Today is the day I get my PICC line shortened which had been left too long by the student surgeon who put it in. My appointment was for 1:30pm with Calvin at the health centre. He seemed to be the green beret of IV nurses and had that comforting mix of confidence/ability and a touch of arrogance which I found most comforting. He thought he was pretty hot stuff and I felt that I was in good hands as he was very particular about cleanliness, my comfort, and making his talents well known with very clearly defined, knowledgeable process with a true sense of caring.
He noted that the rash that was developing was something I should take great care of it, continue with the dry dressing, watch for signs of infection and just in case get some cortizone through my Doctor.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Can I have my cake... and eat it too
Today feelin better than yesterday. Usually Sunday Brunch at the folks but with my brother in town, things were moving a bit slow there. I told them I needed to eat as I had to start with my morning dose of pills. So, I whipped up some oatmeal, popped the pills and then just when I wanted to head over for brunch I noticed the rash had gotten worse on my arm. So I called the health centre and they said I'd better come in so they could replace my sealed bandage with a dry dressing. Then went home took it easy for a bit and then hooked up my IV. This Lyme is a full time job I keep saying.
Then, my neighbours called. Asking me if I like Cake. "Well yes I like cake" I'm saying, but I'm thinking I really shouldn't be eating any sweets with all the Antibiotics I'm taking. So what did I do... Of course I said "yes" and they offered to bring me a quarter of a Birthday cake, which Brent had made for Carmen and they just had too much of it. But I was tethered to my IV pole. I had to fess up and say "y'know I'm taking all this medication, and now I'm on some IV meds". "I'm kinda stuck here as I'm running that right now". We agreed we would hook up later. As soon as I finished I looked outside to see they hadn't left yet, so I promptly called and we met at the fence. Brent brings me this huge piece of Coconut Cream filled Cake, wow... over the top... of the fence it came and I graciously accepted, thanked and ran into my place with this soon to be devoured sugar devil.
I put it in the fridge and went back to lay down on my bed for a bit as my parents wanted me to join them at a garden party with some friends and I had told them I would likely not be joining them if I felt anything like I felt the day before. I sat up on the edge of my bed and wondered can I do this... go to the party, not eat the cake. I laid down again. Mom called and asked if I was coming along and I said, "OK" I just got up, put on a civilized shirt and off we went. I knew it would only be for about 1 1/2 hours so I figured I could handle that and didn't feel have bad. I'm glad I got out. Unfortunately, all I was asked about and pretty much all I talked about was how I'm doing, my treatment, and Lyme Lyme Lyme. I always kept changing the subject or when I started speaking with someone it would always be about something other than my situation. Sometimes getting away is not getting away.
Soon enough we left and I went home to rest for the evening... OH OH, I had a really big piece of cake, it was yummy.
Then, my neighbours called. Asking me if I like Cake. "Well yes I like cake" I'm saying, but I'm thinking I really shouldn't be eating any sweets with all the Antibiotics I'm taking. So what did I do... Of course I said "yes" and they offered to bring me a quarter of a Birthday cake, which Brent had made for Carmen and they just had too much of it. But I was tethered to my IV pole. I had to fess up and say "y'know I'm taking all this medication, and now I'm on some IV meds". "I'm kinda stuck here as I'm running that right now". We agreed we would hook up later. As soon as I finished I looked outside to see they hadn't left yet, so I promptly called and we met at the fence. Brent brings me this huge piece of Coconut Cream filled Cake, wow... over the top... of the fence it came and I graciously accepted, thanked and ran into my place with this soon to be devoured sugar devil.
I put it in the fridge and went back to lay down on my bed for a bit as my parents wanted me to join them at a garden party with some friends and I had told them I would likely not be joining them if I felt anything like I felt the day before. I sat up on the edge of my bed and wondered can I do this... go to the party, not eat the cake. I laid down again. Mom called and asked if I was coming along and I said, "OK" I just got up, put on a civilized shirt and off we went. I knew it would only be for about 1 1/2 hours so I figured I could handle that and didn't feel have bad. I'm glad I got out. Unfortunately, all I was asked about and pretty much all I talked about was how I'm doing, my treatment, and Lyme Lyme Lyme. I always kept changing the subject or when I started speaking with someone it would always be about something other than my situation. Sometimes getting away is not getting away.
Soon enough we left and I went home to rest for the evening... OH OH, I had a really big piece of cake, it was yummy.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Me and my Hoe
Saturday today. Gardening needs to be done and fortunately a friend of mine "Johnny" will be coming by to help with that, or should I say as it turned out do all the veggie garden maintenance.
I'm not feelin so good today. Though I had a noon appointment at the health centre for a dressing change. I'm feeling so crappy but I've been wanting to get into my infrared sauna to sweat out some toxins. My U.S. Doc said I should be able to do that, so knowing that I'll have a dressing change done today off to the sauna I went even though I was not well. Wrapped a towel around my arm, sat in the heat for almost 30 minutes got out, bagged my arm, showered and off I went to the health centre. Seemed to be a bit of a rash there "on my arm", which I had noticed before the sauna but now it was a bit more. Anyways, got it all cleaned up dressed and I headed home. Stopped at a lab for a weekly bloodwork lab test and saw across the street an old German deli I used to go to with Mom when I was a kid. Always run by big husky old German women. This time when I walked in, I just about tripped over my Jaw that was hitting the floor when I saw an over 6 foot tall young Russian lady working the deli counter. Oh my, anyways I'm realizing that I'm pretty much the old man here and she's a tad young for me, so my attention turned to her very good looking mother. I reminisced about my childhood visits, talked of the old country and I headed of with some German Ham and yeast free German rye bread.
