When my bags arrived, 2 days after I was admitted, it was like Christmas. When I opened up a bag from a friend and saw snack foods, I was thrilled! Finger nail polish, candy and pics of my kids! I rummaged through my purse, the pit of endless everything's, and found tape. I felt so loved and taken care by God and my friends. He knew what I needed :)
My wall of love and support. Pieces of my family, pieces of my friends, pieces of home. And I have pretty finger nails and toe nails, not to mention my own clothes!
As a result,
The nurses are fantastic! This morning a tech came in and her sweet chatter and face splitting smile was a great way to wake up this morning. Waking up smiling and laughing despite my situation is such a blessing. My tech, Krystal, said she was going on a Starbucks run and asked if she could get me anything. I about flew up out of bed with excitement, literally! This little bit of comfort, familiarity, friendliness, selfless act by a stranger and yummy coffee and a new friendship as a result...today is a good day and I am happy :)
Last night I was tired and emotional. I don't like putting emotional drama on Facebook or much of anything on Facebook, really but last night I just wanted someone to support me. So I asked about my new IV spot and if it's a common place to put an IV (it was on the outside of my left wrist, at bend in my wrist. Because of the iron infusions, my vein was no longer stable to hold another infusion (which is today). So my night nurse changed it. I was nervous because my veins roll and needles bounce off of them, literally. I don't have a fear of needles, I don't mind the pain or getting stuck multiple times. I just prefer to not have an IV in my wrist, next to bones and lifting my vein. I was tired, it hurt and I knew the vac team should've been called to place an IV. But I went with it, tried icing it, gave it 30 mins, couldn't do it. By this time I was crying. Not because of pain but because, frankly, I was feeling sorry for myself. My nurse moved to the other wrist. It's uncomfortable but tolerable. Then I was reminded of Jesus as He was pleading to His Father to let this cup pass from Him before He was handed over to be beaten and crucified. Gods plan was, is, perfect. He knows my pain, discomfort, my situation. All of it, intimately. "Hang in there dear one. My plan for you is great."
I am sure praying for you! I learned a couple of things when I stayed in the hospital with my eighth baby--my appendix ruptured at 36 weeks, so we were in the hospital two weeks, and I had a long recovery with an open wound. First--see if they will put in a PICC line. After a week of IVs and blood work, my arms were a mess. I finally refused another IV and insisted (nicely) that another option had to be found. THAT DAY they installed a PICC line. It was painless and so wonderful to have it for the IV and for every time they needed blood. I wished I'd put my foot down sooner. Since you will be there awhile, you might see if it is an option. The other thing--so many interruptions--a constant stream of medical professionals starting at 4 am with lung X-rays--I could not go to the bathroom without being interrupted. A kind nurse finally told me that I could have a note hung on my door that asked any visitors to check in at the nurses' desk first. I used that note if I needed to shower, or go to the bathroom, or even for a desperately needed nap. What a relief!
ReplyDeleteDawn, I have been praying for you and I can relate to the IV situation. It made me nauseous just to think about another one! This time the nurse found a great vein on the top of my forearm ...so much better! Ask, ask, ask if they can find a better placement. You have enough on your mind. Love and hugs precious mama :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you :) . Finally a vac nurse came because the vein in my wrist was stable enough to tolerate the iron infusion. We had to stop 45 min after we started. They put in 20 gauge needle instead of an 18. The theory was put in a smaller needle to allow more blood flow through the vein during the infusions and have less leakage (which is painful). So that was today but that vein is done for anyway. Iron is pretty brutal on veins. I have my last infusion on Wednesday, which means another IV for the iron and another after that in case of emergency and for surgery. I was hoping for a PICC line but the dr I spoke to said no :/ . I also have blood drawn every 3 days for the screen and match.
ReplyDelete