2nd Round Draft Picc

It was a tiring day here.  I received my second-to-last dose of Fludarabine in the morning.  In the early afternoon, my hickman catheter was still quite tender (problematically so), so after having a doc from the Interventional Radiology dept examine it, they decided it was infected and must be removed.

Bye bye oh so simple Hickman catheter

So since I was already on the table for the catheter removal, they decided to place a PICC line instead.  The downside of a picc is that it hangs from my harm, kind of like an IV, so when I'm hooked up to the IV pole I can't easily change clothes and have this annoying thing dangling from my arm.

I'm now donning a hospital gown "for ease".  

The other anxiety-provoking issue is that the last time I had a PICC (one year ago), it developed a blood clot.  So, fingers crossed.  The entire removal-placement procedure was pretty horrendous, as I was awake the entire time and after two painful attempts in my left arm, the doctors had to move over to the right.

The medical events of the day were studded by some FaceTime with home and with an appearance by the Blue Angels over the skies of San Francisco.  It was a great view from the Hem/Onc/BMT floor.

see the black smudges over the hills/GG bridge?  Blue Angels baby!

Kickoff

It's beginning to finally feel real.....I am currently blogging from a bed at UCSF Medical Center!  Today was a long one.  Lots of waiting.  And a hot one.  UCSF is an "historic" place, and many of the buildings are not equipped with modern air conditioning!   For real!!

The day began at 8am with bloodwork followed by an appointment with the NP.  From 10-12:30 we waited to check in to the hospital (and also waited to find out if they'd even have a bed for me today!), from 12:30-2:45 we waited for my Hickman Catheter to be placed, and from then until 5pm, Kathy and Jonathan waited for me to come out of the procedure!  Oh and I couldn't even pass the time eating since I was banned after 7am (and Kathy very graciously followed suit).  

Procedure room (with A/C)

Cheeeese (would be delicious, I am starving)

Shiny New Triple Lumen Hickman Catheter

I needed a catheter in my chest because my existing port didn't offer enough access points for the transplant.  This will remain for a few months and allows direct access to the veins, so I won't have to continuously be stuck with needles!  Hooray!

Finally, we came up to the 11th floor around 5:30pm and lounged in the solarium while my room was being cleaned.  Jonathan ran across the street and brought me the meal of my choosing!  

Here is a snapshot of my private, AIR-CONDITIONED room right after we dropped some of my things.  It is much better than I had anticipated and should become homier looking soon.  (apparently I get air conditioning because my room has a special ventilation system for transplant patients)