I te'ya, don't go to the doctor by yourself if you're old and might get bad news.

So then here's the story.

As you know I had a day surgery to repair a hernia about a week and a half ago. That is doing great and things are healing up nicely.

BUT

The outpatient surgical center did a routine blood test on me before the procedure. The doc informed me that I am severely anemic. Recommended I see my family doc and get checked out.

I did that today. Miss Pam was busy and I expected that I'd just get some pill and be sent on my way.

Wrong

My doc freaked out and asked me a lot of questions. Bleeding gums? blood in urine or stools? No NO and NO. She told me that I was bleeding somewhere and that I might have a bleeding ulcer. She walked me over to my GI docs office in that same building and helped me get set up for a good scoping upper and lower. She gave me a Rx for some pills and

and

and

and

I gotta get a blood transfusion ASAP. That is being set up and I'll get a call when and where to show up. I don't mind a new pill now and then and I know my way around an operating room. But a FREAKIN BLOOD TRANSFUSION?!?!

I'm kinda bummed out right now. I guess everything will be alright but I'm just going to have to let it eat on me a little bit.

Y'all please keep 'em crossed for me if you will. Thanks! And I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

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Real men love cats!

Jack,

When you get there, be sure to ask the Doc to give you 2% blood, not that whole stuff with the vitamin D added.

You came thru your other procedure just fine didn't you? You'll be fine after this go around too..Why? Because I said so, that's why.....


Seriously, you'll be just fine.


WuzzFuzz


Be sure to take your new lap top with you, so you can keep up to date with all the gossip here.

.

Just crossed 'em
Prayers and good luck..

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Some men, you just can't reach

That is unnerving! The good news is they've caught it

I have been fighting sever anemia or bone marrow failure now for 7 years, it's call Myelodysplasia. How old are you Jack?
Hugs coming your way.

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Dick

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

First off dump the "its eating at me".
It can possibly be something that can possibly be taken care of without a big ta-do.
Think positive that you are in good hands and it will turn out okay. Divine right action is in place this very moment. Think about that! If it wasn't then they wouldn't have found the problem. Divine right action has been put into motion.

You need a hug. If they told me I needed blood Id just pass out on them.
Don't do needles well. Good luck Sir.

Jack. A firm hug is in order. Be glad they found it today.

last sept I went In for what I thought may be a kidney stone. They found the worst pneumonia they hadever seen, blood clots rt leg, type 2 diabetes and 2 little tiny stones that are non issue. 9 days in the hospital. Oh high PSA too.

5 months later all is back normal. I repeat 5 months. They put I. A cava vena filter in sept to catch blood clots. Told me I was a walking dead man. Blood thinners and get the filter remove feb 22nd.

I rember when a car wreck, a horse rolling over on me for about 3 or 4 times before wd stopped. I crawled away from them.

Jack when young we could bounce off death, walk away and be healed up in a few days.

I repeat 5 months on my last one. I am feeli g much better. So it will be for you too.

When we get a little age we can and will get better, it juzt takes longer.

you will persevere, you will get better. I know because you are a tough old codger like many on this forum.

We like you, want to see you get better. Fight hard and keep us posted. I and we can and will help keep your spitits up.

Now go get it done!

Your yet to meet friend, Duane.

I love my doctors (saved my life), but hate to visit them for what they might find next. Prayers and hugs to you.

Hope you have a quick recovery. Good thing they caught whatever needs to be addressed.

Got a hug coming from me sir. Oh! and some prayer also.

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"I'm your huckleberry".

I had a hernia operation one week ago.
Didn't have the problems you have, just things turning black and blue where you don't want them to.....
Yea, good luck with how things go.
And them pain pills make you think stupid at times....
LOL!
BTW, that group hug is for the Golden Girl's from the '80"s, not for men!

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

Best of luck!!!
Be glad they caught it, and that your doctor followed you around and got it handled immediately, rather than the take two aspirin and call me in the morning!
You have a good doctor, and she needs a thank you !!!!!

