Tuesday, June 17, 2008

I'M STILL HERE...

Just here to give a quick update on my life as a pregnant mama. I mentioned to everyone that I had a pic line inserted before coming home from the hospital so that I could stay hydrated and not end up BACK in the hospital. The pic line is usually good for 6 weeks - but mine only lasted 4 days. Why? Because it became SO painful in my arm and shoulder. The pain followed the path of the catheter (10 inches) from the bend in my elbow all the way up to my shoulder. It was so severe that I couldn't even sleep and everytime I moved it was terrible. Of course this all happened on a Saturday and so it made things a little more difficult. My visiting nurse eventually got me set up and I went to the hospital to have another pic line placed in my other arm. This one lasted about 5 days before the pain started setting in. We even tried warm compresses to hopefully help take away some of the discomfort but in the end it didn't work and because I agreed to go longer the pain was even worse this time. Again it was a Saturday and so I waited in the ER for hours as they pulled my line and put in a peripheral (regular) IV. They gave me fluids and sent me home to get through the weekend. Monday I had to have it replaced since they don't like you to go more than 72 hours with the short lines. Back to the ER to have it replaced and hopefully find a more permanent solution. In the end it was decided that I would have a port-a-cath surgically placed in my chest to help with my hydration and enteral nutrition. My surgery is set up for Thursday at noon. I'm a little anxious about it. In the meantime I still have my short line. Last night things got a little hairy because I woke up this morning to my kids gasping at me. What? They informed me that my line had pulled loose from my IV during the night. My bed was soaked with blood and IV fluid. I was a mess - but thankful that I didn't bleed out which could have been the case. I had no idea as I had been sleeping during this process. SCARY! Hopefully things will settle down after this. I have my mom up here this week which has been wonderful. She has come to my rescue.:) Nothing like a little mom help to make you feel better. She's completed a mountain load of laundry - she even washed all my pillows - cleaned my refrig, made quite a few freezer meals, took over my kids schedules, mended and altered many items of clothing, switched my children's clothing from winter to summer, cleaned their rooms (THAT was a feat in and of itself), helped with Ben, and the list goes on and on. Whew! I'm dizzy just watching her. Friday I take Ben to Dartmouth for a procedure. We'll stay over night in their PICU while he recovers so I'll do some updating at that point. Thanks for being patient with me during my absence.

10 comments:

Ashlee said...

Oh! I feel so horribly for you! I couldn't even imagine....hopefully things get better after your procedure so that you can function "normally" again.

smart mama said...

lines stink! I have been on the bad end of way to many lines going awry as a child life specialist (the worst is some childs Ng tube leaking in a ball pit- which then requires hours of ball washing!Yuck) seriously I feel bad I am not closer to do my child lifely duties (I could make a cloth becky doll complete with port-a-cath and provide complete psychological preparation and plan coping strategies for you!LOL) seriously though if you ever need assistance on the coping front- do give shout-hang in there- I am glad your mom is there to help you- (I have a great rescuing mom myself who somehow can do 2x as much as I can in a day- where do they get their special powers!?)Oh and I met jenny sun at the big stk conf- she recognized me, I felt so special!(I guys your family isn't a myth after all!)

smart mama said...

no I can't spell- too sleep deprived here

Gilbert Family said...

Becky...hang in there :) Thank goodness for moms! I am glad to read a new post from you! We miss you in the blogging world.

LL said...

WE MISS YOU! You poor little sick lady...
I'm glad you have your mom-they seem to make it all better, even as adults. i hope this yuck is short lived and you're back to feeling good soon. Just keep thinking about that sweet little swaddled ball of yummy smelling baby goodness that will be rewarded to you after the 9months of sickness. I will be worth it.
Please let us know how Thursday goes...
thinking of you!

troutdalites said...

You are such a stud muffin! I would have been a goner at the first IV. You are amazing. Hang in there...the baby perfume is worth it. So nice to her you have an amazing mom ... she sounds like a Mary Poppins with speed of the Tazmanian Devil. Lucky you! Take Care, Dee in OR

Cathy said...

I missed seeing your mom at stake conference Sunday, but so glad to hear she with you and helping out.
Wishing you my best.

Smilin' sunshine said...

Hope you get better soon!! Good luck with the surgery tomorrow!

paulak said...

I am really glad you are back on blog for a short visit, because I miss you, but really girl...we all understand. Wow, I think it is time to call nurse Paula for a visit. hee hee I wish I could come out, really I do. We just arrived in Twin Falls yesterday for our move here and now life has gotten crazy, but I really think you could use some of nurse Paula medicine. You are in my heart and prayers.

Aimee said...

So sorry to hear of your difficulties! I'm sure simply having your mom there helped alot!