Three tests in last two weeks, call me Mrs. Potato Head (where are my angry eyes?)

JuJuBeez

First I had hysteroscopy and d&c because doc found polyps from my 6 mo endometrial biopsy (thanks Tamoxifen). Last week I had nerve-conduction test on left arm (surgery arm)because of pain. That was a trip. Not painful, but really annoying. Yesterday I had endoscopy done. No damage in throat, but inflammation further down they biopsied. I say I feel like Mrs. Potato head from all the things stuck in me these past two weeks. The new place of choice for iv's are on my wrist. Left arm had the better veins, go figure. Awesome male nurse yesterday said it's not as much of a risk to take blood out of surgery arm as it is to pump stuff into surgery arm. Good to know.

The up-side to the d&c and the endoscopy, I got to take really great naps for the rest of the day. I SOOO needed that because I haven't been sleeping well at night. My bp has been really high these past few months. I even 'forgot' and let nurse take bp in left arm last week. First time in two years. It really hurt to have it done. In fact, it's hurt since. Like it voided my cortisone shot from a few weeks ago.

Sorry for rant. I know, I know, I know it could be SO much worse. And I am so very thankful that it's not worse. I'm just getting a little weary from biopsy-this, and biopsy-that, then wait 2 weeks to find out if something else is wrong. I'm just gun-shy now, I guess. I just expect something to be wrong. I'm really good at pity-parties now (thanks Tamoxifen). And I can pretty much cry on demand. LOL.

Thanks, Ladies for letting me vent some lack of confidence. I tell the family that everything is just fine, no problem, no big deal, yadda yadda. I don't want them to know about the butterflies and worries.

SIROD

Surgery Arm
You have been put through the wringer and deserve a good cry, even a pity party if you want one!

Tamoxifen is noted for polyps and a thicken endometrial. I hope all turns out ok in that department.

I had a not so good looking male nurse while in the hospital last week and he took my blood pressure on my ankle. Hurts as much there as in the arm.

Been a while since I was an in patient (4 years), they gave me a pink blank bracelet (which I guess meant nothing on this arm) and had a sign over my bed to remind who ever was taking my bp or blood, not to use the left arm. I remember the days one had to explain the whole thing to each new nurse who came in for bp or blood.

My IV was in my good arm and I would not let anyone touch that arm as I have veins only lucky nurses can access. The other arm off limits and one ankle can't handle anything (PTTD) and so I had one part that could work ok.

Not matter how cute the nurse, don't let anyone take blood from that arm until you check it out with some authority. I am not certain who the authority would be. Lymphedema nurse?

I do hope all will turn out well for you.

Best,

Doris

disneyfan2008

thinking of you
Denise

thinking of you

Denise

CypressCynthia

Talk with your breast
Talk with your breast surgeon, but mine said that I could indeed have lab draws from my nodeless/sugical side. He also said no infusions or shots of any kind on that side. I have heeded his advice now for 25 years and have had no problems.

So I have all lab draws on my left (affected) side and all infusions and shots on the right. This preserves the integrity of the veins on my right.

I also prefer to have lab draws from the affected side even when the nurses offer to get the blood from my IV site on the unaffected side. I don't enjoy the extra stick, but I find my IV site lasts longer if I do this. And my vein choices on the right are very limited.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

camul

CypressCynthia said:

Talk with your breast
Talk with your breast surgeon, but mine said that I could indeed have lab draws from my nodeless/sugical side. He also said no infusions or shots of any kind on that side. I have heeded his advice now for 25 years and have had no problems.

So I have all lab draws on my left (affected) side and all infusions and shots on the right. This preserves the integrity of the veins on my right.

I also prefer to have lab draws from the affected side even when the nurses offer to get the blood from my IV site on the unaffected side. I don't enjoy the extra stick, but I find my IV site lasts longer if I do this. And my vein choices on the right are very limited.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

Good info. I was just told
Good info. I was just told not to let them use my right arm. That really would have helped to save the veins on my left arm. I learn so much from this site!

Thanks,
Carol

JuJuBeez

CypressCynthia said:

Talk with your breast
Talk with your breast surgeon, but mine said that I could indeed have lab draws from my nodeless/sugical side. He also said no infusions or shots of any kind on that side. I have heeded his advice now for 25 years and have had no problems.

So I have all lab draws on my left (affected) side and all infusions and shots on the right. This preserves the integrity of the veins on my right.

I also prefer to have lab draws from the affected side even when the nurses offer to get the blood from my IV site on the unaffected side. I don't enjoy the extra stick, but I find my IV site lasts longer if I do this. And my vein choices on the right are very limited.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

Thanks for the great advice!
Thanks for the great advice! It makes sense.

Jean 0609

Enjoy your weekend!
You definitely deserve it.

xoxo,
Jean

sbmly53

No advice, Julie -
just don't wear your 'angry eyes' very long!! Your smiling eyes are sooo much better. I'm sure you will have an answer soon. The weather in our neck of the woods is going to start getting much better tomorrow, so that should help.

We have got to get together some/one of these days. I'm hoping to talk you into Hershey this year - we'll drive.

Sue

JuJuBeez

sbmly53 said:

No advice, Julie -
just don't wear your 'angry eyes' very long!! Your smiling eyes are sooo much better. I'm sure you will have an answer soon. The weather in our neck of the woods is going to start getting much better tomorrow, so that should help.

We have got to get together some/one of these days. I'm hoping to talk you into Hershey this year - we'll drive.

Sue

Thanks Sue! I had a dream
Thanks Sue! I had a dream that I 'met' you. I was in a store riding the 'down' escalator, and I was behind a lady with a Vera Bradley backpack on. The name 'sbmly53' was embroidered on the flap. I said, "SUE! I'm JuJuBeez!" and we started talking and talking, and my husband had to come looking for me because we talked so long. Kinda funny!

I had signed up for a 'Camp Good Days' for the same weekend as the Hershey. But honestly, I think I'd rather go to Hershey!!! They hold the camp other weekends of the year, so I will see about switching it! :-)

VickiSam

JuJuBeez said:

Thanks Sue! I had a dream
Thanks Sue! I had a dream that I 'met' you. I was in a store riding the 'down' escalator, and I was behind a lady with a Vera Bradley backpack on. The name 'sbmly53' was embroidered on the flap. I said, "SUE! I'm JuJuBeez!" and we started talking and talking, and my husband had to come looking for me because we talked so long. Kinda funny!

I had signed up for a 'Camp Good Days' for the same weekend as the Hershey. But honestly, I think I'd rather go to Hershey!!! They hold the camp other weekends of the year, so I will see about switching it! :-)

JuJu ... How are you doing ???
We continue to pray and send positive thoughts your way.


Vicki Sam