[MelodyL]

Okay, I tried to call the infusion company but they close at 4:30 p.m. and it's about 5:15 p.m. The doorbell rang and two guys come with the whole box and the IV pole. I signed for everything and asked the guy "But you are suposed to come tomorrow, that's what I was told, the visiting nurse hasn't even called us yet,will this stuff be good for Monday and Tuesday". He replied 'well, we don't have anything to do with the visiting nurse, but just refrigerate the stuff and it should be good to go on Monday!!!"

So because you guys have done this and this is our first time, and the STUFF WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DELIVERED TOMORROW and it's worth like a gazillion dollars, please tell me that this stuff will still be good for his infusion!!

Thanks guys!!!

mel

P.S. It's nice and safe in my fridge!!!!!

[dahlek]

Once it's mixed and in the 'bag', The label SHOULD list date prepared, expiration date [5-7 days] and instructions [which aren't always there].
I asked a nurse friend of mine about not using a pump and she said there are 'lines' [tubing from the bag to the needle] that are adjustable, and that they are used sometimes. They keep the drip from being infused too fast.

If it is too fast, Alan will start to get one whopper of a headache adn the rate should be slowed down. When I say whopper, I meanWHOPPER! If he was on a straight line drip without the pump and had no problems at the hospital, he shouldn't at home.

BTW I told you things happen fast and furious. Confusing often also. - j

[MelodyL]

Guess what I did? I contacted the infusion company again and there was a prompt where you could talk to a nurse (even though it was after hours.) I got their voice mail and 20 minutes later a nurse called me back. She explained that everything was just fine.

YOU WOULD THINK I WOULD HAVE KNOWN ENOUGH TO LOOK AT THE BAGS IN THE REFRIGERATOR, NOW WOULDN'T YOU??? But nooooooo. not me,
Jeez, I am getting so senile.

Will update.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!!!!!

mel

[BEGLET]

Hi Melody,

The infusion company is probaby just like a docs office - on call 24 hours.... my company I could call any time - and would get a call back asap.... they often have to work when someone is released from the hospital etc. unexpectedly so really work 24/7 (usually dont just do IVIG but also IV anti-bitoics, chemo, etc.) and nurses have to go out sometimes unexpectedly.....

Hope all goes well on Monday!

[Brian]

Geez Mel, you look after Rocky , i don't know how the Social security works in the United States but over here you would get paid " Carers allowance ", its non taxable & about $80 a fortnight, but every bit helps.
take care
Brian

[MelodyL]

Brian:

There isn't enough money in the whole world to pay me for the care I give my Alan!!!! Want to know what I just did???

This morning we woke up to about 20 degree temperatures. IN NYC YET!!! We are having quite a cold spell. The landlord (who lives next door) is very cheap with the heat. Sometimes it comes up and sometimes it doesn't.

The people who live downstairs in the basement (AND WHO DO NOT SPEAK ONE WORD OF ENGLISH AND THANKFULLY I SPEAK ITALIAN), well, we have a code.

If the steam is not coming up, I phone them and say BOOM BOOM BOOM. The lady knows that it means to walk over to the boiler and flip the switch up and down until it kicks in. We've been doing a lot of BOOM BOOM BOOM this week.

But this morning, Oh my, we were freezing. Too early to call her and go BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!! So I got my microwave warming heat up beads thing (that I place in the microwave for 3 minutes), took it out nice and piping warm, got back into bed and put it on Alan. He goes "oh my god, that is so nice".

So how much do you think I'm worth???? My weight in Gold???????

That's a lot of Gold lol

mel

[Brian]

BOOM, BOOM BOOM you just cracked me up something shocking, you made me laugh so hard that my belly is hurting, that was really funny.
After reading what you wrote about warming up the heat beads, i am now thinking in the range of Zillions of $$$$

Brian

[MelodyL]

I'm glad I made you smile and I hope you are having a pain free day!!!!

Take care,
Melody
P.S. As I am typing this, I'm at the computer and my feet are resting on the microwavable bead thing. It's nice and warm for my tootsies.

My feet DO NOT LIKE COLD WEATHER!!!

You have got to go and get yourself one of these micro warm up arthritic bead things. I pop it in my micro for 3 minutes and the darn thing stays warm for more than 30 minutes. I put it on my neck and shoulder too.

Couldn't be without it.

Take care, Mel

P.S. BOOM BOOM BOOM

[BEGLET]

Hi Melody - I think i mentioned earlier - but if you have trouble getting a vein in Alan (and it gets tougher as time goes on - from getting stabbed so much!) - slap that thing on his arn prior to the IV going in for a couple of minutes - those veins will pop up!

[MelodyL]

Kmeb: Are you talking about the microwave bead thing that I have?
I should slap that on his arm and the veins will pop?????

Oh by the way, two seconds ago, the lady in the basement knocked on my window and I opened my bedroom window and there she was with an Easter thing for me. She bakes stuff all day long (I can't eat any of it but I can't tell her).

This time there were two cooked Easter eggs in a big shell of braided bread. You gotta love her.

Took all of my willpower not to dive into it. I have no idea what to do with it. It's still warm. Can I (after it cools, I mean), can I wrap it up and put it in the fridge and warm it up tomorrow (after I take out the eggs).

I never cook like this so I never saw two eggs in piece of braided bread before (and the eggs are still in the shell).

Oh, as she was leaving to go downstairs I said "Maria, BOOM BOOM BOOM. She said "no problema". You gotta love this lady!!!

mel