By The Request Of My Mother.... What does your arm look like, Kristin?

First off, thanks to Stephen for downloading this pictures from his mother's new camera. I have been bugging him all day to download the images. When I spoke with my mom today, I tried to explain to her how much room the line and the ace bandage take up. I wanted these images up so my mom could see. So, after dinner tonight, Stephen downloaded these four photos. My mother in law says, at this time, I must give the disclaimer (although there is nothing gross about any of these pictures) "Do not look if you are weak stomached or if you don't like gross things." I personally think she meant Stephen shouldn't look at them (he isn't fond of blood)... but I don't really see anything gross about it. It is my arm... no blood... no pus... no ick. Anyways...

This first phot is a photo of my ace covered arm. You can see the bruise farther down on my arm from about a week ago. The ace covers about 5 1/2 inches up my arm starting at the elbow. And, yes, the clips are twisted. The clips are attached to the ace bandage and we keep getting it wrong side down. Hence, we twist it and clip.

Ok... a second shot of my arm. A little bit more in focus. You can see our side door in the background and the kitchen hood light behind that.

Ok. This photo was taken my Jane (my mother in law) this afternoon. It gives a shot of the whole set up. The blue port is attached to the tube which goes down past that white thing that looks like a butterfly. In reality, that white butterfly is a sticky thing that has prongs that keep the tubes immobile. From the butterfly, you can see a white circular thing. That is directly over where the tubing goes into my arm. The function? No clue... but it looks neat!

A little closer up view of the picc line. Although, a little blurry, you can see the line a little more clearly. The tubing IS purple, in case you were wondering. The first sticker says the PICC was put in on the 5th and the outer covering (which you can barely see) was changed on the 8th. You can see the butterfly piece a little clearer, as well as the white circular cotton thing. The only thing you can't see well is my bruise. You can see a little of the discoloration off to the right of the white circle... but it is that color or darker on the underside of the circles and onto the back of my arm.

Well, Mom... I hope this was what you wanted to see. My arm... My PICC... my bruising. Yes, these are really of me. Jane took them today. No flames if it makes you feel a little sick. :)

Day 7 and 8: What A Beautiful.... Bruise You Have There, Kristin

Once again, I apologize for not updating. Yesterday, although not overwhelming, was a major headache day. I notice, the more the windows are open (allowing allergens to appear), the more my head hurts (and the more stuffed up and drippy I become). One would think, with all the medications I am on for allergies, this would be less of a problem. Sigh! At least it will be warm enough to have the AC back on today.

I decided that, since my phantom blogger has been a little more vocal recently, this blog would go to "registered comments only" mode. At least until my health is a little better. Unfortunately, my phantom blogger has outsmarted the settings again by registering for a wordpad account with a asian email. I want you to know, Phantom Blogger, that I am taking these messages as a personal threat and have contacted the local authorities on this matter. They are quickly closing in on you and I don't think you will find this as funny if and when I press charges.

Both IV drip days have been uneventful. I am starting to get a little sick of yogurt... but that is to be expected when one has to eat two to three containers of it daily. For those of you who have asked, no... not feeling any better today. But I have high hopes that I will wake up one of these mornings soon feeling better.

The topic for today's blog is taken from an observation on of my nurses made the other day regarding my PICC line bruise. It is multi-colored and is actually kinda pretty... in a mutated sunset bruise kinda way. But, so far, PICC line and I are not having too many problems. I will live with it if it can live with me.

Hope all is well with all of you out there in cyberspace. PowerPicc Blogger OUT!

Catch-Up: Day 6 and Day 7

I apologize for not posting yesterday. I was absolutely worn out! Yesterday morning, around 3 am, I woke up and was WIDE awake. Therefore, I was existing on very little sleep yesterday. Not only did I go to IV therapy, but we had an outing to the mall to meet up with my SIL and niece. While there, we checked out various shops... then went to J&P's for lunch. Yum!

Today's session with the IV was a little more painful. Today was gauze change day. THAT HURT! At 7 am, I had an appointment in Towson... so we had to get up early and go. I think this is going to be a "take a pain pill.... conk out" day. I just out and out hurt! As Dr. Shah said yesterday when I presented with a brand new sore throat/swollen glands, " You took three steps forward... why did you just take 4 backwards?" I feel like I just took one more back because my ankles and knee are playing the "How swollen and sore can you be" game. The answer is, I guess, VERY SORE.

PowerPicc user out!

Day 5: Is That All? Piece of Cake!

