Good news today

My platelet count is down from 688 to 313 ! Woot !
C-Reactive protein is normal - which was off the chart during my Aug flare
Red Blood Cell count - still slightly anemic so continuing the daily iron tabs.

Looking back over time my platelet count always skyrockets during a flare
However the late September value of 688 + dehydration and all around
body inflammation from the UC flare is what caused the stroke. I also think
the high dose calcium supplements contributed as calcium plays a role
reinforcing clots so they are not broken down.

On other fronts I was accepted into Cover Colorado and my COCC was
accepted so I have no pre-existing condition waiting period.

My neurologist wants to repeat the MRV and Spinal Tap which I applaud
because "That which gets measured gets managed".

Today was a good day, I took an interview by phone on the way into work
and hit a milestone on the job - I am going into holiday mode, no more
rising at 3:00 am no more cramming for interviews. I feel like my 'comeback'
is complete, now I simply need to avoid a 'setback'. Today I felt as if I
had excess youth and vitality at 46 which I have not felt since the stroke.

I had huge tasks lined up last weekend, I mowed, then mulched tons of
leaves in the backyard, then strung xmas lights all over. My daughter
told me of her dream in which I died ON THE LAWN. I said 'Front or Back' ?

She said front so I continued with my backyard plans :)

Good for you. You have brought up issues that we should all be aware of :dehydration, stroke potential, beware of calcium supps.

Don't get too overachieving with your new vitality, holidays are a big time for accidents and overdoing. Easy to get carried away when you are feeling good. Sounds like your daughter was worried about losing you. Glad you made it.

imagardener2 said...
Good for you. You have brought up issues that we should all be aware of :dehydration, stroke potential, beware of calcium supps.

Don't get too overachieving with your new vitality, holidays are a big time for accidents and overdoing. Easy to get carried away when you are feeling good. Sounds like your daughter was worried about losing you. Glad you made it.

Thanks! I just got a letter along with the other good news in the mail asking me to see my 'special invitation' to get a burial plot at Evergreen Cemetery! Good lord who told them I was dying!

Yes you are right about getting carried away. I was wrapping up the yard work and rearranging things in the garage, my head was below my heart and frankly it hurt pretty bad so I took my dads advice and I quit and went to bed. I remember him asking me when surfing why I did not just quit as it was almost impossible to even paddle out. Now I understand moderation. I need to be here to raise a little one. I remember having no energy and pretty much no memory in October, walking around the lake with no job. Everything was dying as we headed into winter and I felt it would be impossible to return to my former self. Then I thought how awesome it would be if I could 'overcome adversity' and demonstrate it to her, that she could learn that lesson and use it later in life if I pass before she matures. Although very concerned about losing me she does not seem to register the transformation I just went thru. For her its just business as usual. I really have no idea how to get it across with words if she saw it happen over 60 days and forgot how I was in the ICU my right arm unusable only to escape and wake up with a numb right side and headache each day - then after humiliating failed interview after interview I won a good job using the latest stuff in my field 20 minutes from my front door when the market is supposed to be dead. It was about to be a very bad Christmas and a LONG winter. Right after the job started she said 'you seem very different' oh yeah daddy aint depressed no more.

Yes I never knew there was a UC-Stroke connection until I was hospitalized for one and the Neurologist laid it out for me. I was in disbelief nobody in my family has had a stroke. I was so dehydrated I tasted salt for 3 days straight and just kept chugging energy drinks and those darn calcium pills. When I am on prednisone above 30 mg I get so obsessive - everything is in my way. Well I wont be taking that again, it worked in the past but it did nothing for me in August even at 100mg.

Water water water - next time I start to flare I am going to drown that flare with water. I think I'll have another glass of water...and drift off to sleep.

Mele Kalikimaka!