A short description of my life

I was born to Nora B. and Kenneth K. on Sept. 25. I was jaundice and I had to stay in the hospital for 2 weeks after my mother gave birth. Then when I was allowed to go back home. My mother noticed when I slept I would get nose bleeds and my pillow would have blood all around my head.

Then the doctors told my parents that I had internal bleeding from my portal vein to the liver. But, they couldn't do anything for me until I got older. I was about 4 or 5 years old and I started having black tarry bowel movements. And the 1st signs of internal bleeding. Then shortly after I would vomit blood. I was rushed up to Skyline Hospital. Then from there transported via Life Flight to Emanuel Hospital in Portland, OR.

I remember I was in and out of the hospital from about 4 or 5 until I was 9 years old. I have had several close calls. I have gone to Emanuel Hospital more times then a normal young child would.
I remember going by helicopter, ambulance, and a caboose of a freight train. When I had to go down to Vancouver, WA via freight train, was when we had a blizzard in 1980 through the Columbia River Gorge. Both sides of the river were closed, I-84 and HWY 14. So, they loaded me up in Bingen, WA via freight train. We went slow. There was one point in the travel that I had to go to the restroom. Lucky for me the conductor was very nice, and actually stopped the train so, I could go to the bathroom. Once I was situated back into my stretcher, they started the train back up and left.
I slept most of the way there, since loosing all that blood made me tired. We made it to Vancouver, WA alright and there was an ambulance waiting for us there which took us to Emanuel Hospital once more.

I also remember a time where I had to go via Life Flight and I wanted to see the Hood River Bridge while we were flew over it. I remember asking the nurse to tell me when we were over it. I didn't tell her what my plans were. :) So, she told me then I sat up, being rather persistent in the matter, even though the nurse got mad at me. I pretty much begged her to help me sit up a bit. And I was able to see the Hood River Bridge as we were flying over it. I laid back down and went to sleep.

I also remember a time where I was not quite ready to leave. But, I was able to walk around. Back in the 80's the nurses there were pretty lenient on me. The hospital was my play ground pretty much.
Once there was this elevator it's an old one. They called it Oscar. I rode that elevator like it was going out of style. It was an elevator that was not used much, except by hospital personnel.
I would also go see the nurses quite a bit. Go by the nurses station and say hello. Of course this was all when I was feeling better. I remember taking baths in the great big tub that they had. I loved that thing. It seemed so big to me back then. Of course there were the finding a wheel chair and going up and down the halls in that. I have no idea how they let me do all of these things. Although, I think I would sneak out a lot. Me being tied down in a bed for too long made me stir crazy I suppose.

I did however had one time that I just about scared everyone to death. I will be talking more about that in another post.

Although there is one thing that saved my life. I totally am grateful to him. For everything he did for me when I was little. He is Dr. Glen Barclay. He along with a team of Doctors helped save my life. And for that I am so grateful to him.

 

Above: Erin and Dr. Glen Barclay abt. 1983

 

Below: Erin with her favorite nurse. Nurse Elaine. Abt. 1983

 

My leg infection

OK. So, on Monday night 05/04/09 I had a fever and chills, etc. Temp of 102-103 degrees. Then the next day my fever broke. But, I felt my leg tight and hurting. I went to the restroom and looked at my leg.

It was very red and swollen about 2 times the size of my other one. I decided I needed to go to the doctor. I went in to a Insta Care. I didn't want to go to a ER (too expensive). And they said it was Cellulitis. Asked me if I am a diabetic. I said no. They checked my blood sugar and it was 77. That is really good. They don't know exactly how I got it. I think it could have been a infected ingrown hair.

They put a IV in me and started antibiotics through the IV. I hated having one of those in my again. After having so many growing up. Then they told me I had to take antibiotics orally as well. I did this for 5 days. It still didn't seem like it was getting any better. Then on Saturday Insta Care said that if it wasn't any better on Sunday to go to the ER. I went on Sunday and got stronger antibiotics. They said to come back on Monday. I called into work, as I didn't know if this stuff could be passed to anyone. I waited until Melecio got off work to go.

Its a good thing I waited. As sure enough they admitted me to the hospital for 2 days. They told me at the hospital that they suspected I might have MRSA. Its kind of like a staph infection...but, worse. They said that it used to be only in hospital. But, now its made its way into the public. Most people are immune to it.

But, since I had my internal bleeding when I was little. And they took my spleen out to take the working vein from the spleen, and patch it up to the non working vein to my liver. Since your spleen helps fight infection. I am much more prone to get infections.

Heck I can't remember how many times I have had sinus infections, ear infections, strep throat, bronchitis, etc. It used to be I got sick like clock work every month. But, I guess that is the price to pay to be alive. As I almost lost my life several times.

OK, so, I am posting some picks of my leg. If you have a weak stomach, then don't look. :)

This last picture was taken today. Its mostly gone.

But, I took the last pills today. I hope I don't have a flare up. Kind of worried about that left over reddish patch. I have it there and on the back of leg just below the calf.

So, my husband said I probably should have gone to the ER when I 1st got this. Maybe I would hav gotten better faster.

Oh, well. Next time I will know.

Its been awhile

Ok. Its been awhile since I last blogged. So, I thought I would blog again.
I just don't have any pictures to add this time. I should have more. I am going to my sister's house for Thanksgiving. Now she is not really my sister. As I am the only girl out of four boy's. But, she is close enough to it. Her parents are coming over as well. I haven't seen them in about 20 years after, or before my brother 1st married her. It should be a good time though. I plan on getting up in the morning and making some food to take with me.

Looks like quiche and a pumpkin and white chocolate drops. I figured the pumpkin drops sounded good. I could make pumpkin pie (I love that stuff!) but, I wanted to be different this year. Oh, for those of you that know me. Yes, I do cook. I just don't care to do it. :) And I think that this is one of the only times of year that I cook full meals.

Hey, if you don't believe me there have been many times where I have cooked turkey and mashed potatoes, and gravy, some sort of hot veggie, and a pie. This has been at my mom's place. My mom couldn't go out to Boyce and Kathy's place. So, I cooked at home.

Now I have done stuffed Turkey too. It just takes longer. :) That time I wasn't taking in account how long it was going to take. So, we ate late that time. :)

Thanksgiving was the day my Grandpa passed away. We all met for Thanksgiving at my Uncles house. He came home afterwards and had a stroke. And passed. I would like to go that way. I mean a full belly, being able to see family and friends. Watching the little ones run around and play. Either that way or passing in my sleep. But, then again. I think it would be weird to just wake up and be somewhere else.

Yes, I believe there is life after death. I have had several times with my brush of death. But, I will tell you that later on in another post.

The moral of this story is: hold on to your loved ones this holiday love them and show it just a little bit more. As you will never know when the last day on this earth will be.

I hope that everyone has a safe and happy holiday season!

I just thought that you might like to see this one. I have it posted on my flicker account. But, I will post it here too. I am going to have a few more pictures soon.

This one is for you Monica. I know how much you love duck tape!!

Here are some more. This last one was one that I got as a email from the trucking company that I work for. I thought it was funny. What on earth was this driver thinking?? He's lucky a train wasn't coming.

I thought I would post this. I found it on the internet. I thought it was funny so, I thought I would share it with everyone.