;) They pulled it out through my nose except at the very end they had to pull it out of my mouth. It was gross - I might have thrown up a little but you would too if you had three fingers digging around in your mouth. By the time they got it out I said is this really necessary? (PS the doctor that thought I needed the feeding tube is the same one that told my family I had two weeks to live, which obviously wasn't true... I don't like her very much.) So they put another tube through my nose, down my throat and into my stomach. It hurt just as bad the second time around. They still couldn't get it in the small intestine and said I think we're going to stop trying but they left the tube in me. So all day long I had a tube in my stomach that they couldn't use. They finally decided that the nurse could pull it out. She came in and I sat there stunned because I didn't expect it to hurt so much but I was grateful to have it out. I haven't used one since then and I never ever will again. Drink the Ensure and get your nutrients that way - that's my advice.
Coming soon - I went to see Savior of the World!
Love,
Martha
If anyone ever tells you that a feeding tube doesn't hurt, they are telling a bold face lie. They hurt like the dickens. While I was in the hospital (before I started rehab) one of the neurologists got it in her head that I needed a feeding tube, I don't know why. So they tried to do it and they got it in but for some reason, they couldn't get it in the small intestine. They let it sit overnight and they were going to fix it in the morning but in the meantime I had a tube down my throat and it hurt to swallow.
The next day when they came in, the tube had magically worked itself into a knot resembling a figure 8, which had never happened before - yet another way that I am singular. ;) They pulled it out through my nose except at the very end they had to pull it out of my mouth. It was gross - I might have thrown up a little but you would too if you had three fingers digging around in your mouth. By the time they got it out I said is this really necessary? (PS the doctor that thought I needed the feeding tube is the same one that told my family I had two weeks to live, which obviously wasn't true... I don't like her very much.) So they put another tube through my nose, down my throat and into my stomach. It hurt just as bad the second time around. They still couldn't get it in the small intestine and said I think we're going to stop trying but they left the tube in me. So all day long I had a tube in my stomach that they couldn't use. They finally decided that the nurse could pull it out. She came in and I sat there stunned because I didn't expect it to hurt so much but I was grateful to have it out. I haven't used one since then and I never ever will again. Drink the Ensure and get your nutrients that way - that's my advice.
Coming soon - I went to see Savior of the World!
Love,
Martha
Love /hate Relationship
December 1, 2012
I previously said that facebook and I have a love/hate relationship. I'll tell you why. Technology is good and electricity is lovely but I don't think facebook was on the Lord's list of things we need. Sure, it does many wonderful things - the previous post is an example - but I fear we've become far too dependent on it. (By it I am referring to all technology) Before I started having health problems this year - I was spending far too much time, worried about if I was going to get a text message, who my friends were on facebook, and being invited to play online games. Since this ordeal started, this is one thing I have learned - the Lord cares about people and not technology. He doesn't care if I have friends on facebook if I don't pick up the phone and call them to see how they are doing. He cares about people and going to find the lost sheep is not a social networking event. I lost track of many friends for no reason and all the technology in the world won't bring them back. Don't get me wrong, technology has its uses and I'm grateful for it, but it can sometimes distract us from connecting with people on a personal level.
So I challenge you to pick up the phone and call someone or go visit them. If I could I would love to come see each of you individually and give you a hug. Technology can't do that. :)
Love,
Martha
I previously said that facebook and I have a love/hate relationship. I'll tell you why. Technology is good and electricity is lovely but I don't think facebook was on the Lord's list of things we need. Sure, it does many wonderful things - the previous post is an example - but I fear we've become far too dependent on it. (By it I am referring to all technology) Before I started having health problems this year - I was spending far too much time, worried about if I was going to get a text message, who my friends were on facebook, and being invited to play online games. Since this ordeal started, this is one thing I have learned - the Lord cares about people and not technology. He doesn't care if I have friends on facebook if I don't pick up the phone and call them to see how they are doing. He cares about people and going to find the lost sheep is not a social networking event. I lost track of many friends for no reason and all the technology in the world won't bring them back. Don't get me wrong, technology has its uses and I'm grateful for it, but it can sometimes distract us from connecting with people on a personal level.
So I challenge you to pick up the phone and call someone or go visit them. If I could I would love to come see each of you individually and give you a hug. Technology can't do that. :)
Love,
Martha
The Facebook Page
December 1, 2012
Generally speaking Facebook and I have a love/hate relationship. But my friend Julie (who is one of the best friends I could ever ask for) put together a Facebook page to invite people to fast and pray for me. She invited all her friends and asked others to do the same. 1500 people were invited and over 300 people joined the group. This is a shout out to you all. Thank you for your sacrifice and charity on my behalf. I love you. I attribute the reason that I'm still alive to fasting, praying and Priesthood blessings. Even if the doctor is still scratching his head, I know the truth. It is the nicest that someone has done for me during this ordeal. I didn't ask her to do it - she didn't ask me if she could do it, she just did it.
