MS.Jan.03 (Solumedrol Treatment Day 2)

Written by admin on 03 January 2009

Day 2 of my IV Steroid treatments went well

although I thought they were having more of a positive effect than what turned out to be reality. I was a little disapointed that when I arrived, I asked the nurse about the ‘obs room’ (Observation room which has a tv, big tray for putting coffee, laptop, or food on and is just more private and comfortable) I was told that it was but she was expecting someone. I understood this of course, if someone else was expected who would be stuck there more than the 1 1/2 I was expecting to be of course they should be there… my dissapointment came when no one ever showed up in the room and as I was leaving it was still empty. Little touches like this really help with breaking up the monotony of days of treatments.

PICC line insertion diagram

The IV she had put the day prior was still holding out well though and so I was feeling quite blessed with that. It had been put in without any gloves and I was concerned regarding possible skin infection or worse, infection in the vein the shunt was in. Avoiding these completely unessecary incidents was a big part of why I had opted to have a ‘picc line’ put in, in late 2007. The picc line was not really well suited to me and ,

port-a-cath (which I have under my left side, kind of below my collar bone) being worn and I was a little concerned with the possibility of yet another skin infection (I dealt with many of these before finally having my 'picc line' and Picc Line

about a month or so later after I accidentally pulled it out catching it on my house coat, the ‘port-a-cath‘ put in and they are a completely unessecary side effect as gloves being worn by whomever is putting in the IV shunt go along way towards avoiding them) but so far, so good. The 2 veins that didin’t hold out on my left hand, they had both collapsed as she tried to put in the IV, typical of tired veins and unavoidable are looking yucky, pretty bruised up hand, also as I am overly sensitive to any pain quite sore – like a charlie horse on my hand (see gallery photos).

I did go through a few packs of crackers while receiving my treatment to try and keep nausea at bay. This worked out well and Mom even treated us to a great spaghetti supper this evening (one of the few things I stomach well when in the middle of these treatments as the steroids make everything taste of metal and rather gross).

After my treatment, Dad picked me up… Meanwhile, Mom had picked up the kids so that Lloyd could bring Emeraude’s new ski boots/skiis/bindings for any adjustment they may have needed (turned out to be none) and get my skiis rented so that when Emeraude & I would get there we’d both be set up. Lloyd stayed there to ski right away. There was some confusion as Mom returned to our place with Emeraude, then went looking for us at the hospital and then finally decided to just wait at her own house… Meanwhile, Dad & I went to my house 1st, missed them, went to the ski hill which of course they had already left and then to his place where I found Emeraude fully dressed in ski boots, helmet and gear (which I would have to bring her home to change & get her hair tied back but it had been a galant effort on brother’s part none the less lol) and a little teary-eyed having become a little tired and quite discouraged at all the running around feeling she might never find Mommy. I switched her car seat into Dad’s van and he brought us home. I fed her a much needed snack and then dressed us both and we were on our way to the ski hill (read post, 1st day of skiing).

I received dilaudid at the beginning of my treatment, dealing with a great deal of pain. The fatigue had not been any better this morning either and I was very grateful of Lloyd’s help and Emeraude’s understanding as I tried to get my courage up enough to get to Manitouwadge General on my own two feet.

Later today, after skiing, I was back at the hospital again recieving another dilaudid injection as my legs did not feel like they would take me too many steps further and we were on our way to Daniel’s to finally unwrap the gifts he had left waiting for the kids from himself and his Mom. I ran into Dr. Crawford in the hall and was very relieved when I spoke to him regarding the unchanged situation of IV Shunts being put in with no gloves worn. He really seemed to understand that it would be much easier for me (and obviously after almost 3 years if nothing I was saying was being heard much more useful) if he could find a tactful way to take care of the situation and get some kind of protocol being followed (there are of course nurses who would never think of doing any kind of procedure such as this without gloves…) Unfortunately, there are too many nurses, like the one who put in my shunt yesterday, who claim that the gloves don’t fit right, make it difficult to handle the shunt, limit the amount of control/feeling they have, the excuses go on and on and really, I should not have to be even asking. As he pointed out they are putting themselves at risk as well by not taking these very basic precautions. Once again, since the short 2 months he has become my family doctor, he heard a request for something that has caused me much stress and seemed to take it quite seriously and be prepared to handle it without any further request. I am really so hopeful at the types of changes that will happen with him as our family doctor. Thank you Lord for this gift you have sent me in the form of a Doctor who sincerely wants to hear his patients!

Click on gallery photos for full size picture viewed in proper ratio.