Got home and started prepping my IV stuff. Johnny shows up to witness me shooting up saline and hooking up my IV. I told him that I was feelin a bit rough and would likely have to be laying down in short order. We chatted for a bit, he went outside with garden hoe in hand and started tidying up the veggie garden. I finished my IV and went to bed. Got up, wandered around to yard to supervise, bring him a cold beer and go back inside and back to bed. Just felt like a wreck, flueish in a way. Later Johnny went on his way and I went back to bed, no olympics on TV tonight just a bit of Olympic news and video on the web from my laptop.
Garden looks great and I really appreciated having him come over and help with that...
I'm not feelin so good today. Though I had a noon appointment at the health centre for a dressing change. I'm feeling so crappy but I've been wanting to get into my infrared sauna to sweat out some toxins. My U.S. Doc said I should be able to do that, so knowing that I'll have a dressing change done today off to the sauna I went even though I was not well. Wrapped a towel around my arm, sat in the heat for almost 30 minutes got out, bagged my arm, showered and off I went to the health centre. Seemed to be a bit of a rash there "on my arm", which I had noticed before the sauna but now it was a bit more. Anyways, got it all cleaned up dressed and I headed home. Stopped at a lab for a weekly bloodwork lab test and saw across the street an old German deli I used to go to with Mom when I was a kid. Always run by big husky old German women. This time when I walked in, I just about tripped over my Jaw that was hitting the floor when I saw an over 6 foot tall young Russian lady working the deli counter. Oh my, anyways I'm realizing that I'm pretty much the old man here and she's a tad young for me, so my attention turned to her very good looking mother. I reminisced about my childhood visits, talked of the old country and I headed of with some German Ham and yeast free German rye bread.
Got home and started prepping my IV stuff. Johnny shows up to witness me shooting up saline and hooking up my IV. I told him that I was feelin a bit rough and would likely have to be laying down in short order. We chatted for a bit, he went outside with garden hoe in hand and started tidying up the veggie garden. I finished my IV and went to bed. Got up, wandered around to yard to supervise, bring him a cold beer and go back inside and back to bed. Just felt like a wreck, flueish in a way. Later Johnny went on his way and I went back to bed, no olympics on TV tonight just a bit of Olympic news and video on the web from my laptop.
Garden looks great and I really appreciated having him come over and help with that...
Friday, August 15, 2008
Finally I've got the Fax
Feeling better than yesterday. Yesterday just felt like a write off day, so tired and just that flu like feeling.
Today I decided I needed to buy a Fax machine. Yup, feels like a trip back to the 70's or maybe the 80's buying that kinda technology, but this is how I can best communicate with my U.S. LLMD Doctor's office.
That was my day: Fax machine; back home to run my IV and in the evening dinner at the folks.
Today I decided I needed to buy a Fax machine. Yup, feels like a trip back to the 70's or maybe the 80's buying that kinda technology, but this is how I can best communicate with my U.S. LLMD Doctor's office.
That was my day: Fax machine; back home to run my IV and in the evening dinner at the folks.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
So lazy...
I'm tired today.
This morning, after a handful of pills and my oatmeal, I tinkered away on my Laptop working on some expenses and things of the sort.
My IV ran just fine, as I'm just getting better at it I guess, though one of the nurses told me yesterday that after 24 years of nursing she still occasionally forgets to engage the brake on the line when prepping IV.
Finally I stepped outside for a bit and trimmed some of my tomato plants, hope the weather stays warm and dry so I end up with a bounty quality tomatoes.
Afterwards, just sitting on the couch, I accidentally pulled on my arm just a bit, felt just a tiny bit of pain and then saw that there was just a tiny bit of bleeding right where the line goes into my arm, very minimal. I have an appointment booked for Saturday with the picc line nurse and may very well stick with that appointment to get that cleaned up. I want to be really careful about avoiding infection, so I'll see how it looks tomorrow morning and decide whether I should go in sooner or later. Of course being such a newbie, I'm substantially freaked out by any little anomaly.
Otherwise I've just been doing a whole lot of laying around today, very fatigued. Again this late afternoon and early evening I'm feeling that heart discomfort again, which is certainly an uneasy feeling.
I've just got to muster up the energy to make some dins tonight. Will likely be some left over ratatouille with green beans and potatoes. Vegetarian tonight...
This morning, after a handful of pills and my oatmeal, I tinkered away on my Laptop working on some expenses and things of the sort.
My IV ran just fine, as I'm just getting better at it I guess, though one of the nurses told me yesterday that after 24 years of nursing she still occasionally forgets to engage the brake on the line when prepping IV.