Remember the conference talk about the fact that you wouldn't ask a person who is drowning if they needed help - it was kind of like that. I love you Julie!
Martha
Generally speaking Facebook and I have a love/hate relationship. But my friend Julie (who is one of the best friends I could ever ask for) put together a Facebook page to invite people to fast and pray for me. She invited all her friends and asked others to do the same. 1500 people were invited and over 300 people joined the group. This is a shout out to you all. Thank you for your sacrifice and charity on my behalf. I love you. I attribute the reason that I'm still alive to fasting, praying and Priesthood blessings. Even if the doctor is still scratching his head, I know the truth. It is the nicest that someone has done for me during this ordeal. I didn't ask her to do it - she didn't ask me if she could do it, she just did it.
Remember the conference talk about the fact that you wouldn't ask a person who is drowning if they needed help - it was kind of like that. I love you Julie!
Martha
The Neck Pic Line
November 24, 2012
Have you ever watched a tarantula being pulled from your body? That's what the pic line felt like, except for legs, they were tubes and some of them were fatter than a nickel. I should have known something was up when they put a sheet in front of me as they were inserting the line, so that I couldn't see what they were doing. I had been nervous about it but apparently they gave me a valium because gradually I was too busy singing Christina Perri and Jack Johnson, which were playing in the background, to pay much attention and I felt like I was on top of the world.
A couple of weeks later when they pulled the pic line out, they said a nurse practicioner could do it. There were two stitches holding the tubes in place so he cut them and began pulling them out. I don't know if I've ever been in shock before but I was while watching that thing come out. They applied pressure to the wound. The nurse practicioner took his job very seriously cuz he applied A LOT of pressure and I sobbed like a wee lass. He said "Man I feel like a brute." I felt bad for him but I kept crying. When he thought he was done and was taking off his gloves, my mom noticed that the bandage was filling with blood so she called him back. He got new gloves and said "oh shoot!" (hearing words like that doesn't exactly make one feel better about said situation...) Shock moment number 2 came when he took off the bandage to put a new one on. I spurted blood all over everywhere, including my mom's hand. You know in the movie "The Pelican Brief" when the guy in the hotel room is killed while he's watching "Coach" and blood splatters on the TV? Yeah, it was like that.
They got the bleeding to stop and cleaned everything up. I swore I would never do that again. But as I have learned, you never say never...
The reason I had the pic line in my neck was to take out the blood that was contaminated with Tysabri (the MS medication that got me into this mess) in order to clear the drug out of my system. The procedure, called plasmapheresis, is kind of like dialysis, but then again I've never had dialysis so I can't say for certain. The pic line was the way that they took the blood out, separated the plasma from the blood, cleaned it and put the clean, non drugged blood back in my body. Apparently, the plasmapheresis worked and I shocked the doctors by living through it.
I'm still bedridden and there is a long way to go but I'm making progress and everyone is impressed with the strength in my arms and legs. I thank Tony and P90X for that.
"Happiness is this right here." -Tony Horton
Martha
Have you ever watched a tarantula being pulled from your body? That's what the pic line felt like, except for legs, they were tubes and some of them were fatter than a nickel. I should have known something was up when they put a sheet in front of me as they were inserting the line, so that I couldn't see what they were doing. I had been nervous about it but apparently they gave me a valium because gradually I was too busy singing Christina Perri and Jack Johnson, which were playing in the background, to pay much attention and I felt like I was on top of the world.
A couple of weeks later when they pulled the pic line out, they said a nurse practicioner could do it. There were two stitches holding the tubes in place so he cut them and began pulling them out. I don't know if I've ever been in shock before but I was while watching that thing come out. They applied pressure to the wound. The nurse practicioner took his job very seriously cuz he applied A LOT of pressure and I sobbed like a wee lass. He said "Man I feel like a brute." I felt bad for him but I kept crying. When he thought he was done and was taking off his gloves, my mom noticed that the bandage was filling with blood so she called him back. He got new gloves and said "oh shoot!" (hearing words like that doesn't exactly make one feel better about said situation...) Shock moment number 2 came when he took off the bandage to put a new one on. I spurted blood all over everywhere, including my mom's hand. You know in the movie "The Pelican Brief" when the guy in the hotel room is killed while he's watching "Coach" and blood splatters on the TV? Yeah, it was like that.
They got the bleeding to stop and cleaned everything up. I swore I would never do that again. But as I have learned, you never say never...
The reason I had the pic line in my neck was to take out the blood that was contaminated with Tysabri (the MS medication that got me into this mess) in order to clear the drug out of my system. The procedure, called plasmapheresis, is kind of like dialysis, but then again I've never had dialysis so I can't say for certain. The pic line was the way that they took the blood out, separated the plasma from the blood, cleaned it and put the clean, non drugged blood back in my body. Apparently, the plasmapheresis worked and I shocked the doctors by living through it.
