What next

I had been in the doctor’s office with Dr Bartczak when the notification that I was positive for Covid came through. She stated that this would now change our discussion and she had a number of questions for me.

We went briefly through my medical history on a checklist. Wondering if I had any of these conditions which included diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure etc. The only thing I could name was an irregular heartbeat. In order to receive any treatment through infusion therapy, I had to have seven points of indicators. My age and the irregular heartbeat weren’t enough. However since my blood pressure was currently high, she decided to check high blood pressure. And she asked if I was short of breath, (wink, wink) , and I wisely said yes! Bingo! The magic number seven! 👏

(But it really wasn’t a game. I was feeling pretty lousy and running a fever…I needed help..)

She would send this over to the lab and they would schedule me within the next day or two for the therapy. Until then I was to isolate myself, take my meds and fluids and rest. No problem there!

After I got back to the RV I did cry. I did have tears in my eyes in the office too, and the doctor was very reassuring. I’m not sure why I was crying. Probably a multi number of reasons. Trying to avoid this and being fearful of it for so long and here it was. I got it! Being far from home. Just wanting to curl up and have someone take care of me. It didn’t last very long. But it was a good process to go through. More chicken soup.

It was still sunny and early in the day so I put one load of clothing into the on-site laundromat and took care of that. I texted the boys and then later talked to each of them. I decided I would not tell anyone else until after I had received my treatment. I was scared enough about this and I didn’t want to be further frightened by others’ surprise and concern.

Molly made my evening. She made a card for me. It worked out real well, because Nathan took pictures of it and sent it to me. 🤗💕

It was so thoughtful and sweet of her to do that. She was happy I liked it and Nathan said she wasn’t feeling well herself. ☹️ So I learned from Molly, and made her a poster card.

Later I watched “What about Bob” on a DVD on my computer. And then snuggled up for the night on my recliner for the 4th or 5th night in a row.

I was feeling a little better in the morning. Not as punk. Not coughing up as much or clearing my sinuses as hard. Had a little more appetite. I began to wonder if I would need the infusion. But later as I moved around more and took another small load to the laundromat, I got fatigued real quick and I said yes! I hope I can get it! My concern was that they might refuse the referral.

At just before 1:30 in the afternoon I received the phone call that they had an opening for an infusion at 2:00 if I would be able to make it. Absolutely. She gave me some information about what would be involved and consent for treatment to be signed and where to go. I was to wait outside the entrance of the hospital.

I got myself ready and it was about a 5-minute drive over there. I was to wait outside and a nurse would come out to take me to a different entrance. What they have right inside their entrance doors is a desk with a receptionist. She wanted to waive me in but I told her I had covid, was not to come in and I was there for an infusion. So she notified that department. I waited out in the sunshine , with my mask of course. Then I heard my name gently called from behind me and turned around to find a woman in protective garb. I was taken aback at first, but then of course it made sense!! I guess because of how I had been walking around with covid without knowing it, (however I always wore a good mask,) I just felt like everybody has it or it’s everywhere.

This hospital has 15 beds and they are all full. So this extra kind of half storage space is where they have set up for the infusions. We came in directly through an outside door and left the same way.

The Process

. So this is how it works. First my vitals were taken. My blood pressure was again around a hundred and thirty over 70, my oxygen level was 95 and my heart rate was in the 70s. My temperature was taken in the ear canal and it was 98.6. I was kept connected to everything throughout the procedure and my blood pressure and temperature were taken every 15 minutes.

The needle was placed in a vein in the back of my hand. The first thing that is directly injected is an anti-nausea medication. It takes about a full minute to inject it slowly and then you wait for 20 minutes before moving on. I know sometimes you can feel a coolness or a tingling when something is put through the IV lines but I felt nothing throughout this whole procedure.

While we waited, Regen was injected into a small bag of saline solution. She said it has to be added very slowly or it will foam 🍺. I had asked earlier about how this procedure is billed and how it is covered. The medicine is given to the hospital by the government. No charge The infusion process is billed to the insurance company and they have been consistently covering it in total.

A second bag of saline is also prepared. The medicine itself runs over a period of 20 to 30 minutes. That can be interrupted at any time if there is any reaction to it. Then the saline would immediately be given to flush the system. But the saline is still used even if there is not a reaction. After the medicine dose is completed, the saline is given for approximately 20 to 25 minutes. After that is completed, vitals are recorded one more time and you’re unhooked from everything.

So…antinausea medicine, Regen in saline, saline.

I was surprised how tired I was after the preliminaries and everything was set up. Once it started I rested and actually fell asleep. It felt good. I didn’t feel anything different during or afterwards. I took my time getting up and going because that was a long time to recline and my blood pressure came down to 110 over 60 😉 Tammy walked me right to my vehicle. I was told I may not feel any different for 24 to 48 hours whereas some people feel better right away. I was advised not to plan anything for the next day and just take it easy. No problem there!

I did feel better when I got back. I did have to walk to the laundromat a couple times to finish up my clothing and I made supper. So I guess I was a little more energetic. I ate better and I tasted more. I think my sinuses, though still congested, are a little better and I’m not coughing as much. I’m going to sleep another night on the recliner ( it helps when the sinuses are stuffed) and I look forward to a good night’s sleep and a good morning 🤞

It’s morning. I slept well. My sinuses feel clearer. I have extended my stay for a week. It may be longer than what I need but I can re-explore the area and just enjoy. And get my blog caught up 😬 So here’s hoping everything will be on the upswing now. 👍🤞🙏

Interesting Person:

I am appreciating HOW different our lifestyle and Life experiences can be depending on what state we are born in. Utah gives you great outdoor experiences that are normal for this area but not to us!

Tammy and I had time to talk and when she saw the horse on my purse, we spoke even more. She has had some really neat experiences. She grew up on a cattle ranch and her father, of course, had horses and she always had a horse. During the high school years and shortly afterwards , her Dad accompanied her as she competed in the rodeos with barrel racing. Both she and her husband have lived all their lives in Utah and do have kids and grandkids. They always loved Moab and were able to move here about 15 years ago. From what she shared she’s in her late 50s now. They have acreage with three cottage/homes on it that they rent out for airbnbs. They live in a 30 ft trailer instead of a home because they like to go out and travel short distances in Utah and canyoneer. It’s all they need and they can up and go anytime. Because of the number of narrow canyons called slot canyons in Utah this is quite popular. You set up an anchor point in the top of the rock and rappel down into the narrow canyon and explore and then rock climb via rope, your way back out. Now THAT is an exercise in core strength!!

We talked about our horses and she recently had to put down her last horse due to illness. She is fortunate in that they have land and are able to bury the horses there with the help of a friend who has an excavator. She has five horses now buried in a row and how she talks about them is a lot like me. They each took her heart.

I think we would have a lot to talk about!!