Guess Who Is In-Patient AGAIN!

[kitkatz]

My hubby has the vac pump on his leg when it needed help healing after his amputation.  Every time they changed it he had to have major pain meds. He took it everywhere with him.
Good luck on the dialysis center and its malarkey when you get there

[Xplantdad]

Sounds like you have a wound vac, Charlie. My wife's mom had one on for 4 months to close a 5 inch wide hole at the base of her spine  a few times (she had spina bifida her whole life).

Please let us know how you are doing!

[Charlie B53]

My biggest problem with the Vac Pump is carrying it around with me all the time.  Just hard to get comfortable.  I tried the strap over the shoulder, it keeps trying to fall off.  Over the shoulder and neck seems fine for a while, then I find out it is oinching exactly where the Perma Cath goes up and over the clavicle.  Then it gets Pissed, sore for an hour afterwards.  When I had my jeans on I folded the strap inside the case and used the small handle, threaded my belt through it.  They should have put a couple of belt loops on the back of the case, that would have made it simple and well secured.   Still have to rely on that strap around the house as I stay in my pajama's unless I need to go out.  No belt there.

Had my first session at Fresenius today.  No real surprises other than it ran the whole 4 hours.  Even with two pillows my butt was getting pretty tired of sitting still.  At least on a cath I could move my arms, hold my book, turn pages, etc.   You all that have to keep that arm still are special.  I'm sure it ain't easy.

Like I said, no surprises during treatment.  Did have to show them paperwork from the VA, my Discharge Med List CLEARLY specifies Vancomiacin 500MG  X19 to be administered IV during dialysis treatment.   Fresenius didn't get a Dr's order.  Made a copy and called the VA.     "I" called Nurse Dawn at the VA and told her what was NOT happening.  She asked for Fresenius phone number as I didn't have the fax #.   They hung the Vanc my last 20 minutes.

They told me Dr ordered to take off 2 liters.  I told them in hopital they only took off 1 & 1/2 but put back a 1/2.  Since we do not know what my dry weight is they went ahead and took off 2.2 putting back .2   No pressure drop, didn't feel anything out of my norm so maybe that's fine.

I have hardly drank anything.  On PD I didn't have any restrictions.  I drank whatever and as much as I felt.  I quit that last Thursday and the amount I P has dropped radically.  I've gone only twice today, so far.  Still got that timy bladder, so the volume hasn't increased at all.  I just don't have the water in me.   Don't know if this is a good thing or not, only different than before.  Confusing, slightly.

Tired.  Came home after treatment ate a bite and went to bed.  Got up, ate even less, and I am ready for bed again.  Will see what tomorrow brings.  Home Health Nurse will be here.  No idea yet when.  She will call.   I need a pocket in my pajama's for my phone.     

D'Oh.    I have a PILE of Pocket T-Shirts!    Problem solved.

[Charlie B53]

I REALLY do NOT like this Vac Pump.    It probably does it's job just fine.  I just do NOT like carrying it around hanging from my neck.

When I see the Surgeon tomorrow I am going to ask him if he will glue these holes shut and be DONE.

Maybe I am getting inpatient with being in-patient even on an out-patient basis.

I also need to ask questions about getting a long-term access.  It could be a good idea just in case I can't go back to PD, or if I have another infection on PD.   I'm still such a control freak it's hard to think about letting anyone cut on me if it isn't absolutely immediately necessary.   I know it makes sense.  It's just hard to give in and say O.K..

[kickingandscreaming]

Quite an adjustment, Charlie.  I feel like I'm watching myself at some future time when PD stops working.    I don't like the prospect.  Hang in there.  This too shall pass.

[Charlie B53]

A popular saying around Bikers,


Life's a Bitch,  then we die.



Sometimes that's true.


I believe it's all a test.     I just hope I pass.

[Xplantdad]

Hey Charlie,

The wound vac is continuously removing the "bad" stuff from your wound...and making it easier for it to heal from the inside out. I am sure they have a valid reason why they don't want to close the wound (could be numerous reasons).

Take it easy, buddy!

