Topic: Reporting from the IV line. A Cautionary Tale
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
I just received my supply box of IV goodies for Rocephin. Nurse from Synergy Home Health Care to come tomorrow. I was hoping for a portable pump but I got a pole.
I know there's a lot of big brave Rocephin buddies out there. Someone come hold my hand and tell me it's going to be all right.
5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
hi Cobwebb
I did a very short course of IV rocephin in 94 but did do IV for 6 months 3 years ago. The herx's where hard so whine away. But I was very Glad I did it. It did help alot!!
Hang in there Blessings Dana
ps: Post this in medical-you"ll get alot more responses
I didn't get a pump either, but it only took about 20 mins to run, so relax!
Posts: 33 | From North Central PA | Registered: Jan 2007
| IP: Logged |
Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Psshhaw!!
I remember being exactly where you are! Skeert silly!
Imagine how relieved I was when they just started, for God's sake.
Turned out to NOT be a big deal at all.
After perfect placement of the first PICC line, as we are all chatting and laughing, the nurse inexplicably PULLED THE WHOLE THING OUT!!
I could not help but continue laughing hysterically! They got a new line in easily.
If you've ever given blood, it's not unlike that.
I'd taken enough of a beating on orals that IV wasn't very hard on me, for some reason. I'm hoping you do well. I know it's going to aid greatly in improving brain/cognitive skills.
Keep us posted!
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
| IP: Logged |
just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
Its a piece of cake. Alot like a root beer float then,never fear were always here!!!!!!!
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged |
trueblue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7348
posted
Oh, I'm so excited for you Cobby! Yup, it's scary at first. You become a pro in no time. Really!
It'll be alright! I'll hold your hand. You can totally do this, piece of cake!
My first treatment was IV Rocephin. Imagine being diagnosed and the first thing they do is come put a picc line in. I was so brave and watched the whole thing in wonder.
As soon as it was in... I burst into tears and the nurse was nice enough to hug me and tell me it'll be alright. I hope you get the same nurse!
You've already been on some ABX, I think you'll be able to handle the Rocephin, fine. In the beginning... I would lay on the couch and watch the twitching show while I was infusing. Also, and very good fun, is waiting to see what I'd fling while preparing dinner while it was running.
What time are they coming tomorrow? We're here and are all holding your hand, k?
Oh, yeah, for me Rocephin clears my head really fast. I've had it more than once. I'd do it again in a heartbeat if someone would let me. So, do a dose for me and clear my brain while you're at it too!
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
bejoy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11129
posted
Haven't been there, but waah away!
Sounds like its going to be just fine, though. You're going to feel so much better in a while, pretty soon everybody will be wanting some. Sign me up.
Let us know how it goes.
bejoy
-------------------- bejoy!
"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Posts: 1918 | From Alive and Well! | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
Thanks all what has me slightly freaked are the Anaphylactic Reaction Kit and two Epipens included in the box.
Michele, I like the Psshhaw!!
Don-Root Beer Float-YES-Yum-but NOT via IV.
Dana- Real Lymenetters do General Support, too.
and
Ganjagal- I thought about relaxing with a video from the library-but my anxiety got the better of me because I put the DVD back on the rack thinking-what if I'm not around to return it!
posted
I remember the first time I had to give myself a shot. I thought I was going to pass out from fright!!
Bet my pulse and blood pressure was way up there!!
Now I give myself shots all the time.
You can do it!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
Hey Bejoy- I was hoping you would show up. I don't feel the least bit like cleaning up.
In fact I have this fantasy that the nurse will report back to her supervisor that I need more than just nursing services-like maybe housekeeping,too.
Which gives me an idea-I think when I get well I'm going to start an agency that does just that-housekeeping for Lyme patients only-maybe Oprah's Angel Network will fund it.
I'll have fun posting tomorrow after my big adventure.
posted
Yeah Lymetoo My insurance will only cover one month of IV, so this will be a short stint unless I win the lottery. Otherwise I'll be moving on to the shots too. Double WAAAH. Always good to hear from the pro's. Thanks, Carol
IP: Logged |
Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
quote:Originally posted by Michelle M: I know it's going to aid greatly in improving brain/cognitive skills.
