09.19.09
thank goodness for leather seats
I am a vegetarian and for the most part, avoid things that are leather. I may own over 100 (150?) pairs of shoes, but the majority are fake leather. Sometimes, however, you have to thank the universe for leather, rather than cloth seats.
Yesterday I worked at Uncommon Ground from about 1pm until 1am. I was working the shows for the World Music Festival and it was amazing. I even got to watch a world class drummer play my kit – kind of fun and made me want to take lessons again. But I digress.
So I had worked about 18 hours the day before for some “day job deadlines” and had gotten 2.5 hours of sleep. But if you know me, you know I function fine on no sleep – just wish I understood why, given all the other problems I have with my body. I have written about having “ITP” before and in fact this is where you can learn more about it: http://pdsa.org/
Not many people know about it or understand it well. It is a quiet “affliction” that does not get a lot of press, doesn’t have a “ribbon” (we do have a color-band though – blood red of course) Anyway, I thought I would write about this again, perhaps to help bring more attention to it and maybe help others who have it or any other platelet disorder.
So on my way home last night, which is a short 6 blocks, I had the top down, all my drums in the car, was exhausted, and knew it, but it had been an amazing day. Then it happened. It happens to people with ITP and can happen with little warning. I won’t go into all the details, as it is a little gross and messy, but suffice it to say I am glad I have treated leather seats that repel water (and blood)…
I thought I might be bleeding, and I was right, and the simple way to put is is that I “bled out” a bit and just put two and two together and think about the fact that there are few places for it to come “out” and add that to a leather seat, and well you get the idea.
Well, the firestation just happens to be on the way from UG to my home, and I was a block from it when this occurred. I knew I would not want to drive much more. I pulled in the parking lot and asked them to take me to the hospital. Thanks guys – you were wonderful!
So I spent the night in the hospital receiving IV-IG and a platelet infusion. IV-IG is Intravenous Immunoglobulin and I usually do that about once a month.. I missed last month which is most likely why I bled out in the first place. I also received some platelets and just want to thank anyone and everyone who has ever donated platelets. You help keep me and others alive.
Would I like a new body? Yep. Honestly, it is why I am single, it is not something that you just want to share with someone else. Oh sure there are those who get sick when they are with someone and that person makes a world of difference to help the other, but when you already know you are sick, well, it is not something you want another person to have to share.
So I am home now. Resting and taking the night off. I have band rehearsal tomorrow and then another part of the World Music Fest to go run, then back to Monday, the day job and Open Mic and more. Music is a passion of mine as is my photography. If I did not have it, I know I would not be here.
You know, when it all comes down to it, I hate my illness not because it attacks me, but because it makes me disappoint people and let them down for commitments I have made. (Sorry LCCP and HB)
But I guess, in all of this, I just have to be happy for my treated leather seats, since when I did pick up my car, well, I did not have to clean anything. Oh, the 1 out of 2 pairs of jeans I own? Yeah, those are ruined. Hmm, can I live with just 1 pair of jeans? Yeah, I mean I don’t really wear them that much and hate them. But that is another topic for another day..
So I just want to close by thanking those of you full of health, vigor and life,and remind others, that when you get a chance, donate blood, platelets, plasma, anything – you just don’t understand how many lives you help, and in fact, it could be someone you just talked to just a few hours ago…
Peace, love and light
Kat