Garry selected the finest wheelchair possible (blue instead of brown) and gave me a lovely ride through the sterile corridors until we reached the oncology wing. After being treated to a course of paperwork topped with runaround, we met our escort for the afternoon: Del, the PICC nurse. She showed us our accommodations: a small procedure room with a vinyl bed, an ultrasound machine, and table full of mysterious tools. I took the liberty of vomiting before we proceeded with our scheduled activity.
Sadly, the next portion of our Valentine date separated Garry and I for a time, as Garry wasn't allowed to be in the room while Nurse Del inserted my fancy new PICC line. So he moved on to have a romantic dinner in the hospital cafeteria: a Pilly cheesesteak sandwich and a mint brownie. I dream of eating like that one day.....but I digress.
Nurse Del was a most hilarious companion. She made every effort to keep me laughing, although having one's arm invaded by needles and foreign objects is anything but amusing. She handled my tears and distress very compassionately and assured me that I would feel better soon. It was true; I felt better when Garry came back to hold my hand. Isn't that what Valentines do?
Once a chest x-ray confirmed that the catheter in my arm ended at the right spot above my heart (the superior vena cava, if you are well-versed in human anatomy), Garry and I were allowed to venture home. I had another lovely ride in the wheelchair, then waited for my "knight in dirty old car" to pick me up at the hopsital entrance.
My Valentine treated me to a five-star dessert at Sonic, where I ordered a grape slush and tater tots. We also purchased slushes for the kids since it was happy hour and drinks were half price. Upon our return home, I tucked into bed at 3:45 p.m. Nurse Shelly arrived at 4:30 to hook up fluids and Zofran in the PICC line. Then I went to bed for good, leaving Garry to feed and bathe and bed down four loud and crazy hooligans. Then he went to work to finish a big project.
Isn't that romantic?
Maybe not, but I sure love my Valentine.
16 comments:
bless your heart that is below your superior vena cava!!! omg. been thinking about you all day. praying this changes your life. ♥ you.
I love you too Sweetheart!
I think that sounds like a perfect valentine to me. So nice to have a more permanent med spot. Oh, and the SVC is what got re-routed in Kimble's last surgery!
Well, less barfing is a step in the romantic direction, right? :) Love you guys!
Wow, I'm so sorry for all of the rough times you're having. I love that you are keeping a sense of humor in your blog. That's got to be hard to have so much going on with 4 kids and being stuck to an IV. I hope things only get better from here!
Wow, so sorry you're having to go through such rough stuff. I hope this helps. You have such a cute way of writing the story out though. Someday you'll look back and maybe even chuckle some but to be sure you'll be glad you're looking back and not living it currently.
Pretty tender moments! I have never adored Bob more than when he sat in a chair all night long in ICU to feed me ice chips. Those are the moments that cement a marriage!
Hugs to you, dear friend. So sorry for your suffering!
you are one amazing woman, heidi. that event could have been written so differently. thanks for keeping all of us smiling and laughing, despite all you are having to endure.
Better times are on the way. Next Valentines you will have a cute new baby to take with you on your Valentines Date! I'm glad you were in the Oncology unit for a happier reason than most!
No one can say you don't work hard for your babies! I wish you didn't have to go through this, Heidi, but I'm glad that you have a slightly more long lasting access point for those needed fluids (and nausea meds!) Times like these are when good Valentines are priceless!
I'm so sorry Heidi! I wish you less vomiting and more yummy meals in the days to come. Hopefully your new PICC line will help you accomplish that!
I hope this new development makes a world of difference!
So sorry to hear what you are going through. My prayers are with you and I'm happy the Truth Tools have been of help. God bless you.
Oh Heidi - I am so amazed you can still blog at this pace, but I am grateful. Your post made me laugh so hard. How do you do it feeling so crappy? - you are still so entertaining. Geesh - this pregnancy has given you a run for your money. I don't remember you having anywhere near such a hard time before. Hang in there. BTW - I am really hoping to come to women's conference! How fun you get to present. Until then, get better for heaven's sake! Happy Valentines - glad you had a romantic "afternoon on the town". It can only get better from here...
Hope your day today is filled with less barf and more food. :) I really hope that the PICC helps. Keep up the positive thoughts. It really helps. :)
I hope as the days pass that this is a good solution! You are a hero mom in my book.
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