[Charlie B53]

I've been very fortunate most my life.  I swear I am Blessed.   Historically I heal well, very quickly.   You wouldn't believe how many wounds a mechanic can get in a day.  Wrenches slip, sometimes bad enough to split open a finger and break the bone.   A clean rag, electrical tape, and get the job done.   I did end up seeing the Dr and having a pin put in that one to straighten it out after the swelling went down and I finally saw it was pointing off to the side.   Oops!

Bacteria cannot survive in the solvent tank.  The rare hand infection(s) that put in in the hospital (twice) were from scratches so minor neither of them even bled.

Prior surgeries I've healed much quicker than they estimated.  These two cuts were left open to drain 'infection' but having been on Vanc for a week prior to the procedures, there is no 'infection' left to drain.  Drainage is absolutely minimal.   I will be seeing the Head Surgeon tomorrow at Noon and stating my case.  Hopefully he will agree and pour a bit of super glue in both, stick me together, slap me on the ass and send me home.

Vanc will continue to be added at the end of dialysis for my next 18 sessions, making a total of 21 sessions which will be just about SEVEN WEEKS.   Thats far more than the normal 14 days, or even the advanced 21 day regimen proscribed for this bug.

I guess they just want to be SURE it is D.E.A.D. DEAD.

I suspect somebody slipped a digit in their calculations, thinking I would have treatment every day for 21 days.   I might ought to check into the dosage amount, what the usual amount per body weight per day and see how that compares to what I am getting.   That may shed some light on the reasoning for their orders.

Wonder what Google comes up with?

During the last go around Dr added an anti-fungal as a preventative.  Told me long term antibiotics leave people susceptible to fungal infections, such as thrush, toenail fungus, lung disorders such as Legionnaires. etc..    That would suck.

[cassandra]

Hi Charlie maybe also look in changing your pro biotics into the high strength ones?

Love, Cas

[kickingandscreaming]

look in changing your pro biotics into the high strength ones?

Not only high strength, but wide variety of organisms-- not just acidophylous.  The greater the variety, the better to restore your gut microbiome after such a long assault with antibiotics.

[KatieV]

Vanc will continue to be added at the end of dialysis for my next 18 sessions, making a total of 21 sessions which will be just about SEVEN WEEKS.   Thats far more than the normal 14 days, or even the advanced 21 day regimen proscribed for this bug.

I guess they just want to be SURE it is D.E.A.D. DEAD.

I suspect somebody slipped a digit in their calculations, thinking I would have treatment every day for 21 days.   I might ought to check into the dosage amount, what the usual amount per body weight per day and see how that compares to what I am getting.   That may shed some light on the reasoning for their orders.

I'm almost thru a six week course of Cefazolin.  I give it to myself after each dialysis treatment - since I'm on NxStage, that's 5 times a week! A total of 30 doses!  Thankfully, they don't seem to be bothering my stomach unlike the last time.

I second (third?) the recommendation for probiotics.  I also drank kefir (homemade from the family cow, Fern) and have been eating high-quality yogurt.  Check with your doctors - at my center, they particularly recommended greek yogurt as they thought the protein in it outweighs the phosphorus impact. 

[smartcookie]

I helped take care of one of my college professors when I worked in the hospital as a discharge planner.  He had to have a wound vac and was planning on resuming his teaching responsibilities when discharged.  He told me he was going to bring chips and tell the students that his wound vac goop was "homemade salsa!"  The particular wound vac had a clear area for the wound drainage to be collected so you could see when to empty it.  Could be a good line for making new friends at the clinic!!    Two pillows sounds perfect.  If you have a pair of headphones you like I would bring those for the TV.  Your laptop would be good as well since you still have a catheter and have both hands free to surf the web!

[Charlie B53]

I've got to get me a bigger bag.  The canvas one I have been using gets too tight with all the crap I carry around if I add the laptop.  I use a padded 'table' thing so it has a firm surface for the laptop and pillowed on the bottom for my legs.  It sure helps to keep the heat from cooking my thigh.  Wish I would have taken it with me yesterday.  I had a 6 a.m. session so I could drive to Columbia to see the Vascular Surgeon for my one week follow up.   Freezing rain began about half way there.  I was keeping up with traffic, somewhat irratated that many of them wouldn't get over and let me fly on by.   

