Yeah, I went there; I just used a Ricky Martin song to describe the months since my last post. Desperate times folks, desperate times.
So, let's catch up. I've been avoiding this post because I know I'm going to cry, it's inevitable. I wrote my last entry late at night on September 15th. The very next morning, just before 8 A.M., I received a call from my Grandma Helen. Her shaky voice immediately told me what I had suspected as soon as I saw her name on my caller I.D. at such an early hour, my Papa had passed away during the night in his sleep. The weeks that followed were sad, hectic, and confusing. I knew my papa's time on this Earth was short, I'd even mentioned that here, but it didn't make his funeral any easier to attend. My papa was incredible, truly incredible. Words can hardly do him justice. I am so lucky, blessed and fortunate to have had him in my life. See, told ya I'd cry.
So hi. Hi to everyone I've been neglecting and hi to my awesome friends and family who read my sporadic posts. I have to say that my decision to warm the bench this semester and not attend classes was such a smart one. This void in my schedule has allowed me to spend time with my grandma now that she's on her own while still maintaining my health. Now that I mention it, my health has been good verging on great. The only issues I've had have been port-related. In fact, my port issues call for their very own paragraph.
Since I got my port in May I've only used it for IV antibiotics once. I still head to the hospital once a month to have it flushed and ensure that there aren't any issues when I do need the line. When I went for my flush this month the nurse was unable to get any blood return from the line. The medication was flushing properly but when they pulled back for blood nothing happened. This is usually a bad sign. After a few tests the following week, my doctor decided it was simply a clot at the end of the line. While this clot prevents any blood draws from the port, it doesn't affect anything going into the line. So my port works... kinda. I wish it was fully functional but I'm just thankful it works at all! My doctor's first thought was that it would have to be removed. Phew! Dodged that bullet.
Other than my port drama, I've been in relatively good health. I did have to take a trip to the emergency room this weekend for what turned out to be a kidney infection. Uncharted territory for this girl! Luckily the cure was as simple as Cipro and some pain pills. I have a clinic visit coming up in a few weeks that will really tell the tale as to my overall health. If my doctor wants to do what I think he wants to do (which he will) I will probably end up in the hospital for a couple weeks at the end of December. The purpose for such a stay is what CF docs like to call "maintenance"; fancy schmancy talk for getting ahead of any and all infection. I'm by no means jazzed about any time I have to spend in the hospital but I won't protest too much this time. If I'm being truthful I will admit that I feel myself teetering on the edge of health and sickness so a "maintenance" stay might be for the best. I'll let y'all know what happens.
I hope this post finds you all happy, healthy, and already started on your Christmas shopping... unlike me.
:)
So, let's catch up. I've been avoiding this post because I know I'm going to cry, it's inevitable. I wrote my last entry late at night on September 15th. The very next morning, just before 8 A.M., I received a call from my Grandma Helen. Her shaky voice immediately told me what I had suspected as soon as I saw her name on my caller I.D. at such an early hour, my Papa had passed away during the night in his sleep. The weeks that followed were sad, hectic, and confusing. I knew my papa's time on this Earth was short, I'd even mentioned that here, but it didn't make his funeral any easier to attend. My papa was incredible, truly incredible. Words can hardly do him justice. I am so lucky, blessed and fortunate to have had him in my life. See, told ya I'd cry.
So hi. Hi to everyone I've been neglecting and hi to my awesome friends and family who read my sporadic posts. I have to say that my decision to warm the bench this semester and not attend classes was such a smart one. This void in my schedule has allowed me to spend time with my grandma now that she's on her own while still maintaining my health. Now that I mention it, my health has been good verging on great. The only issues I've had have been port-related. In fact, my port issues call for their very own paragraph.
Since I got my port in May I've only used it for IV antibiotics once. I still head to the hospital once a month to have it flushed and ensure that there aren't any issues when I do need the line. When I went for my flush this month the nurse was unable to get any blood return from the line. The medication was flushing properly but when they pulled back for blood nothing happened. This is usually a bad sign. After a few tests the following week, my doctor decided it was simply a clot at the end of the line. While this clot prevents any blood draws from the port, it doesn't affect anything going into the line. So my port works... kinda. I wish it was fully functional but I'm just thankful it works at all! My doctor's first thought was that it would have to be removed. Phew! Dodged that bullet.
Other than my port drama, I've been in relatively good health. I did have to take a trip to the emergency room this weekend for what turned out to be a kidney infection. Uncharted territory for this girl! Luckily the cure was as simple as Cipro and some pain pills. I have a clinic visit coming up in a few weeks that will really tell the tale as to my overall health. If my doctor wants to do what I think he wants to do (which he will) I will probably end up in the hospital for a couple weeks at the end of December. The purpose for such a stay is what CF docs like to call "maintenance"; fancy schmancy talk for getting ahead of any and all infection. I'm by no means jazzed about any time I have to spend in the hospital but I won't protest too much this time. If I'm being truthful I will admit that I feel myself teetering on the edge of health and sickness so a "maintenance" stay might be for the best. I'll let y'all know what happens.
I hope this post finds you all happy, healthy, and already started on your Christmas shopping... unlike me.
:)