Today was day 5 of treatment and Dr. Shah came into to talk with me. This is the first time she seemed to be pleased with me, in general. For the first time, she mentioned that the 28 days of IV treatment is "probably just a start" and IV treatment is probably going to be longer. Not unexpected... but nice to hear her say it out loud. My appointment with Dr. Asad is this afternoon (2 pm). I somewhat look forward to this appointment... if only to get some answers about how to get rid of this blasted headache. I feel like the rotating advil/tylenol isn't doing anything. So, maybe Dr. Asad will have some better solutions.

Back to treatment. Although my arm is a little sore from the PICC line (bruised is more like it), the treatment went well. The nurses all were so positive about the line and the treatment went much more smoothly now that the port doesn't require jabbing and hunting for veins. I have to say.... my infusion nurses have been very kind, sweet, and nice. They have gone that extra mile to make me feel safe and supported. I will have to do something nice for them after these treatments are over... I bet they get people doing that a lot, though. My "favorite" nurse was in today and I hope she'll be in when Stephen goes with me tomorrow. She just has this great sense of humor and keeps positive about everything. I was complaining slightly about the insurance company being goofy yesterday. Her reply? "Having all this stuff happen gives you plenty of stuff to write about on that blog of yours!" I was shocked they even knew I blogged. They said that the IV tech mentioned it to them... I guess I said something about the last stick being something I'd have to write about on the blog. It makes me feel good to get a happy greeting from the nurses.... at least they don't think, "Ohh, crud. There's Mrs. Wenzel again!" Or at least they don't say it out loud. PowerPicc wearer OUT!

The Great PICC Line Debate

I forgot to mention in my last post how much help my husband Stephen has been in this PICC line problem. He had a PICC line in 2001 and has been very upfront about having a line. Since Dr. Shah has given me practically no practical help, Stephen was vital to my getting information toward deciding whether this was right for me or not. Thanks, Stephen. I owe you one.

Day 4: PICC and choose

Today has been a very long day. Got up early to get my treatment done so I could get that itchy IV out. When we got to L. Regional this morning, the IV (day three for that one) didn't want to work. I was getting really worried they'd have to dig for a new one. As the tech was putting the tourniquet, the IV started to drip. They took the tape off and the drip was flowing freely. Lucky me... they didn't have to put another in. Dr. Shah came in, and in her non-committal way, said "I'll work on it." Minus the IV, I went home and took a shower (ahhh....clean!!!). After finishing my shower, I got news that Dr. Shah had filled out paperwork for my PICC and I needed to go back to get it. Before we left, we got my mom to put in a call to the insurance company to make sure I didn't need anything special for the PICC. Needless to say, that call was the end of the easy part of my day.

The insurance company was angry that they had no gotten a referral for Dr. Shah yet (Dr. McClain's office DID call them... I was there when they called!!!!). They refused to acknowledge the referrals for the PICC line and Dr. Asad for tomorrow from Dr. Shah. They will ONLY accept referrals made by the PCP. So, after picking up the referral from Dr. Shah's office, had to go see Dr. McClain's office. His receptionist threw a royal hissy fit.... stating that I'd have to wait 48 hours for the referrals like everyone else. I stated I was supposed to get my PICC today.... and they were demanding a referral, too. After much blustering and yelling (by the doctor's office) and begging and pleading (on my part), 20 minutes later, I had referrals.

We immediately called the number to schedule my PICC line insertion. At 1:30 this afternoon, my PICC line (called affectionately by the Howard County General Hospital people "Power PICC") was inserted. It was a textbook insertion and the only major pain I felt was from the lidocane. Now I am starting to feel a little bit of an arm cramp. But, even that is better than those darn 2 to 3 day IVs! My only problem now?? I majorly did TOO much and I need a nap! Oh, yeah. My head and body still hurt, too. :) LymeBlog out! :)

Day 3: Still going strong

Well... today was day three of twenty-eight. It took about an hour to take the IV medicine today. Jane kept me company during the hour. Dr. Shah stopped in and seemed annoyed that I don't feel better yet. She referred me to Dr. Asad, a local neurologist. I have to admit... this whole event is making me feel a little scared. All I want is to feel better. But, I am very tired of being worn out.

Today is the first day that I'm having any adverse side effects of the medicine. Feeling slightly queasy on top of everything. I feel like I am in need for a small nap. Sigh... maybe I'll wake up a little less queasy.

Thanks for the well wishes.