Change of pace

The doctors decided to make my plasmapheresis treatment everyday now because I am an adult. Typically with kids they want to do it every other day so that their blood gets a little balanced out. I was escorted up to the 11th floor around 9:30am to get my second dose of treatment. This time it only took ~90 minutes. I felt my lips tingle a bit after the nurse snapped off the tubes that hooked me up to the machine. I think I had that yesterday too but I didn't think it was anything because the tingling went away after I bit my lip. It just means that I'm lacking calcium. Darn, I didn't order milk today. Oh well, at least I had yogurt for breakfast.

I overheard the nurse tell my floor nurse that they'll have to look at my labs extra careful tomorrow because something in my blood went from 200-something to 150-something. She said they can't give me my last treatment tomorrow if that count goes below 100.

Class subject

"Hi, Kim. Can I ask you for a favor?" were the first words spoken by a doctor teaching at the medical school when he came into my room yesterday afternoon . I agreed to be a subject to his 3rd year medical students who are currently following neuro cases. This explained why I was being hassled by a medical student before I was admitted on Monday. He said that they would be on the floor between 3-4, but like everything that goes on in the hospital, they were late. (*tisk tisk* late to class!). The medical student came in and first asked my dad for permission. My father wasn't in the room when the doctor came and asked me, so he was sort of confused. I told him that I told the teacher that it was ok. I quickly gave an evil look towards the medical student because he really should have asked me. I'm staying on a pediatric floor but that does not mean that I'm not an adult. I totally don't like the medical student that's reviewing my case. He fits into the medical student stereotype; acting like a know-it-all. Earlier that day, he spent about 5 minutes explaining the causes of diarrhea after asking me how my stool was. Anyways, the doctor came in and told the class to come in. There were 8 or 9 of them.The doctor asked them what they noticed about me. They seemed a bit reluctant participating. After that, he asked who wanted to exam me (anyone but the student that was already following me). The only dude that was answering stepped up to the plate. Medical students are hard on patients. I think it's because they don't know how to act around them yet or that they're just eager to see what happens if they go a bit overboard. When I couldn't follow his finger to the left all the way he snapped his fingers which made me sort of mad. If you named my symptoms and you gave the right diagnosis, you should know how my eyes work. This other guy that was standing in front of me seemed like the only one that had patient sympathy (he was the only student that thanked me after the whole thing and asked a few questions about my weakness instead of acting like I was some lab rat). There was this Asian dude in the back that asked a question but I totally zoned out because he and the teacher started talking in medical jargon. The doctor asked me if I had any questions. I wanted to ask something to give them a hard time, but I was more eager for them to leave, so I said no. The medical student that was following me told the class about my medical history and that I was a second year biochem major at UCD (acting all proud that he was capable of memorizing facts about me). The teacher suddenly beamed at me and told me he went to UCD too. One of the med students followed with a "YAY! Me too!" After 15 minutes of interrogation they finally left. My med student had to pop his head back in to tell me he would see me soon. Ugh....he's always smiling even when he's just standing doing nothing. Annoys the crap out of me. I'm ok with happy people but not happy-happy people. He doesn't act perky (well sort of) but it's weird if you're just smiling all the time.
I hate being in the spotlight but I agreed to letting the class review my case because I want to see how clinical rounds were like. Of course it's different in a patient's point of view, but I learned some stuff while they were there. Even though I'm working on being a pre-pharm, med school has never left my mind. If I set my mind to it I know I can if I really want to be a doctor. A lot of people would support me (not my family...they don't want me to tire out). I don't think my heart would be in it 100% though. If pharmacy turns out not to be the right career for me, I think I can still scrap by in finishing stuff. However, say I succeeded in getting into med school and it turns out not to be right for me; I think I would become deeply depressed and frustrated with myself. Doctors can have lives outside of their career, but it usually revolves around health. That's good if you're 100% passionated and devoted to it. In my case, I know I'm not and I can't.
Nursing crossed my mind a few times, but I think I would end up hating it. Patient contact is fun and exciting but not when you have to deal with them complaining, whining, moaning, and crying. Not to mention you have to sometimes deal with pissed off family members and friends.
I want patient contact and to be part of health team, so I'm beginning trust that pharmacy is the right path. I'll have to do a little more investigating on the career though.

