Doctor's appointments, procedures, and tests from 7:30am - 6pm is spelled EXHAUSTION. That was my Tuesday. So what did Tuesday include? Well, I would like to introduce my new friend, Mr. Picc. (AKA PICC Line)
Mr. Picc will be with me for the next 6 months of my life. He has two tubes that rest on my arm with a line that is threaded through my veins to my heart. He wasted no time stealing my heart, matter of fact, he got there in about 30 minutes flat! He will be there to help administer my chemo, draw blood, inject fluids, and anything else I may need. Did I mention... I hate Mr. Picc. Mr. Picc doesn't like water, so I have to hold him outside the shower to be sure he doesn't get wet. He also is always nagging me - like a dull ache in my side; literally the side of my left arm. And, he doesn't clean up after himself, his tubie things flop all over my arm and I have to secure him down with a sleeve thing that makes me itch.
Oh, Mr. Picc. I can't live with you, and I really can't live without you.
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11 comments :
(so reading blogs from work is not easy.. neither is commenting! my hospital doesn't like blogger!) so.. hi :) what a fabulous PICC line! i stumbled across your blog a few days ago and i just want to let you know how strong and brave i think you are for sharing your story.. i'm an onoclogy nurse/chemo infusion nurse at UPenn and I promise you are going to love, love LOVE your PICC line. Just think, no more terrible nurses digging around in your arms for veins! no, seriously, PICC lines, PORTS, Hickmans, they're all my best friends (and my patients', too!). haha... Um, zippy's (or ziplock baggies) work great as covers for the shower- we also have rolls upon rolls of plastic sleeves that you can wear in the shower so that you don't need to stick one arm outside of the water and thoroughly begin to hate showering!! i should steal some and send some your way! Please let me know if there's ANYTHING i can do for you! (despite being a random blogger and being miles and miles away!) Keep laughing, it'll keep you sane! i'll be sure to send some prayers up your way!!
When I broke my wrist in college I used these really long plastic gloves that veterinarians use when they are delivering baby calfs, horses, etc. Anyways I would use one of those in the shower and put a rubberband at the top to keep water from getting in. I'm sure there are a ton of options out there for you to use. I hate to think of you trying to wash your hair one handed. It would take me forever! :)
Sara,
I kept trying to find you after you started following my blog! When I clicked on your picture it didn't show your blog. But I found you through Miss E! I am so sorry for you diagnosis and you have been in my prayers. Yay for only stage 2! My husband is actually one of those crazy people who does the PET and Nuclear Medicine scan. Even one of his co-workers was recently diagnosed with the same cancer at you.
I want to commend you for quickly acting on your gut and getting in to the doctor. Good luck with everything and I admire your courage. Keeping you in my thoughts!
Hey! I stumbled across you becuase of the Doctors Wives Blog and I saw you are dating a Med Student but I din't know what I was in for. Strong girl. I commend you!
Sorry for the PICC pain, love you so much!
One good thing about Mr. PICC, he will save your veins from having mega-punctures! Be well Sara.
Sara, I am so sorry about Mr. Picc...but hope the nurse who found your blog and commented above is right and that you will come to enjoy Mr. Picc (although I know we won't miss him when he is gone in 6 months). Perhaps we can plan a Mr. Picc going away party?! Love you!
I had a PICC when I was hospitalized several years ago, it was a pain but soooo much better than my veins constantly collapsing and all of the needles digging and bruising me!
I'm praying for you :)
Read your blog after our conversation earlier today... you were not kidding about Mr. Picc. I'm so sorry!! Stay strong and I'll see you this weekend. And, I think we can figure out a way to protect Mr. Picc so you can shower comfortably... maybe we can just get you some great bubbles for baths and Mr. Picc can rest on the tub's ledge. Miss you and I'll see you soon! Love you!!
Visiting from SITS, my best to you for a quick recovery.
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