Finally I stepped outside for a bit and trimmed some of my tomato plants, hope the weather stays warm and dry so I end up with a bounty quality tomatoes.
Afterwards, just sitting on the couch, I accidentally pulled on my arm just a bit, felt just a tiny bit of pain and then saw that there was just a tiny bit of bleeding right where the line goes into my arm, very minimal. I have an appointment booked for Saturday with the picc line nurse and may very well stick with that appointment to get that cleaned up. I want to be really careful about avoiding infection, so I'll see how it looks tomorrow morning and decide whether I should go in sooner or later. Of course being such a newbie, I'm substantially freaked out by any little anomaly.
Otherwise I've just been doing a whole lot of laying around today, very fatigued. Again this late afternoon and early evening I'm feeling that heart discomfort again, which is certainly an uneasy feeling.
I've just got to muster up the energy to make some dins tonight. Will likely be some left over ratatouille with green beans and potatoes. Vegetarian tonight...
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
One week PICC
Yesterday when I was prepping my IV and letting the line fill, I forgot to engage the brake on the line. The fluid raced down the tube, I engaged the brake though there were some huge air bubbles in the line. So, paranoid as I am, I drained about half a shot glass away to get rid of most of the bubbles.
Last night, friend came over, I didn't feel too great for the first little while though I did feel better around 8pm, just in time for dinner. Barbequed Salmon, Ratatouille, & creamy dill potatoes. Yup that was some good eatin. Watched some Olympics and after the evening was over I had a good sleep.
The PICCs been in for a week now. Went in to get the dressing changed today. The cute nurse was impressed I remembered her name... of course I did, I'm obviously feeling well enough to notice and remember these very important things. Though honestly, I remember all the Nurses names at the community health centre.
Just a couple times throughout the day did I have those temporary lightly piercing headaches.
When I ran my IV today, the fluid came down a bit quick, again, causing some bubbles, though I managed to flick them up the line and it was very minimal.
This early evening I was feeling a bit whacked out and took it easy, feeling a bit stumbly and had one of those sudden heart stopping sensations. After relaxing a bit I went to the folks for dinner as an Uncle of mine was in town, had an Aunt visiting as well and of course my brother's still here.
Last night, friend came over, I didn't feel too great for the first little while though I did feel better around 8pm, just in time for dinner. Barbequed Salmon, Ratatouille, & creamy dill potatoes. Yup that was some good eatin. Watched some Olympics and after the evening was over I had a good sleep.
The PICCs been in for a week now. Went in to get the dressing changed today. The cute nurse was impressed I remembered her name... of course I did, I'm obviously feeling well enough to notice and remember these very important things. Though honestly, I remember all the Nurses names at the community health centre.
Just a couple times throughout the day did I have those temporary lightly piercing headaches.
When I ran my IV today, the fluid came down a bit quick, again, causing some bubbles, though I managed to flick them up the line and it was very minimal.
This early evening I was feeling a bit whacked out and took it easy, feeling a bit stumbly and had one of those sudden heart stopping sensations. After relaxing a bit I went to the folks for dinner as an Uncle of mine was in town, had an Aunt visiting as well and of course my brother's still here.
Monday, August 11, 2008
The morning after hell night
I'm a bit of a wreck today. The health care centre called and they won't be modifying my picc line today as the one who was going to do it is off sick. That OK, least of my worries. I will have to go in one of these days anyways to clean up the area from some bleeding.
I spoke with another Lyme patient friend Lisa. We've crossed paths a few times over the last two years. We first met at our Naturopath, who was the one who suspected Lyme in each of our cases and referred us to our now retired LLMD (Lyme Literate Medical Doctor). As it turns out, we are now two years later being treated by the same LLMD from the U.S. It was nice talking with Lisa, friends in Lyme is such a comfort as it's often a lonely, misunderstood and yes "misdiagnosed" disease. Of course I had a few IV questions for her as I'm such a newbie with all of this. I don't know how I would have faced and come to terms with all of this without Shannon and Lisa leading the way. I'm so lucky. Lisa and I talked about us looking forward to when the three of us get together and look back at this and go "wow, what a journey that was that we had to endure to get better again." I'm looking forward to that day big time.
The Health centre called and I went in for a PICC line clean up. Good thing I did, Nurse J. pulled out one suture that was, one too many, and interfering with keeping stuff clean there.
I'm back home now and feel pretty good. I ran my IV at noon today, went to the healthcare centre and now I just had some more of that Cholestyramine (was that what made me so ill last night?) I probably will skip the late night Cholestyramine unless I take just a little bit and maybe pop a sedative beforehand. I need to keep moving forward and progressing in my barrage of treatment protocol. I'm glad I feel better than last night, I can dust myself off and continue with what must be done.
I know that some of the meds I'm taking can cause depression and I can see that coming and going. Sometimes for good reason and sometimes I just feel sorry for myself (well for good reason... but I am so fortunate in so many ways).
Chin up, I persevere.
