Thursday, 21 March 2013
Happy Spring!
Spring? Apparently spring has forgotten us, as I peer out my window, all I see is white. And cold. And wind. Brrrrr.
My update today is regarding my last 2 doctor appointments. First is my port, it's looking much better, but still very tender. I like to sleep on my side and it's uncomfortable. My large breasts pull on it, and it gets sore. I need to wear a bra to bed. I H.A.T.E bras. Secondly, my kitty loves to lay on my chest at night. I have to be very careful when he starts to climb on me, he has bony paws. And thirdly, although we have a king sized bed, my husband seems to think he gets 3/4 of it. Can't tell you how much it hurts to get an elbow in the chest :(. I now sleep with pillows between us. Here is a picture of it all cleaned up.
Then on Wednesday I had to have my pamidronate connected to my port for the first time, I was pretty nervous. Turned out my scheduled nurse (new one) was on break, so I got Donna, a seasoned nurse who I've known from the very beginning. I felt a little more calm, but still anxious. She walked me through each step before proceeding and all went well. Little painful prick, but nothing more than that. Then home. Sat around, waiting for the meds to flow into my body, then off to CanCare to have the pamidronate disconnected. I used to do it myself at home but now, with the port, I can't. There are special cleaning procedures that need to be done and warfarin medicine to be injected to be sure nothing gets plugged up between my port and my neck vein tubing. Aphoto of my pamidronate running.
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Thursday:
Today I went to see the rheumotologist. I waited a year for this appointment. I've had pain in my right knee since I was 12. Nothing was ever done about it, but it's getting worse. Today they found fluid in my knee and bursitis. Story of my knee's life, always the same thing. Nothing heals it. My back/pelvis/spine is another issue. I have tumors on my spine and that along with degenerating discs, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis (which is why I use Pamidronate) my back is not in good shape. I've tried everything. Dr. T. T (not to be confused with my oncologist Dr. A. T) suggested I try acupuncture, yeah, more needles. lol. My daughter's friend's mother is a licensed acupuncturist, so I may give her a call.
Why is it when you go to the hospital, you come out in more pain than you went in??? lol
My best friend (since grade 7) took me today, as she had an appointment today too. She had some pretty nasty major surgery on her knee and was there for a follow-up. We laugh so hard when we are together and today was no exception. I love her so much.
That's all for now. My next update will either be when something goes wrong or sometime in April. BTW, I'm going to see a huge concert on March 25. VIP Tickets, backstage pass, meet and greet, photo op, gift bag of goodies, sound check/acoustic show, reserved seating and then the big show. Who's playing you ask? I'm a country girl through and through (Really I like everything except rap) I will be seeing Emerson Drive, Doc Walker and one of my faves Aaron Pritchett. Can't wait!!!!
Sunday, 3 March 2013
Port of call (graphic photo)
I got a call from CanCare to come in Sunday to have my port area cleaned and looked at to be sure everything looked okay. Bandage came off, had it cleaned up with alcohol. Port area went great but when the neck incision was cleaned with alcohol, I just about jumped out of my skin. The nurse quickly ran across the room to grab sterilized water and washed it off, whew, ouch! But all is good, still have steri-strips on in both places which will dry up and fall off in several days. One of the nurses in today at CanCare was one that used to come to the house when I had home care last year. She was happy to see me still around. I will have to go into the office to have my pamidronate disconnected and my port cleaned once a month. Darn, that means no more taking out my IV myself anymore. I had fun doing that, as strange as that may sound. Here is a photo after the clean up. Still sore and tender, as is my other arm. Not allowed to lift anything or do much for the next 5-6 days. Gosh golly darn whatever will I do???

Friday, 1 March 2013
Surgery went well --WARNING GRAPHIC PHOTO--
My surgery to put my port in today went smoothly. NO issues at all. The nurse also took a look at my arm from last week. She spoke to the doc who was doing my port surgery and since she could see I was in pain still, she asked about giving me a shot of morphine 'right now' while I waited. I'd be getting morphine anhyway during the procedure. Shot went in and within just 5 minutes I couldn't feel the pain in my arm. Sadly it will wear off soon and the pain will be back.
Surgery went well. Nothing much to say about it. I was nervous and scared for nothing. The doc and nurses were fabulous. I am falling asleep at the keyboard, so I will leave it at that and update more later.
Thank you very much for your support.
Surgery went well. Nothing much to say about it. I was nervous and scared for nothing. The doc and nurses were fabulous. I am falling asleep at the keyboard, so I will leave it at that and update more later.
Thank you very much for your support.
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