Freedom!

Not much time to blog today as I'm just back from a doctor's visit and soon to be off for my son's piano concert, but I just HAD to get a short one in to share in my jubilation.

Remember the doctor's visit I was just telling you about? If not, reread the first sentence (paragraph?) Well, it was no ordinary visit. It was a follow-up visit with my infectious disease doctor, which not only means it was "free" but also a day I've been eagerly anticipating for 6 weeks now.

Just 15 minutes ago, I got my PICC line removed, which means I am a free man, liberated from the the antibiotic tether that has been part of me for too, too long. Unfettered from the medicine canister that resembles a baby bottle for 24 hours a day, I will no longer wince in pain at night as I roll over on top of it. No longer do I have to take a shower with cellophane wrapped around my arm. No longer do I have to worry about getting the tubing hooked on doorknobs and doorstrikes as I move about. No longer do I have to wear a fanny pack. No longer will people have to wonder if that is a "Dossifuser" in pocket or if I am just happy to see them.

I currently don't have the words or the time to fully express my happiness, especially in an entertaining, humorous way. The ONLY negative part of the whole experience is that the PICC line installers never gave me the "card" that has the PICC line length on it, nor did anyone in Radiology have a record of it when the doctor called over. She pulled it out any way (an impressive 44 units) but had no way to know if the extraction length was the same as the insertion length. I assured her I didn't stretch it while I had it, but that wasn't the issue. Apparently, there's a risk of a piece of the tip breaking off and plugging something downstream from my heart.

YIKES!

I asked her what the procedure was if something WAS still in there. She wasn't sure, but she thought it would involve a cardiac surgeon. We agreed that it was very unlikely mine had broken off since I was such a good patient and since I would probably feel some sort of discomfort, pain, or other traumatic side effect. Nonetheless, she was professionally obligated to order a chest X-ray to make sure.

What the heck. I was looking for an excuse to go visit all my friends in Radiology again. I think I'm going to ask them why I never got the "card." Besides, all my deductibles and Max out-of-pocket expenses have been met, so a "free" chest X-ray is like a "bonus" gift.

Right now, there's nothing that can dampen my spirit!!!!!!!

Even water.

Excuse me now why I go take care of the copper pipe leak in the wall behind my shower before I go listen to a bunch of kids play their slow, broken versions of "Up on the Housetop."

Oh, it feels so good to be free!