An awaited update:)

It's been a crazy busy summer to say the least!! SLOW DOWN SUMMER!  School supplies are on the shelves and ready to go...but they can wait a bit longer please-I'm not ready to end our Summer. There is still a trip to Texas before school starts and some things to do with the kiddos.  Time seems to just be flying by a bit too quick!  We're sure having fun though!:)

The hickman line is in place and healing well.:)  It was a rough day! The first plan was set and ready and when the surgeon came in and discovered that the PICC had been changed.  It was in the left arm instead of right-His plan was to place the hickman on the left to give the right side a break after having it removed from there.  Since we were using the PICC for the IV meds to help knock me out for the surgery we had to do an IV in my hand.  The nurse got it in and another plan changed-instead of knocking me out completely it was decided to use partial sedation to where I would not be completely awake.  I was a bit hesitant just due to times past waking up through the procedures. Well...I was taken back to surgery, remember getting the meds and was told I was in a good sleep.  At some point I started hitting with my hand that had the IV in it and when they got my hand the IV got messed up.  I don't remember that-I do vividly recall awakening to pain on my left chest where the Dr was working and countless pokes and sticks for the IV.  NOT FUN!  I had a sweet nurse at my head, wiping my tears that were streaming down my face, trying to keep me calm as I could feel the Dr stitching me.  They were not able to give me any meds due to no IV.  They had tried 4-5 attempts and my veins were not cooperating so..no IV was placed.   I was just happy to come home and crawl in my bed and try to sleep off the pain and be LEFT ALONE.:)   It wasn't anyone's fault, but I think it's just best to be all the way out from now on.  I have alot of allergies to meds and don't want any more.  Thankful that God's hand was on me thru the surgery and all is good and well with the line.:)

I had an appointment with the hematologist yesterday.  I have a low hemaglobin so I recieved 2 units of blood after my appointment.  The plan is to get iron infusions for the next 2 weeks and see her in 4 weeks.  If  the levels are not where she would like them, we'll discuss doing another bone marrow biopsy again.  

Trying to stay cool in this heat.   I love the heat but my body doesn't handle it too well.  With Shane doing car detailing I've been trying to keep the house stocked with powerade and gatorade to drink.  The kids haven't been out too long with as hot as it's been.  They did make it to the library for the Summer Reading Program activites.  The helicopter came in last Friday and they loved watching it come in and leave.  We've enjoyed and are thankful for the programs they offer the kids.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!  I can't express my gratitude for all your prayers!  Thank you!

Love-
Jamie

Clearance for surgery :)

All is well for the Hickman to be placed back into the chest tomorrow.  I have to be there at 7:30 in the morning and go in at 9:30 for the Leonard Hickman to be placed.  Antibiotic is done and no infection in the bloodstream.  Yea!!!  I am ready to have this PICC line out of the arm and get back to some normalcy of things.  It just must be where it is located that it is so tender.  I can't complain too much cuz things could be much worse.  I think my arms and hands have had enough things done to them the past 4 weeks between 2 PICC lines and too many IV's.  Thankful though that I still have access to them and don't have to use the jugular vein.  

God is so good and I am thankful for the Dr's and nurses that He has placed before me.  I pray for them daily that God would guide them and help them.  

Getting ready to call it a night since the morning will come early for me.  For me, 5:30  is when I'm getting into a good sleep.  Please keep me in prayer tomorrow.  I pray that I can be a blessing to someone thru all of this.  God has blessed me beyond measure!  I'll try to update the blog on Thursday.  Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday.

Love-

Jamie

We made it HOME:)

Sorry for the lack of updates.  It's so good to be back home!  We made it in on Saturday afternoon safe and sound!  Thankful for a safe trip there and back.  We ran into traffic on the way home.  In Peru, there was a single vehicle accident, but thankful for God's protecting hand!!

