Since Charlie was home this week due to my unfortunate hospitalization, we picked strawberries. Well, everybody but me picked strawberries. I stayed home and made sure the kitchen was ready. They brought home about 20 pounds of goodness. Some were eaten right away. We froze 4C for later and dehydrated a couple of pounds.
Today we made 7 half pints of jam using a recipe from Martha Stewart. It was my first time using a recipe with no pectin. The kids say it's good. We also made 5 pints of mixed berry syrup with honey. I started with this recipe then changed it a bit to add some mixed berries and use honey instead of sugar. It looks really good. Either pancakes or French toast is on the menu soon.
Tonight if my energy holds, I will make some strawberry muffins with coconut flour from Tropical Traditions.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Saturday, April 07, 2012
Anemia is a bad thing
Before I forget any more details I need to tell the story of my recent hospital stay.
I have been feeling so tired lately. Really, really tired. Going up steps left me winded, going from the van into a store (or church or home) made me have to stop and catch my breath, almost any exertion could leave me short of breath. I thought I was just too inactive or lazy. Nothing appealed to me. Not cooking, sewing, computer time, kids, school, eating, or anything. I knew I wasn't depressed. I did think I might be a bit anemic.
I went to my doctor for blood work. The next day I went to the ER for a blood transfusion. The doctor's office called me about 5:30 last Tuesday and said to go to the ER. My levels were critical.
Normal hemoglobin levels for women start at 11 or 12. Mine was 5.6!
Charlie finished putting dinner on the table while I called a couple of friends in tears. I was scared. I had no idea what to expect, but I trusted my doctor. I called 3 women. They all prayed for me. One said she would come to the house and watch the kids as soon as she fed her family. Awesome and totally unexpected. Charlie and I left the kids about 6:00. We thought I would be getting a transfusion and be sent home. One friend said it would take about 30 minutes and that I would feel better immediately. I could handle 30 minutes. After we checked in, we heard I would likely be admitted. They rechecked my levels and admitted me. That's bad. I cried some more. By 9:30 Charlie had to leave. He didn't want to leave the kids any longer and we hadn't even started the transfusion. Just getting in the IV took a good bit of time, and they also did a brief exam and x-ray.
At 10:00 my friend came to the hospital. I was so happy because while I knew I could do it alone, I didn't want to be alone. The transfusion finally started about 10:30. Blood transfusions hurt! My hand was so sore and cold. The blood isn't warmed up first except for trauma victims. Nasty. Just before 11:00 I was sent to a room. A shared room. Weird. I couldn't see the other lady, but I could tell by her voice that she was much older. The unit of blood was done about midnight and they started another one. Shortly after 3am, I texted Charlie that it was finally done. Of course I couldn't sleep.
I dozed for a few hours. I wanted to go home. A friend from church dropped in on her way to work at 6:30. I did feel loved. Charlie came after giving the kids breakfast.
Sorry, but I have to break this up and finish in another post.
I have been feeling so tired lately. Really, really tired. Going up steps left me winded, going from the van into a store (or church or home) made me have to stop and catch my breath, almost any exertion could leave me short of breath. I thought I was just too inactive or lazy. Nothing appealed to me. Not cooking, sewing, computer time, kids, school, eating, or anything. I knew I wasn't depressed. I did think I might be a bit anemic.
I went to my doctor for blood work. The next day I went to the ER for a blood transfusion. The doctor's office called me about 5:30 last Tuesday and said to go to the ER. My levels were critical.
Normal hemoglobin levels for women start at 11 or 12. Mine was 5.6!
Charlie finished putting dinner on the table while I called a couple of friends in tears. I was scared. I had no idea what to expect, but I trusted my doctor. I called 3 women. They all prayed for me. One said she would come to the house and watch the kids as soon as she fed her family. Awesome and totally unexpected. Charlie and I left the kids about 6:00. We thought I would be getting a transfusion and be sent home. One friend said it would take about 30 minutes and that I would feel better immediately. I could handle 30 minutes. After we checked in, we heard I would likely be admitted. They rechecked my levels and admitted me. That's bad. I cried some more. By 9:30 Charlie had to leave. He didn't want to leave the kids any longer and we hadn't even started the transfusion. Just getting in the IV took a good bit of time, and they also did a brief exam and x-ray.
At 10:00 my friend came to the hospital. I was so happy because while I knew I could do it alone, I didn't want to be alone. The transfusion finally started about 10:30. Blood transfusions hurt! My hand was so sore and cold. The blood isn't warmed up first except for trauma victims. Nasty. Just before 11:00 I was sent to a room. A shared room. Weird. I couldn't see the other lady, but I could tell by her voice that she was much older. The unit of blood was done about midnight and they started another one. Shortly after 3am, I texted Charlie that it was finally done. Of course I couldn't sleep.
I dozed for a few hours. I wanted to go home. A friend from church dropped in on her way to work at 6:30. I did feel loved. Charlie came after giving the kids breakfast.
Sorry, but I have to break this up and finish in another post.