This morning my Mom, "JoJo" and I went down to Methodist Hospital and waited in the radiology/Endovascular Department for them to call me in to administer my PICC line. Naturally, it is the days you really do not want to see the Doctor that you are the first one called. Unfortunately, they were on time.
A specialist took me to a surgical area where they prepped me and sterilized my arm. I was as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. He measured my arm from a little above the wrist to my heart and I heard him call to the nurse “41” and she said “Roger, 41” (which is the inches of the tube they are feeding through my artery to my heart) They numbed the area in quite a few places and inserted the IV and then proceeded to feed this long tube up towards my heart. At time I felt stinging and pressure but nothing unbearable. I did get a little nervous when my specialist asked me "Do you hear ocean like waves?" I assured him I did not and wondered if that was normal. He said "if you do, that is the fluid flushing your lines and the PICC is next to your brain and not your heart" I was a little “white” and nearly passed out on that note and a few times after that but lived to tell about it which is all you can ever ask.
One of my best friends Jenna came and sat with my Mom for support. Afterwards, they wheeled me to my Infectious Disease guru, Dr Samo’s office. Here, the three of us received a crash course in “PICC 101” What you can and cannot do over the next few months. They teach you to lead as normal of a life as you can.
My Mom assures me now she knows how to give me my treatment. John travels a lot but I am sure she will give him the "Cliff Notes" when he returns from overseas. The code name is SASH: Saline, Antibiotic, Saline to flush my line again and then Heprin to thin my blood. (I have been asked by a few readers if I have actual Heprin and yes that is what Dr Samo prescribed me)
One of my best friends Jenna came and sat with my Mom for support. Afterwards, they wheeled me to my Infectious Disease guru, Dr Samo’s office. Here, the three of us received a crash course in “PICC 101” What you can and cannot do over the next few months. They teach you to lead as normal of a life as you can.
My Mom assures me now she knows how to give me my treatment. John travels a lot but I am sure she will give him the "Cliff Notes" when he returns from overseas. The code name is SASH: Saline, Antibiotic, Saline to flush my line again and then Heprin to thin my blood. (I have been asked by a few readers if I have actual Heprin and yes that is what Dr Samo prescribed me)
My arm is pretty sore and tender to the touch but I have a feeling this will pass in a few days. The heating pads help tremendously. The nurse stressed that the main obstacle is not getting it wet so infection does not penetrate the opening. You must shower with multiple layers of plastic covering and they will not allow pools, rivers, beaches, lakes -- especially no standing water.
Generally, this is going much smoother than anticipated -- then again, I have not had to shower yet! I am so sore from this going in that my Mom will have to blow dry my hair for the first few times, as my arm is very very sore and I cannot lift it. My sweet Mom offered to blow dry my hair this morning in case I had any "visitors" but I had visions of me with a "Mamie Eisenhower" hairdo -- so I decided I would look the part: as bad as a I feel.
Thank you for the many, many emails, blog posts (which I love) flowers, drive-by's, notes, calls and yummy food. The wonderful Frank Stowell from Texas Children's, I cannot imagine going through this without him. My sweet love, Gary Mercer sent my favorite Chicken Pot Pie, which is half gone! My Fort Worth cheering squad, Bryan King and Tracy Smith sent me fabulous chocolates covered fruits. My girlfriend and new Mommy, Sarah, Kenn and baby Jack (I am Jack's proud fairy Godmother) --- it really all means the world to me!
Generally, this is going much smoother than anticipated -- then again, I have not had to shower yet! I am so sore from this going in that my Mom will have to blow dry my hair for the first few times, as my arm is very very sore and I cannot lift it. My sweet Mom offered to blow dry my hair this morning in case I had any "visitors" but I had visions of me with a "Mamie Eisenhower" hairdo -- so I decided I would look the part: as bad as a I feel.
Thank you for the many, many emails, blog posts (which I love) flowers, drive-by's, notes, calls and yummy food. The wonderful Frank Stowell from Texas Children's, I cannot imagine going through this without him. My sweet love, Gary Mercer sent my favorite Chicken Pot Pie, which is half gone! My Fort Worth cheering squad, Bryan King and Tracy Smith sent me fabulous chocolates covered fruits. My girlfriend and new Mommy, Sarah, Kenn and baby Jack (I am Jack's proud fairy Godmother) --- it really all means the world to me!
Of course my sweet angel, Hailey along with neighbors, "Momma" Mary Cullen and Paula "Tia" Douglass have been my "rocks" ......the list goes on and on! I want to especially thank Michael Phillips - without his fast thinking I probably would not even be here - or without a face anyway. His speedy actions getting me to the ER and to Dr Galvan ( my original treating physician) essentially saved me. My I.D. specialists assured me they would have been taking me straight to the operation room without their aggressive actions!
I am keeping a positive attitude and praying a lot! This is 90% of the battle!
Thank you all!
