As scheduled I met with the cardiologist at 9 a.m. He did an EKG which was normal and heard my heart murmer. He felt addition tests should be done because of my family history. An appointment scheduled in the afternoon for an ECHO DURING STRESS/ REST WITH DOPPLER. The first half of the test was simple and went well. The second half was a disaster. While I was on the treadmill, the technition accidentally pushed the wrong button which made the speed of the treadmill increase. I have problems walking, let alone running. I started to stumble and tightened my grip. The other technition yelled get her off, and they syopped it. I fell into a gurney alongside the treadmill and tears streamed down my face. Once the pace rapidly inreased I knew I wouldnt last very long. I have trouble walking unasisted, never mind at a fast pace. It was decided that an MRI should be scheduled for tommorow. When I returned to the waiting area and by the expression on my face Vinny knew something was wrong. I explained the traumatic ordeal and he was furious. He couldn't understand why someone would expose me to that danger knowing my situation. I then had to calm him down because he was ready to go back there and wreak havok.
That temporarily put that bad experience behind me.
love,
Jill
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Prentice Hospital at Northwestern
Monday, January 5,2009
Before Jill was told by Dr Burt to wait until Friday this is what I wrote in the morning.
It is information that I am sure you will find interesting.
Jill will be admitted to the Prentice Building. It is a brand new Pavilion that has been added to the many different ones here. It is actually a Woman's Hospital for all their needs. Gynecology, Breast Cancer, a special birthing facility etc.
The 15 th floor is for transplant patients. The sixteenth floor was for pre transplant therapy. That is where Jill was the last time. This building is only one year old.
The fifteenth floor has it's own heating and cooling system. The air on this floor does not interact with any other floor. It is a sterile environment for the patients because their immune system is compromised and they are susceptible to infection. Anyone that has a cold or infection is not permitted on this floor. If you are healthy, you still have to wear a mask and disinfect your hands upon entering the room.
Patients are not permitted more than 3 visitors at a time. Each room has a couch that converts to a bed for one family member to stay with the patient.
All meals are prepared individually at the time you order. They are delivered to the room immediately so that the food does not stand around and sit in hallways on trays. When you finish you call for your tray to be picked up.
All rooms are private. You cannot use the patients bathroom. It is for them only. Bacteria can be transmitted there and can lead to infection.
The Hospital is one block from Lake Michigan. The view is magnificent. All rooms have a flat screen TV that also can be used as a computer. A keyboard is provided. Your stay is long, so they try to make it as comfortable as possible.
This is the most BEAUTIFUL hospital I have ever seen. They even have a library open to the public on the first floor. Computers are provided there for use by the public. There is also one in the waiting room for you to use.
All the pillows and bedding are hypoallergenic. Only pull down filtered shades are on the windows.. No blinds,draperies, or valances because they collect dust.
Jill is in the best place and in the best hands. That is comforting for us
Love
Doreen
Before Jill was told by Dr Burt to wait until Friday this is what I wrote in the morning.
It is information that I am sure you will find interesting.
Jill will be admitted to the Prentice Building. It is a brand new Pavilion that has been added to the many different ones here. It is actually a Woman's Hospital for all their needs. Gynecology, Breast Cancer, a special birthing facility etc.
The 15 th floor is for transplant patients. The sixteenth floor was for pre transplant therapy. That is where Jill was the last time. This building is only one year old.
The fifteenth floor has it's own heating and cooling system. The air on this floor does not interact with any other floor. It is a sterile environment for the patients because their immune system is compromised and they are susceptible to infection. Anyone that has a cold or infection is not permitted on this floor. If you are healthy, you still have to wear a mask and disinfect your hands upon entering the room.
Patients are not permitted more than 3 visitors at a time. Each room has a couch that converts to a bed for one family member to stay with the patient.
All meals are prepared individually at the time you order. They are delivered to the room immediately so that the food does not stand around and sit in hallways on trays. When you finish you call for your tray to be picked up.
All rooms are private. You cannot use the patients bathroom. It is for them only. Bacteria can be transmitted there and can lead to infection.
The Hospital is one block from Lake Michigan. The view is magnificent. All rooms have a flat screen TV that also can be used as a computer. A keyboard is provided. Your stay is long, so they try to make it as comfortable as possible.
