After finding out I was not a match for Craig, and moving on to the paired program, I was in touch with the paired program coordinator. She gave me the list of tests I would now be doing. We skipped by them earlier, as they were trying to fast track me with the cross match test. I was to do a urine collection for 24 hours x 2. Starting at 7:00 am on Saturday, finishing at 7:00 Sunday and then moving on to the next collection until Monday morning at 7:00. It worked out great that I was off the very next weekend and could get started right away. I work 24 hour shifts at the fire hall and any week day I am off from the Fire Service, I work part time as facilities and admin/IT support. It would be very tough to do it any other days but the weekend.
I picked up my “pee jugs” on Friday and after being up very late Friday night (daughter and friends needed a little help after a lost wallet), I started at 8:00 Saturday morning. I could have started any time, the time is not important, as much as following the rules exactly. I was given a “nun’s cap” to help with the collection. Every woman will need one! I could not imagine peeing into a 3.5 litre container without it! It wasn’t too big of a deal. I was able to come and go, but I had to be sure to be home whenever I had to use the washroom. I went to yoga and to get some groceries and I have never been more aware of my need to pee!
After the jugs were filled, I had to get blood work the following day. Monday morning I was up far too early with the dogs. I was not to have coffee, food, or any food, but was allowed to have water. I made it to the lab at the Riverside at 8:00, made my last “deposit” and waited for my turn at the blood work. Wow, as much as complaining seems like the wrong thing to do, I felt like crap! I wasn’t able to take my medication (which if I wait too long, I can end up with dizziness or vertigo), and with no coffee…. OUCH!! The fella beside me was a heavy breather, the lady in the next row of chairs was crinkling her water bottle; little things were starting to become very irritating, even though they these people were likely lovely.
I was just going to get up to see if I could take my medication and they called my name at 9:45. She was super, allowed me to take a few shots of the blood work being done and after the collection (but the new little pee containers were empty of course). I was out of there and straight to the cafeteria for a coffee and muffin! Haha! The morning was pretty rough when I made it to work. I was nauseous and tired and had a massive headache. I took a Tylenol with lots of water, then had a bowl of my home made carrot ginger soup! That was all I needed to feel much better!!
I had the results back the next day and all was fine. The only issue was my cholesterol; it’s still a tad high at 5.3. It was 5.3 the last time it was taken as well, but the HDL (good stuff) was low and the LDL (bad stuff) was high. This time it was the other way around. It’s a start! Now that this is complete, I am on to the next phase. I had an appointment with my own family doctor for a pap test, breast exam, a requisition for mammogram (because I am over 40) and I am to return Monday for the first part of the TB test. I follow up on Thursday (48-72 hours) to have the test read (injection under the skin on the forearm). I have also schedule my abdominal ultrasound for next Friday, early in the morning. The coordinator was a little worried that the ultrasound would be hard to get an appointment for before May, but it was lickity split! More tests after that, but lets get past the ultrasound and mammogram first.
So far, so good. I have been told there is a chance I will find out I have a disease, affliction, something wrong with me, that I was not aware of. I’m not too worried about that. I think it would be better to know than not. I was also told that if I wanted to get extra life insurance, now is the time, just in case. I have a pile of it now, so fingers crossed I won’t wish I had gotten more.
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