Heh, she'll be spouting poetry left and right.
Carol
Posts: 6956 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
"Heh, she'll be spouting poetry left and right."
posted
Trueblue-somehow you snuck past me last night-did you post in invisible ink? Waiting for the call-but coordinator said they infuse Tues-Fri. The anaphylactic Shock Stock expires 03/08/07-what a relief to know YOU didn't expire.
And Bejoy-I take back what I said-with all this nervous energy I think I will do a little straigtening up-at least I'll pick up the month old pile of newspapers in the middle of the floor. Besides it's getting too high for me to step over .
Now Betty -if you turn up the heat to dry the sheets-aren't you going to sweat even more? From one lyme brain to another-I think maybe you could use some rocephin,too.
stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
walter, its really overwhelming at first but is it very easy.
if don can do it anybody can. you don't graduated to the pump till the third time.
you don't really want the pump. iv pole is much better, 15 minutes and your done.
just follow the order of the rinses the nurse gives you.
always alcohol off the rubber injection site. small bubble are not a big concern ,you need a bubble 30ml to kill you. always use the saline and heperin to keep the line open. if it cloggs, don't worry, the nurse has a drug that will unclogg the tubing.
not necessary to completely drain the line either,stop at the little bubble at the top.
play the raven's fight song and enjoy docdave Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged |
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
Her name is Karen. She's coming about 2:30 this afternoon. I think I'll make my last meal a Quiznos Sub.
Besides that I had this bright idea of doing a virtual posting.
You know-something like"And now Karen puts on her gloves,oops, she just had to brush the cat off her lap and now needs to change them. Carol is sitting next to her talking to herself-breathe, just breathe, and trying not to faint.
Karen's cell phone rings which she instinctually answers and then has to change her gloves again after apologizing for the interruption. Karen starts to open the IV goodie bags talking way too fast for Carol to understand, so Carol asks her to slow down while she writes the instructions in large print.
Karen sneezes into her gloves and has to change them again. Carol is having an out of body experience. This isn't real. What is she doing here?
The cold swipe of the alcohol rub on her arm brings Carol back to reality. She quickly turns her head away from the site and starts thinking about cows and green meadows and ICE CREAM.She flinches when she imagines a bull running after her banana split which causes Karen to lose her grip and the needle comes out.
Karen looks at her watch and then back at Carol with a sly smile. She's going to be late for her date. Karen has to take off her gloves for a new pair and a new sterile needle kit. She is not happy-and neither is Carol.Carol smiles back at her with a toothy grin.
But wait-there are no more gloves, so Karen picks up the IV pole and whacks Carol over the head with it, knocking her out-so she'll never know Karen used her bare hands with the fake nails harboring a ton of bacteria to ram the needle into Carol's illusive vein."
Then the alarm clock goes off-it's only 2:15-I've still got a chance to run.
posted
Hey Stymie-Walter got lost in the move-none of us can remember his user ID . Maybe it will come back if any of this Rocephin makes it to the brain.
Hey -you just reminded me I have a Raven's T shirt some dear friend sent me-think I'll wear it this afternoon to feel close.
Talk to you later-I have to go make out my last will and testimony. Carol
IP: Logged |
just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
Doc Dave, Do I detect a 'just don' dig in your response???
If that was meant as a observation as to my abilities,,,I confess...guilty as charged.
Here I thought I had my ineptness well covered up,,,guess it snucked out!!!
Cob web,
You are always on my mind,,,I look up in the corner of my room,,,there you are. I thought about sweeping you away,just couldnt bear the thought,,,you keep waving in the breeze.
I love your virtual story,,,sounded JUST like my life,,always going when I should be coming. Always here when I should be THERE!!
Now stop whining and TAKE your medicine!!! Isnt that how your mother told you to behave??? Make your mother proud, take your medicine like a trooper.(Besides whats all this poking the veins talk??? No pic line??? That doesnt hurt at all. just the blood draws to make sure your still kicking and screaming. They dont hurt either,just the sight of it hurts the worstest.
From the dimmest bulb in the package--just don--
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged |
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
JD-this protocol calls for a peripheral IV which the nurse puts in. It stays in for 4 days and then I get to yanck it out until the Nurse comes back in three days to put another one in.
