the TRIPLE THREAT ...

"Only rainbows after rain
The sun will always come again.
And its a circle, circling,
Around again, it comes around,

But you gotta keep your head up, oh,
And you can let your hair down, eh.
you gotta keep your head up, oh,
And you can let your hair down, eh.

I know it's hard, know its hard
To remember sometimes,
But you gotta keep your head up, oh,
And you can let your hair down, eh."

-Andy Grammer

Good news is I am finally starting to feel like I am on the upswing of this thing.  Besides being a bit worn out from the early mornings and late evening IV dosages, I do FEEL BETTER!  Currently on Day 9, IV #4, stick #7.  If someone took a look at my left arm, they would think I am a left arm junkie!  That is all fine by me though, it is my so called "battle wound" :)  This time around my Dr and I opted to avoid the PICC line, which was fantastic news to my ears.  The only downside is it means more pokes for me as they have to change my IV every 48-72 hrs and I have additional pokes with any labs draws.  This may sound crazy, but I would much rather have these little peripheral IV's in and get poked more, than deal with a PICC at this point.  After the last PICC line/blood clot fiasco, I will continue to push for peripheral IV's unless it is absolutely necessary to do otherwise.  At that point, a longer term option might come in to play...the dreaded port.  But, we shall cross that bridge when it is time and until then I am a happy camper with the current plan.  Thankfully I have a wonderful nurse who is very good at IV's, and only once did my little blood highways decide to take a few turns on him.

As I was getting set up this morning to start the routine, I realized with a good amount of humor what coordination it takes to get it ALL going at once.  Let me tell you, doing the nebulizer, while shaking AND hooking up an IV....there are lots of wires to get crossed!  I just had to take a picture and although it doesn't capture the mangled mess of tubes to it's entirety you can see what I like to call the "Triple Threat" (nebs, vest and IV...grrrrr!!).  I apologize for the crazy looking pic, but this was at 5am this morning, what do you expect??? :)

So, only about 6 more days to go and I am eagerly awaiting finishing this round of IV's.  I only hope that the time between now and the next tune up will be lengthened but more importantly I hope to feel healthy during that time.  While these things are an inconvenience and by all means I would chose not to do them if that were the case, I am glad I have this option.  I am thankful that I have these medical treatments available, and I can do them all from the comfort of home.  Thanks to those who have sent me emails, cards and calls...I feel so very loved :)

Day 5, update

Today is day #5 (of 14) of this IV tune-up shenanigan.  5 needle pokes and 3 IV's later, I can say things are looking better.  Monday morning before starting this, I was pretty uncomfortable; walking up a flight of stairs seemed a challenging feat and my back ached from the constant coughing.  I did have to start up on the roids again, due to some continued tightness and wheezing, and unfortunately I tried starting with a low dose, without much relief.  Usually, I have a very high level of energy on 60mg's of this white madness (prednisone), but combined with the antibiotics, I think my system is in a bit of "overload" and the fatigue is still looming.  I have been out of the house for short periods of time each day, which has been nice.  I tend to become a bit stir crazy and need a breathe of fresh air, otherwise "cranky Rebs" will emerge.  It's amazing what walking around the block can do for your mental clarity :)

IV # 2

Fortunately, I was accompanied by mama fish for a couple of days this week, which always makes me smile.  Something about a mother's love, comforts even the most uncomfortable.  Along with mama fish, I have had two companions who have not left my side.  I swear dogs have that "sense" where they know when something is different, they know when their owner's aren't feeling right.  We've had lots of movie and snuggle time the past five days and I must say I am so happy they are here with me.

My two little companions :)

I will continue with the roids and the antibiotics and hope that they continue working like they should.  I am grateful I have the love and support from all of my family and friends, it certainly makes things a little easier hearing your encouraging words.

On a completely different note, I had a bit of an challenging encounter the other day.  My cell phone stopped working so my mom and I took it to the Verizon store near our place.  They were doing construction on the road in front of the store, so we parked in the parking lot literally next door to Verizon.

