following my instincts

While I was in hospital last week, my first roommate was always going home tomorrow-- for 5 days. Some test result would cause the doctors to insist on another day. (There was a lot going on with her, but still...)

So I was a bit unsurprised when, during my final preparations to go home, my supervising doctor came in and recommended I stay another day. He had just noted that my blood work indicated I had become significantly anemic during the week I was in the hospital. He wanted me to stay to repeat the blood work, maybe other tests. He mentioned iron infusion, which seemed likely to add yet another day. I asked if any of those things couldn't be done outpatient; he admitted they could, and I chose to leave. (Against his recommendation, but not "against medical advice.)

Exchanged messages with my primary doc when I got home, and we agreed to wait for this week's labs before taking any action. Those results came in today-- and my iron levels are almost back to previous levels. I asked the nurse who called if either of two drugs I was given in the hospital could cause anemia, and she said "yss, Heparin can." So if I had stayed another night, I'd have been given more Heparin, and the whole cycle would have continued. So glad I resisted that!