LLMD says she's had no problems with blood clots with this method of delivery.
I've seen someone else post on this method when I zipped through search.
Head em up, Move em out, JD's got the beef.
Carol
ps- I have to confess I just got the bit about the cobweb. Please don't brush me away. And if it sways a little in the draft-just pretend I'm waving to you.
IP: Logged |
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
Stymie-Just took a nice long warm shower-lots of lather. Now I'm dried off and dusted-wearing my Ravens T-shirt-and a pair of purple fluffy socks to go with it. I'm ready-bring it on !
Carol
It's not the IV I'm worried about-it's my reaction to the new med. Can I suck it back out if I start to have a reaction?
IP: Logged |
hopeful123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3244
posted
good luck!! never had to go there or wasn't going to be approved. whatever. think of how brave you'll feel after.
-------------------- some days you're the bug, some days you're the windshield Posts: 1160 | From NY | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged |
bejoy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11129
posted
Carol Cobweb, you keep me laughing, not at you but with you.
Lets see, depending on the timezone of groundhog burrow, you've just gotten a righteous dose of the good medicine, or you're just about to get some.
What a weird lot we can be...did you feel awful from your treatment? Hooray, good for you! Here's another thought for the day - I understand that keeping a positive attitude about the herx builds the immune system so you can herx even more.
If your Rocephin adventure works well, I'll still be laughing with you about the piles of newspapers as they grow. If you lose sight of your floor again for a while, then you'll still be in good company!
bejoy
-------------------- bejoy!
"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Posts: 1918 | From Alive and Well! | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
My dearest carol, i grew up in baltimore. women in baltimore don't suck!!!lol you have to gently blow it out till it comes out in urine, not myine.
make sure the rocephin is yellow and not purple. watch out for nurses that blow on the injection site after putting the betadine on. thats a definite no no and throw her out the door.
what to scare the crap out of the nurse. after she puts the betadine on, tell her your allergic to iodine, your floor may turn a little yellow below her feet. she should ask you but they never do.
we had lots of spiders and webs in pa, they ate all the ticks. now in fl the cameleons eat all the spiders. different food chain.
the sharks also eat the people in the water down here too!!!!lol
i better get off or you won't be able to stop laughing for your papillion, (butterfly)
see you on timonium road later tonight, our secret, dave Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
The fear is the worse part of getting a picc line- the anticipation of it all. You will be fine. Take a deep breath and it will be alright. I had two picc lines in last year and four months of iv rocephin. I did fine with it. Wishing you the best and good luck.
Posts: 719 | From Delaware | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged |
stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
iceskater, carol is not getting a picc line, why i dunno. she is getting butterflies put in every 3-4 days taped on and removed for several days then stuck again.
mrs web: why are they not doing a picc line, it is actully less invasive and less chance of infection than multiple butterflies.
my pravens t shirt was on this morning and when i took my sweatshirt off ,the luck of the irish it was on underneath, good sign, and not intentional.
if you pee purple that's ok, at least your a real ravens fan.
just for info: rocephin needs to be straw colored only. if it is darker than straw color then it is no good and they need to make you another. do not unfreeze them too early either.
i would put mine in warm water for 10 minutes then run. the rochepin needs to be room to body temperature. cold solution will shock the system and blood vessels. make sure its nice a defrosted, no microwaves please.
if you ask the nurse nicely, she can put some antifreeze in the iv solution to keep you warm in the cold winter. just kidding please don't do this!!!!!!!!!!
docdave go dolphins
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged |
Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Dear Cobweb,
I do so love your lyrical way of writing and your thoughts on describing the nurse hitting you over the head.
I know you will be a brave little soldier!!!
Sending you some calming thoughts and prayers.
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
Well-Karen was the nurse of my dreams-as in when is my alarm going to go off so I can wake up!
Before I forget-some advice from Nurse Karen-if you forget to take the Rocephin out of the fridge in time for it to be room temperature when you infuse-just SIT on the pouch for 10 minutes. Personally I would rather warm it under my armpit than under my rump.
The cat did jump on her lap-and she said-oh that's all right I rescue cats.I must say she didn't pet him, she just jiggled her knees until he fell off.
