Never Ending Drama

I have been getting violently ill for the past couple of weeks every time my PICC line was flushed. Last night we went back to the original manufacture of the prefilled flush syringes, warmed the saline, and I even took a huge dose of Benadryl before the flush. It happened again ~

I emailed my Immunologist about it and he said the PICC line had to go - and I had to get blood cultures.

This is a mixed good and bad. I go back to getting multiple sticks every time I need a blood draw or an IV. It will be good if getting the PICC out makes me feel better. The adhesive from the dressing kept my skin irritated, and it will make bathing easier having it gone. It was also expensive to maintain the PICC, but I had been getting left over supplies from others who had been able to have their PICCs or central lines removed. I am going to hang on to the supplies for a few weeks to make sure I don't have to get another line put in.

My last cardiology visit was more of the same. I am to do some "At home" cardiac rehab since my insurance won't pay for me to go to a real one. There is nothing else they can do to try and slow my heart rate with medications, so if the rehab and trying to lose weight doesn't work I will be sent back to the Electrophysiologist (a heart doc who works with the electrical part of the heart). HMMM ~ you would think that having an electrician husband he could just fix it. :)

Blood culture preliminary reports will be back in about 24 hours, with finals in 3 days. I really hope there is nothing weird growing in there!

I seem to be in a book slump. I haven't been feeling well enough to get into anything for a couple of weeks.

Finally Feeling Better

After finishing the Tamiflu I had a relapse. Yesterday I started feeling like my normal self again.

The sun was so pretty I wanted to get out of the house. We drove to Boone and had lunch. I was so worn out we just came back home and I went to bed. I really enjoyed getting out though. So far the rest of the family has avoided the flu.

This early Sunday morning my thoughts are with my friend, Linda Clark, whose husband and father are both critically ill. I cannot imagine being in her shoes today.  Please remember them in your prayers.

Between the fatigue from yesterday and the stress of worrying about my friend, I woke up with an itchy rash but it thankfully doesn't seem to be progressing. This is just a part of life now. I am accepting the way things are a little more each day.

Fighting the Flu

Wednesday night the flu hit hard and fast. Thanks to Tamiflu I am feeling some better, but still aching and generally not well. I wasn't even around anyone with the flu. I went to the hospital on Tuesday for an MRI, so I must have picked up the germ there. This is a tough reminder of how little immunity I have.

Here is my little grandson's profile. This is at 21 1/2 weeks. Everything looked good on the ultrasounds.

99 Years Without Parole

I'm stuck in this malfunctioning prison of a body. My hope for remission is getting dim. I know it happens, but this continuing cycle is bringing me down. I have been very careful but it seems that a little stress and a sleepless night sent me back into anaphylaxis today.

This is a bad day. I do remember the post a few days ago that I am to refer back to but it just doesn't help much at this moment. I'm tired of being strong and positive. I'm just plain tired.

When I worked in long term care, I felt so bad for people trapped in bodies that didn't work. I was in my 20s, and I didn't have a clue how bad it could be. I am no where near what those people deal with on a daily basis, but I have a much better understanding now than I did then. Can you imagine being trapped in a body that will no longer move? Imagine being completely coherent but unable to communicate. Yes, there are plenty of people who are worse than me. I can write to you. I can talk. I can walk. I can feed myself.

My sincerest wish is for everyone to be ready in case something goes wrong. I have an advance care plan and a power of attorney for health care. We all should. Think about what you want if you can no longer control your own body. Be sure it is written down and legal. It will keep me from worrying that  you are trapped in a prison without parole. Forms are available at any hospital.

My Driveway is Thawed!

Book 8 for 2011 - Lucid Intervals by Stuart Woods. This book was ok - not the greatest. I was a big Stuart Woods fan in the early 90s. I'm not sure if my tastes have changed or if the book was just not as good as some of his earlier ones. As with all his books, it is a little trashy, but not to the extreme.

The warmer days finally thawed out the driveway. More snow is possibly on the way so  it may not last long. It is nice to see something besides white outside. My grass is actually green.

I had a rough day yesterday with lots of stomach issues. I couldn't take my medicine until late because I had to have fasting labs and I really think that was the problem. I have been having lots of shaking but my blood sugars haven't been low. More mysteries.