Watch out for Bonviva's Sudden Death

On the 2nd of July I was admitted to the hospital. I walked into the room where Annie and Nel had a bed, went to the toilet and laid down in the empty bed. It was the last time I saw the toilet. Before I knew it I was told I was not to get up anymore. My drip was installed and a bag with the equivalent of 3 months’ dose of Bonviva was attached. It was supposed to strengthen my bones and get them ready for surgery. At three in the morning I started to get what felt like labour contractions, starting in the stomach, moving on to my thighs, front and back and when reaching my back, catapulting me into a mega spasm that felt like a bolt of lightning. I screamed and screamed. The doctor wouldn’t come but he administered morphine, which started me vomiting (it did not stop for 12 days). Come morning, they made me wait until 9.00 am and decided to give me Diazepam (a muscle relaxer) to which I am allergic. Obviously it didn’t work and acted like a catalyst to the morphine. Staying in the hospital was obviously not better than staying at home. Subsequently the Morphine stopped me being able to pee. So the catherised me, giving me my first hospital infection: a bladder infection. From 3 am to 9 am on July 3, 2007, I was sure I was going to die and nobody was doing anything to save me.

So what was actually wrong? 24 hours later my general practitioner and Dr Lips told me it was the bone strengthener removing the calcium from my blood. Dr. Pelgrim, my general practitioner, did indeed tell me that if the spasm had reached my heart, I would not have made it. And here I was thinking my heart might be weak.
Incidentally, still no reply from Roche…

Bird takes to the Sky

Bird did indeed fly. On July 2, 2007. Bird had been in terrible pain the whole weekend. The pain always hits you in the weekend. On Monday morning she had an appointment in the hospital for a scan of her head. She wanted to make sure her brain was in order, and Professor Dr. Lips had been drawn into her court and was participating. In the morning she phoned him to check the back scans made during the weekend and they made a semi-appointment. Bird was to call after her scan.

On arrival at the hospital Bird and Mom decided to try the non-ergonomical wheelchair. As Bird tried to sit in it, the wheelchair tipped and Bird was finally airborne for the first time. Flustered by this incident she landed and swiftly walked to the second floor where the scan was to be made. As Mom pulled at her hair in fear. Marcus ran after Bird like a super hero. We made it to the second floor and I asked for a bed. After the scan we walked to Lips’ room. He had me admitted to the hospital immediately. My vertebrae had collapsed even more and the chances of becoming paralysed were much greater.

It is now 4 weeks later. I am learning to walk now. 20 steps behind a rollator and showering in a chair is my current status. Watch this space for more info about my new residence: the VU hospital. There is so much to tell and I hope to leave here soon.

Unexpected hospitalisation

I went to the hospital last Monday for yet another scan of yet another part of my body. As I had been feeling excruciating pain the last two days, I was further examined at the hospital. Apparently my damaged backbone has further collapsed, causing the increased pain in both my back and leg. The doctors here do not want to take any further risks and have decided to keep me hospitalised. I am to lie flat on my back until they operate on me in order to stabilize both my back and my leg. The operations will probably not take place before the beginning of next week.

I am at the VU Medical Center
De Boelelaan 1117
1081 HV Amsterdam
Room C-2-14
Tel: +31 (0)20 3016900
Visiting hours: 11:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 19:30

Because I am only allowed two visitors at a time, please call me in advance if you are planning a visit.