But then she said " we need more light"(remember I'm in a basement apartment and I'm Vitamin D deficient)so she got up and touched everything in her path as she pulled on the venetion cord, rearranged my plants and grabbed my curtains to tuck them into these rather dusty never been cleaned blinds.
Her first attempt at an IV, after assuring me that she had done this procedure many times, didn't go as planned.She did put on gloves at this point, but then bit off the tip of the index finger commenting on how impossible it was to find a vein through the gloves. Then she kept tapping my wrist area, and began breathing so rapidly I was afraid she was hyperventilating.
She stuck the needle in, as I turned my head and tried to think of cows and green meadows, but it hurt so much I glanced back-and that's when I started hyperventilating! It looked like the needle was going to poke back out of my skin like she was doing a running stitch!
I don't remember what she said specifically but it was something about hitting a valve. All I know is that the end of it was BENT when she pulled it out!
Saved by the bell. Her cell phone rang. And she answered it. From what I could tell it was a conversation with her teenage daughter , reassuring her that a sinus infection was not contagious. When she got off the phone she told me her daughter had the stomach flu that was going around with the vomiting and diarrhea.
I felt like I was looking at DOOM. Still my alarm clock did not go off.
posted
carol; i'm here late, but my support for you continues as wel as all the thoughts/prayers behind it hoping part 2 went better than part 1!
i sent newbie links to 20 people i missed not being on for 2 nights; thought i'd never get them all caught up to date.
i'll check on you sometime late today; spent the last 5 days in bed.
IP: Logged |
Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Dear Cobweb,
Thanks for the update. We should start calling you Super Cobweb as you can bend those needles of steel!!
I've had nurses fish that needle up my arm, then collapse my vein in an attempt to get blood. No fun at all.
I personally think you should go for the rump warming method. If it were me, you would definitely get better coverage.
I am so sorry that this is such a trial.
Just another big step down the yellow brick road to recovery.
Hope you are doing well this am.
You continue to make me laugh and smile with your postings. Wish I could be there to give you a hug.
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
"Babies and cats" she said. "Babies and cats see ghosts" At least that's what Nurse Karen told me when I wondered why she kept glancing at the ceiling. Turns out she was checking my IV bag-see-she had jacked the IV pole up so high it almost touched the ceiling.
"gravity drip" she told me. I told her the bag was up so high I couldn't see it and my neck hurt everytime I tilted my head back to look. She said that was okay-she'd keep an eye on it. But then she got to talking so much she forgot and the bag ran out, and the tubing ran out.
She put my mind at ease by telling me a little bit of air wouldn't hurt me-and I remember DocDave saying the same thing. I'm still here, so yeah, a little bit of air in the line is okay.
When I told her my cat would sometimes stare at the ceiling like he could detect a mouse in the wall, she said "Ghosts-babies and cats see ghosts" And she nodded her head with great authority.
I was afraid she was going to suggest a seance. Instead she rubbed the end of her nose, like she had a booger tickling her. Then she reached over and disconnected the IV.
I'm doomed. I know I'm doomed. I wonder how many ghosts can live in one apartment at a time. Maybe we can split the rent.
IP: Logged |
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Geneal: Dear Cobweb, I personally think you should go for the rump warming method. If it were me, you would definitely get better coverage. Geneal [/QUOTE
I thank you for the chuckles,too. Carol
IP: Logged |
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
Stymie-LLMD says her patients have done better with peripheral IV's. A couple her patients have gotten blood clots with the PICC line.
It was my choice, but she discouraged me from getting the PICC line. Seems like in her experience there have been less complications-of course, I don't think she's met Nurse Karen.
IP: Logged |
bejoy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11129
posted
Yeeeeeeouzuh.
You must be the spider woman, and poor silly nurse Karen tried to put the line in where those cobwebs of steel come from. Now fess up.
Bit by one of those special little US gov't genetically engeneered arachnids, were you?
By day you are the humble and loveable cobweb.
By night, the spider woman, and your cat a feline superhero. Together you roam the planet via the web ridding the world of lies and injustice...
-------------------- bejoy!
