I'll Bloody Well Walk Out Of Here
I very nearly spent the night at the hospital and didn't get the surgery. I had blood drawn first and then went back to model the latest in hospital attire. The nurses were all expressing concern for my well being, above and beyond what I would normally expect. As I was getting an IV put in, the anesthesiologist explained why...My hematocrit is 16. No, there must be a
OUCH
Are you using a larger needle than normal for that IV?
Yes...In case we need to give you a transfusion.
Basically, they wanted to admit me to get my blood work back to some semblance of normal. I didn't want to stay at that hospital, it's an hour away from my house. The anesthesiologist said he'd get me an ambulance to transport me to another hospital. I had my HIGHLANDER moment...I walked in, I'll walk out.
In the end, they discharged me with instructions to take 2 doses of Procrit today, then follow up with Aranesp next week and for the next couple of weeks. After 4 weeks of blood boosters, I should be able to have the surgery.