"A Quart Low"

Friday, May 21, 2010 “A Quart Low”
Yesterday (Thursday) turned out to be a more eventful day than we originally planned. I was scheduled to go to Moffitt for tests; but when I woke up, I told Patra, “I feel a quart low.”

When the nurse took my vital signs, she said, “Oh, Mr. Bugg.” I had heard that statement and tone before, and I knew it wasn’t good. Sure enough, orthostatic blood pressure testing confirmed that I was dehydrated. So, after completing a bone survey, I spent the afternoon receiving I.V. fluid and albumin (a protein used to try and make sure the fluid goes where it is suppose to.) I am still having problems retaining fluid, so it is always a balancing act to give me the proper amount of fluid to combat the dehydration.

Since my I.V. started at noon, Patra and I ate bag lunch sandwiches. For those of you who have followed the blog, you will be pleased to know that there was a bag of salty potato chips in my bag. Patra just looked at me and we both laughed. I remember as a child my parents would give me a treat when I went to the doctor. Since our plans changed (and I was going to spend an extra 5 hours at the clinic), we both realized that the chips would be my treat.

Our day at Moffitt reminded me that I am so blessed. Patra and I have been home for over a month. A transplant patient who was discharged from the hospital the same day I was is still living in the transitional apartments and hoping that he will be allowed to go home today. Another patient finished his transplant before me and arrived at the clinic still having to use a wheelchair.

I am really looking forward to going to church this Sunday for the first time since my hospitalization. All week I have thought about a verse that I learned as a very young boy. King David really had it right. “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” (Psalms 122:1 NASB)

I returned to work this week. I mediated one case. It was so good for me. Fortunately I was not dehydrated that day. Although I was very tired when it concluded, it was professionally very satisfying. I still thoroughly enjoy being a mediator. Below is a picture of my “first day of work.” Notice the lack of a tie. I woke up that morning and could not imagine putting a tie around my neck. I’m not sure I even remember how to tie a tie. (I have thought about trying to encourage a dress code of sweat pants and t-shirts for the mediator.)