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Wherever my mind isn't
Jim

Prayers sent. Stay on track and keep on the Docthors. I have been threw the mill O . R. wise ( heart valve over a month stay ) .Ask all kind of questions always.What I have learned in last 4 year ( and average every 90 day hospital. stay). Is stay 100 percent involved. in your care. Don't. be afraid. to ask blood lab tech's. what there drawing for and why.If you don't. have a good feel for your. doctor. get a 2nd or more. I would be very concerned. about a bleed some where . Dizzy, or brusing, also a very hot to touch aera or severe pain . Dont pass Go . Do go directly in and don't. accept sub par care.

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Spin The Wheel

{{{{Hugs}}}}
Sounds like your Doc is right on top of things and doesn't waste any time getting 'er done. I like it when the medical profession works that way, much better than stewing around wondering what, where, when. and why.

I didn't really like what you had to say, but my like was my way of giving you a virtual hug.
Hang in there, buddy!

Some people might tell you to keep your chin up. It's been my experience it just gives bad luck a target. I, instead, recall the times I have held something helpless and fragile in my cupped hands comforting and protecting it from all harm. When life has hit me too hard and I can't deal with it, I imagine myself being held in God's cupped hands while He protects and comforts me. I pray you can feel yourself in God's hands and you feel His love, comfort and protection right now.

I'm really sorry to hear that. It is good that they caught it now. A transfusion should make you feel better and give you more energy. You must have been tired! Sending a big hug and prayers.

Could you be getting an INFUSION, not a transfusion? I've had both and they are no big deal. Try to stay calm. You're lucky your doctor is on top of your health.
If it's an infusion, they will drip some iron (looks like rusty water) through an IV. Procedure takes about 30-40 minutes. Usually it's a series of treatments, a few days apart. You might get a slight metallic taste while it's happening-like sucking on a coin.
No other symptoms or issues except after you are done, (not immediately but some days later), you will likely have more energy!
Best wishes to you during your procedure.

Good luck. We all care about you and how you are doing. I sincerely hope all goes well.

Prayers and a man hug.

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Dum vivo cano

PLEASE make sure they check you for colon cancer. My best friend had to get a transfusion to blood loss and put off getting a colonoscopy for a year until just recently. He found out he has a terminal case of cancer that has broken out of his colon and spread. Bleeding ulcers can kill you but they can be fixed. Once cancer spreads that's pretty much it.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Jack,Jack,Jack...you gonna be fine, buddy. Prayers anywho, they never hurt

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Halfway and one more step

I had a duodenal ulcer blow a couple years ago, and damned near bled out. The docs jammed some old ballpoint pen springs in the hole, gave me three units of whole blood, watched me for a cpoule more days, and turned me loose. Walk in the park. I gotta admit, though, poopin' purple from bleedin' was kinda scary that first hour or so. Sounds like you've got good care. Do as you're told, and heal up. Others of us are waiting to complain about OUR health issues.

Hang in there buddy.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

Best of luck!!!!

Well wishes.

Anytime we get unexpected news, it can e scary.

Just follow the doc's orders and I'm sure you will come out 100%.

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

Best Wishes they clear this up quickly Jack.

Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

Jack, Hernias and Diverticulitis go hand in hand. In fact according to my family Doctor they are both believed to be caused by the same genetic defect. Last August I had my yearly Physical and the blood test revealed I was moderately anemic, not needing a transfusion anemic but a bit over that borderline. Most likely cause was bleeding through a Diverticulie. As a result I got on go in for another colonoscopy. I do so much look forward to that bowel prep (sarcasm to the max). Naturally they didn't find diddly but good news a secondary followup blood test showed my hemoglobin was recovering.

Bad news is that problems like this aren't something we can ignore, so you did good getting tested. Good news is that for folks like us with a history of hernia's and associated connective tissue defects can have bleeding episodes that self resolve and don't add up to anything serious. So, keep a positive mindset and outlook until you get your actual results and don't be too worried when they can't find anything.

I'll also advise you that you'll want to have a discussion with your Doctor about the symptoms of Anemia, they can be rather subtle but are mainly issues with more fatigue than typical when exercising. Basically if you can normally run a mile in 9 minutes but your only able to manage 11 minutes it would be a good idea to get your blood tested. I can also tell you that taking an iron supplement can be helpful but you need to keep in mind the too much iron can destroy your liver, so limit the use of iron supplements to the lowest effective dose. I'll also tell you that iron sulfate tablets will turn your stools black, so if you start taking iron don't get freaked out by black stools.