I spoke with another Lyme patient friend Lisa. We've crossed paths a few times over the last two years. We first met at our Naturopath, who was the one who suspected Lyme in each of our cases and referred us to our now retired LLMD (Lyme Literate Medical Doctor). As it turns out, we are now two years later being treated by the same LLMD from the U.S. It was nice talking with Lisa, friends in Lyme is such a comfort as it's often a lonely, misunderstood and yes "misdiagnosed" disease. Of course I had a few IV questions for her as I'm such a newbie with all of this. I don't know how I would have faced and come to terms with all of this without Shannon and Lisa leading the way. I'm so lucky. Lisa and I talked about us looking forward to when the three of us get together and look back at this and go "wow, what a journey that was that we had to endure to get better again." I'm looking forward to that day big time.
The Health centre called and I went in for a PICC line clean up. Good thing I did, Nurse J. pulled out one suture that was, one too many, and interfering with keeping stuff clean there.
I'm back home now and feel pretty good. I ran my IV at noon today, went to the healthcare centre and now I just had some more of that Cholestyramine (was that what made me so ill last night?) I probably will skip the late night Cholestyramine unless I take just a little bit and maybe pop a sedative beforehand. I need to keep moving forward and progressing in my barrage of treatment protocol. I'm glad I feel better than last night, I can dust myself off and continue with what must be done.
I know that some of the meds I'm taking can cause depression and I can see that coming and going. Sometimes for good reason and sometimes I just feel sorry for myself (well for good reason... but I am so fortunate in so many ways).
Chin up, I persevere.
How I felt last night
Quiet evening. I felt quite OK, just tired but steamed some veggies and a barbequed buffalo burger pattie. I was a bit bummed as I had a feeling that two of my best buddies got together for dins, where I'm almost always a participator in the trio. Didn't get a call... I called one of them and he wasn't home so I figured he was at the other friends place, but I didn't call. I would have gone if invited but I wasn't going to invite myself. Later I got a call from the one whom I had called earlier and he said "Yup, just came back from Dins over at so and so's. We didn't call you because we figured you'd either be with your brother or you would be sick..." I said, no I was just here all afternoon and evening watching the Olympics.
I don't know, I won't get all choked up about it. But I just felt like this is the beginning of my friends not inviting me anymore, because I'm not participatory in drinking the fine wines we usually enjoy and maybe I'm just a bump on the log. I've seen it happen to other people where their friends don't understand and or are uncomfortable with the constant sick friend. I'm probably over reacting but I feel a bit depressed about the whole thing, my situation, my friends, my life.
Last night just before 11pm I took some of this cholestyramine powder with chicken noodle soup. Started on a reply email to a friend and... wham at 11:30ish I felt like I was suddenly going to pass out. Fainting sensation, body numbness, heart discomfort, tingling face, felt cold, then came a headache. I grabbed the phone as I thought I was heading in a direction of needing help. How much longer can I hang on, is this going to get worse. Can't call the folks, my brother and his kids are there, I'll wake them all. I can't drive there because I'm fighting for consciousness. I was writhing around in bed just holding on. Oh my I was feeling so sick I wanted to throw up. My day of herbal supplements, parasite killing natural remedies, two intense morning oral antibiotics. With an IV antibiotic at noon, followed by all the same stuff I had for breakfast now with dinner. It sure all caught up with me during that midnight hour. I writhed around in such duress, just trying to relax and hold on for the ride until it ends. Fortunately this little piece of hell lasted, I figure, about 90 minutes when I finally was calm enough to drift off to sleep.
I don't know, I won't get all choked up about it. But I just felt like this is the beginning of my friends not inviting me anymore, because I'm not participatory in drinking the fine wines we usually enjoy and maybe I'm just a bump on the log. I've seen it happen to other people where their friends don't understand and or are uncomfortable with the constant sick friend. I'm probably over reacting but I feel a bit depressed about the whole thing, my situation, my friends, my life.
Last night just before 11pm I took some of this cholestyramine powder with chicken noodle soup. Started on a reply email to a friend and... wham at 11:30ish I felt like I was suddenly going to pass out. Fainting sensation, body numbness, heart discomfort, tingling face, felt cold, then came a headache. I grabbed the phone as I thought I was heading in a direction of needing help. How much longer can I hang on, is this going to get worse. Can't call the folks, my brother and his kids are there, I'll wake them all. I can't drive there because I'm fighting for consciousness. I was writhing around in bed just holding on. Oh my I was feeling so sick I wanted to throw up. My day of herbal supplements, parasite killing natural remedies, two intense morning oral antibiotics. With an IV antibiotic at noon, followed by all the same stuff I had for breakfast now with dinner. It sure all caught up with me during that midnight hour. I writhed around in such duress, just trying to relax and hold on for the ride until it ends. Fortunately this little piece of hell lasted, I figure, about 90 minutes when I finally was calm enough to drift off to sleep.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
IV Day 3 - Sunday - Flying Solo
Well today is my first day of doing the IV alone. Brother is in town and I was at the folks for Brunch. Then when I got home, I called my folks to let them know that I'm starting my IV and if they don't hear from me within an hour... the door is unlocked. Called Shannon to say "nice knowing ya" and thanked her for all the help and tips.
Earlier I took all my herbal supplements and two oral antibiotics with breakfast and now, a few hours later, I'm in the final minutes of running the IV.