"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Posts: 1918 | From Alive and Well! | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
CAROL: DOES NURSE KAREN WEAR BLACK LEATHER NURSE OUTFIT.
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged |
stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
CAROL: DOES NURSE KAREN WEAR BLACK LEATHER NURSE OUTFIT. i think i'm in love!!!!!!!!!
is she available, i'll come up to visit you next week, in the hopes of meeting THE NURSE KAREN.
the very sicko docdave Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged |
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
Cave(y)-So you think I'm rambling, I suppose that's better than babbling. It's all true, no poetic license needed!
Although it was the IV insertion catheter tip that bent-whatever that is made out of. I don't know.
Anyway it's infusion time again. I did it solo this morning.
Bejoy-so that's how you spell yeeeeeeouzah-I thought there were only 5 e's. I'm looking to beat Cave(y) in scrabble some day.
Here's something we can all relate to-for the intake, Nurse Karen(BTW Stymie-she's coming back Monday)had to make a list of all the meds I take-I brought her the bin I keep them in- she ran out of room on the form. And there was a lot of room. Lymies are in a league of our own when it comes to the amount of meds we take.
She took my blood pressure at the end of her visit-I think it was higher than before her visit.
trueblue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7348
posted
quote:Originally posted by Cobweb: Anyway it's infusion time again. I did it solo this morning.
Carol
I knew you could do it! Good going, Cob!
Ha, and the nurse will have to learn to write smaller if she's gonna attend to lymies.
Go Carol!!!!!!!
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
"This trick comes from being a Mom and realizing you're not an octopus" stated Nurse Karen. With the IV line in one hand and the Saline syringe in the other-she pulled the cap off the syringe with her teeth.
I stood by speechless. By this time I felt like I was watching a circus act and wondered when I was going to get a box of Cracker Jacks.
She performed the same trick for her grand finale with the Heparin Lock Flush. I think I saw a piece of spinach stuck between her teeth.
Forgot to mention. To insure my comfort, but totally ignoring any attempts at providing a sterile field, Nurse Karen grabbed my lyme green pillow off the back of the couch as a cushion to lay my arm on while she stuck me.
She fluffed it up and folded it in half. When the first stick didn't work she turned my arm over and started the same rapid breathing and tap tap tapping on the underside of my arm. I think this is when she bit the end of her glove off to expose her index finger-which she seemed to be using as a divining rod to find a good vein.
With the successful insertion of the second IV catheter she removed the pillow . We could both see that a considerable amount of blood had soaked into it from the first stick.
"Do you have a bandaid?" I asked weakly. "Oh just use some peroxide, the stain will come right out" She told me as she brushed the pillow off and returned it to the back of my couch.
I think I'm going to leave the blood there, on my lyme green pillow, sort of looks like a Purple Heart.
Lyme Warrior reporting from front line, Carol
IP: Logged |
stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
cobby: mointor yourself very carefully for too many toxins in your system.
2 weeks after i took my first rocephin,that's when neuro signs started.
i do believe this was from too many toxins in my system.
you may ask the doc to detox you after a week, maybe you won't get bad neuro syptoms like i did.
i still believe to this day it was from the bacteria toxins giving off too quickly into the blood stream.
maybe try a slow kill with pulsing.
docdave
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged |
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
WEll, I don't know what all the fuss was about, this IV business is a piece of root beer float.
I've been keeping the site nice and clean,too with the cuff of a sport sock ,as per Nurse K's instructions. She said I needed something to cover the tubing so it wouldn't get caught on anything.
I pointed out that there was a nice sterile roll of ace bandage in the IV box of supplies. "Yeah, but it's three miles long" she said, "and impossible to work with-have any sport socks?" "Do they have to be clean?" I asked.
I didn't want to tell her that I usually wear the same pair of socks for about a week depending on whether I have any doctor's appointments that might require me to take off my shoes.
Seems like it's easier to just buy a new six pack than do the laundry. I still wear Depends for the same reason. Disposable underwear is the next best thing to sliced ice cream cake.
I found a single mismatch and brought it back to her. "Got any scissors?" she asked. All I could think of were the kitchen sheers-the ones I use to cut open food packaging and trim my bangs.
