We had another appointment at Duke today. It was to begin again with a "b...." test at 1:30pm, then my appt was at 2:30pm. We also signed the papers to agree to the clinical trial today.
The test last week went sooo smoothly! But today was a NIGHTMARE!!!!! I have been aware a couple of times over the past month that a nurse has had trouble finding a you-know-what (sorry, but I just can't "say" these words). One time was actually during surgery. After surgery, my right arm was a huge bruised MESS for a couple weeks!! It was really terrible. So anyway, today was terrible. Steve said the nurse did not do a good job. And she had to do it in my hand!!! EEEEEK!!!! I eventually had to ask to be taken to a bed to lie down for the remainder of the torture session. Ugh! And my hand actually hurt for a good hour after it was all done. Ok, change of subject...
So anyway, as a result... the current plan is now for me to have an IV port put under my skin, above my chest. AAAACCCKKKK!!!! Supposedly this will be done at Duke on Thursday. We will find out more about scheduling tomorrow. They will give me a sedative that will just make me really out of it, but it will not be general anesthesia. Oh my goodness.... I'm really going to need prayers for this!!!!!!
Anyway.... The doctor didn't expect my hemoglobin level to be fully to where it needs to be by today, and it wasn't. It was up a little bit though. But only about 30% of the amount that it needs to climb before I can begin the clinical trial. He said that the treatment I received last week usually wouldn't take effect for a week anyway, so hopefully it will take effect this week. After the IV port, I will have more testing done on Thursday and Friday this week (blood tests, CT scan, bone scan, etc.).
Soooo.... please pray for my hemoglobin level to miraculously rise by Thursday!!!! And please pray for the procedure on Thursday. I am sooooo not looking forward to this.....
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5 comments:
I'm sorry your lab tests were tough today! But I'm so glad to hear you are getting a port! They are just great...although I know you wish you didn't need one! (I wish that too) but in the circumstances...I think you will find it MUCH better, and NO more bruising!
Karin,
I emailed you a long email about port-a-caths. It will be your FRIEND. This is a good thing. I also sent lots of info about minimizing trauma with blood draws, injections, etc.
Hang in there!
Amy :)
Fellow LS-AP
Ugh! I'm SO sorry about that! I agree with Amy, too. Now you won't have to worry about another IV! We'll pray for your peace as they take this action.
So sorry to hear of the trauma. I had to have a port two years ago and although it wasn't a lot of fun getting it in, it never was a problem during its months in me. You won't feel it and nobody, not even my students who saw me daily, knew that it was there. It will make things easier.
MLE
Karin,
The port is a good idea. It will save you (and the medical staff) a lot of aggravation. Veins get very unhappy being poked all the time. My other suggestion would be to drink some fluids (water) a little while before going to get your you-know-what drawn. This will help.
Jeanie
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