I think I followed all of Shannon's instructions perfectly and funnily enough I didn't have any air bubbles while running the IV this time. Maybe she was trying to off me ;~
Before I started I ran a saline flush into my picc line and I will do the same when I'm done. I still seem to be alive and hope that when given another day or two I'll be a bit more relaxed with the whole process. Feeling just slightly dizzy and woozy with a bit of a headache, but otherwise quite content with my current state.
OK, I need to book off for a moment here and finish this off... gotta do it right now........
Done and still alive. A few air bubbles with the saline flush, but as I have been told should be nothing to wory about. I will try and perfect this.
Now it's time to call Mom tell her all is well and then I'll have a little lie down. Maybe watch some Olympics later and be inspired by what a healthy people can do.
Earlier I took all my herbal supplements and two oral antibiotics with breakfast and now, a few hours later, I'm in the final minutes of running the IV.
I think I followed all of Shannon's instructions perfectly and funnily enough I didn't have any air bubbles while running the IV this time. Maybe she was trying to off me ;~
Before I started I ran a saline flush into my picc line and I will do the same when I'm done. I still seem to be alive and hope that when given another day or two I'll be a bit more relaxed with the whole process. Feeling just slightly dizzy and woozy with a bit of a headache, but otherwise quite content with my current state.
OK, I need to book off for a moment here and finish this off... gotta do it right now........
Done and still alive. A few air bubbles with the saline flush, but as I have been told should be nothing to wory about. I will try and perfect this.
Now it's time to call Mom tell her all is well and then I'll have a little lie down. Maybe watch some Olympics later and be inspired by what a healthy people can do.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
IV Day 2
Last night I phoned the folks and invited myself over for dinner. Thought a healthy meal would do me good. I've been favouring my left arm with the new PICC line and on top of that I am just so fatigued that I can't bring myself to making a scrumptious healthy meal. I've got the veggies, have some growing in the garden, have the know how but still I've pretty much been eating canned organic soups and things of the like.
This morning I awoke to find that the area around where the picc line goes into my arm had been bleeding. I knew I was going to have to call the community health centre and ask for their help to clean it up. But before that I seized the moment, by bagging my arm and taping it up so I could get a quick shower in. Then off to Shannon & Grahams for my lesson # 2 in IV.
I called the nurse at the health care ctr, and got a 1:30 appointment.
Since I had taken Shannon's idea of doing a Lyme blog, I was informed by her that I would be helping her set-up her Blog page before I went anywhere. I set up my IV stuff, started running it and tried to take note of all necessary steps as tomorrow I'm flying solo with the IV administration. We got that Blog set-up going and ever since then she has been trying to manipulate the BlogSpot layout options to suit her specific design criteria. Now I realize that I may have beat her to the punch, but she will blow my blog away with her soon to be published Blog extraordinaire.
After I left I went home to lay down and rest my sore back, though all I had time for was fixing up a quick lunch and making a soup so I could somehow ingest this gawd awful Cholestyramine powder. That worked out pretty well mixed in with some chicken noodle soup.
Then off to the health centre for a clean up on the picc line area and then off to the mall to pick up a birthday gift for Shannon to bring to their Birthday party dinner tonight. I got out of my car and realized I wasn't feeling so hot. Entered the mall, aimed for the down escalator and floated down into the strange space of people, colours and noise. OK, I'm going to pass out. Lot's of people here, good thing if anything happens. I tried walking but realized I needed to find a wall or maybe sit down. I sat down and watched the world pass me by (yet again). I sat there for a while and wondered... do I call my folks for help or do I make a run for the car and either go to my folks or make it home.
Well, my Brother had just arrived with his two boy today and I knew that going to my folks was not a great place to be considering my current state... I'll try the going home thing. Got home, stumbled up the stairs, kicked my shoes off and got into bed. I've been laying here for a couple hours and feel a bit better. I'm worried that I may have to call Shannon and Graham to tell them that I'm not in a good state, I'm not going to be able to join in on the fun (yet again). It's not that I can't go because I don't have a gift, I have a really nice card ready, it's just that I need to be able to get there and when I do I need to feel half decent.
I'm going to put the computer down, rest for another 30 minutes then get up and see how I make out with the whole feeling like I am on this planet thing.
-------------- continued...
I got up and dressed ready to go to the birthday dinner. Sat on the edge of the bed with my fancy shoes and thinking am I going or not...? OK, I'll go to the car and see how I feel. Felt pretty OK, popped a chill pill and off I went. Glad I did, had a really nice night.
Now time to rest... ZZZzzzzzz
This morning I awoke to find that the area around where the picc line goes into my arm had been bleeding. I knew I was going to have to call the community health centre and ask for their help to clean it up. But before that I seized the moment, by bagging my arm and taping it up so I could get a quick shower in. Then off to Shannon & Grahams for my lesson # 2 in IV.
I called the nurse at the health care ctr, and got a 1:30 appointment.
Since I had taken Shannon's idea of doing a Lyme blog, I was informed by her that I would be helping her set-up her Blog page before I went anywhere. I set up my IV stuff, started running it and tried to take note of all necessary steps as tomorrow I'm flying solo with the IV administration. We got that Blog set-up going and ever since then she has been trying to manipulate the BlogSpot layout options to suit her specific design criteria. Now I realize that I may have beat her to the punch, but she will blow my blog away with her soon to be published Blog extraordinaire.
