BOO....

HOO!!! Yes, those are tears...tears of sadness, frustration and joy all rolled in one.

Ron decided why ruin a good tradition? We've spent most holidays over the last two years at Presby and it is Halloween (not sure that technically qualifies as a holiday, though) so, being my sweet pumpkin...he decided to give everyone a good scare. (Like the play on word nod to Halloween?)

Let me back up...It's been a bit of a rough week. Ron's had some major upper back pain the last few nights...in front of and behind left shoulder referring down back...which has caused him to not get any sleep due to discomfort. Pain typically goes away during the day...we're thinking odd, but who knows; could just be he needs a new pillow, right? Although pain has been enough to need prescription pain meds.

Last night (pain free at this point), he noticed within 30 minutes of hooking up to TPN, the pain began. So we started going back over the week, trying to piece things together...In retrospect we remember: on Monday when nurse did PICC dressing change, she had trouble getting sticky tape off PICC line and arm and ended up having to work quite a while on him. That night was first night of pain, Tuesday was a rough day since he slept so terribly...but thinking he just had a crick in his neck. Same scenario each night since.

Up to last night, when it dawned on him the pain seems to start each night after TPN has been hooked up. We unhooked him from the TPN and he seemed to sleep ok and woke up this morning with no pain.

Hmmm, we may be on to something here....

Could this all be just a bizarre coincidence that a strained muscle is exacerbated by pressure of something running through vein pushing on a common nerve or something; or is it possible PICC is out of place putting pressure on something when TPN runs through; or could TPN be leaching into some place it shouldn't?

Also, Ron's not positive, but as he examines PICC site, he thinks PICC looks a little longer than usual.

You know me and my "unlicensed medical degree"; just enough knowledge to be dangerous, but extremely cautious. So, we make a call to Interventional Radiology and are told to come in. As he's getting dressed we notice the small blood vessesls on his chest are predominant, which is odd; haven't seen that up to this point.

When we arrive at Presby they are waiting for us...we again relate the story and proceed to show Dr. D his chest, and now we notice his carotid is looking lumpy. They immediately take him in and find he has multiple clots in his carotid (along with several others in smaller vessels) and his PICC is definitely out of place.

Thank God, he noticed the TPN relation or this could have been a life threatening situation!

Right now, he is having a catheter directed thrombolysis.

This will better explain:
Catheter directed thrombolysis is a minimally invasive treatment that dissolves abnormal blood clots in blood vessels to help improve blood flow and prevent damage to tissues and organs.

When blood does not flow smoothly through a vessel, it can begin to coagulate, turning from a free-flowing liquid to a semi-solid gel, or blood clots.

In a catheter-directed thrombolysis procedure, x-ray imaging is used to help guide a special medication or medical device to the site of blood clots to dissolve the blockage.

Basically, he will have a procedure where they will inject a medication to soften the clot then a catheter with a teeny, tiny fan on the end of it will be inserted and it acts like a rotor rooter that breaks up the clot and then sucks it out.

They will also remove PICC and place in another location. We've discussed putting in a port but right now the consensus is PICC is the better option. Yes, you may have problems with PICC complications but they are small and more easily treatable. With a port you are in a major vessel and when complications occur they are usually major.

He will be admitted for a few days. Unfortunately, all of his regular docs (except Dr. D, Interventional Radiologist) are not on call this weekend; so their partners have been apprised of the situation. Monday, his regular doctors will confer and come up with a plan of action. The major component is an anticoagulant (blood thinner...aren't y'all impressed with my medical terminology?). Unfortunately, we still face the same old problem...because of his digestive issues, his body does not absorb oral blood thinner properly, and the twice daily Lovenox (blood thinner) injections tend to cause him to develop hematomas.

Please, please pray the doctors (mainly hematologist/oncologist) will be able to come up with a treatment that is good for him. Also pray against frustration and anxiety. It's hard to swallow this is how life may continue to be from here on out; he will always be a medically fragile guy. To look at him, it's hard to tell all he's been through and all he continues to deal with put in reality, it's always touchy.

So, you've read the sadness and frustration...now the Joy

We have joy in knowing we are at an excellent hospital with people who know Ron inside and out (literally!)

We have joy in knowing we serve a God who knows us intimately, down to the number of hairs on our head at any given moment; and is not taken by surprise when these little hiccups come our way.

We have joy in knowing...we have faithful family, friends, prayer warriors who are willing to stand in the gap and hold us up. We couldn't do this without you!

Much love, Christie

"Be attentive when it's the darkest!"

"A life of faith involves seeing past what's happening today and believing in God's redemptive care in our tomorrows" from Catching Fireflies by Patsy Clairmont

"I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted."
Job 42:2

And yes, I've learned my lesson and have a packed bag with us...against Ron's protest!