Last day of home care

Today I was officially discharged from home care! Woo hoo! Although I loved my home care nurse I was definitely ready to be done. This was probably the easiest visit because I didn't have a picc line, so there was no dressing to change. We just did vitals and she looked at my incision to make sure it looked okay. She did notice that the swelling had gone down, skin was not red at all, and that my stitches were looser.... which means I'm healing pretty well. As I mentioned to her that after the 5th time my head is pretty used to it and knows what to do!

Later next week I have an appointment with my neurosurgeon to get my stitches removed. Which I am soooo ready for since they have started to itch a bit. Plus I really want my hair cut and highlight within the next couple of weeks, so can't have stitches for that!

Lastly I've been cleared by my surgeon to start working from home starting on Monday. Not that I really want to, but I could use the money since the medical bills are starting to roll in. *Lovely*

Just another maniac monday.....

I had my weekly visit from my home nurse early this morning. Her visits normally last about 90 minutes to 2 hours depending upon how my picc line is cooperating. I'm still having trouble with one of my ports, so she administered cathflow to help. It's basically drano for a picc line. Although you can only use it twice per port. Not quite sure why. Anyhow, she did use the cathflow on the wrong port this morning. Oopsies. Well at least that one is fully working!

Okay, back to my visit......She was able to get my 4 tubes of blood, which they use to test all sorts of levels: vancomycin, red blood cell, white blood cell, etc. And then she took all my vitals and changed my dressing on my picc line. That part isn't fun because it's like having to pull off one BIG band-aid. I know, I know....after all I have been through I am complaining about THAT!

Migraine Update: They seem to come on about every other day now. I brought this up to my ID doctor at my Friday appointment. As expected it is one of the side effects of Vancomycin that I'm just going to have to deal with. I'm sure my liver isn't happy about the amount of advil I have take in order to get rid of it. I really have no choice though. I'll be so happy to get off this stuff. It's caused a lot more issues these last 14 days than ever! I've had to put on additional meds to help my body deal with the vanco. Crazy huh? Plus I know it's pretty hard on my veins too.

Once I am off this I am going to celebrate with a really good bottle of wine!! Hey now....I have to look forward to something! The only strong stuff I get now is 6 hours a day of IV antibiotics. Yippee.....

Home Care



 



It can be overwhelming when you receive your first set of supplies from home care. The first shipment will be the largest since they are getting everything setup for you and your home care nurse. Here are a few the staple items you can expect to receive:

 

1. Alcohol wipes: These are used to clean your picc line before and after medication.

 

2. Flush syringes: Composed of 10ML saline that you will use to flush your picc line before and after your medication. Expect to receive A LOT of these!

 

3. Dressing Tray Change: Your home care nurse will change your picc line dressing once per week. In this kit where will be a face mask, vinyl gloves, polylined drape, chloraprep swab sticks (to disinfect around the line), dressing sponges, new picc line dressing, tape and a date label. (The nurse will write down the date which he/she changed your dressing)

 

4. Heparin: Your picc line ports can become "semi-clogged" making it hard to receive medication and/or take blood. The heparin helps to unblock any issues with your line(s). A 5ML syringe is used (yellow colored). (Cathflo can also be used, but nurse must order it from supplier).

 

5. Precision Guide Needle: To draw blood from other arm.

 

6. Ports/Extenders: The port(s) on your picc line will be changed weekly, as well as the extender. Extenders are great for those who want or are able to administer the medication themselves.  

 

7. Hazardous Materials Bin: This is used for the nurse to dispose of any needles or syringes during your care.