"Your bed doesn't want to cooperate!"

How many nurses does it take to fix a bed? According to last night, four. They were trying to have my bed move up so it would easier for the doctor to perform the operation. This one nurse fixed it by pressing buttons randomly. Haha

I got transfered to the PICU at 3 yesterday to get my catheter. It was a surprise that a lot of people that work down there still remember me. My nurse that afternoon wasn't one who usually works in the PICU so I didn't know her. One of my old nurses helped me through the operation though (so sweet of her to let me squeeze her hand during it). The operation started at around 6pm and I guess everything was done at 7pm. Everybody seemed so impressed that I decided to not take pain/calming meds. The doctor only gave me a little shot to numb my skin. To those that want to know how it feels to get a central line put into a neck vein here's my description...

My head was off to the side and under sheets the whole time, so my neck could be as sterile as possible. They first got an ultrasound to see where the vein was. Then, my neck was sterilized with the orange-red stuff that you usually see being used during TV hospital operations. She then stuck some numbing stuff into my neck (which was probably the worst part). I forgot what they medicine was called..it started with a "L". That stuff stung and burned. It was a weird burn too because it was in my skin instead of on the skin. After that, it was just intervals of pressure when the doctor poked holes and stuff through. I didn't really understand, but I they collected venous gas before proceeding to stick actual stuff in. The nurse explained that they first placed a thin wire to make sure the placement would be corrected. Then they stuck in a tube, pulled out the wire..stuck in another tube around the first tube and then pushed in the catheter so it would be a tube around the other 2 tubes. I didn't want to swallow or say anything when the doctor was putting stuff in because the pressure was like someone trying press a vein out of my neck but the doctor kept asking me if I was still breathing ok. After the central line was in I got two stitches so that the stuff won't move or that I won't accidentally pull out the stuff...and yes, stitches actually do feel like your getting sewn up (you feel and hear the wire being pulled through). There were a few moments where I felt a little nauseated under the sheets. I was so scared to move my neck after the whole thing was done.

After the operation I got a few surprises. One of the Child Life workers that I got really close during my incident during HS came by to visit me after she got off from work. She said saw me being wheeled into the PICU. Also, my old PICU primary nurse was head nurse that night. I haven't seen her in over 4 years. Every time I visit the PICU she's never there! So that was awesome catching up with her for a few minutes. I learned that she went to UC Davis for her undergraduate, so that just makes me more determined to finish my biochem degree there. I felt bad that I didn't get to say bye to her when I was transfered out that night. :( Maybe I'll go find her after this hospitalization is over.

I totally remembered the nurse that was taking care of me in the PICU part of yesterday night! I hated her because she gave me cough syrup but wouldn't let me drink water. UghhHh!! I think everybody knows how horrible cherry flavored cough syrup tastes like. Just imagine having the after taste in your mouth for the rest of the night. I told her about this. She said she doesn't remember me, but she ended up being extra nice yesterday (she got me water after my operation).

The doctors were originally gonna have me stay in the PICU for my plasmapheresis treatment but decided not to...so I got transferred back to 7 Long around 12am. I only got 1-2 hours of sleep last night because the nurse and a respiratory therapist came every 2 hours! Plus, my neck is sore and stinging because of the central line. I never want a neck cast (or any type of cast). It sucks having this thing on half of my neck! One of the nurses said it's like a huge earring only it's not on your ear. I can deal with needles, IVs and even pick lines. Central line sucks though. Oh, the resident on-call that night was one of the doctors that took care of me before too! He was so happy to not see me pissed at him because the last time I saw him he had to send me down to the PICU (the third time x.X). This time he signed papers for me to leave the PICU. I know too many people that work down there. LOL!

