Good morning all

Been some time from my last posting. So here is an update on how things been going.

We had our family reunion. Was great. Had 87 people that came. All my brothers and sisters, there kids and there grandkids. Some on them that I never had seen before.

Health wise, was doing great up to the 10th of July. That is when I ripped my picc line out half way and ended up in the ER to have a new one put in. It took two times. Wasn't happy with that along with the idea that the ER room was dirty with people being treated in the halls. I will never use that place again.

After that, I went in for my monthly checkup. Everything looked good. Two days later, my home bound nurse came in for a dressing change for my picc line. She was not happy. I ended back in New Orleans for a overnight stay in the hospital. Come to find out, I had a skin reaction to the glue of the bandage. I been using the same bandages going on 19 months and now, oh well.

Two days after that, I started running a fever. Well, they wanted me back in New Orleans, but talked them out of it. Had my nurse come and draw blood. That was last Thursday. That afternoon my nurse called telling me my white blood count was high. I had no more fever, but my body has been killing me. Of course, the transplant team doesn't want me to take anything to block a fever. Not good. Today I should get the info needed on the blood test to see if I need to go in the hospital for a replacement picc line and treatment for any infection.

On the good side of things, we had a "new" family member. A 8 week old baby Lab/Boykin Spaniel. Of course my other two dogs are not happy. And this new family member woke me up at 3 am. LOL

Well, I hope everybody is doing good. God Bless,
Paul

7 Comments

Hi Paul

by Pookie - 2013-07-27 06:07:39

I'll say it for probably the 20th time - thank you SO much for keeping us up to date - there are a lot of members who truly care about you and wish you all the best, and I am one of them!!!

You truly have a lot of courage and a lot of patience with all that you have been through and what you are facing. Your attitude is beyond amazing.

And congrats on the new puppy!!!!

All the best,
Pookie

thinking of you

by annie21 - 2013-07-27 08:07:47

God bless

hey Paul...

by lubro - 2013-07-27 10:07:26

sorry to hear about your problems.. hey man, stay away from those Nawlins hospitals...you know they're like those roach motels... once you get in....
but hey, just wanted to say hi and wish you well...
congrats on the new "addition"...hope he's not gonna make a habit of that 3am wake-up call...
anyway...hope things get better for you...
take care & God Bless...

Lou

welcome back

by Hope - 2013-07-27 11:07:43

Hi! Paul, You had some of us wondering if the reunion was still rocking. Glad your family shared a great time and you are back with us. Hope the new family member will adjust soon. Take care. Hopeful Heart

Hosting Picc Line !!

by donb - 2013-07-27 11:07:52

Good Morning Paul !!
Happy to read your update as I finally crawled out from under a big rock. I want to Thank You for all your experiences as I spent 2 months of antibiotic treatment via Picc Line (Vancomycin) along with my 6th pacemaker change now in my belly with leads via groin. I really have no complaints as my pain level during the whole time was really very low. As I had infection showed up on my old leads at the tips attaching heart wall hence the Vanco treatment via Picc line. I had 2 stays at Harper hospital, 1st for pacemaker & leads removal & 2nd stay for implant of belly pacemaker & groin leads. With having antibiotic IV with 2 stays at our local Care Tel care facility as Medicare would not allow home IV administered by my licensed nurse (wife).
Ya, & my only care was attaching IV pump & removing line after 2 - 4 hr fun. Oh, also had a few blood draws checking my trough level. I have to add also that my wife had to do all of the paper work between Harper hospital & Care facility which was a real blessing. Oh, I also had to do the maintenance on my IV pump as the nursing staff were not familiar enough to notice a defective pump.
I was thankfull to be only 10 minutes from my gold plated cage & got passes to go home for a few hours & enjoy home food a few times.
I am happy to have my old chest site retored & my new implant really is a pleasure as it's healed up nicely & feels great. I gave up wearing a belt as my implant is right at belt line but no pain. So call me Larry King with my suspenders. Paul, it's really comforting when I read about some of you happy days. Was thinking about you all the time as the RN was pulling my picc line nice & slow & easy with no pain. I had lots of fear thinking about pulling that 18" line all the way from my heart but "fear" was all in my mind. Paul, I really hope & Pray that your care is always the best now & in the future.
DonB

Thanks All

by fishfighter - 2013-07-28 08:07:22

Thank all of you for the thoughts and prays.

Yesterday mid day was ruff. Had to hit up a few nitros. That knocks me for a flip and leaves me exhausted. After a few hours of sleep, I felt a bit better. Then started running a low grade fever. That took it toll too!

After a good nights sleep, I'm feeling a bit better this morning. I love to drink my morning coffee on the patio. Well, the new family member woke up wide open and the chase was on. LOL What was I thinking getting a new family member? LOL Guess I'm trying to plan for the future with him. In fact, this is the first thing that I planed for long term. Now if I could just get my lab to easy up being mad at me. She is still not a happy camper. She always was at my feet, but with the puppy, she is acting like she has nothing to do with me. Guess only time will tell.

Take care and God Bless,
Paul

Good to hear from you

by jeanlancour - 2013-07-28 12:07:00

Always brightens my day to read your posts, you always inspire me. Glad everyone could be with you and family, sounds as if a good time was had by all. I've only read about the Boykin,s pretty special dogs, hope your baby learns to sleep at night, and his older siblings become a bit more tolarent. Good luck and may blessings shower you. Jean

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