I just learned something new. The nurse is now doing the pump thing. I explained that he must have 4 hours. (I had to because every nurse wants to do it less and they go into the explanation, etc ) but I just politely explained that the last infusion was a little over 3 and he became ill the next day and please to make it 4. No problem there. I even gave her one of my muffins. She is very very nice and we've been speaking french for 30 minutes.

Now this is what I learned today. I naturally assumed that the bag of Gamma would hang on the iv pole during the infusion. So when I see Alan, with all the iv stuff in his arm and the bag of gamma is on the table, I just said "have you started yet?" and she replied, "Oh, this has nothing to do with gravity, it goes through the pump". I did not understand this whole thing. How on earth can medicine go through a pump if the bag is not hanging on the iv pole? She must have seen my confusion and she laughed and showed me how the pump is monitoring the infusion, and the arrows are going in a certain direction and if it becomes occluded or it was not infusing at the rate programmed, the pump would be beeping.

I had absolutely no knowledge that this is how it is done. I tell you, this is absolutely amazing. I thought everything is done via gravity and I still don't understand how the pump draws out the liquid from the bag but since I'm not a medical person, I don't have to understand anything, right?

The pump is not beeping, that means it's working, so we'll eat our muffins.

She also explained the pouch thing and she explains that people can have the gamma bag lower than the pouch and it still infuses. Never knew such a thing was possible.

I should have done what my mother did at 56 years old. She went to nursing school. I wouldn't feel like such a boob!!!

lol

Melody

Melody,
I'm so glad this infusion seems to be going well. It also sounds as if this nurse knows what is to be done. While I understand the way the pump works, I'm not sure how to best explain it. Maybe Dalek or one of the guys can find the words.

Billye

That's okay. I really don't need the particulars. Just as long as he tolerates it well, that's just fine by me.

This morning Alan had a very deep voice. I said "what on earth is wrong with your voice". He's been rubbing his eyes lately. A lot. His eyes have been getting red. One evening, I think I made onions and his eyes got all red and he was rubbing, And he used visine and in 5 minutes they were fine.

So this morning, all he did was rub his eyes and his voice was deep. No coughing, no sore throat, no fever, no nothing.

So during the infusion, I thought he felt warm. The nurse said "do you have a thermometer?" So I got it and we took his temp and it was normal.

So we both think it's allergies.

So I asked her what would be the case if he woke up (on the day of an infusion) and he was sick, then what should I do?? She said "call The Infusion Company and they will contact his doctor. I said "oh, yeah, like you'll get anyone there". She said "well, then the pharmacist at his infusion company would determine what to do.

I mean, I have to know these things just in case it ever comes up. And I said "you mean, then the $8000 worth of meds in the fridge would go to waste?" and she said: "well, if he has a fever it means his body is fighting infection and if we were to give him antibodies, his body wouldn't work that well" (or something to that effect).

I mean, have any of you gotten your meds, then you couldn't proceed with an infusion? What did you do if that happened??

Thanks, Mel

Basically the pump by movement of either a piston or rotor draws the fluid out of the bag and creates a suction and then discharges into the iv under whatever the rate is set for on that pump.

Hi Melody - Glad to hear pump working well..

I've had to postphone my infusion for a day or so on the past - I get it delievered like you - and it has a life of 5 days.... they usually deliver the day before and I have woken up with a fever - called the agency - and they posphoned it for a day or so cause the meds were still good - I know the IVIG builds up your immune system - but remember, also can cause side affects, and they dont like to take a chance they are going to get worse because of an infusion... so the meds were used - just not on that day...

My agency works 24/7 - assuming yours would too (so they just sent another nurse out) - also, isnt your nurse alreay taking Alans vitals throughtout the infusion? (including temperature) I usually run a low fever for the first hour while my body gets used to it - then goes down...

She takes his blood pressure every 15 minutes.

I have never seen a nurse take his temperature, EVER!! Should they be doing this? I only mentioned it because he seemed warm, but she touched his arm and said "no, but do you have a thermometer". His temp was normal.

I never knew they are supposed to take his temperature during the infusion and I really didn't know you can get a fever during an infusion. I always thought it was a side effect AFTER.

Wow the stuff I learn here!!!

thanks so much

Mel