Oh boy! Am I being stretched these past couple weeks. When I went and saw my Doctor, the end of April, he informed me I need a PICC line. It was kinda a commical appointment, in a weird way. Right away when I walked in the room Dr. N started trailing off about how he's been thinking about me a lot. He then started saying how he might put me on a PICC line and need cocktail treatments (funny Lyme brain story: I thought he was talking about alcohol and I got excited because I've had one drink since treatment started. But then I realized he was talking about IV treatments. I could really go for a hard cider ;). He stopped after a bit and said, "Oh, I have not even asked how the past two months have been. I bet not well since I've thought about you a lot... But how's it been?" I then explained to him how the past month has been hell. He did some tests and came back saying I need a PICC line.
He told me I remind him of the main girl from "Under Our Skin", the swimming girl. I asked if it was a compliment and he said she's pretty and had her 15 minutes of fame.... Haha! Well, that's great!
I thought I understood the headache I was about to receive trying to get a PICC after Dr.N rambled and ranted for about 20 min on how to get it, but I was poorly mistaken. I underestimated the size of the headache. In the past week and a half I have dealt with my insurance company, talking back and forth with my Doctor and a company to send me my medication, the hospital where I'll get the PICC, my insurance company, a home nurse company and my doctor office. At least a handful of times each. And they weren't short conversations either.
Without saying, Trying to get this PICC line has been such a headache. Getting into the hospital to have it done, seeing what/if my insurance will cover anything (barely any), dealing with large amounts of paperwork, relating information from group A to group B and A to C and D... It's crazy. And to be honest, I don't understand most of this stuff. Insurance companies, and how to pay 4 different groups, and when to pay them, and processing so much information. Part of Lyme Disease is intense anxiety- I think I have that symptom down. But not really.
At first I was totaling stressing trying to talk to these places, especially my insurance company. I just wanted to revert every conversation to Tanner. But he wasn't able to take every conversation. He has a job where they want him to work. So I had to figure it out on my own. It was trial by error. I actually feel kinda empowered now figuring all this stuff out. I mean, I feel bad for the people who have to talk to me with my Lyme brain, but I'm slowly figuring it out.
That's not to say they're not any less confusing or scary- but I'm getting my PICC line Monday so I must have done something right!
I'll have a nurse come once a week to teach me how to do the IV meds. I guess I'll just add this to the list of medical things I've learned along the way. I feel like I should get an honorary doctorate degree soon!
I was freaking out about the money of it all, having a PICC line, and doing the treatment myself each day. But then someone told me to picture PAC-MAN going through my veins and eating all the bacteria. I'm ready for some Lyme butt kicken and killin! Lyme Disease messed with the wrong chick!
I am so disgusted at what Lyme has taken from so many people. The time, opportunities, jobs, adventures, relationships, money, education, and the list goes on.
These past couple weeks I've been so encouraged by the reminder that God is not gonna just restore what's been lost, but multiply it. Job 42:10 says, "After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before." That's the kind of God who loves me. One that doesn't just restore, but doubles it. That's hopeful!
Energy Expelled: 4 hours to write. The usual sweaty hands, headache, dizziness, hand cramping, and my mom correcting my grammar.
~ "Even though I don't know what Your plan is, I know You make beauty from these ashes"
