My Saga with Leukemia

The first night

By noon I was checked into the local hospital in Minocqua, WI. I had worked as a CNA in that hospital for 7 years when my son was in his teens. The room I was led into was one of the large, two-bed rooms that had been converted to one large room.

It was dark, lonely and the bed was anything but comfortable. I was there mainly to get two units of blood. No one had specifically told me I would not be going home the next day so I decided to grin and bear it.

A phlebotomist came in to insert an IV for the first blood transfusion. While the pain was endurable, my heart sunk when I heard her say, "Damn, almost had it when the vein blew!" Moving over to my other hand, she managed to get an IV going in the main vein on top of that hand.

Since I had not eaten anything all day, someone brought me a tasteless, turkey sandwich from the snack machine along with a Coke. I ate most of it, but only out of a feeling of duty to my family. I knew they were so worried about me.

I slept poorly and was up to the bathroom at least six times, thanks to Mr. Coca Cola...each time dragging my IV pole along. I was so exhausted by morning that I was surprised to find I was still one feisty gal, as the doctor was soon to learn.