After I left I went home to lay down and rest my sore back, though all I had time for was fixing up a quick lunch and making a soup so I could somehow ingest this gawd awful Cholestyramine powder. That worked out pretty well mixed in with some chicken noodle soup.
Then off to the health centre for a clean up on the picc line area and then off to the mall to pick up a birthday gift for Shannon to bring to their Birthday party dinner tonight. I got out of my car and realized I wasn't feeling so hot. Entered the mall, aimed for the down escalator and floated down into the strange space of people, colours and noise. OK, I'm going to pass out. Lot's of people here, good thing if anything happens. I tried walking but realized I needed to find a wall or maybe sit down. I sat down and watched the world pass me by (yet again). I sat there for a while and wondered... do I call my folks for help or do I make a run for the car and either go to my folks or make it home.
Well, my Brother had just arrived with his two boy today and I knew that going to my folks was not a great place to be considering my current state... I'll try the going home thing. Got home, stumbled up the stairs, kicked my shoes off and got into bed. I've been laying here for a couple hours and feel a bit better. I'm worried that I may have to call Shannon and Graham to tell them that I'm not in a good state, I'm not going to be able to join in on the fun (yet again). It's not that I can't go because I don't have a gift, I have a really nice card ready, it's just that I need to be able to get there and when I do I need to feel half decent.
I'm going to put the computer down, rest for another 30 minutes then get up and see how I make out with the whole feeling like I am on this planet thing.
-------------- continued...
I got up and dressed ready to go to the birthday dinner. Sat on the edge of the bed with my fancy shoes and thinking am I going or not...? OK, I'll go to the car and see how I feel. Felt pretty OK, popped a chill pill and off I went. Glad I did, had a really nice night.
Now time to rest... ZZZzzzzzz
Friday, August 8, 2008
IV day one
After an almost humorous evening of taping a plastic bag over my PICC line on my arm, just to shower, I made it to the first day of IV.
Friday morning of the eighth day of the eighth month 2008 - 08/08/08 the final leg begins.
Got up, had my oatmeal, herbal supplements and two potent oral antibiotics.
Went over to Shannon and Graham's for my first lesson of IV. Shannon looked a bit frazzled from the new IV she's on, though up and around ready to take on the day and roll with the punches. I arrived with my bag of meds, tubing, saline flush syringes and my slightly terrified expression on my face. Shannon had the pole ready and was about to show me some moves... OK, weirdos... it was an IV pole and we are going to administer badly needed medication, geesh.
As i was nervously laying out my paraphernalia and drugs, Shannon was already multitasking with IV prep, kitchen tasks and running the DVD player so her Daughter could watch Toy Story 2.
I felt like quite the novice in the company of such an expert in the field of IV self administration. As much as I am grateful that she knows how to do this, I wish she didn't have to.
So, I eventually got everything connected, counted my IV drip rate and then started staring at the air bubbles coming down the tube. These things are headed straight for my Heart and I'm thinkin this could be it, flat out on the floor with paramedics torn between saving my life and/or watching Toy Story 2. Well, as it turns out, Shannon says "you don't need to worry about those tiny bubbles, you need a lot more than that to kill you". Oh, really now... and she knows this, that's a bit unsettling. Anyways, I survived my first lesson.
Graham and I walked over to the pool as their daughter Avery wanted to demonstrate her swimming skills. Actually a refreshing break from Lyme. After the quick solo synchronized swimming demo, it was time for me to go home.
Got home, took some more new meds to support my IV treatment and watched the opening ceremonies to the Olympic Games. Other than that, feeling completely bagged today, but OK I guess considering all the meds in my body... "Bring it on" I say with nervously clenched teeth.
Nurse Joanne, from the community health centre, called and asked how my first day of IV went and set me up for an appointment with a home care nurse (at the health centre) Nurse Calvin. He'll fix up my picc line by shortening the outside line and possibly remove some suchers that hold down a small line clamp. This will allow for easier cleaning and maintenance. Instead of suchers (stitches) there will be little tape strips holding it in place.
This evening, a bit wonky and a headache for a few hours. Under the circumstances, not complaining at all
Saturday morning another IV lesson and then, I guess, Sunday I'll be doing it solo... eeek
Friday morning of the eighth day of the eighth month 2008 - 08/08/08 the final leg begins.
Got up, had my oatmeal, herbal supplements and two potent oral antibiotics.
Went over to Shannon and Graham's for my first lesson of IV. Shannon looked a bit frazzled from the new IV she's on, though up and around ready to take on the day and roll with the punches. I arrived with my bag of meds, tubing, saline flush syringes and my slightly terrified expression on my face. Shannon had the pole ready and was about to show me some moves... OK, weirdos... it was an IV pole and we are going to administer badly needed medication, geesh.
As i was nervously laying out my paraphernalia and drugs, Shannon was already multitasking with IV prep, kitchen tasks and running the DVD player so her Daughter could watch Toy Story 2.
I felt like quite the novice in the company of such an expert in the field of IV self administration. As much as I am grateful that she knows how to do this, I wish she didn't have to.
