a partial spilling
Wed Nov 24, 2004 Well I was figuring since I'm so closely tied to you guys and my IV and it's going to be a few weeks(4 to 6) to talk about this stuff might be in order.
Yesterday seemed to be a good one, nurse came to visit and gave me an A+ for doing the job:
a. changing the tubing
b. stabbing the medication pouch with the tubing
c. feeding the tubing via the IV pump (regulated flow and dosage)
d. getting air bubbles out of tubing (can kill)
e. sterilizing connections
f. care of portal in arm that IV make transfer through.
(getting an A+ doesn't make you less nervous )
Well tonight I scared the hell out of myself with the alarm going off early that the drip was done!!!! turns out that I got the flow rate turned around do it dropped 2x faster than it should have. reason for this confusion is that the dosage for one is 100/100 and the other is 100/200, and I programmed 200/100 -
Called the nurse and got the low-down - I'm OK but "don't do that again".
I'm on my last med drip of the night so in about an hour I can go to bed.
this morning I had a bad tube that kept giving me an air in tube error message - had to replace that in total. this stuff is enough to drive you nuts once in awhile.
Thu Nov 25, 2004 what I can remember
smoked turkey
smoked ham
stuffed pork chops
butternut squash lasagna
apple salad
spinach artichoke stuffing
pears with some fancy cheese saucy stuff
red and white wines
all types of pies
Tue Nov 30, 2004 the Doc was happy with the healing - but I'm not getting off the antibiotics early LOL (sigh)
Wed Dec 01, 2004 thank you - I'm counting on you guys when I have my low points!
Sun Dec 05, 2004 doing well just finishing the last iv of the day
we figured it takes 8 hours a day with prep,doing the IV and cleanup
between 6 am and 11:30pm I'm starting to feel tied down
Mon Dec 06, 2004 I'm just home and from my GP - they are very please with everything!!! Said I can start walking now - when I have time between the IV's - just pace myself then get home and elevate leg. OK to cust back on the water pills by 30% IN 1/2 hour I'm off to the sleep doctor soon as this IV finishes that I'm on now.
Wed Dec 08, 2004 no yet exercise wise to much snow - but doctor’s said exercise then get leg up
Thu Dec 09, 2004 horrible night last night about 11:00pm noticed my calf swelled some - and had real problem sleeping - laid in bed until 2:00am worrying then on and off sleep until 45 minutes ago - I'm a wreck.
diagnosis staph infection - no celeritous(sp?) the cellular part of my skin tissue is fragile and still messed up even though there are no lesions\ulcers or sores - that's why it swells and has fluid (edema) build up so easy - right now my foot hurts (it's elevated)
Cellulitis is an acute inflammation of the connective tissue of the skin, caused by infection with staphylococcus, streptococcus or other bacteria (see also cellulitis - streptococcal).
Risk factors for cellulitis include:
Insect bites and stings, animal bite, or human bite
Injury or trauma with a break in the skin (skin wounds)
History of peripheral vascular disease
Diabetes-related or ischemic ulcers
Recent cardiovascular, pulmonary (lung), dental or other procedures
Use of immunosuppressive or corticosteroid medications
Cellulitis treatment may require hospitalization if it is severe enough to warrant intravenous antibiotics and close observation. At other times, treatment with oral antibiotics and close outpatient follow-up is enough. Treatment is focused on control of the infection and prevention of complications.
Antibiotics are given to control infection, and analgesics may be needed to control pain.
Cure is possible with 7 to 10 days of treatment. Cellulitis may be more severe in people with chronic diseases and people who are susceptible to infection (immunosuppressed).
I'm not but it seems to be looming around the corner diabetes
I've been asked and tested a jillion times
Mon Dec 13, 2004 forget to say - tomorrow is checkup
Tue Dec 14, 2004 Doc said I will get 6 weeks total antibiotics and also no more exercise I'm actually working from home cell phone and links to my office, it's not apparent to anyone I'm at home - mostly; I get tired cause of the screwed up sleep - think I mentioned when I go to bed and rise?? Also trying to get used to the CPap for my apnea but it's a difficult go right now, feels like it's making me more tired.
Soaps are out - a friend loaned us their blockbuster exchange program 2 movies for as long or short a time as you like - since the sickness started I think I've watched 90% of what Blockbuster offers that includes the A and B list movies (and also most all new releases)
Fri Dec 17, 2004 feels like a scuzzy day here - thinking of all the screwed up Xmas cheer - gift buying and so hard, it's difficult to make or even get a list from anyone in the family - our lives have been so turned upside down.
We managed to buy a 2 foot live pine tree, we're lacking space since I have so much extra medical crap hanging around (get it? IV) .
The Mrs. has been busy also with the food bank, food drives, and helping a few families have a Christmas - (remember she's a Director) - I usually help with that, but you already know that's out for this year.
OK - that's enough crying and trying to feel sorry for myself - fighting the depressing side of things is the hardest. right now I'm close to tears but it'll pass.
OK actually there is a tear or two
01/05/05 PIC removed and no more antibiotics for now
01/06/05 Doc says another 2 weeks at home for sure
