BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL

Since coming home from London's University Hospital a week ago Kelly has not felt well and has steadily become weaker with each passing day.  Today was not a good day for her.  With hardly enough energy left to get out of her chair and fearing her hemoglobin numbers may be dropping I drove her to Goderichs Dyna-Care Lab for blood work.  She did not want to go to Emergency again so after Dynacare we came home.  Her condition continued to worsen to the point where I finally called for an ambulance.  The ambulance was here quickly and I'm glad it was.  Kelly didn't even have the strength to stand up.  Her blood pressure was way down so they right away started an IV line.  It was at this point she started throwing up a lot of blood.  I should mention, this all took place in our small bathroom.  They were finally able to get her strapped into a medical wheelchair in preparation for placing her on a stretcher outside.  At this point, I was able to help when the paramedics had me act as the IV tree.  Slowly, with one paramedic on either end of the chair and me carrying high the IV bag, we moved out of the small bathroom into the hall through the kitchen, out onto the porch, and down the steps.  It was here they placed Kelly on a stretcher and then into the ambulance.  By this time Kelly was feeling a touch better after having brought up the blood.  And, whatever was in the IV bag was helping.  Because of her low blood pressure, it was standard procedure to take her to the nearest hospital which in this case is in Clinton Ontario.

I went to the Clinton Hospital shortly after 6 p.m. tonight.  Kelly was still in Emerge.  She's feeling very sick and is having bad stomach pains, and said this is the sickest she has ever felt.  More IV lines had been started and her low blood pressure was 97 over 51.  Also, her hemoglobin level had dropped to 63 (it should not be below 70) which for her means she will have to undergo a blood transfusion or transfusions at some point,  I stayed a couple hours hoping they would know where she is going to be transferred to and when.  The Stratford Hospital was mentioned but they are hoping to get her to London as soon as possible.  The Nurse said she would phone later tonight when they knew for sure what they were going to do.  I could tell Kelly's positive attitude had slipped.

Also, I called Aunt Jean late this afternoon and she is not doing well either.  She is down to 93 pounds, is feeling very weak and tired, staying in her room, and sleeping a lot.  I could tell her always positive attitude was slipping as well.

It's been a difficult day.  I'll know more tomorrow.................