So, I eventually got everything connected, counted my IV drip rate and then started staring at the air bubbles coming down the tube. These things are headed straight for my Heart and I'm thinkin this could be it, flat out on the floor with paramedics torn between saving my life and/or watching Toy Story 2. Well, as it turns out, Shannon says "you don't need to worry about those tiny bubbles, you need a lot more than that to kill you". Oh, really now... and she knows this, that's a bit unsettling. Anyways, I survived my first lesson.
Graham and I walked over to the pool as their daughter Avery wanted to demonstrate her swimming skills. Actually a refreshing break from Lyme. After the quick solo synchronized swimming demo, it was time for me to go home.
Got home, took some more new meds to support my IV treatment and watched the opening ceremonies to the Olympic Games. Other than that, feeling completely bagged today, but OK I guess considering all the meds in my body... "Bring it on" I say with nervously clenched teeth.
Nurse Joanne, from the community health centre, called and asked how my first day of IV went and set me up for an appointment with a home care nurse (at the health centre) Nurse Calvin. He'll fix up my picc line by shortening the outside line and possibly remove some suchers that hold down a small line clamp. This will allow for easier cleaning and maintenance. Instead of suchers (stitches) there will be little tape strips holding it in place.
This evening, a bit wonky and a headache for a few hours. Under the circumstances, not complaining at all
Saturday morning another IV lesson and then, I guess, Sunday I'll be doing it solo... eeek
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Final leg of curing Lyme Disease begins...
How I got here is a long story, though I will do my best to cut to the chase.
Illness became a part of me in 1988, with chronic Tonsillitis. I dealt with that throughout the years, then started having some back problems, though for a guy who's 6' 7" (201 cm) not a big surprise, really. In 1998, my back troubles graduated to me blowing my L4/5 lumbar disc and had a discectomy while on that business trip in Germany. I was on a roll, why not get my tonsils out while I'm there, they're just emitting toxins into my body as they're usually inflamed anyways. After 6 or 7 months in Germany recuperating I came back home to continue rehabilitating and getting on with life as usual, work work work. In March of 2000 I started suffering from vertigo, what a nightmare. Countless Doctors, tests, more doctors, checking for MS, you name it. Two years later the Vertigo more or less just went away.
In the years following, I still had the occasional bout of vertigo, though mostly I battled with stomach problems and subsequently pursued Naturopaths and Gastrologists. I followed much advice and often found myself on strict natural diets, yeast free and after food sensitivity tests even furthered the elimination of yummy sweets. This went on, I continued to work, strengthen my back and "usually" watched what I ate.
In 2006 I got really ill, couldn't work anymore. Either found myself in emergency at the hospital, a Doctors office, a CT scan, MRI, blood test and many months of staying with my parents while I suffered from cognitive function problems, continuous nausea, headaches, heart palpitations, vertigo, fainting spells, stumbling, the list goes on. After so many tests and specialists a Naturopath suspected I could possibly have Lyme Disease. This led me down the garden path of MD's, Neurologists and Internal Medicine specialists not willing to investigate or discuss the subject with me. I was so sick, terrified, frustrated and felt so abandoned and alone in my misery. I was referred by my Naturopath to a respected LLMD "Lyme Literate Medical Doctor" who while waiting for all other tests to be exhausted, had my blood drawn to be tested in Canada and the United States for evidence of Lyme Disease. I tested negative to current Canadian testing standards and positive for Lyme by the U.S. Lab. These test results, not absent of a clinical diagnosis for Lyme, took me to a crossroads of choosing between a road that led to no answers and continued misery or a plausible conclusion with a treatment plan leading me to potential wellness. I chose the latter.
Again, to make a long story short, I did 51 weeks of oral antibiotic treatment, which with its high points and low points, brought me back to being a functioning human being. I stopped taking those Antibiotics in November of 2007. I had already been doing a quite a bit of walking and exercising leading up to the end point of that treatment and was ready to start working again after another six weeks of rehab & rebuild. I had lost 35 lbs in 2006 and needed to get my strength back. Though, after a few months I was getting quite sick again: Nausea, vertigo and stumbling when I walk (and no I wasn't drunk, not then anyways).
I got back on the oral ABX (Antibiotics) and after a few weeks started getting better. But now what.... My LLMD had retired and I knew I was on the right track with treating this illness but do I need to change it up or kick it up a notch? Do I go to a clinic in Germany? Do I see a top Doc in the U.S.? Maybe the Infectious Disease department here could help me... NOT (That's a whole other merry-go-round of futility, politics and blatant ignorance... OK don't get me started (See http://ca.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=PvTnetTV)
I've met some great people along the way in this same boat that many of us find ourselves in. This brought me to this gift of life http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=lHsEMIdNZEk
The three of us saw, and are now in the care of, a great LLMD in California. I believe that he has the know-how to prescribe the treatment needed to get "My Health Back". Expensive... Yup... Gee thanks Canada (I will continue to fight for positive change in the guidelines of diagnosing and treating Lyme Disease in Canada) But, I need to get well to do that. Maybe pave the way, through my journey.