I thought for sure she would at least wipe them off with an alcohol rub. Silly me. She just took the sock and chewed it in half with the scissors.
Then she slipped the cuff over the tubing-and said-"there you go! It's a little loose though, so if you get a chance-pick up a six pack in a smaller size"
"No problem" I told her. I know just where to get them cheap. Then she gave me the 24 hour emergency number in case I got concerned about anything. "But you'll be fine" she added,"see you Monday"
IP: Logged |
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
Stymie- you just burst my bubble ! After two days with a killer headache I woke up this morning feeling like my old self , you know, in my previous lifetime before Lyme.
I've spent all day wondering if it's just a tease. I did buy several fresh lemons though to keep the mojo cleansing lemon water flowing.
I saw some detox foot pads to wear at night in an Avon catalog of all places. What do you think?
I have an appointment with my LLMD next week-she's keeping a close eye on how this goes for me.
And BTW Stymie-I think of you everytime I check the med bag to make sure it's the pale color of yourin without any stonz. I'll let you know if I find any.
stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
y'a know the nurses should have a scissor first. second , they also have mesh socks that cover the cath and tubing.
three: the headache was from the little stone you didn't see.
four: taking a shower is real fun with your hand out the curtain. i bought a rubber sock, but my picc was in for 3 months. plastic bags and rubber bands work good too!!!!
Giant brand bags work the best, since yo don't have publix up there.
you have to wear a green bag next week for st pats day.
so now you walk around the house with one sock on arm and one on foot.
can anyone please donate a pair of socks to carol please!!!!!!!!!!!!. will have to now call you carol the sockless lymie from baltimore.
i heard the orioles are look for anybody that can stand up to play this year.
go what's my team down here
kneeless docdave but i still can claim those kidney stones. taking any offers.
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged |
Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Dear Cobweb,
I really enjoy reading your postings. Thank you for your sense of humor and your writing abilities.
As for the dirty, kitchen sheared through sock....it justhelps build a little more immunity.
Glad to know you are doing well and feeling better.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
quote:Originally posted by stymielymie: four: taking a shower is real fun with your hand out the curtain.
Nurse K went into great detail about how to keep the line dry. Something about Saran Wrap and tape. I pretended to be paying attention, but I had already decided that one of the perks of having an IV line was not having to take a shower.
My balance isn't so good either , so trying to shower with one hand out the curtain doesn't appeal to me. I'm afraid I'll fall into Stinky's cage. He lives in the bathroom. When you sit down on the toilet he comes out of his "cave" and stares at you-eyeball to eyeball. The bathroom has an air vent, so when Stinky gets too stinky I just turn on the vent until I feel like cleaning his cage. Pretty clever for a lyme brain.
And now I have a good supply of gloves to wear when I clean his cage-because for sure Nurse K doesn't use them.
Anyway , my daughter gave me this shower curtain for Christmas. Looks like a great big mural of a lighthouse. I suppose I could cut the curtain to stick my arm out where the port hole is at the top of the lighthouse. But I don't want to risk hurting her feelings.
If I get too stinky myself I'll just move the TV into the bathroom and turn on the vent.
I've also decided it's too much of a risk to wash dishes ,too. I've noticed that twitch thing that Trueblue mentioned. I've been flinging dishwater around the kitchen. Not good. Nurse K warned me that if I get the tape wet I might unravel. And she should know.
Sooooo- I guess it's carry out on paper plates for the next month.TSK TSK Just trying to improve my coverage in case I forget to take the meds out of the fridge in time.
BTW-Yesterday was a good day. But today I found myself sitting on the couch trying to change channels with the cell phone! Doesn't work. I just hope I didn't run up too much of a bill with long distance calls.
posted
carol, you are a R I O T !!! have to wear depends just to read your funny posts!
loved that stinky was in the bathroom and when it's too bad, you turn the vent on!! you go girl. time for my nap; went to bed 6 am; up 1120 am; where do my days go? so screwed up.
IP: Logged |
Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
This just might put you over the edge Cavee-my first set of supplies arrived in a box labled "This box of supplies is a CLEAN environment. Hands must(underlined) be washed before opening."
Today I got my second week of supplies-in a brown paper shopping bag ,stapled at the top, with my name written on it in magic marker.
