Ewwww.... OUCH! Day 17

Ok, this title could lead you to this is not my proudest day on the IV infusion route. When I got there this morning, the nurse who was on duty today was a little "out of the loop". He attempted to pull back my dressing to find the "lock" on the PICC line. If he'd asked, I would have told him, this is a PICC line with an internal lock and doesn't have an external locking mechanism. In the process, he pretty much made the dressing useless and would have to replace the dressing entirely... bringing the total of dressing changes this week to a grand total of 4! While removing the rest of this dressing, however, he ripped about a 1/2 by 1/5 inch gash across my arm (bye-bye skin layer!!!). IMMEDIATELY, blood and pus start rushing to the ripped place and start running down my arm. What does this guy do about it. Tells me to wash it off with water when I get home because he doesn't want to deal with it. About the same time as he finishes re-gauzing the PICC line, my drip finishes. Stephen got to read a grand total of 2 pages during the half hour session instead of our normal 10. Guess what? After SIX hours, it IS STILL dripping and oozing pus. SIGH!

Day 16 ended yesterday with a BANG. For my upcoming classes, my computer really doesn't fit the requirements. However, I was hoping to make it last through the first class (since we won't be doing a lot of the extra requirement work this class) and into January before getting a new computer. ESPECIALLY since ALU recommends the purchase of an IPOD for listening to audio versions of classes. My laptop had different ideas last evening. The power pack decided to completely die and make itself electrically unstable to the point electrical tape wouldn't even fix it. I had to decide whether to sink $70 into the sinking ship or purchase new laptop now. In the end, I decided to sink $70 into it. The laptop itself, although 4 years old, is in great shape and work fairly well and will be of use after I get a new one for class. I also purchased my IPOD at the same time I purchased the new power pack (at 8:20 yesterday night from Circuit City). So, after purchasing a $125 law dictionary today (along with the pocket version at an additional $33) and a 16 month calender, I'm ready to start classes. Hopefully I will hear back from the "Home" Improvement place because I think the interview went well.

Leaking Power PICC user out!

Let's See... Is This Day 16?

Yes... I believe today IS number 16 of 28. Today's IV medication hook up was less than eventful. We got there. They hooked me up three minutes after arriving. They took vital signs while I was dripping. And, I was out of there in less than 45 minutes... from the time we hit the door to the time we went back out the door. They asked how I was feeling. I had to admit, for the first time in a long time, I felt "a little" better today headache wise (is about a 6.5 out of 10 instead of the 7 it has been) and that the vision is a "little less blurry" (but still having problems reading out of the textbooks). The nurses seemed a little pleased to hear of the improvement and encouraged me to keep "thinking positively". I am hoping this might mean they are positively thinking that I might start feeling better very soon. Better than they are positive that I feel like roadkill.

Today, since I was unceremoniously fired from UPS, I have an interview with a "Home" improvement center (and recent Olympic sponsor) at 12:30. I am hoping they like me because I really would like to work. I think, as long as I don't have to do any lifting right now, I would be fine. So, I really have my fingers crossed that they may want me. Then, after the interview, I have to "run" over to White Oak and have an MRI for the neurologist so he can rule out some damage caused by the Lyme as to the reason I am still having major head pain. This is scheduled for 2:45. I hope that this all works out well. I have a feeling this is going to be a LONG day.

What Day Is This Again?

Today is who knows what day of IV treatment. I've lost count. (Actually, I think that I have 14 days left, which would make today Day 14.) Anyways, this was a rather non-eventful day at IV treatment *unlike yesterday* where I had to go upstairs to the ward floors to get my treatments and they really acted like they were inconvenienced by my being upstairs. Oh, well. At least I got my treatment yesterday anyway.

Today is also the first day of new student orientation for Law School. It starts at 9:30a. pacific time (12:30 Eastern) and ends at 5:30 pacific (8:30 Eastern). I am not looking forward to it as much as I am looking forward to it. I really have no desire to sit in front of my computer screen all day today and all day tomorrow. But, I have been looking forward to this for a long time (starting law school), so today is "THE DAY". I'll write tomorrow about how it went.

By the way... want to say congrats to the Welsh family on their recent addition. I'm sure she is totally adorable, Ash!

Wednesday... What A Wonderful Day In My Neighborhood

Today, so far, has been very uneventful. Got up early to be at IV infusion center by 8:30. Had treatment and got my dressing changed again (OUCH! It took off skin, too). Other than that... has been a very non-eventful day.

The tree branch is still hanging from our telephone line. Verizon has been out and hasn't fixed it. The county has been back and hasn't fixed it. I swear they are going to leave it there until the line fails completely. SIGH!

I am completely exhausted again today. You will have to forgive me for not writing more. But, I have no energy and am existing on very little sleep. I'll write more tomorrow... promise!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Hope it was a happy one!!!!

Second Blog Post Today? WOooooah!

