IV Switched Out

Went this morning to switch out the peripheral IV that was put in after a visit to the ER ended in the midline being pulled Tuesday afternoon.  The peripheral IV is what you would get if you were in the hospital.  It is not made to last for long periods of time like a midline or PIC/Central line is.  Therefore, it has to be taken out and a new one put in every 3-4 days.  Not exactly my idea of fun but if it keeps the meds flowing than its what we have to do.
All week I was looking forward to today because one of my best friends called and wanted to do lunch today.  So, I figured I would get the IV switched out and then head to lunch. It helped the week go by, giving me something to look forward to. I am so glad lunch with her and her daughter (my God Daughter) was planned because its what got me through the IV's being switched out.  It took Quality Infusion 4 tries to get the IV in this morning. Bless their hearts.  There were two of them and the first gave up after not getting it in the first 3 times.  The other one got it in but if you could have seen her dig as she pushed it in and its not in a friendly place.  So, I looked like I had a whole different disease when I left there with taped gauze in four different places on my two arms (one being where the previous IV was).  The IV today is in the right arm right at the wrist on the side below the thumb.  Assuming all goes well I am scheduled to have it changed out next Tuesday.  So, twice a week a new IV...hhhhmmmm times 4 pricks....really not my idea of a fun time but I got through it today knowing I was having lunch with some sweet friends.
Honestly, the first person that tried was really kicking himself for not getting in one shot.  I can't blame him at all.  I have seen that girl that got it in prick a lady 3 times and the lady walked out before she could try a 4th time.  Mornings are not a good time for me to give blood or be poked.  My blood pressure runs pretty low as it is, but mornings it runs even lower.  I am not fast at getting a lot of fluids in me if I have an appointment first thing in the morning and so the veins don't usually cooperate. That coupled  with my good vein having been used up with the midline, they aren't ready to poke there again and its  not the most comfortable place to put a peripheral IV you need to walk around with (it wasn't comfortable as a midline either but you do what you have to do).
Having gone through 4 pricks this morning I started asking questions.  I asked them if they had the radiologists final report from the ultrasound done in the ER Tuesday. They went next door and had them print a copy.  It showed "calcification" either in the line or the vein..I don't remember. The guy when he was reading it made it sound like it was no big deal. I asked if the midline was pulled for something small and not serious but the girl said that calcification in the line/vein was not good that when I flushed it could cause it to go into my system which would not be good.  I then asked them what the process was  when midlines are pulled..i.e. the doctor sees the report and makes a decision or what.  They did not know what happens. They asked how long I had to go with treatment and I said we had 2 more weeks one current order and the guys eyes got big and pointed out the obvious...it would be a long 2 weeks if we are switching out IV twice a week and things go like they did today.  Tuesday, the nurse mentioned that the peripherals are obviously cheaper but the two today somewhat disagreed because the peripherals are the least stable and therefore may need to be switched out more than 3-4 days.  They explained that a PIC/Central line is the most stable and can last up to a year. It still requires the weekly dressing changes but are the most stable.  I was hoping they would say, "hey, let us call up to Dr. Salvato's office and see what she wants to do" but they didn't.
I'm not sure there is a whole lot I can do. When we call we very rarely get a warm body on the other end.  The last time I called with questions I was told to make an appointment that questions weren't answered over the phone.  We have an appointment with her a week from Monday, the 14th and I'm pretty sure calling today I wouldn't get anything any earlier, particularly something where Chris could go without having to take off of work. We try very hard to avoid that and to guard that time. However, the other situation is our appointment is the Monday of the last week of IV medication on the current order.  If her track record serves her well, she will want another Lyme Test and CD-57 test done before making a decision and those take time to come back.  So, it is very likely we will be switching out IV's for 2-3 more weeks before hearing what her decision is regarding the IV treatments.
The good news is, other than the discomfort in midsection today, it has been one of the better days. I am wiped out from all the excitement this morning, but I am hoping this is a sign that the weekend will be on the better side rather than the yucky side. Though it wipes me out, it does me a world of good to get out of the house.
I should be napping right now rather than typing but wanted to post the information. Now that I have yawned 5 times in the last 30 seconds, I am going to close it down.  Have a great weekend!