Monday, December 3, 2007

you can start feeling bad for me right about......

never? If today was like what the rest of the month is going to be I'm in serious luck. I didn't even feel the PICC line insertion (an IV they put in the arm and thread a catheter close to the heart to give the infusions). My only experience assisting with a central line placement was with a drug addict who could not get enough drug to calm him down and take the pain away. He screamed the whole time, even though I was putting insane amounts of narcotics in him. So I was a little nervous.

I crashed when I got home and felt a little fuzzy, but woke up feeling semi normal. She said it would get worse by the weekend, but I'm very encouraged.

One thing thats worrying me is my constant heart palpitations. I have had several an hour, so I called the Dr. and they will look at it in the morning. They feel horrible, but mostly I don't want them to say they have to stop treatments because of it. Its a very rare side effect. What do you think cardiac nurses?? Could it be the picc line?

I don't mean to bore everyone, this is just a good way of letting people know how Im doing without having to call my mom (although I know she would love a call) or Jana.

Thanks for all your love and concern. I hope this story has a happy ending.

14 comments:

Brooke said...

Yay! So glad to hear that you are encouraged, and hope the palpitations subside.

Leah said...

Hey Alisa!

I'm happy to hear that today went okay for you.

About the PICC line...I actually helped place one on Saturday. Did they do a X-ray after insertion? If it happens to be too "deep" they should be able to adjust it under fluoro so that it won't "tickle" you heart and then they won't have to pull that one out. Interesting...

Please let us know what they discover!

Call me if I can help with the kids, meals, etc.!

Alisa said...

yea, they did do an x-ray i guess i should believe them.

Jamie Smith said...

So glad to see this post.. I have been worried about how bad you were feeling all thoughout the day today. I hope it doesn't get too much worse this weekend, and that the palpatations aren't anything to worry about. REALLY call me if I could borrow the boys sometime, my boys would love it.

Matt said...

We are happy to hear that the side effects aren't too bad yet. How is the food?

Kelli Proctor said...

Glad to hear things went good today for you! Never boring though, this is such a great venue to be able to know how you are as much as possible! Let me know too if your boys need a place to go, my boys would love to play! And I hope you know you could call me anytime and I would be there in 2 seconds, ok maybe 15 minutes, to pick them up if you need a rest! Good luck!

Unknown said...

Hi Alisa - Sorry to hear your a new member of the PICC line club, but so happy to hear that the insert and treatment went alright for today. I remember my PICC line took about a week for my body to adjust. Even though the docs said it was in the right place, it was hard to believe!

As you know, the great thing about the PICC is that you get meds right into your system - you might be able to get something that could counteract the palpitations? I'm all for power drugs! Another PICC perk is if your husband gets to clean it for you, he has to dress up in a really sexy Dr. outfit.

We love you and are praying, praying, praying. Remind Josh not to hesitate for a second when there is something Pete can do for him at work. And I just might show up one day to give your toilets a good scrubbing!

Lots of love,
Amy Balderree

Paul said...

You know you're in every prayer.

alison said...

We read your blog every day, think about you all the time, and pray for you every day. Thanks for all your words of inspiration, Alisa. You are an incredible writer, and its rare that your blog doesn't bring tears to my eyes. Laura and Melissa don't have internet access, so they have me read it to them. I tell my friends to read your blog. You are touching a lot of lives! Good luck with the treatments.

AnneMarie said...

Happy news to hear. Nate and I have been praying so hard that it wouldn't be that bad. I wound up with the flu/cold so I'm sad I can't come down right away. You guys are the best.

Jon Paul said...

I hope it stays this way, Alisa. I'm not a nurse, but could the palpitations be caused by stress? I had a weird heart rhythm during one of my most stressful times (not to be compared with your treatment), and it was fine again after a month or so.

Miriam and Jordan Brown said...

Alisa, I think of you everyday and hope that you are doing well, Jordand and I would love to get together with you guys soon I know life is crazy but I would love to see you Have a wonderful day and keep up the good aditude Miriam

jennie said...

My vote is that it's a combo of the picc, the drugs, and the nerves. I've assisted with a truck load of picc lines, and have never had a pt scream through the whole thing! You must have been so scared to have one put in yourself!!! I think any foreign body doesn't feel right... but I think you'll get used to it. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Dawn said...

alisa the first thing I thought when I woke up on Monday morning was to pray for you, and I did. Every little bit helps right? Even if it is only a semi-coherent-early-morning-still-in-bed-short prayer.