Well.. where to begin for Friday?  We got up at 6:30am, after going to bed after 1am from the ER.:)  Got ready and packed.  Shane and Matthew loaded the car up and the girls and I headed down to the breakfast area.  They ate, then we all headed out for the doctor appointment with the GI doctor.  He was concerned and seemed for certain that I was facing a blood clot in the right arm of where the PICC line was.  I gave him a hug and said let's just take this step by step and that we'd get thru this.  So, most of the appointment was rushed to get me over to another area of the campus where they were able to do a vascular ultrasound.  Once we were finished with that, we rushed back over to the office where my appointment was to get the results and see what the next step would be.  They came out and said it was cleared for no clot.  That was a good thing!!!!  Thank you, Lord!!:)

They were able to get me scheduled with the PICC team  to change out the PICC line since this one was obviously leaking.  Bad news was...they couldn't get me in until 3 pm.

We left the GI office around noon, found me some chicken broth and Shane and the kids had McDonald's for lunch.  We sat in the main hospital lobby waiting area and there was a young doctor at the piano playing.  What an enjoyment it was!  We watched a lot of people come and go.

The Hematologist I saw Thursday came up to me and complimented us on how beautiful our family is!  He also said he was waiting on a bit more of the blood work to come thru, but what he had back didn't show anything significant.  He said to call his office this week and go over it all.

Around 2:30, we headed to the Dialysis area because that was the only procedure room available for them to use for the PICC insertion.  It took about an hour to get it all done, then we had to race over to the Endoscopy area.  The GI doctor said no more Vancomyacin with the reaction I had in the ER.  He said the next time I would have it would be worse so no more vanco for this girl.  He wanted me to try Cubicin before leaving and be monitored for any reactions.  The Endoscopy area was able to keep me for that, so we got there and was ushered back  to a bed only to find out they were waiting for the anitbiotic to get there from another pharmacy that was not theirs.:) :)    We waited patiently and they allowed Shane and the kids to come back with me since it was the end of their day.  About 15 minutes or so passed and my nurse came towards me carrying a big box saying, "we got it!"  My, my...it contained an IV pole, 2 small IV bags of my antibiotics, a dressing change kit, lots of alcohol wipes, extension set to make my PICC line to where I can reach it with both hands, Saline flushes, and a styrofoam cooler.  She hooks me up to my antibiotic then says this is for you to take home.  Oh joy, we have the Camry packed with luggage, clothes, insulated bag coolers with TPN, more clothes, food, the back is packed!!! Not to include, the inside with 2 adults and 3 kiddos.   My sweet honey was able to make room and get it all in.

Just as I had finished up the meds through the PICC line, my GI doctor came back in to say goodbye.  He didn't need to do that nor we expecting to see him again , but by him coming thru before leaving allowed both Shane and I to finish a few questions we had for him.  We got to the car sometime well after 5.

We stopped for supper and a few breaks and made it to the hotel in Elkhart, IN late that night.   We slept in a bit Saturday before driving in rain the whole way home.  Thankful for safe trip there and home!

Big shout out to my sweet Husband and 3 precious kids!!  Considering all the running around the hospital buildings they had to do running here there and everywhere.  Also all the sitting they had to endure waiting...patiently.   They did an AWESOME job!!!!!   The kids did really good for all the walking they did and kept up with us the whole time.   They enjoyed all the passages they got to go thru, whether it was a sky walk or  a tunnel,  they enjoyed it.  Thankful for my family that God has blessed me with and so glad to be home and be with them.

Love you and thank you for all your prayers.

-Jamie

Good Day With The Hematologist Dr.

Quick, but short update.  All went good at the appointment.  Had labs done and he is going to talk with the GI doctor regarding some suggestions.  Very nice doctor and staff.  Actually, everyone here has been so nice.:)  That makes it better with not knowing anyone.  I am having some problems with the PICC line though.  Long story short-we ended up in the ER.  I am back at the hotel and so glad I didn't have to stay over!!  We will have it addressed with the PICC team, after the GI appointment tomorrow morning.  I will do a better update hopefully tomorrow, but for now it off to sleep for me.