Thank you all so very much! I just want to make sure you all know that all the support, prayers, advice and comments go a long long way in helping me keep my resolve here. I will be very aggressive in getting all this sorted out.

Yeah I might have to endure a little inconvenience, or pain temporarily but I'm keeping my focus on how much it will be worth it to be the best me I can be and enjoy this life that I so dearly love for as long as I can.

Well I'm feeling a lot better, mentally. There was kind of a misunderstanding. See, English is a second language for my family doctor. She has been our doctor for over 35 years. Her accent is barely detectable but sometimes two words that are very similar in pronunciation can result in a problem.

The thing here was the word transfusion. When people talk to me I form mental images. What popped into my mind when I heard TRANSFUSION what when I change the oil in my truck. Out with the old in with the new. A ghoulish concept in medical applications.

What she was talking about was INFUSION. I get to keep all my original blood they will just add a couple of bags to "touch me up" or "Top me off" so to speak.

I spoke to the nice ladies at the INFUSION center and they 'splained everything to me. When I walk out of there I'll have a lot more kick in my step and I'll feel better all over. Not so much being cold all the time. Not short winded. More energy, IMPROVED MEMORY . I'm kinda lookin' forward to it now.

Wednesday morning I'll go and preregister and and give 'em a sample to match up and then go from there to the GI doc to get set up for my scopes. Then Thursday morning I'll spend layin' around watchin' day time tv no doubt for 6 hours while they slow drip it into my IV.

Then All that remains is the scope and getting the results and fixin' what ever needs fixin'.

I'll let everyone know.

Again thank you all so much.

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Real men love cats!

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

ya, I was freakin' out myself. Try to imagine my relief when I finally figured it out.

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Real men love cats!

Hang in there Jack and get it done, I sure hope you will be fine. Had a similar problem that was misdiagnosed until near death from anemia. After a non needed catheterization looking for a plugged artery or something the Docs assistant was looking at my charts and asked me if I knew my blood count was way down. Huh, whats a blood count I asked and he told me. Well anyhoo my regular doc said I was running on near empty and needed a transfusion like right now, gee no wonder I had shortness of breath and severe fatigue! I refused and went on to do a bunch of other tests and top and bottom checkouts and wound up taking 345mg iron pills twice a day and so far so good. Still have no clue why. Good luck!

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Stay safe people!

Hey Jack,
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Some say the key to recovery is a top doc, or the best meds...I've always said its humor.

With that, I will share a picture with you that I took today...



Haha I heard a noise on my deck, looked out and saw this. He seriously had the biggest pair of nads I've ever seen on a Damn animal in my life. He was hanging like this for about 5 minutes...my guess was that he was cooling them down. You could see them swinging when he walked away ...I know immature, but I got a laugh thought maybe you could too...hahaa,enjoy.

Hugs. Take some deep breaths. Faith. As someone said, they found it and are gonna fix you. A good sign.

Sorry I didn't see this sooner but, good God, wishing you the very best.

Hope you are feeling better. Look forward to some great updates. Ill pray for you but I may not be on the right list. I pray each time I buy a lotter ticket. But then you are a better cause. Go kick some butt.

Just what you need to top off the tank.

Sending one as requested - Hang in there!

BUT

"The outpatient surgical center did a routine blood test on me before the procedure. The doc informed me that I am severely anemic. Recommended I see my family doc and get checked out."


Why on earth did they do the surgery on you if you are so anemic you need a transfusion?

I'll thrown in my opinion on that question. My Cardio Doc works on the heart and cardiovascular systems, he is apparently only interested in that sort of thing and don't look at the rest of the chart. My Doc seems to be fixated on blood sugar and cholesterol levels and don't look at the rest of the blood work. Both missed the whole anemic thing. My cardio man even run me on the tread mill stress test, little wonder I failed that one! There is a old saying. Give a man a hammer as his only his only tool and everything starts to look like a nail. That seems to me to be the problem.

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Stay safe people!