Stupid Thick Blood

This is the most recent piece I've written. It started out as an explanation to friends who worried after my facebook status read "Olivia is in the hospital again. Ugh."

As far as the whole hospital thing goes, it was more of an annoyance to me than anything, which is why I didn't call close friends or anything. Since you were curious (and I'm an insomniac), here's a rundown of what happened:

2/28: I pass out in the pet food aisle at my local Giant Eagle. Kyle yells for help (to no avail) and calls 911. Kyle wakes me up and I'm staring at a store manager's shoes. The medics arrive. I pass out again, but not before handing Kyle a really awesome coupon for frozen salmon. Ambulance takes me to St. Clair hospital where I'm scanned and tested and - SURPRISE! I have blot clots again! But this time they're in my lungs. I'm admitted and put on Heparin and saline in ICU. Parents are alerted, I'm freaking out, etc. I finally go to sleep.

3/1: I am informed that I have a genetic clotting disorder that has no name. I have the choice of giving myself Heparin shots or taking Coumadin tablets for the rest of my life. I chose Coumadin. I'm told I have to spend the next four days or so in the hospital, but there is no procedure that must be done, which was my great fear. Still, I have a ticket for "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the Benedum this Sunday and I will not miss it. Everybody relaxes a little and I complain about the heart monitor I'm hooked up to.

3/2: I'm out of ICU and into the unit that's a step down. Basically, I'm still wearing this stupid heart monitor. Thank God it's wireless now. And I have my own room. Yea. We wait for the doctor. We wait for the doctor all day. About 8:50, we dim the lights and tune into ABC for LOST. At 9:03, my doctor walks in. Kyle and I are very nice and don't tell him off for interrupting LOST. The clots are dissolving, yada, yada, yada, I have to stay in the hospital, but am getting out Thursday. I can still see "Superstar". Yessssss.

3/3: My parents go back to Philly, Kyle leaves to get some rest, I watch the Ghosthunters marathon, etc. I become bored and start taking pictures of things in my room with the intent of making a facebook album called "Olivia Goes to the Hospital" or something like that.

3/4: I get out today! Yea! Even the nurses are saying I'm probably going home today - yea! My doctor's practice partner comes in and tells me I have to stay until Saturday. I want to kill this physician. I have a panic attack and totally lose it. Later, after I've cried a river in front of two nurses, I receive a laptop from said nurses because they feel bad for me. Since St. Clair's got free wireless, I can surf the net. This helps a great deal. But I will see that blasted musical if I have to go in my hospital gown, holding my IVs, gosh darn it.

3/5: I AM going home today. I WILL go home today. I WILL SEE THAT MUSICAL, D****T! Oh, wait, I actually do get to go home today? Really?! Jesus Christ Superstar - that's magnificent! I call Kyle and my parents and go about getting dressed and packing up stuff. Ah, I'll even have a full day of rest before the musical.

3/6: I am exhausted. But I have to walk as part of my discharge orders, so sure, let's go to Best Buy walk around and then get something to eat.

Three hours later: I must sleep. For tomorrow I will see Jesus!

3/7: This is it! The musical! The theatre! Jesus!

Several hours later: I can't freaking believe I'm too tired to go see this musical. I'm such a wuss.