The Last Few Days

Been nuts. I've tried to at least comment on people's various blogs and LJs so no one will think I'm in the hospital again.

Wednesday I met with the nephrologist. He is pleased as punch with my rising CO2 (I am now up to 22 -- go, me!!), and he demoted my blood draws to once next week and once two weeks after that. And the fingers rejoiced!! I happened to finally find out what my CO2 was when I was admitted to ICU, and it's no wonder everyone was freaking out and I was getting my blood drawn every couple of hours the first day. Remember how I said the lower limit of normal is 18? Well, I was 6. ::shiver::

I still have to take six bicarb tablets a day, but I'm used to that now. Dr. C also told me he will not release me for surgery until my CO2 is 26, and so we will see what happens when I see him a week after my second lab. ::sigh:: That means another MONTH until I have the POSSIBILITY of doing something about these thrice-bedamned stones.

Thursday we went to pick up P for his pulmonology check-up, and I also had a follow-up with my GP from my ER admit. Afterwards, we stopped by the house on the way back to Wichita so I could pee and P could see the progress on the addition and meet the new puppy. When we walked into the house, Dad was asleep in his chair and moaning in his sleep. I know what that means when I do that (seriously, majorly ill or in pain or both), so I was immediately concerned. He's not been feeling too whoopie for about a week -- nausea and diarrhea, not to mention the drywall dust making his allergies go nuts. I talked to Mom, and the three of us convinced Dad to ride to Wichita with us and go to the VA. Didn't take a lot of convincing or arm twisting -- and that in itself was an additional sign of how badly he was feeling. While Mom hung with him at the ER, I stayed at P's. He let me use his dorm cash to get something for supper, and I got to watch a new ep of CSI. ::swoon:: I also got to hang with Naomi for a couple of hours and meet her new girl Zoe, a standard/miniature poodle mix. The doctors admitted Dad after HOURS of deliberation, the end result of which was they THOUGHT it might be his appendix. My reaction: "Well, they'd better figure it out, preferrably before it goes POP!" Mom got to P's at about 2330, she helped me pee (yes, my life revolves around peeing -- deal), and we headed home after purchasing bottled caffeine for Mom. I was tired as hell, but I kept talking to Mom to help her stay awake. We got home about 0045, were in bed by 0130, and we were back up again by about 0730-0800 to do chores and head back to Wichita.

Last night, I took advantage of Dad being gone and watched Numb3rs. ::swoon:: I want to marry Charlie and at least TRY to make babies with him! I got to bed late because Mom worked, but it wasn't as late as the night before. We were up early again, and we stopped at an ATM for me and Borders for Mom and Dad (you how much I HATE going to the bookstore since they always FORCE me to buy at least one book and a chai), then it was to the hospital again. As of today, the docs are sure it's an intestinal infection (they're nice and inflammed in all the pics), but they can't determine if it's viral or bacterial. Dad is still in the hospital today.

Gods, I need somebody to take me out.