Matthew and I were finishing my dialysis today like we usually do. We have a pretty good routine, but we are at my Nonna's house so things aren't exactly laid out as usual. After we rinsed back my blood, I forgot to clamp my venous line. I was always told that if I forgot to clamp it, blood would spurt out from my port and it would be a mess. But instead of that, air sucked into my tube. I drew back on the syringe to get it out, but I had no idea how much air got into my blood stream. So we had to call 911 in case of an air embolism.
The ambulance came with a firetruck and eight strapping men came to get me and bring me into the ambulance. After two hours in the ER, I had a chest X-ray and was cleared. They said if air got into my system, it had broken up and wasn't dangerous anymore.
I had a bit of a panic attack when I thought air had gotten inside. Air embolisms can give you a stroke in seconds. I knew that I wasn't dying because too much time had passed, but I think the thought of how close I came to having something severe happen was staggering.
At the end of the day, I am kind of upset. I don't want to "nearly" die anymore. No more close calls. I know this sounds a little arrogant, but whatever life lesson I need to learn about appreciating my life has already been learned. I totally appreciate my life! For real! Universe, please stop reminding me how fragile life is. I know it is. Can't I move on to the next lesson now? Because the near death stuff is getting a little...well, tedious.
On a lighter note, we are leaving for IOWA today!!! We get to do an entire day of donor testing for Matthew tomorrow. The transplant team was able to shove everything into one loooong day. It is great news because we should know more about scheduling things. So I will update as things happen.
If Matthew's kidney doesn't work for me, we will probably participate in the kidney donor swap program. This means that Matthew's kidney might go to someone else whose partner's kidney might go to me. It's like a wife swap but with kidneys. Hope that clears it up. :)
Hospital Me THEN (2012)
Dance like no one is watching!
Hospital me NOW (2015)
Dance like EVERYONE'S watching
Post Transplant-1 Year (March 2014)
Mi Amor Studio
Pre Dialysis Pinup Shoot (2012)
Dynamite Dames
Mid Dialysis Boudoir (March 2013)
100 pounds, and a week from transplant, chest tube tucked into bra like a lady. ;)
Non-Pinup Me Now (2015)
This girl has four kidneys
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I can't imagine how frightening that must have been. Here's hoping you don't have to go through dialysis much longer. D and I are thinking of you both!
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