The Beginning

It all started on April 29th with me tearing my left achilles while playing basketball. I had surgery a week later to repair my fully torn achilles tendon. Over the next 4 months, I wore a splint to start and a walking boot which was gradually adjusted over time, got around with crutches and eventually a knee scooter, all while getting used to living life on one good foot. Everything was affected: how I showered, how I got up the stairs, how I slept, how I went to work, how I changed into my clothes, how I went to the bathroom. On July 29, I went in to see my primary care doctor for the first time in a few years after experiencing some headaches and fever. I assumed it was all part of my body reacting to being able to walk again after so many months of hobbling on just one foot. 

My doctor had me get some blood tests done when I found out my hemoglobin count was 8.4, then 8.1 in a span of a couple days. Normal is 13.5-18. He then referred me to see a hematologist in early August, who had me get additional blood tests. At that point, before we got the results back, we went away on a camping trip for a few days, only to come back home later that Saturday night August 13 and have several voice messages from my hematologist  ordering me to go the Emergency Room. My hemoglobin count from August 11 was now 6.7. We went to the Sutter Vallejo ER that night not knowing what to expect. I was tired, sluggish, and short of breath. That night in the ER, my hemoglobin reached an all time low of 5.8. From there I received my first blood transfusion, the first of what would be a regular occurrence in my life over the next year. So that was the beginning of it all.

My new rides at the time: 2016 Camry and Knee Scooter