I've finally reached the start of what will likely be a very stressful two (plus?) weeks!  Tonight is the last night in my apartment of 3 years!!!  Jason and I have been packing pretty much nonstop, and we're almost finished!  Actually, I have no idea if he has done much packing on his end, but I know a lot of his apartment things were in storage, so hopefully he didn't have much to do.  I have had a LOT to go through, throw out, organize and pack, and we've been working on it for weeks.

Tomorrow night, I am going home to my parents' house because I am having surgery on Tuesday.  The goal was to be fully packed before the surgery, and I think we're pretty much there!  There's only one small filebox in the closet that I didn't get to go through, so at this point we'll just throw it in a box (with the papers on top of it!) and I'll sort it out once we're all settled.  Tomorrow morning, I have a lot to do - still haven't quite worked out the short-term disability paperwork between the neurosurgeon and the insurance company, so I must take care of that.  I have to go to neurosurgery office first thing to pick up prescription for xrays, then go to radiology to get at least 3 xrays of my implant.  Then a GI appointment at 10am.  I was originally going to stop by work after that, but I think I will email my boss the committee things I was going to discuss with her.  I was also originally supposed to have a psychiatry appt at 3:30, but I'm cancelling it because it is more stressful to lose that time of packing and getting ready for surgery!  My dad is going to come over tomorrow evening to help me with the last of the packing and loading up the car.  I have a lot to bring home, plus my cat and all his things!

So then the surgery is Tuesday.  I saw the nurse on Wednesday and did my pre-op testing.  She feels that he could do one of 3 things: remove entire stim, remove just leads and leave battery, or just clean out wound and leave all of implant intact.  We're thinking it'll either be option one or two, though!  At this point, I've come to terms with the fact that even though the stimulator has been the first help I've truly had in years of pain, this whole thing may be a blessing in disguise for a variety of reasons.  I won't go into that all here, but I will say that everything happens for a reason.  And while it will be a loss, I can get a new stimulator hopefully in 3 months.  I should be coming home the day of the surgery, but if he decides to do IV antibiotics, then I might have to stay overnight.  I actually really want him to try IV antibiotics to finally knock the infection out for good, so even though I would prefer to come home after the surgery, I will still ask him if he would be willing to try the antibiotics.  I've dealt with this infection in some form or another since basically shortly after the implant (it first showed symptoms the weekend after my mom had her first surgery for the breast mass), and I'd like to finally kick it hard with something and kill it for good!

Jason is going to come to my apartment here on Wednesday after he gets done work to try to get it setup the way he wants it since he and his friends are doing the actual moving.  We move Saturday - he has reserved a truck and recruited I think 3 friends to help, plus both our sets of parents.  Our parents are meeting for the first time on Saturday, too!  I am hoping that I will feel well enough to just be present for the move, even if I can't help.  (Hope that doesn't piss them all off too much!  To move my stuff when I can't help!)  If I can't be there, it's fine - yesterday we signed the lease and made the payments - I think he can do the start of the move in without me if he has to.  And I still have this apartment through the end of the month, so if he can't move every single box or item, we can come back for things later!  The most important thing is to get the furniture and essentials moved.  We saw the apartment for the first time on Thursday morning, and it looks great!  We are very excited!!

Then, my grandfather's open heart surgery for double valve replacement (mitral and aortic valves) has been scheduled for the 17th at last.  He has chosen to have the surgery at our local hospital, which is affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic.  The surgeon is excellent and comes very highly recommended, so I trust he will be in good hands there.  2 of my uncles and 1 aunt arrive in Philadelphia this Saturday (day of the move!) and are staying here until a few days after the surgery.  It'll be nice to have everyone together, albeit not for a great reason really!  We will, however, be able to celebrate my grandparents' 65th (!!!) wedding anniversary on Sunday, hopefully!!  The surgery is huge, and he is 86 years old, but he is very healthy and has a strong heart, so I have faith that he will come through okay.  I am worried, but he needs this - without it, he will not have much longer to live, and what time he has left will be of poor quality.  He's a very strong man, and I know he can get through this.

So that's that!  As I've lived in this absolutely wonderful town of Narberth, PA for 3 years, I am a bit sad to leave.  Where we are moving, you cannot walk really anywhere and we're not in the cute, nice town that I'm in now, but it is  still a great place and a very nice apartment.  I am still a little unable to wrap my head around the fact that this very well could be the last time I ever live alone!  It is exciting to be starting on this new chapter of my life, even though I am a little sad to be closing the current chapter!

Sorry for the length!  I don't like asking (I really don't....) for much, even though I have had to ask several times over the past few years - for good thoughts, prayers, or vibes.  But my family and I could really use them these next few weeks!  It's not going to be easy, and if we ever needed everything to work out smoothly, it's now.  Many thanks in advance - and your (collective) lips to God's ear, for those that believe.

Much love, hugz, and PF wishes,
Carrie :)

take a deep breath.  Control what you can control.  Everything will take care of itself.  And of course........prayers/vibes to you and your family.  Keep us posted with your surgery.

Good luck with everything. Please call (or have your mom) or pm or something after the surgery and let me know how things go. Prayers and best wishes for you and your family.

Charlotte and Lisa

Thanks Kev!

