PIC Lines!

Hello, Everybody!
This has been a very busy week. In our last post, we told you that Sharon had an appointment with an Infectious Diseases doctor. He was not happy with how her arm looked. He felt that after ten days of antibiotics, the cellulitis should be cleared. Arrangements were made by the doctor's office, and later that afternoon when Ellen got home from school, we were on our way to the hospital! We went directly to the Infusion Center where a PIC line was inserted. This is like an IV, but a much thinner catheter and about ten inches in length. Then they gave her the first dose of the antibiotic. She is to have ten days of IV antibiotics, and then will return to the doctor. So, now besides the physical therapist coming to the house three times a week, we now have the infusion nurse coming on a daily basis!! Yesterday, she showed Ellen the procedure for administering the antibiotics. Beginning Saturday, Ellen will be doing this little procedure for the remaining days. Ellen learned a new medical term. The nurse uses what she calls the "SASH" method. That stands for Saline, Antibiotic, Saline, and Heparin. Here is a picture of the tools of the trade. Since Sharon's left shoulder is compromised with the surgery, the IV was put in her right arm. Sharon is doing quite well, considering she has to be careful with the PIC line.

The therapist continues to push her harder and harder with every visit. It makes for a great deal of soreness and pain later in the day. Sharon is handling it all quite well. Some days she feels good enough to get on her stationary bike and go ten miles!! Ellen would collapse before she hit mile #1!!

We will keep you updated!

Until next time. . . . .