Behind and stressed with it

[vilakins]

Bit behind on these. There's a lot happening here with house renos, Greg being away, and having to have an iron infusion because my count was still low despite pills (which I've now stopped).

The infusion was awful because the nurse was so bloody (literally) incompetent: putting the needle into a vein and out the other side (I still have a big bruise); having to wait for a doctor to do it properly; failing to get the attachment on the canula before blood went all over my hand; nicking the drip bag getting the iron solution into it so it started leaking down the wall... all while whittering on with a ditsy stream of consciousness. The practice didn't charge me, and fair enough too! If I need another one I'm going to make sure it's damned well not her.

9 – Professional Pet Sitters Week: Have you ever engaged the services of a professional pet sitter, or do you usually rely on family or friends to take care of your pets when you're away?
Actually I rely on catteries; I don't have family nearby and none of my friends are animal people. I tried a pet sitter once with my first two cats who used to go right off their food when I was away and look half-starved when I came back. I thought they'd be happier at home, but - not the sitter's fault - they still refused to eat.

10 – Middle Name Pride Day: Is there a story behind your middle name if you have one?
It's Ruth, after my maternal grandmother. When my mother was pregnant, she, a redhead herself, said to "drown it if it's a redheaded girl". Just a joke; she doted on me, though I don't remember that as she died when I was three.

11 – World Plumbing Day: We take indoor plumbing for granted – until there's a problem with it. Have you ever suffered a major plumbing emergency?
Twice I've had leaks in the connection to the washing machine, one due to the outlet hose being dislodged in an earthquake during a wash, the other due to the hot-water hose perishing and. Both floods dried out fine, but it's so annoying given that I turn off the taps when I'm not doing laundry.
Have you ever tried to fix a plumbing issue on your own? Did you succeed?
The ones above were easy enough apart from cleanup - just put the outlet back in the sink for one and replace the hose connections for the other. Apart from that, just replacing washers.

Comments

[thisbluespirit]

o bloody (literally) incompetent: putting the needle into a vein and out the other side (I still have a big bruise);

Oh, ouch. <3<3<3

[vilakins]

Six days later and I can still see the remnants of it. There wasn't a mark from the doctor's insertion.

[gwendraith]

That was just a horrible experience for you. Having a canula isn't the most pleasant thing in the world but made much worse if there's any incompetence. My blood is complicated, I have low HB, not enough to require an iron infusion but then it's not caused by iron deficiency. I take prescribed iron tablets. They *think* low is normal for me now and that the oxygen in my blood isn't doing what it's meant to. I don't think the doctors understand either. They *think* it might be caused anemia of chronic disease, basically my immune system is a bit off. Anyway, I hope the infusion helps *hugs*.

[vilakins]

My iron tablets didn't seem to work so I'm off them now. They said the infusion will take 1-2 weeks for me to feel the effect. It's almost a week now and I think it's starting to kick in.

I used to have a really good iron count back when I was able to give blood. I think it's current meds causing the lack.

[zoefruitcake]

That infusion sounds awful, hope it helped though. The only time I had a problem with iron I took spatone sachets which worked a treat

[vilakins]

I heard the liquid works a lot better. I'm not sure why they didn't prescribe that.

The effects take 1-2 weeks; I think I'm feeling slightly better after 6 days.

[zoefruitcake]

I’m glad you feel like there is a benefit already

[vera_j]

Oh oh. Incompetent medical personnel can really destroy the day...and the courage. Poor you. Now I hope you are a real Iron Sally!!!

[vilakins]

They said it will take 1-2 weeks to feel the effect. It's almost a week now and I think I have a bit more energy. My Pilates instructor said people she knows who have had it felt "like a new person" so here's hoping!

[vera_j]

Fingers crossed for you!!!

[jhall1]

Poor you to have such an experience, in addition to the house renovation and Greg being away. Hopefully things can only get better. (I nearly said 'things are sure to get better', before deciding that that might be tempting fate.)

[vilakins]

They cut out a stone wall and window today and inserted the french doors - dust everywhere. Oy. Glazing and painting tomorrow (Friday); I hope it's all done for the long weekend.

[imhilien]

Hope you feel better soon.

My middle name is Jan, which I don't like. It almost became my first name so I dodged a bullet IMO.

[vilakins]

You did! That's very unusual anyway as it's usually short for Janice or Janet. I have a friend called Betty, and she was named that too; people often think she's Elizabeth.

I like our first names, both versions!

[imhilien]

Thanks for that. Yes, I like our first names too. :)

[kerravonsen]

(hugs)