Marie is still in California on her uphill battle. I look forward to hearing more good things on her progress.
Shannon is back here in Canada with her Husband and kids and I... well I'm here, writing this post.
I'm jumping ahead here in the timeline, but for your sake and mine, I must. Shannon is back on IV Antibiotics for a couple months now and I just got my PICC line installed in my arm yesterday. This Picc line will allow me to run an IV daily which will deliver the antibiotics through my body more efficiently. Tomorrow I go to Shannon's for my first lesson in self administration IV Antibiotics. It's not like taking all these meds makes me feel great, it's tough on the body. I feel pretty awfull at times, though I must be strong and overcome what has been robbing me of my health. I'm a bit scared and freaked out about this whole IV process, it's the unknown for me. I am very lucky and so grateful that I am not alone and have the support these friends. I am glad we can help each other.
Illness became a part of me in 1988, with chronic Tonsillitis. I dealt with that throughout the years, then started having some back problems, though for a guy who's 6' 7" (201 cm) not a big surprise, really. In 1998, my back troubles graduated to me blowing my L4/5 lumbar disc and had a discectomy while on that business trip in Germany. I was on a roll, why not get my tonsils out while I'm there, they're just emitting toxins into my body as they're usually inflamed anyways. After 6 or 7 months in Germany recuperating I came back home to continue rehabilitating and getting on with life as usual, work work work. In March of 2000 I started suffering from vertigo, what a nightmare. Countless Doctors, tests, more doctors, checking for MS, you name it. Two years later the Vertigo more or less just went away.
In the years following, I still had the occasional bout of vertigo, though mostly I battled with stomach problems and subsequently pursued Naturopaths and Gastrologists. I followed much advice and often found myself on strict natural diets, yeast free and after food sensitivity tests even furthered the elimination of yummy sweets. This went on, I continued to work, strengthen my back and "usually" watched what I ate.
In 2006 I got really ill, couldn't work anymore. Either found myself in emergency at the hospital, a Doctors office, a CT scan, MRI, blood test and many months of staying with my parents while I suffered from cognitive function problems, continuous nausea, headaches, heart palpitations, vertigo, fainting spells, stumbling, the list goes on. After so many tests and specialists a Naturopath suspected I could possibly have Lyme Disease. This led me down the garden path of MD's, Neurologists and Internal Medicine specialists not willing to investigate or discuss the subject with me. I was so sick, terrified, frustrated and felt so abandoned and alone in my misery. I was referred by my Naturopath to a respected LLMD "Lyme Literate Medical Doctor" who while waiting for all other tests to be exhausted, had my blood drawn to be tested in Canada and the United States for evidence of Lyme Disease. I tested negative to current Canadian testing standards and positive for Lyme by the U.S. Lab. These test results, not absent of a clinical diagnosis for Lyme, took me to a crossroads of choosing between a road that led to no answers and continued misery or a plausible conclusion with a treatment plan leading me to potential wellness. I chose the latter.
Again, to make a long story short, I did 51 weeks of oral antibiotic treatment, which with its high points and low points, brought me back to being a functioning human being. I stopped taking those Antibiotics in November of 2007. I had already been doing a quite a bit of walking and exercising leading up to the end point of that treatment and was ready to start working again after another six weeks of rehab & rebuild. I had lost 35 lbs in 2006 and needed to get my strength back. Though, after a few months I was getting quite sick again: Nausea, vertigo and stumbling when I walk (and no I wasn't drunk, not then anyways).
I got back on the oral ABX (Antibiotics) and after a few weeks started getting better. But now what.... My LLMD had retired and I knew I was on the right track with treating this illness but do I need to change it up or kick it up a notch? Do I go to a clinic in Germany? Do I see a top Doc in the U.S.? Maybe the Infectious Disease department here could help me... NOT (That's a whole other merry-go-round of futility, politics and blatant ignorance... OK don't get me started (See http://ca.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=PvTnetTV)
I've met some great people along the way in this same boat that many of us find ourselves in. This brought me to this gift of life http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=lHsEMIdNZEk
The three of us saw, and are now in the care of, a great LLMD in California. I believe that he has the know-how to prescribe the treatment needed to get "My Health Back". Expensive... Yup... Gee thanks Canada (I will continue to fight for positive change in the guidelines of diagnosing and treating Lyme Disease in Canada) But, I need to get well to do that. Maybe pave the way, through my journey.
Marie is still in California on her uphill battle. I look forward to hearing more good things on her progress.
Shannon is back here in Canada with her Husband and kids and I... well I'm here, writing this post.
I'm jumping ahead here in the timeline, but for your sake and mine, I must. Shannon is back on IV Antibiotics for a couple months now and I just got my PICC line installed in my arm yesterday. This Picc line will allow me to run an IV daily which will deliver the antibiotics through my body more efficiently. Tomorrow I go to Shannon's for my first lesson in self administration IV Antibiotics. It's not like taking all these meds makes me feel great, it's tough on the body. I feel pretty awfull at times, though I must be strong and overcome what has been robbing me of my health. I'm a bit scared and freaked out about this whole IV process, it's the unknown for me. I am very lucky and so grateful that I am not alone and have the support these friends. I am glad we can help each other.
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