I somehow don't think anyone has any idea whatsoever, how hard it is to be chronically anemic.
Let me explain something.
When I still had my kidneys, they churned out a healthy helping of a hormone called erythropoietin. That hormone is responsible for the production of new red blood cells.
Then, my kidneys got large, infected, and painful...so, they had to come out.
Ever since then, my blood supply has been precious...but not endless.
I've been on Epogen...phony erythropoietin...ever since. When I was on hemodialysis, I got Epogen every day of treatment, or three days a week. When on peritoneal dialysis, as I am now, I get it as needed...which was once a week at one time...is now twice a week.
In May of 2008, my hemoglobin got down to 7. That's low enough that I needed a blood transfusion, which made a world of difference.
Usually, though...whether because Medicare won't cover certain procedures under certain conditions...usually, I end up getting Epogen shots.
These last two months or so, my hemoglobin dropped, down to 10. Not quite as low as it was when I had that transfusion...but it's sure got me feeling as though I've been hit by a truck!!!!
That's why I'm up to two Epogen shots a week now. Because of how my hemoglobin level dropped and didn't go back up with just one Epogen shot a week.
According to my nurse, the Epogen shots stop when my hemoglobin gets up to 12. I'll bet it doesn't stay at 12, though!!
12, though, is the limit, for a dialysis patient.
For me, personally, that's still kind of anemic. When I had my kidneys, my hemoglobin was usually about 14, or even 16!! So, 12 would be comparatively anemic.
OK, now that I've gone over the technicalities of it.....
I don't think anyone has the slightest idea of how hard it is to drag yourself through, day by day, second by second....movement by movement....
Anemia is an energy-zapper, if ever there was one!!!!
Maybe for convenience's sake...it's just not convenient to understand how hard it is for an anemic to even breathe sometimes....so, most people don't understand that.
That's what I'm trying to tell you, though. It IS hard to be anemic. Harder than one might think.
Thanks for hearing me out.
It's been a hell of a week...a hell of a day...I appreciate being able to come back here and write....and I wish I had more readers, but I'm not writing for my readers. I'm writing for myself. I wish more people would sneak in here and take a look, but it's my blog...if that makes any sense.
I have a feeling now that I'm just rambling for nothing, so.......
Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow!!!
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