This is the most BEAUTIFUL hospital I have ever seen. They even have a library open to the public on the first floor. Computers are provided there for use by the public. There is also one in the waiting room for you to use.
All the pillows and bedding are hypoallergenic. Only pull down filtered shades are on the windows.. No blinds,draperies, or valances because they collect dust.
Jill is in the best place and in the best hands. That is comforting for us
Love
Doreen
Transplant postponed until Friday
Today, at about 11:30 am, Dr Burt's office called to make sure everything was set for tomorrow. Kate, Dr Burt's nurse spoke to Jill and asked how she felt. She was feeling stuffy and her ears hurt. Her throat was also bothering her. Kate phoned Dr Burt to report on her condition. He wanted to see Jill to check her ears and throat. He was not in the clinic at the hospital today, so we had to coordinate a time to meet..
After examining Jill, Dr Burt decided to postpone the transplant until Friday. He explained that it is not advisable to go ahead if there is any type of infection, cold, or virus. It is simply too dangerous.
He prescribed Z pack for Jill and wants to make sure she feels okay on Friday. He told her that she is the best indicator of how she feels. If she doesn't feel well,she will just have to wait.
It's better to be safe instead of sorry.
Jill will keep you posted on how she feels
Love
Doreen
After examining Jill, Dr Burt decided to postpone the transplant until Friday. He explained that it is not advisable to go ahead if there is any type of infection, cold, or virus. It is simply too dangerous.
He prescribed Z pack for Jill and wants to make sure she feels okay on Friday. He told her that she is the best indicator of how she feels. If she doesn't feel well,she will just have to wait.
It's better to be safe instead of sorry.
Jill will keep you posted on how she feels
Love
Doreen
January 15, 2009
Today I went to have the MRI of my heart done at 4:00 p.m. It was almost 2 hours long but unlike the other MRI's I have gotten, I couldn't fall asleep. I had to stay awake to hold my breath many times. This is not protocal for stem cell patients but considering my family history, I had to have this test done as a precaution before the transplant. While I was having the test done, Dr. Burt's office called my mother and gave her the great news that I am scheduled for admission for the stem cell transplant at 7 a.m. (yay!) Now the hard part is getting there on time! I'm so happy, I'll be MS free soon!
love,
Jill
Today I went to have the MRI of my heart done at 4:00 p.m. It was almost 2 hours long but unlike the other MRI's I have gotten, I couldn't fall asleep. I had to stay awake to hold my breath many times. This is not protocal for stem cell patients but considering my family history, I had to have this test done as a precaution before the transplant. While I was having the test done, Dr. Burt's office called my mother and gave her the great news that I am scheduled for admission for the stem cell transplant at 7 a.m. (yay!) Now the hard part is getting there on time! I'm so happy, I'll be MS free soon!
love,
Jill
Monday, January 12, 2009
Monday January 12, 2009
Today I met with Dr. Burt at Northwestern Hospital. He examined my ears and said I was looking much better. He gave me a prescripton for ear drops and told me I was to be admitted tomorrow at 8 am.
My mother was talking to Dr.Burt about my cousin that just passed away. It was sudden and without warning. They think he may have died from the same thing my grandmother had when she passed away. She was only 35 years old and she just stopped talking while siting in a car and died suddenly. At that time the technology wasn't
available to diagnose the cause of death. They now think it was Verticular Cardio Myopathy. Now a cardiologist is going to check me again tomorrow just to be sure I don't have this condition.
I'll let you know when I will be admitted.
Love
Jill
Today I met with Dr. Burt at Northwestern Hospital. He examined my ears and said I was looking much better. He gave me a prescripton for ear drops and told me I was to be admitted tomorrow at 8 am.
My mother was talking to Dr.Burt about my cousin that just passed away. It was sudden and without warning. They think he may have died from the same thing my grandmother had when she passed away. She was only 35 years old and she just stopped talking while siting in a car and died suddenly. At that time the technology wasn't
available to diagnose the cause of death. They now think it was Verticular Cardio Myopathy. Now a cardiologist is going to check me again tomorrow just to be sure I don't have this condition.
I'll let you know when I will be admitted.
