A Very Simple Procedure I Think?

Got my portacath in place (that's nicer sounding than "installed") this morning. The operation/procedure started at 7:30 am and I was awake roughly 9:00 am.  Not a long time, and as I was able to do the potty thing, I was discharged. Hence it was a quick visit to the hospital.

It's 1:45 pm and the procedure site is a bit sore, but that's what the prescription for a week or so of constipation is for. Hopefully the nurse was on target when he said it should mellow out after a few days (too bad I couldn't have what they gave me to numb that area during the install, but that's likely too close to Michael Jackson territory?)

I'll update if it doesn't mellow out. Or if not before than after it's first use which may be a blood check next week.

I'd post a new pic of Cali the former kitty, but she's grown so much, I may need a fisheye ;)

Portacatholics

Tomorrow I'm getting a portacath installed. Since I've had lots of IV's as of late, both arms are pretty much over it... 

How weird to say "installed" for something to do with your body. Sounds like getting air conditioning finally in you family's 1972 Datsun 610 (my official hand me down car in HS.)

I'll update after the procedure, which should be pretty straightforward. The concept of easy access to my veins does freak me out a bit, but I know a lot of folks who've needed one, and it will cut down on wondering which veins are in a giving mood.

This will make any blood draw, transfusion or medicine infusion pretty easy. 

Back in the Good Sam ER

I had another bleed issue that landed me back in the hospital for 3 days. 

On Friday morning we were going to take liz to the Portland airport and I was turning white and sweating after a fairly dark and unpleasant movement. I must have pushed out mostly digested blood, as the impact on me was quick.

Liz changed her flight to Sunday, as we rushed to the ER and my blood level was back down to 6.8 again. I was admitted to the hospital, and over Sat/Sun had 4 bags of blood transfused. On Saturday, I had another Endoscopy with the very nice and competent Gastrosurgeon Dr Chun. She found and cauterized the new bleeder, and so far my blood has held steady. I was discharged Monday morning with blood levels around 9.5.

I was lucky when being assigned a room, as the nurse remembered me and I got a nice single unit. I think I must have diamond status or something now...it pays to be friendly with your nurses, plus it's better than being a jerk.

Today I received my 2nd infusion of Keytruda, and had another blood test, and the result was 9.8, which was quite uplifting. Diamond status must count for something I suppose?

We've decided I need to have a portacath installed to facilitate future infusions, transfusions and blood draws, as my arms are dang tired of all the needles. Also we're trying to get set up with home health visits to check blood a couple of times a week. My hope is the last procedure will keep me plugged for a while.

My reflection while being infused today:

Tuesday Bloody Tuesday

On Monday, Liz (my older sister who is visiting,) and I went in to the Corvallis Clinic for this week's blood check, and found my hemoglobin level was back down to 6.8... So I had to go to the short stay part of the hospital (Good Sam.)yesterday, for 3 more bags of blood to be transfused. Nice way to spend a Tuesday, but better than the alternative for certain.

I'm not 100% certain, but I think now I may know all the spots for blood transfusion at the hospital, but don't hold me to it, as this spot was new to me (this was the quickest option where they could do a 3-bag transfusion.)

Nice and solid nursing staff. But it wouldn't be the Dogpatch without some sort of issue. Monday we had to drive back to the clinic for a total of 3 times, (hgb level, blood type which had been labeled with a smudged letter and was in turn not accepted by the hospital which required another blood type draw. It's about 20 minutes there and we had to go back and forth from home as we we're contacted as we arrived home each time. 

They check for antibodies and type if you need blood and haven't had that done within 3 days of appt. It's for the potential changing of antibodies vs type which doesn't change. The 3-day window seemed odd to me until this detail was shared.

So we're hanging at home now, but I'm sure happy to catch this early enough to not need an overnight stay again (also better than the alternative.)

I'll likely need an occasional transfusion but for now I'm felling decently. And there almost was a nurse fight outside of my room (the RNA slid the door shut so I can't report the drama.) Frankly I'd rather not see that anyway.

Hope all have a fun Halloween, and I think everyone who reads this should take costume inspiration from our girls!

Gonna Get a Blood Bag Punch Card

Yesterday, towards the end of my latest top off/blood transfusion, I looked right at the nurse and asked if they had blood punch cards. It'd be after 10 bags of blood, get 2 free! She made no offer to look into it, but at least she laughed.

My blood pressure was regularly taken and was low at first due to the infusion of some liquid Benadril, then it was up to 110, then back to 99, then over 100 (this is the top number of my bp, usually you'd see 110/61, although the top number is more what we tend to notice I think.) it was solid when I left at least.

Feeling not much in terms of side-effects from the Keytruda. Hoping it impacts my cacer junk.