Luv Ya-
Jamie:)

We've arrived to Cleveland OH

We have arrived safe and sound to Cleveland, Ohio.  :)  No melt downs or problems on the way here with 3 kids in the back seat.:)  It wasn't too bad of a ride driving straight thru, but these bones are ready for BED. :)  Thankful for an uneventful trip here and for God's mighty hand of protection upon us as we traveled.

My appointment with the Hematologist is at 9 in the morning.  I was thinking it was 8, but grateful that it is an hour later.  It will give us a little extra time to get ready, eat breakfast, and be on our way to the appointment.

I'll try to update the blog tomorrow evening sometime and give a heads up on how things are going.  For now, it's time to get some rest for a BIG day tomorrow.

Luv ya-
Jamie

Quick Update

Today I had my hematologist appointment.  I am still below normal on my vitamin B12,but my hemaglobin is holding steady.  Instead of doing a weekly injection of the vitamin B12, they are changing it to daily injections.  I have bloodwork the next two Monday's to make sure that my hemaglobin is doing well and then in 2 weeks I see her again.  It was a good appointment and was able to make sure all is squared away for Cleveland next week.  After my appointment was done I had another iron infusion done in the treatment room.  It was crazy busy in there today.  I walk away from that room always with a thankful heart knowing things could be MUCH worse. I AM BLESSED!!  May God touch each of those who are having treatments done.  I don't know many that are in getting the treatments, but there are a few I do know and keep them in my prayers daily.

The kids are enjoying their summer as it's flying by!!! Summer, slow down please!!!!  Hard to believe in 2 weeks it'll be July!!  YIKES!  I still have lots of fun plans for the kids that I haven't done!  They are enjoying their weekly library trip, then going to the park to play and eat lunch. :)  Next week the Library has their Summer Reading program for the kids.  They always look forward to going.

Have to share this moment with you...ENJOY:)
ME:  Matthew, what are you doing? (As he is making a lot of noise in the kitchen)
MATTHEW: I'm getting a drink, Mom.  I don't want to get dehydrated!!
ME:  Matthew, do you know what dehydrated means?
MATTHEW: No, I just know it's something serious!
ME: It means your body is very thirsty and needs fluid very badly.
MATTHEW: See, I told you, Mom. (Kitchen door slams and out the door to play again)

Gotta love it!:)

Have a great weekend everyone!  Make sure to take time to enjoy the simple things! :)
Luv ya-Jamie

Beyond 100 Post

I am a bit behind on my updates.  I did get to come home Saturday evening. :)  I was able to get a double lumen power PICC line inserted in my upper arm.  It beats having to have an IV stick.  My poor arms are still sporting the bruises and holes from being poked.  I am already missing my central line.  I am grateful to be able to have the PICC in, but it is sore.

It is so good to be home!!!  To be able to get snuggles anytime, to hear the kids laughing, giggling, and arguing (oh wait, not my kids-lol). To enjoy sitting in the recliner in the living room and hear the birds singing away, the cars zooming along, the little fan in our room softly humming.  To have my honey right next to me in bed and to get a goodnight kiss before falling asleep.  Not being woke to my vitals being checked, the leg pumps beeping, the IV sounding it's alarm due to air in the line, empty IV bag, or an occlusion in the line.   It's nice when the time is needed and your sick to be taken care of...but boy does it feel WONDERFUL to be home!!

The staff was all so caring during my stay.  You can tell they really do care and enjoy what they do, it shows.  I am so glad God places special people like that in your life.  I have so much to be thankful for and so glad that this is once again behind me.  Thanking God  for His hand upon me and for bringing me through.  Enjoying being in my home sweet home between bloodwork and Dr's appointments and getting ready to go to Cleveland next Wednesday.

Thank you for all your prayers!
Love-Jamie