My triumphant return from illness

Redstreak · Post by **Redstreak** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 3:28 pm

OK, so this is how it went down...last Monday I went to the Dr. and got a blood test, revealing my hemoglobin levels at a dangerous 6.6. Men are generally at 14-16. My heart rate was also exponentially fast, I had lost 20 lbs off my 6' 150lb frame, and I was pale as a ghost with dark rings around my eyes. I LOOKED sick. Come to find out, if I hadn't gotten checked out I probly would have had a heart attack.

Tuesday I was admitted to the ER to get some blood, and wound up with a three-day hospital stay out of it. An IV in one's right arm when one is right-handed and trying to write/turn pages is difficult...least I got to watch a couple movies on the hospital TV. But I was informed while there I should get a colonoscopy...if you don't know what one is, well, I'll refrain from getting into it here. Those who've seen Fletch have at least a moderate idea even tho it's not quite that bad.

I was released on Thursday and opted to use the last few days to recover instead of getting back to posting here and anywhere else; this stuff's just not as important to me. My diagnosis initially is that I have collitus, an intestinal condition whose patients are 95% Jewish for some reason, and is treatable with meds. My brother also has this, tho he's had it for about 8 years now.

I got another blood test back yesterday and found my hemoglobin has gone up 2 full points since last Monday, which is about what the Doc says it will do; a point a week or so. I'm on iron and vitamins to help pump the count up. But I'm feeling 100% better and I'm getting back to my routines; plus I start a new job on Tuesday and finally got one of the checks unemployment has owed me.

Strange how the bad turns into good. But hey, I'll take it.

Dark Link · Post by **Dark Link** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 3:40 pm

You're a day early. Go get sick again and come back tomorrow.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 3:42 pm

Welcome back Red.

Glad to hear you're on the mend.

Señior's Covenant · Post by **Señior's Covenant** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 3:44 pm

Welcome back to the world of the living. Always nice to hear a Transfan wasn't lost.

Aaron Hong · Post by **Aaron Hong** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 3:59 pm

You take care now. Board's not going anywhere.

saysadie · Post by **saysadie** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 4:01 pm

spiderfrommars wrote:Glad to hear you're on the mend.

Seconded.

WB.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 4:07 pm

saysadie wrote:
spiderfrommars wrote:Glad to hear you're on the mend.
Seconded. WB.

Thirded.

Pissin' Poonani · Post by **Pissin' Poonani** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 4:08 pm

Glad to hear you're on the mend Red-rest easy mate

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 4:24 pm

Good to hear that you've gotten a correct diagnosis

, bummer about the odd discease that you've got tho.

95% who gets it is jewish??

I'm guessing it's genetic then? And I suppose your jewish then? All in all, I'd say it sounds as if youre gonna be allright. It's as they say, after rain comes sunshine.

Good luck to you!

Post by **Best First** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 5:24 pm

Post by **Denyer** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 6:34 pm

Metal Vendetta wrote:
saysadie wrote:
spiderfrommars wrote:Glad to hear you're on the mend.
Seconded. WB.
Thirded.

Forth. And fourth.

Ultimate Weapon · Post by **Ultimate Weapon** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 11:52 pm

*blows trumpet*

Welcome back old friend.

KingMob · Post by **KingMob** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 12:19 am

Good to hear you're around once again, Redstreak.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 12:47 am

Welcome back mate!

Optimus Prime Rib · Post by **Optimus Prime Rib** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 2:21 am

Glad to hear youre ok man. Im still planning on making a visit sometime if thats cool?

Eline · Post by **Eline** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 3:49 pm

Whoa, that sounds bad. Glad to hear you're feeling better.

and welcome back of course

Post by **Kaylee** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 3:52 pm

Denyer wrote:
Metal Vendetta wrote:
saysadie wrote: Seconded. WB.
Thirded.
Forth. And fourth.

Fifthed

Post by **snarl** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 4:42 pm

WELL PLAYED. NICE TO HAVE YOU BACK.

HOW'S YOUR HEARING?

Post by **Kaylee** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 5:18 pm

snarl wrote:WELL PLAYED. NICE TO HAVE YOU BACK.

HOW'S YOUR HEARING?

Optimus Prime Rib · Post by **Optimus Prime Rib** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 4:02 am

Karl Lynch wrote:
Denyer wrote:
Metal Vendetta wrote: Thirded.
Forth. And fourth.
Fifthed

Fifths?

Party at Karls House!

Redstreak · Post by **Redstreak** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 4:18 pm

I knew I had this thread around here somewhere...I forgot to give you guys the good news!

Better late than never, eh? So here it is...my weight is back to 150+, my hemoglobin is at 11.5 as of mid-January, a two-point rise from December which had been the first month to record a rise since the I.V.

We are not sure what it was that ailed/ails me, but a week from next Wednesday will be my scoping, and we'll find out then. That day will suck, btw. Not looking forward to it...

But yes, I'm almost fully recovered! A little more hemoglobin and I'm all set to roll. Gonna get that tested March 2...hoping then that March 4 will yield the news I've been waiting for.

Señior's Covenant · Post by **Señior's Covenant** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 4:22 pm

Redstreak
Hopefully Recovered Internet Superstar!

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 4:45 pm

Awesome. It'll be nice to finally get that monkey of illness off your back. How did that job work out for you?

IronHide · Post by **IronHide** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 5:11 pm

Karl Lynch wrote:
Denyer wrote:
Metal Vendetta wrote: Thirded.
Forth. And fourth.
Fifthed

Sixthed! But with style.

Redstreak · Post by **Redstreak** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 11:38 pm

Shanti418 wrote:Awesome. It'll be nice to finally get that monkey of illness off your back. How did that job work out for you?

Let me put it this way; never work for family, they're the first to screw you...I did find another job nice and quick after that, tho, where I've been ever since.

Redstreak · Post by **Redstreak** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 4:33 am

Well I got scoped last week, it was painful and I feel violated.

But I may have a chance to be cured outright. Turns out, and if you don't wanna know look away, that I have a bacterial infection in my colon and pseudo-polyps throughout it; the in tube, the transport tube, the out tube, and the, let's call it "exit valve". These things reach up toward my spleen as well.

I am on antibiotics for two weeks, meaning no alcohol (

) but this stuff may do the job and cause the whole thing to go away; hopefully at least some of it.

My pulse is a very normal 76 now, and I expect my blood work to indicate my hemoglobin is fully restored. Gotta stay on the iron for a couple more months tho, my reserves need to be replenished.

Yay for hope!

Emperor_Starscream · Post by **Emperor_Starscream** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 5:04 am

good luck and feel better

the recovery process is hard but im sure you can do it

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 1:40 pm

I'll drink to your continued recovery Red.

Jetfire · Post by **Jetfire** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 1:43 pm

Has redstreak ever gone a month without a "triumphant return from....." thread on some message board?

Redstreak · Post by **Redstreak** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 8:36 pm

Jetfire wrote:Has redstreak ever gone a month without a "triumphant return from....." thread on some message board?

See, at least I'm not Cyberstrike:

"I'm leaving and not coming back!"
"I'm back."

And so on.