Before and After

My dog Brody turned 7 in December. I can’t believe how quickly time flies. He doesn’t show any signs of slowing down and still plays with toys every so often. I still try to take him for a "walk and roll" whenever I get a chance. It depends on the weather and how I’m feeling respiratory wise. Lately it’s been nice outside with temperatures close to 50°F.

One thing that’s difficult with taking him during this time of year is that the snow starts to melt. Because he’s mostly white, his hair tends to get dirty quickly, especially if it’s long. I’ve mentioned before that as a Chinese Crested Powder Puff that he has hair not fur so it grows. We take him to the groomers to get his hair cut every couple of months or so. He also gets a bath and is nails trimmed.

Since it was winter, cold and wet I couldn’t remember the last time he got a haircut. That is until last week when he got a good spring trim! I’m not sure if he likes going to the groomers or not, but when he comes home, he gets so excited. Sometimes he acts like a puppy again and runs around then tries to get on my lap like he’s thanking me. Now when I take Brody outside, he doesn’t get as wet or dirty. I posted photos of him before and after.

Brody before

Brody after

Jenni

Injections Again

I went to an appointment to get Botox injections again today. I’ve been doing it for the past 10 years now, and I’m starting to feel it wear off faster than usual. The last couple of times they used an added drug that helps with pain along with the Botox. I found that the drug they added helps make it last longer. This is a good thing since I still have to wait to get injections every 3 months.

Also, PHS came out to my house and removed my PICC line. It’s too bad that the process for taking it out is so simple yet putting it in such a hassle. I have to transfer onto a table at the hospital so they can use an ultrasound machine to place it. When they remove it, someone trained can just take off the bandage and it easily pulls out.

Onto a different topic, I believe I’m developing seasonal depression during these winter months. It’s so difficult for me to get outside, take Brody for a walk, or even go to places other than doctor appointments. It doesn’t help when the weather is bad or I’m sick with a respiratory infection. Hopefully it’s just a phase and once the season changes so will my feelings.

Jenni

Rationalizing My Supplies

Due to the nature of my cares, I rely on multiple supplies in order to be more independent along with attending to my needs being on a ventilator. This may include parts to my ventilator, sterile gloves, trach supplies, syringes etc. They also provide all of my equipment that I use on a daily basis, such as my suction machine and vent. I have medical insurance which covers most of the supplies that I need.

Every month, the nurses check my inventory to see what I’m low on with supplies. They then have an ordering sheet that they go off of that shows how many supplies insurance allots and pays for each month. Based on that, they can put in the number of supplies needed but not go over the allotted amount. At the end of each month, the order sheet gets faxed in to the supply company and they ship the supplies to my house during the first week of the month.

 

Unfortunately when I use more of something than I usually do during any given month, the supply of that item runs out and I can’t order it until the following month. This is the reason for having to rationalize my supplies for certain things while I can. If I need it bad enough, I have to use a different style or pay for it myself. I’ve heard of other people having to do this as well; and if they don’t have a way to pay they just go without.
 

One specific item that I use more frequently throughout a 24 hour period is suction catheters. Looking back, I saw a post I wrote in 2013 that said I was only suctioning every couple of days. Based off certain times, like if I have a respiratory infection depends on how frequently I suction and how many catheters I use. Now it’s more like 7-10 times in a 24-hour period. I brought this item up because I’ve been running out of them before my allotted number per month.

Jenni