PICC time

On Thursday I woke up feeling pretty congested. I just chalked it up to the change in seasons, but still was on the look out during the day to see how I felt. I was getting a patient ready when I felt what I'd call a "jab" of pain in my left lower lung. It was enough to take my breath away. So I decided that definitely warranted a listen with the stethescope.

Sure enough my lungs sounded pretty gross in the lower and mid lobes. They had lots of crackles, gurgles, and tons of expiratory wheezing. I usually have clear lungs, so I knew something was up. I gave Hopkins a ring to see what they thought, and of course they wanted to see me and take a listen for themselves.

I didn't even do PFT's because of the shooting pain. The Dr. took a listen and basically said "So what kind of IV's have workded in the past?" Awesome. I was definitely open to having a PICC line right now. I don't want this to have a chance to turn into something awful. And because we are officially in flu season I want to be safe.

So I went to a new place yesterday for my PICC placement. Other areas couldn't get me in until next Wednesday. Or, I could get admitted. I'd rather not be in the hospital anyway because of germs, but even moreso because I don't feel bad, just playing it safe. So I'm PICC'd and ready to go. Bring on the drugs and "roto-rootering" I'm ready for these lungs to be happy again :)

I'm going to take a few days off from exercising. I think rest is important right now. But I ended this week with running 6.5 miles :)

Colonoscopy Day ;)

I started my day out with a lovely colonoscopy today. What a breeze! The worst part is definitely the day before being allowed only clear liquids since this girl LOVES to eat. The prep wasn't even a big deal. I did Miralax and Gatorade and since I like Gatorade and drink it frequently it was a piece of cake...ohh cake. Sorry side tracked ;)

I had to have the colonoscopy due to my history of bowel obstructions in the last 2 years. I had intussusception when I obstruced the last 2 times. So to be safe we did the procedure to make sure there wasn't something in there causing it (ex: Mass, huge polyp, lipoma, etc).

Good new is, no bad news. I did have 2 "tiny" polyps, so no biggie. I'll follow up with the doctor in about 2 weeks and we'll go from there. It was a great experience if I do say so myself. The sedation (Propofol) is wonderful! You literally fall asleep, and wake up in recovery. It doesn't get much better than that.

Being a GI nurse who does this all day long, I knew what to expect. In fact, I totally felt like I was a work. I was even taken care of by a nurse I went to nursing school with. Of course, it still makes you nervous, but I think that was because I was afraid something was going on in there. So overall, good day, great nap, good results :)

Think Before you Speak, pretty please.

Today was a rough one I have to admit. Work was going well, and I was taking care of my patients just moving right along. I was getting an older gentleman ready and he started to ask questions about me. After some chatting he asked me If I was married, yes...how long I was a Nurse, and so on....Then he asked me if I had any children. I replied No. He responded by telling me how I'm really missing out and that I'm really missing something not having children. I held back my tears (not for long) and told him I had lost a baby 2 years ago and have had a tough time ever since. Of course he felt terrible, but I don't care.

I composed myself long enough to finish his IV and get out the door. I could feel it brewing and one of my fellow Nurses asked me If I was ok, and bam the flood gates open. I couldn't hold the tears back any longer.

It's been a very long time since I've cried like this over pregnancy/miscarriage stuff. I think about it every single day, but today was difficult.

I just really really wish people would think before they speak. You never ever know what kind of battle someone is fighting on the inside...