Love
Jill
Sunday, January 11th:
Jill's admission has been changed again. She has to meet the doctor tomorrow afternoon at the hospital.
He wants to examine her again before they admit her.
Her ears still hurt and they are afraid to go ahead with the transplant until she is completely over this cold.
It is a little disappointing but I know the doctor is looking at what could happen if this isn't taken care of first.
She may have to go on antibiotics again.
Love
Doreen
Jill's admission has been changed again. She has to meet the doctor tomorrow afternoon at the hospital.
He wants to examine her again before they admit her.
Her ears still hurt and they are afraid to go ahead with the transplant until she is completely over this cold.
It is a little disappointing but I know the doctor is looking at what could happen if this isn't taken care of first.
She may have to go on antibiotics again.
Love
Doreen
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
If all goes as planned, Jill will be admitted to the hospital at 10 am Monday, Jan. 12th. She has been resting and finished the antibiotics on Friday. The sore throat is gone and she said her ears hurt just a little; they feel stuffy. I think the plane ride definitely affected the ear pressure and made the situation worse.
Her father made a big pot of beef soup. That definitely helps you feel better.
The apartment has a fully equipped kitchen that makes it so much easier. We don't have to worry about ordering from a restaurant because we have been doing all the cooking here. It keeps us busy and is so much cheaper.
I am sure you know that it has been snowing almost every day, but this is Chicago, so we expected it.
While we are waiting for Jill to be admitted to the hospital, we are reading the precautions we have to take after
There are lots of restrictions regarding food and food preparation that must be adhered to so we must be very careful. Here are some of them:
Never leave perishable food out of the refrigerator longer than two hours.
Egg dishes, meat, fish, poultry, cream and mayonnaise based foods should not be left unrefrigerated for more than one hour.
Do not eat raw meats, fish or sushi.
Do not eat food from salad bars.
Wash tops of canned foods before opening.
Clean the can opener after each use.
During food preparation, do not taste the food with the same utensil used for stirring.
Cook egg until whites are completely hard and the yolks begin to thicken. The yolk should no longer be runny but need not be hard.
Do not buy meats or cheese at the delicatessen. Packaged deli meats and cheeses are okay.
Avoid unpasteurized dairy products that contain molds (e.g. blue cheese).
NEVER TASTE FOOD THAT LOOKS OR SMELLS STRANGE!
Keep foods at safe temperatures: hot food above 140 degrees and cold food below 40 degrees.
There are a lot of other restrictions that I will inform you of in future blogs.
Love, Doreen
If all goes as planned, Jill will be admitted to the hospital at 10 am Monday, Jan. 12th. She has been resting and finished the antibiotics on Friday. The sore throat is gone and she said her ears hurt just a little; they feel stuffy. I think the plane ride definitely affected the ear pressure and made the situation worse.
Her father made a big pot of beef soup. That definitely helps you feel better.
The apartment has a fully equipped kitchen that makes it so much easier. We don't have to worry about ordering from a restaurant because we have been doing all the cooking here. It keeps us busy and is so much cheaper.
I am sure you know that it has been snowing almost every day, but this is Chicago, so we expected it.
While we are waiting for Jill to be admitted to the hospital, we are reading the precautions we have to take after
There are lots of restrictions regarding food and food preparation that must be adhered to so we must be very careful. Here are some of them:
Never leave perishable food out of the refrigerator longer than two hours.
Egg dishes, meat, fish, poultry, cream and mayonnaise based foods should not be left unrefrigerated for more than one hour.
Do not eat raw meats, fish or sushi.
Do not eat food from salad bars.
Wash tops of canned foods before opening.
Clean the can opener after each use.
During food preparation, do not taste the food with the same utensil used for stirring.
Cook egg until whites are completely hard and the yolks begin to thicken. The yolk should no longer be runny but need not be hard.
Do not buy meats or cheese at the delicatessen. Packaged deli meats and cheeses are okay.
Avoid unpasteurized dairy products that contain molds (e.g. blue cheese).
NEVER TASTE FOOD THAT LOOKS OR SMELLS STRANGE!
Keep foods at safe temperatures: hot food above 140 degrees and cold food below 40 degrees.
There are a lot of other restrictions that I will inform you of in future blogs.
Love, Doreen
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