Day 10 - Good and Bad News

The consultant came to see me this morning, he is happy with my recovery as long as my CRP continues to drop. He actually mentioned going home (for the first time), to continue my treatment, and this may even be as soon as Sunday or Monday. I will need to have the PICC line put in which I had decided on anyway. I should hopefully be starting my physio in the next couple of days.

My CRP results came back - 96 - Yesssss !!!!!

The RMO (Resident Medical Officer - Doctor that Lives onsite) came to discuss the PICC line insertion, it involves a local anaethetic then a little cut where they put a tube in, followed by the line itself, he mentioned this will either be in my groin, my chest or my neck (CHEST PLEASE). These lines can stay in for up to 90 days although they prefer 30 days, either way they should really only need to put one of these in, my veins are saved...

So far the day went well, I even managed a shower - Took ages but I didn't care, I AM RECOVERING !!!

As my veins are now well and truly shot, I had to have one of my antibiotics via an injection (in my arse) this worried me, Gentamicin has to be given slowly by IV, otherwise you can go deaf and it's irreversible - but this is not the case via injection as the muscles soak it up, but also means it's not as effective.

The anaesthatist came to see me at 5.30pm, he explained it goes in via the top of the arm (phew) and I will be going down within the next 30 minutes.

I went down to theatre at 6.00pm got prepped and the anaesthatist started....

Then comes the bad news

... 2 hours and 14 attempts later, he stopped, he had tried every vein he could find using an ultrasound machine but they were all thrombosed (blocked), he was unable to thread the tube through therefore unable to put the PICC Line in.

What is it with me, I had a tiny chance of getting the staphylococcus infection in the first place, then the "easy" procedure of getting a PICC Line is not possible. Apparently being part afro-carribean means my sink and veins are thicker than normal, (great for the aging process, shit for venal work) :-(

I am now waiting until tomorrow for a radiologist to put the line in via a different method. Whoever had their fingers crossed for me before, please do it for me tomorrow,

My arms are killing and full of little cuts, and still I'm having to have the IV antibiotics via a cannula which is red, sore, swollen and hurts like mad.

But Daddy will be home to see Leah and SWMBO - whatever it takes.....

Daddy's coming home

Day 8 - Part 2

Someone must have had their fingers crossed for me today.

My CRP has dropped down to 163, although still high, it's still a drop nonetheless and has given me something to be happy about while I'm here.

My veins has now given up in yet another part of my arms, this now means the doctors are having problems finding a vein which to insert the cannula for my IV antiobiotics. They managed to find one final vein on the back of my arm !!!! but that's it !!!!

(Its my arm !!!- See the wristband and my elbow)

I don't reallly have much option than to have a PICC Line (2) (3) inserted, either that or they'll start using veins from my groin etc (not my legs as that is where the infection is).
I was a bit anxious about the PICC line, however this will also mean I won't have to keep having it taken out every couple of days like the cannula, but best of all I may be able to gome home and have my treatment at home, (when my CRP drops a lot below 100).

At least, finally, I seem to be on the mend, after 7 days in (this) hospital and 1 in the DRI.

You know when you've been in hopspital when the kitchen knows what you want to eat and the nurses say "are you still here?".