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12 comments:
I have a question - do you actually HAVE heparin? Because there is a shortage, and even as an inpatient they aren't giving out heparin except in special cases (which I guess I am not one of haha).
bless your heart - I had NO IDEA you were going through all this
Its happened so fast!!!
I will check on you later and see if you are up to visitors
Love JT
I just found your blog and have spent the last hour and a half getting to know you... well, sort of.
Be encouraged today :) What you are going through is tough but you are not alone. I know that God goes before and behind you and He shelters and holds you in His mighty hands. He won't let you fall. You are doing the difficult and He will do the impossible. Stop and thank Him today because He so totally has you!
Much love and prayers :)
Rebecca
Frank Stowell is AMAZING!!! He took care of our family when Haleigh was having her brain surgery.
Know that there are many people praying for you & your family! If you ever need us to take Sinclair out for a playdate, let us know!
take care,
God Bless,
jess
Just finished checking up on you via your blog. You definitely had good company to take care of you. I have found that when you need to water proof an arm or leg, rubberbands will hold your plastic pretty darn good. I'm putting you on the prayer list at Chappelwood Methodist Church in Lake Jackson. I believe the more prayers, the better. You take care and if you need reinforcements, call me or get Jenna to holler. She always knows how to get me. Love you, Tere
I emailed you today to see if you were up for a visit. You know I can't just stop by without calling. My grandmother would roll over in her grave. Let me know when I can come see your Mamie hairdo.
I love and miss you. JAMP does too!
xoxoxo
Hi Kristi, I'm Allyson from Maine. I found your blog thru Dooce & am so glad that I did. My five year old daughter, Mimi developed MRSS this winter, we still don't know where or why, but her Dr. suspects the locker room floor where she takes swim lessons, as she developed the infection on the bottom of her right foot. I can only thank God that it was only MRSS instead of MRSA, it was terrifying and took almost two months to respond well to the right (finally) antibiotic. Now I'm fanatic about shoes, washing hands and the like, as I'm sure you are, too.
My sister moved to Houston in January (never been so sad or lonely in my life, by the way) where her husband took a shore-side job with the Big Oil company he's been with forever, so it's nice to hear about the goings and doings in the Houston area from you as well. Also, with regards to the PICC line, my father developed a bone infection in his hand last year and had to have a PICC line in, although a nurse came to do the treatments each day. He responded beautifully, just like you will. And your absolutely right, being positive and keeping a great outlook will take you miles. Best of luck & looking forward to reading more,
Ally
O you poor thing. I hope very soon this whole episode is behind you and just a dim memory. Many readers keeping you in their thoughts. I hope everyday brings improvment
This is just so unfortunate. I am sorry you are having to go through this. It is great that you are focusing on keeping a good attitude, that is SO important. We will continue to pray for you and your family.
Oh, no, Kristi, I'm so sorry! I didn't even know that you had already had your surgery, and, certainly didn't know that your staph had returned with a vengeance! I've read your blog. I fully understand what you are going through. My husband had a similar infection that lodged in his spinal column in 2004 almost killing him. He was hospitalized forever, and, once home, began daily PICC antibiotic therapy for several months. (I learned the drill after weeks of having home health care nurses come several times a day. I can flush a line like a pro!) The good news is, that, while his prognosis was not good, he came through with flying colors, and, so far, knock on wood, has had no recurrence.
I, too, am now completely phobic about disease and manic about hand washing. MRSA is underreported by the press and, probably, kept hushed by the health care industry in order to avoid freaking out the entire hospital bound population. (Todd's infection was not MRSA. It was an antibiotic resistant strain of Strep that ate his erector spinus muscles before eating though his spinal column and invading the spinal fluid. He was likely within 24-48 hours of having it penetrate the spinal cord itself which would have resulted in him never walking again at a minimum. He was misdiagnosed for weeks by the one of the most prominent doctors in Houston so, by the time that the correct diagnosis was made, his infection was raging and resulted in extensive surgery and a fused spine. The good news is that it ended well, and, for you, that the PICC line administration of super antibiotics over months worked like a charm!)
I know that you are in excellent hands and that your treatment, while not fun, will no doubt result in a return to full force good health and a great nose to boot! What are you doing to whittle away the time? I'd come visit but my own infection wouldn't likely mix well with yours!
I wish you the best and a speedy recovery. You were always beautiful inside and out, and, so, I can't imagine how fabulous you must be with your new schnoz!
Love, Mary
Hi sweet Mama. Just got an update from your Mama. I'm saying prayers day and night & know you are too.
There is no one more willful or mentally stronger than you. You will beat this. You have once before. That in itself is good news.
Rest all you can, it will keep you strong. Whenever you feel like visiting, I am right here. I have my cell phone on all the time in case you want to visit. I am right here. I love you.
Melissa
Good grief - how are you doing - please let us know. Four days is toooo long a wait for an update!
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