Yesterday was a day for decisions, and not the pleasant kind. While deciding to get a semi-permanent port instead of a temporary PICC line (multiple PICC lines actually) was the right decision for me and my lifestyle, it still sucked. Try as I might there's just no other way to describe it.
I've known Dr. Hulka for a few years, ever since she took out my gallbladder (isn't that how all great friendships start?). She is awesome, just plain awesome at what she does. Friday rolled around and with it my appointment with Dr. Hulka to discuss port placement. She did everything she could to reassure that the they would use a "low profile port" so it wouldn't be as noticeable and it would be super easy to access whenever I needed it. Dr. Hulka also showed me where she thought it should be placed, about two inches below my left collar bone, and it was the same spot I had chosen. All signs pointed to yes so I booked my surgery for next Friday, May 6th at noon. I already had a CF clinic appointment that day at 8 A.M. so it will actually work out perfectly. I'll go to my clinic appointment as usual and then check in for my surgery at 10:30. I decided on Renown this time instead of St. Mary's, so we'll see if that's my new home hospital.
The surgery only takes about thirty minutes and is an outpatient procedure. When compared to the anxiety, discomfort, and consciousness of a PICC placement, the port is a clear winner. That doesn't mean I'm not nervous about it, I definitely am. That's the downside of making a choice between two unpleasant scenarios, I'll never be completely comfortable about it. Hopefully by this time next weekend I will have only good things to say about my new port (fingers crossed).
A friend of mine also played a huge part in this decision. Tabitha, a fellow CFer has a port and couldn't say enough great things about it. She also hates PICC's and suffered nerve damage from them. Not only did Tabitha reassure me that a port is less traumatic than a PICC, she also told me about everything she is able to use her port for. She has been a huge help and I've only known her for a week! My dad actually met her at a fundraiser in Winnemucca and she found me on Facebook. Gotta love Facebook!
The more I talk about the port the more at ease I feel about everything. This is going to be a good thing, I know it.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
A Little Poking and Prodding
I had my first appointment with an allergist on Monday. My CF doctor, Dr. Budhecha, seems to think that some of my symptoms may be exacerbated by allergies. Since I'd never had any allergy testing before she decided now was as good a time as any. How convent is it that the allergist is in the same office as Dr. B?
Having made my appointment for Monday morning on Thursday afternoon, I had plenty of time to worry myself into a hot mess about what allergy testing would entail. Also, there were certain members of my family, whom shall remain unnamed, that spent the entire weekend telling me horror stories about needles and reactions. I was sufficiently freaked by Sunday night. Sheesh. When I go to my appointment on Monday I was relieved to discover that they don't use needles in their testing. Instead they scratch you 56 times. Yeah, doesn't sound too appealing but compared to the alternative... scratch away!
After some poking and scratching and 20 minutes to allow sufficient reactions or lack-thereof, the results were in. Drum roll please...
Not so fast. First I have to explain the stakes, cause they were high. The allergist was essentially convinced that I was allergic to my dogs, specifically the dog that sleeps in my bed every night. She strongly suggested that my pets become "outside dogs" before the test was even complete. Now that the stakes have been properly explained, back to the drum roll...
Allergens:
-Cockroaches
-House Flies
-Mold
-Cats
-Sagebrush
-Tumbleweed
-Native Nevada Grasses
-Native Trees
I really got a kick out of the cockroach and house fly allergy! So relieved I'm not allergic to Max, my mini-dachshund. My cousin asked me, "what kind of girl do they think you are that they're testing for cockroaches?!!"
It gave us a good laugh.
Having made my appointment for Monday morning on Thursday afternoon, I had plenty of time to worry myself into a hot mess about what allergy testing would entail. Also, there were certain members of my family, whom shall remain unnamed, that spent the entire weekend telling me horror stories about needles and reactions. I was sufficiently freaked by Sunday night. Sheesh. When I go to my appointment on Monday I was relieved to discover that they don't use needles in their testing. Instead they scratch you 56 times. Yeah, doesn't sound too appealing but compared to the alternative... scratch away!
After some poking and scratching and 20 minutes to allow sufficient reactions or lack-thereof, the results were in. Drum roll please...
Not so fast. First I have to explain the stakes, cause they were high. The allergist was essentially convinced that I was allergic to my dogs, specifically the dog that sleeps in my bed every night. She strongly suggested that my pets become "outside dogs" before the test was even complete. Now that the stakes have been properly explained, back to the drum roll...
Allergens:
-Cockroaches
-House Flies
-Mold
-Cats
-Sagebrush
-Tumbleweed
-Native Nevada Grasses
-Native Trees
I really got a kick out of the cockroach and house fly allergy! So relieved I'm not allergic to Max, my mini-dachshund. My cousin asked me, "what kind of girl do they think you are that they're testing for cockroaches?!!"
It gave us a good laugh.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Finally Blogging
First of all, happy happy happy birthday to me and my little sister Cierra! Today I turn 20 years old and she turns 17! Yep, very exciting.
Second: Yes, I've finally decided to start blogging. This is the easiest way for me to keep my friends and family informed and up-to-date on all of my Cystic Fibrosis related news and developments. Plus, I couldn't let an adorable blog template like this one pass me by. No way Jose!
... Have I mentioned that today is my birthday? :)
The past couple of weeks have been really, really crazy. I started getting sick about three weeks ago and I'm still not better yet. It's usually times like these, when I'm taking a while to bounce back or get better, that my CF doctor brings up a PICC line. Here comes the designated whining portion of this post: I hate PICC lines. I mean really, really loathe them. I've had three since I was diagnosed and I swear I get more and more anxious about them every time. My last PICC (August 2010) left me with some nerve damage in my left hand in the form of numbness and tingling in my fingertips and was a very traumatic experience overall. Okay, whining portion complete!
In an effort to relieve some stress and decrease my anxiety my doctor discussed other IV antibiotic options. One of which was called a port -a-cath and is inserted under the skin below your collarbone. There are a couple of other options but I really took a liking to that one because it lasts for 2-3 years (that would mean six PICC lines) and can be accessed for blood draws, basic IV's, and IV antibiotics whenever needed. There is also a more temporary central line available. I have a consultation with a surgeon tomorrow and then I will make up my mind. Whatever I decide I will most likely be in the hospital for an IV at some point next week. I have an appointment at the CF clinic at Renown on Friday, May 6th for my basic check up too.
Like I said, craziness! I also had an appointment at the allergist on Monday that I will post all about later.
... Have I mentioned that today is my birthday? :)
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