After my first blogging for today, I felt bad because it was a long rant about how miserable I felt with UPS deciding that they needed to fire me and because Jane, although kind and mostly compassionate, was being rather pushy. I just needed to go out on a limb and say, "I understand UPS standpoint. They probably are doing the right thing and I told them from the start, I'd understand if they wanted me to resign because this isn't right to keep doing this to them." But, the way they handled it, they really should have a little more.... tact? It isn't like I went out of my way to mislead them. Things happen. We cope. We go on. So, UPS isn't in my future? I'll find some other uses for my brand new work boots (that I cannot return) and my work gloves (I've always wanted my own pair of really nice work gloves!). This also will not stop me from giving it a shot when the PICC line is removed. The worst that can happen? They say a resounding "NO!". How is that any worse than I have now?

This afternoon, after Jane and I ate lunch in a hesitant truce mode, we went to CVS to get a new ace bandage. Jane felt that the self cling ace was a good idea. I'm not so sure. It hasn't even been on an hour to date... is already coming off. But, it wasn't THAT expensive. Maybe it won't be tooooooo bad. But, on our way to CVS, we saw one of my favorite roadside characters... Mr. Golf Club Man! He is this guy who, despite the Prince Georges rules on roadside selling, sells golf clubs out of his car on the county line. He just sits there with a truck full of clubs day in and day out. Where does he get his clubs? Does he find them abandoned? Thrift stores? Buy them from the newspaper/people who don't want them? Are they donated to him by the people leaving golf lessons at the country club? I've always wondered... what is this man's story? Why golf clubs? Does he honestly make money? Since he is on the boarder of two counties, the man can cross over to the other county when the county police visit. But, wouldn't you think Montgomery County would team up with PG and send people out at the SAME time. It isn't like he can walk to Anne Arundel or Howard counties THAT easily. I guess that is one of the negatives of living in the crossroads of four counties in one city.

Hopefully, I'll also cool off and start to accept all that has happened today. I will just have to sit back and listen to Mash and Kristen's Type 53 songs. Or perhaps just sit back and enjoy my new Flogging Molly CD. Or perhaps borrow Stephen's Bishop Allen CD. All three totally different styles of music. But, all of them "mean" something different to me. Type 53 reminds me that, although family means a lot to me, you never know anyone... really know someone... until you listen to them play a set on their MySpace band page. Go Mash and Kristen. Did you know your lead singer sports a mohawk? Flogging Molly reminds me to try new things and, if there is something likable about it, be ready to share why and embrace this new love (I've gotten a T-Shirt and 2 CDs from my SIL. I'm ready to see them in concert... too bad they aren't coming here soon!). And, Bishop Allen? They have taught me that, even if you don't have any idea why you like something, give music a chance and you might find something nice you can say about it. With Bishop Allen, I don't know what that would be. But, there is something "enjoyable" about it... I'll figure it out.

Sometimes We Can Hurt Those We Love The Most: Day 9

Morning, blog-readers. Day nine and counting. But, today's IV was most boring. They couldn't get the drip to work, so they put it on pump. 25 minutes later, I was walking free.

Anywho... back to my prompt for the day. Today was a "Reality" day for me. At 8:45, UPS called to fire me (because they gave me a three week extension... there are no more extensions). They said that when I interviewed, I was Lyme positive and therefore was already displaying symptoms and should have known that I would be unable to work. Plus, after checking with THEIR medical professionals, the IV was "unnecessary" and that they felt I should be able to come back to work NOW. I pointed out that I still have a PICC line and 20 more days of therapy. Pretty much, the word was, "Call us back when you get done. But, don't hold your breath that we'll hire you again. You lied to us about your fitness for duty and we don't rehire people who are dishonest." They seemed to echo every thought I'd had for the last few weeks... blaming myself for everything and wondering why I didn't catch it before. Hence, I have spent a good portion of the morning mentally beating myself up.

The day of discovery continued when Jane informed me that she didn't want to read my law book out loud any more and I would have to use my magnifier. When I attempted to do that, I found that I can only get it to do a few words at a time when it is enlarged to where I can read it. I think Jane is tired of the "helpless" attitude. But, she is pushing me way too hard. I asked her to stop the discussion before I said something I would regret. She pushed it farther. I kept my temper and said that I felt that she was "hitting bellow" the belt when she suggested that I either find a way to make the magnifier work or I quit law school. I AM NOT QUITTING LAW SCHOOL! I was perfectly happy with listening to my text. But, Jane has really hurt me deeply. So much so, I have gone to the safety of the downstairs area as to not shout things I don't really mean as so to hurt her back. And I love Jane too much to belittle her in such a manner when she is doing everything in her power to make things easier for me. I mean, she takes me to my treatments, she helps me put the darn wrap on, she is the voice of reason when I need to talk. But, right now, I cannot handle the UPS thing and trying to find a solution for the law school reading. I was understanding verbally JUST FINE! Why decide to change? I'm logging off before I type something I will regret, too.

Sad PowerPicc user out.