Wednesday, December 10, 2008

i'm free

A nurse from Fairview Home Infusion pulled my PICC line out of my arm today, so for the first time in nearly six months, I have no catheters or any type of tube or device hanging from my body. I can submerge myself completely in water. I can take a shower without having to cover part of my body with protective plastic and tape. I don't have to inject heparin into my lines every day to keep them from clogging. I can take Benjamin into the bathtub with me again!

I wasn't originally going to have it pulled. The dressing covering it had come loose overnight and had to be replaced. While I was rummaging around for some supplies, the nurse noticed that the tube had slipped out a few centimeters. (I had failed to press it against my skin after he took the adhesive off.) That pretty much decided it. "Just take it out," I said. We called my oncologist's office to make sure it was OK, then pulled it. I didn't feel a thing.

Yes, this means I'll get extra pokes for IVs and blood draws, and I may have to get another PICC line if I have another round of chemo soon. But Merry Christmas to me ... this feels good.

20 comments:

Cate said...

Yay You! Hurray! You know what I like to do at night after work? I have a 15 month old daughter, Isabel, and when I give her a bath, frequently, I take one with her. It's so relaxing... We blow bubbles and she likes to stick her finger in my belly button. Wait, would that be weird with boys? Probably not... They're too young still I'd imagine.

Anyway, now you can take a bath with the boys! Wouldn't that be fun?

Enjoy your body's freedom.

Catherine

MrsSpock said...

Enjoy your full-submersion bath!

Monkeymama said...

This post just sound so refreshing. Whoohoo for the small pleasures in life. :)

familyfeedingdynamics said...

Hurray! Maybe time to splurge in one of those suction cup pillows so you can soak and read in the tub and not get a sore neck! We put a space heater in our old house (no insulation) bathroom so I don't freeze while I play in the tub with M. Little things like that can make staying in the tub so much better! Enjoy!

Wordgirl said...

Oh baths are sooo delicious -- I'm so glad you get to enjoy one again!

Here's to bathing and a good book!

Michele (Moosh) said...

WOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!!!

Here's to the things that REALLY matter!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Victoria said...

So glad you gave yourself this freedom - and the thought of being able to take Benjamin into the tub with you again seems especially sweet.

LutherLiz said...

Oh that sounds so nice. Celebrate your freedom - you should take the boys swimming or something! :)

Skerry said...

I hope you have the most amazing super soaking wet fun time in the tub with your boys.

Amy said...

Here's to bubbles and baths. How are you feeling otherwise? Have you recovered from your infection? All my best.

Sue said...

Good for you - congratulations!

Hesses Madhouse said...

Yeah!!! So glad for you!

Unknown said...

Way to find joy, Emilie!

--Laura S.

darcie said...

oh hurray! I can only imagine the joy of being able to get completely wet and refreshed in a bath or shower! What a great holiday gift to you!!

Rebecca said...

Freedom! Enjoy enjoy enjoy. You deserve it.

Unknown said...

Freedom!!! Merry Christmas!

Betty M said...

Both freedom and baths are good news. Enjoy!

Jo on the go said...

Yay for you! It's hard for me to imagine those restrictions, and being tube-free must feel fantastic after all those months. Enjoy!

Janet said...

Ooohh, that's great! Cool...no doggone plastic bag or saran wrap taped to your body...awesome! Enjoy! Go all the way under (your head too)...and listen...I love the sound of being under water in the tub.

joan hardy said...

Hi viewers, I'm posting this Because i found lots of people having marriage problems which I also experienced. I recently found help from a man called Dr. Oselumen he did a great job that made my man fell back in love with me again after ten months of separation. I want you to know there are fake online spell Dr .s if someone out there needs help, can email this great spell caster, droselumen@gmail. com check or connect with him on WhatsApp +2348054265852. He will give you the best result. 
CONTACT HIM FOR ANY KIND OF HELP,MONEY SPELL,LOTTERY SPELL,PREGNANCY SPELL,DIVORCE SPELL,SPELL TO STOP COURT CASE AND WIN ANY COURT PROBLEM,DEATH SPELL,BUSINESS SPELL,HEALING SPELL,SPELL TO REMOVE BLACK MAGIC OUT FROM YOUR LIFE,FAMILY AND MARRIAGE PROBLEM.