Wednesday evening medical update 12-10-08

Everything went very smoothly today. My white count is up slightly. We are hopeful that with the port & infection gone, it will rise more. The blood bank had released one unit of platelets for me early this morning and then had no problem sending another one for me. I got those in plenty of time to get to the surgery centre by 1:00. Didn't have to wait there either. They got me right in, started the meds and the next thing I knew it was over and I felt a lot better. The pain medication is beginning to wear off now and the shoulder is sore, but not nearly as bad as it was. Along with removing the port, the surgeon also removed the dead infected stuff. Mike is supposed to do some cleaning and packing of the wound for the next three days, but thankfully I missed that discussion.

Also, you learn something new every day. I often have an IV line put in that is supposed to last for three days. Sometimes they push it to five days. One of the nurses called this a picc line. However, I learned today that a picc line is not what I had at all. But I am going to get one.

Unless something untoward happens with the surgical site, I get the next four days off from going in to have any medical stuff done! Yippee! Monday morning I go very early to my doc's to get CBC/Type & Cross and see him. As soon as I get done with him I'm scheduled for 2 units of platelets. Then I go over to the hospital and have a picc line inserted. This will stay in and not have to be removed every few days. I go back to see my doc after lunch and start Dacogen treatments again using the picc line.

In the meanwhile, I am focusing on enjoying the next few days! My shoulder is likely to be painful for a day or two, but the surgeon gave me Lortab for that. I'm looking forward to actually getting to do some decorating and cooking. Keeping my fingers crossed!

While I was out of it getting platelets, Mike's brother called to say their Dad's hernia surgery had gone well. He will be in ICU through tonight, but will hopefully move to a regular room tomorrow. We are all very grateful for this good news.