I'm still bedridden and there is a long way to go but I'm making progress and everyone is impressed with the strength in my arms and legs. I thank Tony and P90X for that.
"Happiness is this right here." -Tony Horton
Martha
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 22, 2012
Today I am grateful for the wonderful and generous gifts from family and friends. I'm still here because of ya'll. Thank you.
Love,
Martha
Today I am grateful for the wonderful and generous gifts from family and friends. I'm still here because of ya'll. Thank you.
Love,
Martha
The Hospital Days
November 22, 2012
Dearest Phlebotomists,
I don't what trick you're trying to pull coming into my bedroom at 5am - do you think I can go back to sleep after my unfortunate poking and prodding experience with you? NO! I lay awake for three hours, at least, until the nurse, who is trying to be happy, sticks her smiling face in the door. It is not pleasant. I don't know, perhaps you do it because it's the only time you are able to find everybody in their rooms. Makes sense but it's still no bueno. And if there are parties going on that last until 5 - how come I wasn't invited?
I was poked every day of my two week stay on the nuerology floor, except for two when they finally gave me a pic line, never mind that I had asked for it on day three. ;) I was the nurse's practicing pin cushion. Needless to say after several blown veins, my arms were every shade of blue, purple and pink and if you doubt me I have the pictures to prove it. They gave me heparin shots every day in my belly and I got bruises and documented those too. I still have scars on my hand from your poking obsession. Can we talk about a different time for you to come in?
Please and thank you.
Love,
The girl in room 14
Dearest Phlebotomists,
I don't what trick you're trying to pull coming into my bedroom at 5am - do you think I can go back to sleep after my unfortunate poking and prodding experience with you? NO! I lay awake for three hours, at least, until the nurse, who is trying to be happy, sticks her smiling face in the door. It is not pleasant. I don't know, perhaps you do it because it's the only time you are able to find everybody in their rooms. Makes sense but it's still no bueno. And if there are parties going on that last until 5 - how come I wasn't invited?
I was poked every day of my two week stay on the nuerology floor, except for two when they finally gave me a pic line, never mind that I had asked for it on day three. ;) I was the nurse's practicing pin cushion. Needless to say after several blown veins, my arms were every shade of blue, purple and pink and if you doubt me I have the pictures to prove it. They gave me heparin shots every day in my belly and I got bruises and documented those too. I still have scars on my hand from your poking obsession. Can we talk about a different time for you to come in?
Please and thank you.
Love,
The girl in room 14
Martha's stories
I am a storyteller. At least that's how I would like to be defined. I'm a book lover, an antique door lover, proud auntie and I have this thing for keys. I don't know what it is but I like them.
My 30th year was not like most. It started out with me feeling icky and ended up with me at the hospital. I can't remember everything but I have stories to tell. So sit back, relax and I'll give you some entertainment. Potty humor, hospital stories and an inside look at where I have been and what I have learned in the process...
It all starts with this drug called Tysabri. Like most MS drugs, (oh. I guess I should say that I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at age 19) it suppresses the immune system. In my case, I was one of the 250 out of 110,000 people currently taking Tysabri worldwide, who have developed a condition called PML (Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy.) Of those 250 people, only 15% have survived. Yes, I'm unique (though I prefer to be unique for different reasons) as the doctors (and everyone else) frequently reminded me while I was going through the plasmapheresis. Then there's this thing with the JC Virus. Goodness. I have a lot of explaining to do...
For now, thanks for reading my stories.
Martha
My 30th year was not like most. It started out with me feeling icky and ended up with me at the hospital. I can't remember everything but I have stories to tell. So sit back, relax and I'll give you some entertainment. Potty humor, hospital stories and an inside look at where I have been and what I have learned in the process...
It all starts with this drug called Tysabri. Like most MS drugs, (oh. I guess I should say that I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at age 19) it suppresses the immune system. In my case, I was one of the 250 out of 110,000 people currently taking Tysabri worldwide, who have developed a condition called PML (Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy.) Of those 250 people, only 15% have survived. Yes, I'm unique (though I prefer to be unique for different reasons) as the doctors (and everyone else) frequently reminded me while I was going through the plasmapheresis. Then there's this thing with the JC Virus. Goodness. I have a lot of explaining to do...
For now, thanks for reading my stories.
Martha
Nov. 19th
I went to the rehab center today and showed Martha this site. She is so grateful to all of you who have taken the time to look at this site and so appreciative of any and all donations. Thank you so much! She did awesome in rehab today! With the help of her therapist, she walked up a few stairs. She says it doesn't count because the therapist did most of the work..... I beg to differ! She was the one moving those legs! She also did a little bit of upper arm strength routines. Let me tell you, Martha has plenty of strength! It is just the control that she struggles with. Still, she keeps working hard. I promise I will take my video camera on Wed and record some of what she is doing so that you can all see it on here.