My nurse took me up for my first plasmapheresis treatment at 7. It was quite the "adventure" trying to travel up there. We were told that it was located on the 9th floor but it turned out to be the 11th (they moved it recently). I know that during regular hours getting an elevator is already difficult but when it's time for people to switch shifts (7am and 7pm) trying to get one is a nightmare. When going up to the 9th floor I almost got my feet squished by the doors and when heading to the 11th we had to make room for a bed (I'm so glad I told the nurse to bring me in a wheelchair instead of a bed). Hmm, I just realized that a lot of people got let out of their shift late on my account :(

Plasmapheresis took 2 hours. The nurse said the second time won't take that long. My nurse there was super cool because he explained what the huge machine I was hooked up to was doing to my blood. When I met him I told him I was a biochem major so he didn't explain the stuff to me the "stupid way." Sure, I've read about plasmapheresis and was explained what it did generally numerous of times but he explained what each bottle and spinny thingy did. Wuahaha...I understood the chemistry language he was using. Electrolytes!

Common side effects of plasmapheresis include tingling in the nose, lips, hands and/or feet and cold flashes (instead of hot flashes it's cold flashes). My feet felt cold but that was about it. My feet are usually cold anyway.

I'm scheduled for 3 treatments, so 1 down 2 to go. I'm suppose to receive one every other day, so my next one is Friday and the last one should be on Sunday. My primary neurologist explained that Rituximab is a 24 hour infusion but I'm guessing I won't be out of the hospital until the end of next week.

WOOHOO!!! I get to eat now! I couldn't eat anything yesterday because after the operation I didn't have an appetite.

"You're just a pushpin, now aren't yah!"

I finally got admitted into the hospital yesterday, but that day came too soon. I was planning to start my first week as a volunteer at Laguna Honda Hospital and I feel terrible that I won't be able to help the patients on their bus trip to SFMOMA today, that I'll have to wait on meeting the residents of L4, and that I won't get to be an art therapy assistant just yet. At least I got to finish my shift yesterday on G4.

I have to admit that patient, wherever they are hospitalized, experiences time slowing down. There are good days, bad days, and days where you are just staring into space waiting for something to happen. Since G4 is an Asian-American focus unit, most of the residents only spoke Cantonese or Mandarin. My supervisor let me spend most of my day talking to one resident because he spoke Vietnamese. I'm so glad that I got to meet him. Not only was he someone who I could practice my patient contact skills, but he was also someone I could greatly sympathize for....and I sympathized a lot. I told him about the medical struggles that I had and that he shouldn't loss hope. He kept telling me that I was different though....that I am "young"...that I am "lucky."

I spent the other half of my shift pouring out coffee and other refreshments to the residents and taking them on a little stroll to the library. I learned that it's sort of difficult wheeling patients if their legs are mobile. What do you do when the patients wants to go somewhere else in the hospital but your supervisor told you to take them to a specific place? I took him to the library anyway and was left with the guilt of not responding to his hand gestures and sound utterances to take him somewhere else.

My supervisor (super nice and understanding), let me leave early because there wasn't anything left to do. I don't think she really needs my help. I think I was a little bit of a nucance because it was my first day and I didn't know anything.

On my car ride home from LLH, a medical student called me and asked where I where I was. I told him that I called my doctor's assistant that I would be coming in a little late. He kept asking me stupid questions like what time I would get to the hospital, how far did I live from the hospital, etc. He made me page him when I got to the admissions office.

They haven't done much since I got here. It's just normal saline going into an IV for now. I'm scheduled to go into surgery for a central line around 10:30 (it's past 10:30 now). Hopefully, they'll be able to start the plasmaphersis this afternoon. The senior resident told me that the surgery should take 45 minutes but I'll be in the OR a little longer because of anesthesia and everything. They might not put me to sleep this time because they're afraid that my diffuculty breathing will lead to complications. I've had a central line before..I just wasn't conscious throughout the whole time. I can't have anything to eat or drink until after surgery, so I'm my stomach is growling like mad and my mouth is dry from thirst. This hospital stay is a little too reminiscent...*sigh* I'm still grateful I'm here though.

p.s.Oh, regarding the title of this post. I was poked so many times for labs because my IV is horrible at drawing blood. I just thought it was funny that one of the nurses yesterday called me a pushpin.

p.p.s. I hate having an IV in my hand. Sucks that the one in my forearm had to be taken out.

p.p.p.s.Gah, I need to breath.