Transfusion #19

I got a call about mid-morning from Diane in Dr. Chan's office. Mom needs both platelets and packed red blood cells (PRBC). Since we are going to lunch with Aunty Judy tomorrow, Mom can't do a transfusion until Thursday. But Dr. Chan did not want to wait until then for the platelets because her level was dangerously low, so we did that today. (Each unit of PRBC takes 3 hours; she needs 2 units. Platelets take about an hour; she needed only 1 unit.) Nurse Staci was Mom's main nurse today, with assistance from Nurse Isabelle.

Mom watching Rachael Ray while she gets her platelet transfusion.

This time I remembered to take some treats with me. As well as a bottle of water. Hopefully, I will continue to remember to take treats and water whenever I come to the ATC or the ER. (After today's trip I left one small packet in my backpack along with a bottle of water.)

These are from Suzanne; Mom & Dad can no longer eat nuts so I am eating them.

This morning David, Randi, & Sarah picked a bunch of the ripe jabon. There are now about 40 of them looking for new homes! And there are still a few more green ones on the tree.


We dropped 3 jabon off at the hospital; 1 at Admitting and 2 at the ATC. At the ATC I asked them to find out how many more I should bring for people on Thursday, when Mom goes back for the PRBC transfusion. Nurse Staci said she will bring in vinegar & shoyu on Thursday; she said that is the Filipino way of eating jabon.

David is helping to build a compost bin out of the concrete blocks that Mom & Dad have piled up in the back patio. When it is complete I will have the mango leaves and other vegetation added to the compost bin.

Partially completed compost bin; these jabon are ready for the compost pile.

Before Mom & I left for the ATC, David, Randi, Sarah, & Kaia drove in to Kaimuki. Randi went to an internet cafe for some real coffee and to do some work. Sarah needed to pick up some supplies for Kaia at Longs. They also picked up supplies to make a stir fry for dinner. Randi was the main chef, with prep support by David. It was a savory vegetarian red curry with a side of assorted meat bits to be added by the carnivores.

Darn! She looked like she was in focus when I checked my phone.

L: assorted meat toppings, R: vegetarian red curry, T: tako salad, B: ahi poke.

Each of the cats have reacted to David, Randi, Sarah, & Kaia very differently. Shiro acts like he knows everyone; he is a little curious about Kaia but not afraid. Xander makes brief appearances during the evening but prefers not to be too close to them. Chibi is very skittish, she tries to stay as far away as possible from them, even in the evening.

Happy Birthday to Gus, Julie, Derek, Lorena, Angela, & Robin! Happy 18th Anniversary to Roxanne & Curtis! And Happy Valentine's Day to Everyone!