Friday 12/14/07

Today has been interesting. I did some Christmas shopping, and while in the store, was called by a clinical pharmacist, from MDACC, as a follow up to the clotting medication I'm taking. She was very nice, but I explained to her that I felt that I was turned loose with injectable medication without proper instructions for it's use. I was asked if I had ever given myself injections, and I said no, but I'd given shots to horses, and my daughter helped her husband, when he was on insulin shots for his diabetes. That was the extent of my instruction. The nurse gave me the first shot there in the emergency room, and sent me home.
She said that often the ER is very busy, and that if I wanted, they have a video I can watch next time I'm in for treatment. I think that is a little late.

After I returned home, I was called by the nurse for the surgeon who will be putting in my new port. She was following up with me on a call she made yesterday. The surgeon had to review my records, and see what clotting med I'm on. There is a problem with putting in a new port, cause they don't want to put it in on the same side that will be having surgery, but I've still got clots, and compromised circulation in my left arm. He is going to consult with some other Drs about how they might be able to clear the clots so that they can use my left side veins. I'll hear back from them next week.

I went out to feed, and picked up the trailer so that we can carry more stuff out to the farm tomorrow.

I can't take a shower till tomorrow when I take the bandage off my incision, where they removed my port.

I found out I'll have to stay on the blood thinners until I have my surgery. I'll have to give myself a shot everyday unless I'm having a surgical procedure done.

Our insurance company would only give the OK for 14 days worth of the drug, because it is so expensive. Each shot costs about $150.00, and I'll need one each day for 3 months. The people at MDACC are working on getting them to OK the rest.