So what should I do when Nurse K shows up on Monday-open the door and make the sign of a cross in front of me with my fingers?
The other thing that had me furrowing my brow-as in this doesn't even make sense to me-she had to do a blood draw-which she said she could do from the IV-fine with me. But she drew it right after she did the initial saline flush. Should be some interesting lab results.
I get to pull this thing myself on Saturday morning after the infusion. Any tips for that little maneuver?
Now I know the scoop I'll remind Nurse K she took a vow of sterility when she was hired for this job.
posted
Okay maybe she'll get the message if I spray her with lysol when she comes in.
Quick give me a lesson on being ASSERTIVE. She's calling Sunday before her visit Monday. Maybe do a little role play here:
(C) Hello?
(NK) Carol? This is Nurse K. You're still alive? Shucks I was planning to go on vacation this week.
(C) Yes, NK I'm still here inspite of the fact that your last visit was the most unprofessional IV insertion ever recorded in history.
(NK) But, but-you recorded it?
(C) Yes, and I have witnesses.
(NK) So I've got to clean up my act?
(C) In a big way , you idiot. Who do you think you're dealing with anyway?
(NK) But you looked so innocent and stupid and well, foggy I thought I could get away with it.
(C) BUSTED! Now next time you come I expect you to wear scrubs , a face mask, and gloves or I'll bite you. And bring a pair of those surgical footies to put over your shoes.
(NK) Will I get Lyme Disease if you bite me?
(C) No, but you might get rabies. It's been a long time since my last rabies shot.
(NK) Are you going to report me?
(C) Depends on how much you're willing to pay me not to. My medical bills are pretty high and I'm hoping to go on vaction,too-someday. I suggest you cash in your retirement fund.
(NK) How about I let you use my Time Share in Kissiminee in Sept.?
(C)-but that's Hurricane Season.
(NK) I know.
(C) This conversation is not going the way I planned. Then again, my life is not going the way I planned.
(NK)Mine either- I thought I'd be able to go on vacation this week, but NO, you survived.
(C) That's because God is in control- "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future"
(NK) You talk to God?
(C) Yes, and cleanliness is next to Godliness-so don't even THINK about stepping foot in my apartment unless you're sterile. Besides, Lymenet's got my back.
posted
carol, BRILLIANT job here! way to tell her off, etc.
IP: Logged |
stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
caveeey, did i actual say all that. i must have been having a brain attack.
webby: don't take this wrong, or take it wrong. dressing change kits should be self contained sterile boxes 4"x 4" with drapes tape, sciscors, tegaderm, clear patch ,also sterile. sterile betadine, and alcohol wipes.
do not accept anything less, this is how its done and anything else is not standard medical, sterile procedure.
yeh, and all the big words caveey uses. but don't completely rely on her sense of sterility, i heard when she was a hygienist her nickname was bloody caveeey, (so girl)!!!!lol
andabout your tape coming undo, well your already way way past the point of being of becoming unravelled.
HEED CAVEEY'S WARNINGS ,we both know about sterilization techniques from dentistry. sterile technique, is playing with your life if not done to exacting measures. biting the tip of the rinse solution is not really appropriate, but mosy nurses do it anyway.
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER TAKE BLOOD FROM THE IV TUBE. THE BLOOD CAN CLOT AND DESTROY THE PICC LINE. JUST GET STUCK IN THE OTHER ARM, AND INSIST ON IT.
THE ORIFICE OF THE PICC ;INE IS HALF THE OPENING OF THE BLOOD NEEDLE, AND WILL CLOT.
OTHER THAN THAT, ELLO CAVEEY, ELLO COBBY, ELLO CAROL, ELLO WALTER WHEREVER YOU ARE.
DOCDAVE
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[lick]](graemlins/facelick.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[cussing]](graemlins/cussing.gif)
![[hi]](graemlins/hi.gif)
![[woohoo]](graemlins/woohoo.gif)
![[dizzy]](graemlins/dizzy.gif)
![[Mad]](mad.gif)
![[sleepy]](graemlins/sleepy.gif)
![[lol]](graemlins/lol.gif)
![[spinning smile]](graemlins/spinsmile.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic