Thursday, July 29, 2010

Pulling myself up by the apron strings...

Have you ever had one of those days when you had to work hard not to feel down? You are able to keep things together through most of the day and then things just sort of unravel. Well, that's where I'm at--at the unraveled end of today.

Woke up today just feeling "off" in body and spirit. Chalked it up to medication and late night teenage drama. The home nurse showed up before I was ready--forgot exactly what time she was supposed to come for a blood draw. Veins didn't cooperate so I got multiple stabs. Never a good thing but I've had much worse.

Finally time for a shower since it's nearly one o'clock. Start to rid myself of the 24 hr. Vanco drip then remember I have no tape. Argh! That's the thing I was going to remember to ask my nurse--I knew there was something. When your iv port is accessed, you must cover it with plastic wrap and tape before taking a shower. And it never fails, I can tape the thing up tighter than Fort Knox and still water seeps in. I believe it is some sort of natural phenomenon that needs further study because how that water can manage to work its way past my unpenetrable fortress of plastic is nothing short of miraculous. So no shower for Sherri today. Instead I have to do what I call "heads and tails." I have to wash my head in the laundry sink and then wash my tail in the tub. Not as efficient or refreshing but it gets the job done.

Needed to get a gift made for a bridal shower tonight but first, car issues and getting my daughter to work took precedence. It all took longer than I wanted it to and I had to sew like a maniac with only food and bathroom breaks. I finished my project in the nick of time--looked up at the clock when I cut the last thread and it was time for the party to start. (Took a quick picture of it before bagging and tagging.) I shoved a taco down hoping to avoid low blood sugar which had plagued me repeatedly through the day and I scooted out the door.

Well, I was stuck with the car which has been acting up and that I really don't drive that often. I was concerned about getting it backed out of the garage since the side mirror is a tight fit. Luckily I wasn't going too fast but fast enough to scrape into the side of my sister-in-law's car. I didn't see it there and it had been parked out on the street the past couple of days since we borrowed it, ironically to rescue the vehicle which I just now backed into it with. Scared me to death! Then just made me feel sick inside. Could have really used a hug at that point.

By the time I finally made it to the event, I was in no mood to party--and as luck would have it, neither was my body. I spent the entire time trying not to cough as my twitchy lungs refused to relax and just breathe. Sweet ladies who meant well kept asking me if I was okay, did I need a drink, etc. So frustrating. Near the end of the party a good friend of mine told me about a funny thing that happened to her today. Danger! Laughing and twitching airways don't mix! Laughing turned into beet-red-face coughing and more expressions of concern. Thanks to my complete spaz, I now had a raging headache to contend with too. I finally just packed it in for the night and headed home for a treatment.

Well, it's late and I'm dripping my final iv of the day. Did a double dose of albuterol treatments and these old breathers are finally settling down. Plan for tomorrow: paste a smile on my face, pull myself up by the apron strings, and try again.

1 comment:

  1. We Love you Sherri!!! It's just a car and it has had worse by me! No worries!! Sorry you had one of those days!!! I have got just a taste of what you go through. This darn bronchitis couch of mine just won't go away and I find myself thinking how amazing you are to do this everyday! You are super woman in my eyes. If you had perfect lungs the rest of us couldn't keep up! Hold on tight to those apron strings and if you want to can some green beans there are some in fridge just waiting for me to get off work this weekend.

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