I think I'll ask him if he can just cut out the defective parts of my brain, since I'm already going to be under the anesthesia and all... hehe Kidding!  Were it so simple... ;)

I'll post sometime when I get home from the surgery on Tuesday most likely.  If not, then the next day I'm sure I'll feel okay enough to post something.  I'll try to let Lisa or Charlotte (cash Charlotte) know what's going on if I can't make it to the board by the day after at least!

I know it'll all be fine.  Nothing to do but hold on for the ride at this point!  I think I've done all I can, and I just have to breathe and let go of the rest of it!

Take care,
Carrie :)

cash5542 wrote on Sep 7^th, 2008 at 11:03pm:

Good luck with everything. Please call (or have your mom) or pm or something after the surgery and let me know how things go. Prayers and best wishes for you and your family. Charlotte and Lisa

LOL Charlotte I think we were posting at the same time.

I will try to call or contact in some way on Tuesday night or Wednesday at the latest, even if it's just for a second.  Do you know that Matt is back in hospital w/ another infection?  This one not related to stim, at least they didn't think so as of Weds when I spoke with Janice.  The infection is in his arm this time.  I haven't gotten a chance to call her to find out if he is doing any better.  He's not down at Jefferson, or at least he wasn't on Wednesday.  I've been worried about them as well.

And I'm sorry I haven't been around on IM!  I have been thinking of you and Lisa constantly and hoping and praying that things are on the upswing now.  With the car, her head (and body!) and your head, school, and all else.  It's just been so busy with packing and preparing, that I haven't been on the computer very much!  Just know that you're both in my thoughts and prayers!!

Hugz,
Carrie :)

Good Luck, Carrie.....

Life changes.....life styles too.  Enjoy your new life and style.

Things have a way of working out......All will be well, Sweetie....

Much love,
Jackie

Kick butt tomorrow Carrie. Have them install a new hypothingy. Pre-op vibeareeenos.
all the best
thebb

Quick update...I spoke with neurosurgeon this evening, and we discussed the plan for tomorrow.  The stimulator is most likely coming out, in entirety.  Also, I will be in hospital for a day or two until I get a PICC line placed and get started on IV antibiotics.  I will probably be on the IV antibiotics at home for 4-6 weeks to try to really kill the infection for good!  So I won't be online for next few days most likely.

Hugz,
Carrie :)

good luck!

Wishing you a ton of good luck, Carrie.

Hugs
Carol

Carrie if you see this send me your room tel number and I'll give you a call and show you what feeling bad REALLY is!  ;)

Brid would love to say hello too so hurry up already!

lots of love
Helen

All our prayers going your way Carrie. You have a lot on your plate right now but your health is by far the first thing to take care of.

You will be in our thoughts today with the surgery.

 Barry [smiley=hug.gif]

Lots of good luck with everything, Carrie! Prayers and vibes are on their way. :)

Sanna

thx all! Still waiting for OR.

Helen call 215-955-6000 and ask for my rm ltr or tom! Don't get Rm til after recovery room.

Sorry so short - on ipod

Love u guys!

Tons of luck Carrie and hoping that everything goes smoothly.   START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGESTART PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Charlie

Hi all.

Surgery went well yesterday tho was rather rough in recovery room. They finally got a room for me at 1030 last nite. Seen lots of docs today but didn't get my picc line yet. Even my headache neuro and NP came by for visit cuz I'd called to tell them I was here and what happened so that was nice. Stim all gone :( Cant type much cuz on iPod still w sketchy connect . I will attempt to PM Helen phone num but can be reached by dialing main # I posted above and asking for me.

May go home tomorrow! Well see!

Luv you all,
Carrie

glad you made it out alive.  When are you getting a new stimulator?  Don't worry about posting back, get back to us when things quiet down

thx kev - prolly 3 mos if all heals up and infection is gone!

FYI to all I pm'd Helen my room number. Hopefully I get picc tom and can go home!

Xoxo
Carrie

Carrie,

Wishing you a speedy recovery from this infection and hoping you're home soon.

Stay well,
Em

Geeze!  I somehow missed this.  Praying for you Carrie!  Heal up quickly.

Ray

I missed it too Ray!

Hope you are doing well, Carrie!   Love and prayers headed your way.

BTW, Will you have a visiting nurse to administer your antibiotics via the PICC or will you learn to do it?

Good Luck!

Jeannie

Hi all,

Still in hospital but finally got picc line today. 1st they thought it was going up neck but they flushed it and had me walk and picc dropped into proper place! That was relief. May start on lovenox injections to prevent clots cuz I had 2 DVTs w former picc plus AVN and brain WMLs which all could be related to overclotting.

2 cultures grew out staph but unsure what type yet. Infectious disease docs and neurosurgery NP said I'll prolly be on IV vanco for 2-4wks. Home infusion will come out to get me started but will mainly be doing own infusions. They will then come out once a wk to change drsg, bring supplies and draw blood. It's just confusing cuz I'll be at parents house til Saturday then moving into new apt saturday so home care has to come both places.

Got nerve blocks and obviously anesthesia Tuesday so haven't had CH yet but they have O2 and frova and amerge for me if need be. Nrsrgn wants me to get sphenopalatine block while waiting for new stim and HA team is also going to help me find doc for this.

Still typing on iPod so not easy! Hopefully home tomorrow !

Hope all is well!

LYG and PF wishes!
Carrie  :)

Hang in there, Kid!  :-* :-* :-*

We've been thinking about you! I keep hesitating to call cause I don't want to wake you up. I thought you might be home tonight! Hang in there and get better real soon!

Charlotte