(This is taken from my car, and you can see where we walked to Verizon)

About 30 minutes later, and this is what I return to...

(post Verizon visit >:(   grrrr...

Needless to say, I was not a happy camper (and neither was mama fish).  $115.00 later the boot was removed and we were on our way.  Apparently we parked in a "private parking lot" and even though we actually went into a store that was within that "private parking lot" this little spy saw us walk 15 feet to the Verizon store and back, and decided he would attach his little prey.  What a pain in the rear!!  This is one aspect of Chicago that I will not miss, the ticketer's/tickets are outrageous.  Oh well, that's life right??? 

Happy weekend everyone!!  

Baby, I was born this way!

"I'm beautiful in my way,

'Cause God makes no mistakes 

 I'm on the right track, 

baby I was born this way"

...

"I was born to be brave"

...

"I was born to survive"

-Lady Gaga

As I sit here tonight, writing this blog, I am being infused with a viscous cocktail of the pharmaceutical type.  Yes, after a clean streak of 17 months, my body has decided to rebel against my every wish and give in to those "tiny monsters" in my lungs.  I could tell I was mentally prepared for tune-up time, when my doctor suggested I do a course of IV's, and I was a bit thankful she volunteered it, rather than my asking for it. In the back of my mind I knew I probably needed it.   I was almost relieved that this was the course of action...for a split second.  But then, my brain switched into overdrive and I started doubting my ability to take care of all the things needed, before our hopeful move in about three weeks. Packing, coordinating movers, finding a place to live in Houston, selling/donating items, last minute doctors visits, repairs on the house, all while knowing I would feel pretty crummy for about a week...and then, I reminded myself to just breathe.  All will get done, one day at a time.

Thankful for no PICC, just peripheral IV's this time!

Currently I am approaching the finish line of Day 2, of 14 of this liquid concoction.  As history repeats itself, I am reminded of how powerful these medications really are.  Fatigue set in yesterday, when I felt like I had been in a street fight, followed by running a marathon and topped off by feeling like I hadn't slept in days.  It was a struggle (but a struggle I needed to overcome) to just get off the couch, make something to eat and walk the dogs.  Poor babies, probably thought I had forgotten about them and their tiny bladders.  I was also overwhelmed with body aches, and I felt as though I had a low grade fever.  All in all, yesterday was tough.  But when the going gets tough, the tough gets going.  I continue to push myself just enough each day, because I want to get better, faster, stronger.

   Not to happy to be feeling so crummy :(

Day 2, has been better.  The body aches aren't as bad and the feverish feelings have subsided. Unfortunately I am still extremely fatigued but if the trend continues as it has in the past, I will start gaining some much needed energy back within the next week.  Today I actually made it out of the house to grab a few groceries, rent a movie and take the pups for a longer walk.  I was reminded of my "low battery indicator" quickly after returning home, when all I managed to do was watch season one of Modern Family.  Why am I sharing all of this with those who are reading this blog?? I am because, I feel it is important to share the good, the bad and everything in between.  I am certainly not at the top of my game, but I will get there again and I want to share my journey along the way, with those who matter most to me. 

Yes, my NEW PINK VEST!!! 

(Can you tell it doesn't take much to make me smile) I do have to add, this is after traveling all the way to Houston with the Vest, only to realize it didn't work.  So, yesterday I was pretty excited to put on this pinka-liscious contraption and shake away!!

As much as I feel like this is a setback, it is a step in the right direction as well.  I wish I could say I was able to maintain for 24 months, rather than 17, but who's counting (besides me, of course)??  ;)  I wish I didn't have to feel my veins burning, my body cringing and my battery drain...but this is the path I have been given and I have to "rock" this path, for no one person knows when their path will come to an end.  I'm hopeful to update this blog with each day that passes, so I can "document" the progress.  It is pretty amazing how well I usually feel at the end of the 14 days and I fully intend to get the most out of this tune up!  Thanks for all of your continued support, I will continue to fight and I look forward to starting our new journey in Houston with clean lungs and a full battery!!

As Lady Gaga would sing, "I'm on the right track baby I was born this way!"