I guess that's a rather blunt way to start a topic! But, it seemed appropriate.

Don't know if any of you have wondered where I am or not, but if you have...well, I've been in the hospital. I was admitted about 9 days ago, a week from last monday, and will probably be here at least another 3 weeks.

Some of you might recall how I've been feeling sick, and worn down lately. Well, now it seems I know why. I have a condition called Aplastic Anemia ( A Plastic Anemia? ). It's basically a bone marrow condition where my bone marrow isn't making enough blood cells, and the cells it does make don't often grow to maturity.

I actually only went to the doctor because I'd been up all night throwing up. 15 times in 6 hours. During the day I didn't feel any better and threw up a few more times, so my mom and my girlfriend talked me into going to the doctor. My mom drove me, since I wasn't in any condition to go.

First we went to the hospital emergency room, but they ended up turning us away because they had a 4 hour back up that evening. They directed us to an urgent care type Emergency Room nearby, so we went there instead. Took a while to find it, but once we got the place we went right in.

They set me up with an IV to give me some fluids, and took some blood just to check it. A little while later, the doctor came in with a grave look on his face, and asked me, and my mom, if I was normally "that pale". Those of you who know me in real life know I'm fairly pale, but a little darker later spending so much time out carp fishing lol. Anyway, my mom told him I was naturally pale, but not this bad.

He sort of nodded, and told me I had a hemoglobin count of 3.

For those of you who know just how low that is, I mean that literally. I had a literal hemoglobin count of 3.

For those of you who don't know, the doctor basically told me it couldn't have been 3 the day before, or I would have been unconscious or dead already.

The doctor called the hospital back and told them they needed to admit me, immediately, so after the fluids and the anti nausea meds were in, my mom drove me back to the hospital, where they put me in a wheelchair and took me too my room.

My parents and girlfriend stayed with me for a while, then left to get some sleep. I spent the night getting emergency blood transfusions, I was given 3 units.

After that I was given just about every test they could think of, trying to figure out why my counts were so low. I've had two seperate bone marrow biopsies which are not pleasant.

Anyway, long story short it seems I have a rare condition called Aplastic Anemia, which means my bone marrow cells are not growing to maturity, nor formed right, and not producing blood.

I've been moved to another hospital better equipped to deal with that kind of problem, and have been put through a whole lot more tests.

I was told this condition only affects about 1/1000 people a year. And that they don't always know what causes it. The most common causes are exposure to a toxic substance, lots of heavy metals or something ( Not the music kind lol ), and that certain viruses can trigger it. It seems that for what ever reason, my body has recognized my own bone marrow as an enemy, and attacked it.

In the last 9 days I've had 3 transfusions. I may be getting a bone marrow transplant. My brother was tested but was not a match, so for now, they are going to procede with other treatments, mostly Immuno-suppressive treatments while they look into other bone marrow donors and so on.

All my other counts are really down too, my white blood cells and my platelets especially. So I can bleed very easily, and can't fight infection well. That said, I now get anti-biotics every 12 hours through an IV in my chest called a Central Line. I also get anti-everything pills in the morning.

And I'm kept in a room with it's own ventilation system, and can only have two visitors at once, cannot leave the room without a mask and so on.

Anyway, I guess that's that. I've developed a lot of friends here over the last year, more so over the last six months or so, so I wanted to let you guys and gals know what was going on. I would have updated sooner, but this is my first access to a computer. my brother gave me his laptop, and my dad brought me a broadband cable, and I was able to hook it up in the hospital room.

So, now you know where I've been, and where I'll be! Thanks for your friendship, and I hope to see you all again soon!

Geez, that's tough!

Starless Dragon
I do not know you but have seen your post. You have our prayers and good luck!

Oh man, I'm really sorry to hear that. I hope for the best, and hopefully you'll be back chasing those big fish soon.

Sorry to hear that,prayers are on the way for you.
and your family.

Hope you get to feeling better man. What hospital you staying in?

I'll say a few extra prayers for you. Hope you get to feeling better very soon. Somebody needs to be out there catching those carp! Keep your spirit up, I'm sure you'll be back on your feet again very soon.

Starless, I also enjoy reading your posts even though I have never fished for carp. I hope you get better soon because you've already been through a lot!

Keep positive and you will beat this thing sooner than expected. We'll be back on the lake in no time and I will be netting your fish... again...LOL

Seriously though, if you need anything, give me a call or send an email. In the mean time, I'll be doing my best to catch as many carp as possible for you!

Rattlemouth and I went fishing at a small lake in Weatherford last week and we spoke about you not being on the forum in a few days. We wondered what was going on, that is a rough time you have been going through, sorry to hear it.

I hope they got a handle on the problem and with proper treatment you will be back at the lake as soon as possible.

Until then stay in touch via the laptop , you know there are many on the forum that will chat with you and tell you some fishing lies if you want to hear them.

Take care buddy

p.s. I hope what you have has nothing to do with carp fishing, or I am going to come up there and unhook your ventilator :p

Thanks very much everyone! The thoughts and prayers mean a lot to me!

To answer your question, I am at Medical City Hospital, in Dallas.

Donnie, LOL. Guess this gives you a break from netting my fish huh? What you need to do now is teach someone else to carp fish...take them out to GV, show them the ropes, and before you know it they'll be netting YOUR fish!

Or, if you just need a fix of netting fish for someone...head to Town Lake with Zack lol.

Anyway thanks a lot man, I really appreciate it. I'll be out as soon as I can.

Mike - Thanks, I appreciate that. I know there are a lot of great people here, you're right. I hope to be back at the lake soon too. Oh your last comment made me start coughing I was laughing so hard lol.

Starless, I don't think we have talked before, but I hope you are improving daily, and feeling better. Your TFF Family is hear for you, and want to hear from you and your condition often. My prayers are with you. Sharon

Starless, I sincerely hope & pray for your fast recovery, you are in my prayers for sure bud!Take it easy & rest all you need to, I will think of you daily, please keep us posted on your day to day progress if possible. There are a lot of good folks on here that care. God Bless ya, TL Parnell

Starless Hope you get better. You have my prayers.

Starless, you are in my thoughts and prayers too. Stay strong, a positive attitude is more than half the battle!