WELLLLL...................

I shrugged off the two warnings.    Remember I said freezing rain?   Center of the windshield was icing no matter how high the defroster was turned up.    Maintaining a decent distance between vehicles, steady speed,   I felt the ass end slip to the right a few inches.    OH!    About a block later it did it again.  Oh Really!    About a block after that it went sideways, corrected, sideways the other side. Straightened and sideways to the right again. Corrected but by the time it was straight the left side was raking along those metal posts with the cables.  Stayed on the gas and brought it back up and into the fast lane and kept going.   It wasn't but another mile and EVERYBODY slowed to a crawl.   5 MPH for the next twenty miles then a dead stop for a while.  I thought I'd get out and see how bad it was.  I couldn't stand up, it was so slick.

I saw it once I got to the VA Hospital.  Qwap, the WHOLE left side.  2hours late for my appt.  Head Dr already gone but left an underling there to see me.  Says my woulds are fine, the vac may be able to come off as soon as next week.  Made an appt for the same time NEXT week.  I've got to let Fresenius know.  They let me come in early so I could have my session and get to Columbia.  I don't want to make a habit out of this.

My 'lil truck is HURT.   It didn't have a scratch before this.    I called my Ins Co and reported it while on the way.  Then called a friend, Mgr of an autop-body shop and told him.

OH, forgot to say.  State Patrol CLOSED the freeways.  I had to get a room and spend the night.  PITA   No meds.  I hadn't planned this.   VA ER wrote scrips for all my BP meds and insulin and gave it all to me.  I THANKED them Very Much!

When I got home today I stopped by the tire shop as it is near enough time I should seriously think about new tires again.   And TONY, the bodyshop guy happened tp be there getting new tires on his truck.  Took one look at the side of my truck, whipped out his camera and took pictures.  I haven't even done that yet.  The sad part is he thinks the Ins Co will want to total it.   NO WAY!   It's been a great little truck.  I take care of it.  Runs perfect, actually way better than factory as I've tweeked the computer, replaced exhaust, intake.  It RUNS.  It's ONLY the whole left side.  A fende, two doors, and another bed.  Done.  Except for the paint.   Qwap.  I may have a multi-colored truck next month.

[Blake nighsonger]

Bummer Charlie B53,! Extremely slick hear too , Sorry to hear about truck. wish i would of been with you sounds like kinda fun trip! Thanks, take it easy .

[kitkatz]

Do you have a rolling walker or a rolling stool the vac can be on while you push it through the house?

[cassandra]

Bugger Charlie, I hope you get the car sorted. Aren't you/we happy/lucky you didn't end up killing yourself?

   

Love, Cas

[Charlie B53]

I was just thinking this morning, look for another whole truck with a blown motor/transmission, swap everything over to my frame.

Just have to look.  Haven't talked to Ins Co again yet.  Monday, on my ToDo List after Dialysis.

Forgot to say that my S-10 is a factory ZR2, which is an S-10 on steroids.  Factory lifted 4 inches, big tires 4X4 with heavier axles and brakes.  I've added heavier springs, intake and exhaust mods and reprogrammed the computer so it runs VERY well.   

I don't really care what color I end up with.  Although I have to admit that it would be nice to have it ALL the same, all the way around.

The factory quit making this model in 2003.  I had an identical '02 until it got soaked.  I let the Ins Co total it even though it dried out nicely and immediately bought this '03.  They are getting harder to find in decent shape, and the owners are NOT selling for anywhere near the Blue Book prices.   Ins Co don't care.

[KatieV]

My husband's first vehicle was a S-10 Blazer - think he bought it at age 15.  It was old and beat-up, but he still speaks fondly of it.  It was all stock - though I believe it had an "enhanced" muffler for a while.  He got stopped several times over the noise and ended up switching it out!

I did what you just did, only with a telephone pole.  Wrecked the left side from the side mirror back to the rear quarter panel.  Found two doors at a junkyard and my father put them on.  Ended up driving around a light blue (main color), red, and white car for a couple months!