Okay.

It’s taken me about an hour, but I think that I can use the arm.

I’m just settling down. It’s taken me about an hour and a half, shamefully, but I have to pull myself back together.

I think I took a nap somewhere in there. Scotty came in and asked if I was getting out of bed – which I’m not, so far – but I know I will. You know I will. He knows I will. Why lie?

Well, updates updates…

From this morning,
YES — no more blood draws for tests.
Okay, well, that’s a bit of a lie. I’ll have one every three or four days. So, I got at least two left.

The one from this morning – poof. That was my first ‘free’ pass, although it was attempted and failed. Still, some damage was done. Half of my wrist is bruised, and the bend of my arm doesn’t feel all that great, although this happened hours ago.

Regardless, it’s far better than three times a day. Far better.

Awesome.

I got the hospitalist to add zinc to my daily meds.
Good. Check.

The water drip was removed yesterday.
Fewer bathroom runs, better control, less reliance on the IV drip thing.

Super awesome.

I actually replied to my boss.
I guess she didn’t need me to clean up the class sheat after all. Asked me to check Blackboard every now and then as the November class should appear soon. It needs to be set up as soon as it does.

Not a problem.
And, at least, shows that I’ll have a job for the next couple of months.

Fine. That helps ward off future anxiety.

Lynda, the hospitalist, told me that the PICC Line boys were going to visit. A PICC line is, apparently, a super long needle… they called it a catheter… but it’s a fracking needle… that goes in the arm and all the way to the heart.

It’s meant to be permanent or semi-permanent. To reduce infections, and provide an easy-peasy way to have my body fluids on tap and to add stuff to my fluids.

It’s awesome.
It’s great.
It’s easy… or so I was told.

I knew it was going to go in. I know it had to. But, um… it’s … ouch.

And, you know what, after the stinging initial insertion, the odd feeling of someone itching my armpit from the inside, and the dull throb that still persists, it wasn’t that bad.

It just itches and throbs, but the damage from this morning is far more annoying. The PICC line is supposed to mean that I won’t have to deal with sharps again — except for the leg thing —

Kind of ironic that I don’t have daily blood draws anymore since, now, with the PICC, they shouldn’t be bad anymore – theoretically. If I had the PICC line, the left hand wouldn’t be injured.

As expected, it took a while for me to chill.

I waved off Matt and Danny. Thanked them for their professionalism and patience with me. Saw Tameka and asked she take away the big bag of trash full of wiring, gauze, and coverings that they left. She put on her gloves and did.

Awesome.

And I sat down and hyperventilated for probably about half an hour. Then, I think I passed out in my chair for nearly an hour.

Got up.
Hit the button to have someone escort me to the bathroom.

Scotty walked in and insinuated that I was breaking my word by getting up by myself — which we all know we are — and I snapped at him a bit.

I should apologize when I see him and I’ve got an idea.

He’s going to spend this beautiful fall weekend slamming back Mt. Dew and Doritos while playing CoD, leaving his no-doubt beautiful and young girlfriend by herself.

I told him he needs to get her a present. He was thinking of a jigsaw puzzle… i guess she likes those .. but come on. A $10 puzzle is kind of crappy, really.

After I apologize, I’m going to insist that he considers a Lego puzzle. Not flowers, but Lego flowers.

Something better than just cardboard.
It’s overpriced oil-based blocks, but it shows more thought, I think.

I think he really likes her.
She’s a teacher. He’s a RN. I don’t know, but I’ve got a good feeling about Scotty. Medical and education are high burnout professions. If they don’t kill each other within the next five years, maybe they’ll be a rare couple that’ll last.

But he seemed like he didn’t even consider a puzzle – which he may not of. Understandable – still – you’ve got to go that step further, especially when he’s going to be slamming Doritos on a video game on a gorgeous weekend.

A Lego puzzle might meet her puzzle itch, show thought, provide challenge, and keep her occupied while he’s campaigning on Xbox.

Okay… And there was some video on YouTube that played in the background about Graham being gay. Ummm, what?

I thought everyone already knew that. Probably something about Omar and whatever crap is happening with someone’s mom in Ohio.

Who knows.

I just realized that the day I get out of the hospital might be election day. Yay.

Anyways… that’s part two.
It’s nearly three. I’ve ordered lunch – a bit later than I usually do – and it should be here soon.

I’m being tracked. I got to keep that up too.

– TTFN