MS.Jan.02
I began my treatment this morning…
tonight will go smoothly having had the solumedrol early in the day.
I ate a few packs of crackers during the treatment (which was over the course of about an hour) and they seemed to settle my stomach. I was thrilled when, near the end of my treatment, I was sitting
Successful IV Shunt
Unbelievalby, the nurse was able to get my IV in my hand after only three tries (the 1st two attemps resulted in blown veins) so that it was not necessary to have the shunt in my antecubital. This may seem like a small detail but when IV’s are a monthly part of life, the small details make all the difference! Having it in my hand means it does not get caught in my sleeves, does not cause problems/discomfort when I am sleeping, and makes showering alot easier.
I received a 4mg dilaudid injection before commencing my treatment as I had been dealing with a significant amount of pain since waking at arounnd 7h30. My steroid can cause nausea, sleep problems, ect. I have tried getting them at night so that the nausea doesn’t affect my eating as much during the day, but then they make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. So, this round I am getting them in the mornings, they may limit my diet for a few days, but good rest is more important and I am hoping in the lobby watching What not to Wear and who walked in but Lloyd and Emeraude. It was a wonderful surprise and so typical of Lloyd’s thoughtfulness.
Grandpapa had already been by to pick me up (I had thought I was closer to the end then I actually was) and was driving his van which doesn’t have a car seat. On his way out, Lloyd saw him pulling up again, and let him know that Emeraude was now accompanying me and we would need to be picked up in Grandmaman’s van. Grandpapa is always happy to help and did not mind at all going back home to switch vehicles.
I am feeling quite confident that my treatments will be successful. I was a little aprehensive after my treatment at the end of November as they had not taken effect until the 3rd day of IV (in the past, they had begun improving my condition immediately or after the 1st IV so this was dissapointing). My body already feels less fatigued, pain has not reduced yet but I am hopeful.
The rest of our day was very nice… read post Sliding fun and Suppers Out.
Later this afternoon I returned for more pain meds, receiving another dilaudid injection after we had been sliding. Emeraude kept me company as she used her ‘ice cream machine’ (the stirrups on the bed as well as the handle under the chair) to make me many delicious varieties of ice cream before we headed to the Grandparents’ home for a great spaghetti supper – YUM!
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- Successful IV Shunt
