Even after finding out last week that someone stole my social security number to file their taxes, I’m still feeling pretty good! I mean, what can you do? I followed all of the steps for identity theft and now I just wait. Getting upset won’t accomplish anything and is just more likely to make my Lyme flare-up so I’m trying to stay calm about it. I’m almost scared to throw this out into the universe but how much more can be piled on me?!
I’ve been without my PICC for right at a week now and it feels SO GOOD! After a lot of finagling and phone calls last Tuesday, I finally was able to get the nurse out here to pull it for me on Tuesday night. I was really nervous about having it taken out but it was no big deal. So we took a nice little picture of me holding the line (with my arms outstretched – it was long!!) and said goodbye to that thing for good!
I had to leave it bandaged up for two more days after it came out since I was going to be flying. They were a little concerned about the air pressure on the plane and then of course all of the germs. So I kept it covered while I was gone.
It was funny though what I did. While the PICC was in, I didn’t get it wet a single time. A lot of people take chances with it by covering it with saran wrap and taking a shower. I was too scared to do that so I always took a bath with my arm propped up on the side of the tub. My left arm was washed with baby wipes for 12 weeks!
When I was in the hotel when I was out of town, I climbed into the bathtub and the first thing I did was stick my left arm under the water. It still had the bandage on it and I kind of freaked when I did it. Luckily I had another bandage so I just switched it out. The only thing I can think is that the tub was reversed from the one in our bathroom so instead of my left arm being up against the wall, it was towards the bathroom. I couldn’t believe I did it though!
It was SO nice to be able to take a shower and wash my own hair! I have tried not to claw at my skin too badly. It is still very irritated from the adhesive and I bet it’s going to be red for a while.
But overall, I actually feel good. It scares me a little bit to say that because I’m kind of waiting for the bottom to drop out. For about two days after I started the Doxy and the PICC was stopped, I felt about 50% of “Lyme normal”, not “normal, normal” if that makes sense to anyone but me?! But then it was like everything just started looking up.
And my boss agreed to buy me an air purifier for my desk so it is on order now too. I’m hoping that will help, even if it’s just a placebo effect with it!
I’m hoping I have turned the corner and this is the beginning of very good things!