Debbi Bifulco Update

[wendysig]

Hi Debbi-
Glad to hear you are feeling a little better in general.  Sorry you are still stuck (again, no pun intended) with the PICC line.  Hopefully, you will soon be free of it.  I'm sure it must be frustrating.  In the meantime you can dream of taking a long luxurious bath.  If I were you I'd buy some special bath beads or something like that to celebrate that day.  Sorry I haven't been in touch really, but it's been a busy week with a lot going on, happily all good and not AN related!  The waiting is driving me crazy as I feel I am stuck in a time warp or something like that.  I am very much hoping I will have my date by the end of the week.  I'm seeing the new neurosurgeon (Dr. Chen)  on Thursday, which now seems miles away.  Hope you continue to feel a little better every day.

Wendy

[Debbi]

Wendy, don't forget to breathe!  Thursday will be here before you know it - and then your surgery date will be looming.  You're really handling things so well!

As for me ... a good weekend.  I overdid a little yesterday, but it was worth it.  A friend of mine, Ellen, came up for a visit and I took her with me to shop for prescription sunglasses - then we went to a new local restaurant and had a wonderful late lunch and WINE!!  (which actually tasted like ... wine!!)

Today, however, I was pooped.  Took a little nap after my morning IV, then took a long nap this afternoon.  This is the first time in about 5 days that I've needed to nap, though. 

Tonight, I noticed a couple of raised spots towards the bottom of my incision    - and one of the spots is quite tender.  I had Willie take a couple of pictures, which I emailed off to Dr. Roland.  Hated to disturb his Father's Day, and told him that it wasn't urgent and could wait until tomorrow.  Hopefully I'll hear from him tomorrow and (also hopefully) he'll say it's nothing.  The spot on the bottom actually looks like a little blood trapped below the surface.  I hope I am just being paranoid - however, I am so worried that this may be a sign of the infection coming back - I REALLY don't want ot be in the hospital again. 

So, please keep fingers and toes crossed that I am just being a "nervous Nelly."

And, Happy Fathers Day to the fathers out there!

Debbi - being paranoid in NJ ...

[jerseygirl]

Debbi,

I am glad you are feeling generally better. Good for you! Those spots on the scar could be from moisture, heat and humidity. I had the same thing in summer with my C-section scar many years ago. I found a local doctor (no easy feat) who cleaned the incison with hydrogen peroxide and told me to make an effort to keep it as dry as possible. Let's just hope that is what it is. I know you must be very worried. Hope Dr. R will get back to you tomorrow with good news.

                            Eve

[leapyrtwins]

Debbi -

thinking positive thoughts.  Let us know what Dr. Roland says.

Hoping for the best,

Jan

[Pooter]

I dunno what the spots are, but I'm sure they are nothing to worry about.  I've had swelling at the bottom of my incison that is tender to the touch.  Your doc will know best how to deal with it.  I realized my whole head was getting dry (probably from the wrap that I have on more than off).  You will be fine!  I promise! 

Brian

[wendysig]

Debbi -
I am concerned for you because of your observations about your incision, but hopefully optimistic.  I'm sending healing thoughts to you and crossing everytining crossable.  Let me know ASAP what the doc says.  I hope it will be good news, you've been through more than enough.

Best wishes.
Wendy

[Debbi]

Morning Greetings from the other end of the PICC line...

So, Dr. Roland's email was waiting for me bright and early - he says the bumps are what is called "spitting sutures" - the body is literally spitting out some of the deep sutures.  He says they don't cause any problem, and he can take them out when I see him next in July.  Whew.  I was definitely having a few bad moments worrying that this was a sign that the infection was coming back.  What I thought might be blood trapped under the skin is actually a little black suture - isn't that weird?  Well, at least it isn't dangerous! 

It's kind of funny/pathetic how little things become potentially scary after surgery of this sort ...  I hope I'm not turning into a scaredy cat!   

As always, thanks for the words of comfort and encouragement. 

I am going to try to do battle with our cherry trees today - they need to be pruned!  And the rhododendrums need to be cut back too - so, armed with gardening gloves and nippers, Debbi charges forth....

[Kaybo]

Debbi~
SO glad it wasn't the infection!!  YEA, an anwer to prayers!!

Have fun being a gardener today but don't over do it!!

K

[leapyrtwins]

Debbi -

never heard of "spitting sutures" - guess I learn something new every day 

Glad to hear it's not another complication - whew!

Be careful with the "nippers" 

Jan

[lori67]

Debbi - I'm a suture spitter too.  My body just doesn't absorb the dissolving kind, so eventually they work their way through the skin.  I've trained James to remove them if they're in an area I can't see well enough to remove them myself.

Don't prune any fingers out there!

Lori

[leapyrtwins]

I've trained James to remove them if they're in an area I can't see well enough to remove them myself.

Bet that comes in handy with the garage surgery.  It would appear that James is a man of many talents - and that you've trained him well 

Jan

[Debbi]

Good to know I am in such excellent company, Lori!  Also good to know I am not the Lone Suture Spitter!

Bushes have been trimmed, and yours truly is now residing inside where it isn't hot and sticky. 

Here's my weekend update photo.  I think I've got a bit more movement on the right side of my mouth - not that I can actually move it on my own, more that it seems less "slack." 

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk167/debifulco/616WeeklyProgress3.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk167/debifulco/616WeeklyProgress2.jpg

[Kaybo]

Pictures look great, Debbi!!

Glad you got the pruning done and are now relaxing in the cool...

K

[cmp]

You are looking fantastic, Debbi! And I'm SO glad you're OK--no infection, just "spitting sutures" (someone should teach those things some manners!  )

Glad you are enjoying "back to normal" pleasures like gardening and wine... Sure helps me stay optimistic about what awaits me in trip #2 to postie land!

[Debbi]

Hi Carrie-  how are the nerves this week?  Your surgery is coming up so fast - I hope you are able to find some calming activities.  I am sending you peaceful thoughts...

Lori - maybe James and Willie can open their own garage boogerectomy operation!  And, we can sit back and collect the proceeds ... Of course, there will have to be employment for all the other masterminds here from the forum...  Hhhmm, it is beginning to sound like a multi-national operation ...

Okay, I think the spitting sutures have affected my brain - no, wait, that may have been the actual BRAIN surgery...!!!

Debbi - feeling goofy in NJ...