Friends-
I am all still a-tingle and a-twitter from this morning's shower! The only concession I had to make was a small tegraderm patch over the incisoin from the picc. I stood in the shower and just let the water flow all over my arm!!!! Even those of you who have missed the picc experience can understand the joy of taking a shower after the bonnett experience - this was similar to that first time you got to let water run over your head. Honestly, this is the first time that part of my arm has seen water in a month!! I'm sure the dead skin cells couldn't WAIT to leave the mother ship!
The visit with Dr. Roland was, as always, encouraging. He said he felt that I was close to getting my blink back (no guarantees, of course). I see him again in four weeks so he'll assess everything again then. As usual, I went in with a list of questions - and realized on the way home that I forgot a few. Typical. He assured me again that the nerve monitoring during and after surgery showed a healthy nerve. However, he did say that sometimes the nerve needs some help recovering (nerve stimulation, nerve graft) but that we are nowhere near talking about those things yet.
Dr. Roland is only covered by my insurance for 90 days after the surgery, which means that my insurance (in theory) doesn't cover him after the end of July. I did ask him about this, since he is the one I want to follow me through the facial palsy. He told me not to worry, that we'd work something out. That's a relief. This is one of those aspects of insurance that can drive you crazy - Dr. Golfinos is covered, but Dr. Roland wasn't - but the insurance co (Aetna) accepted the petition by Golfinos to cover them as a surgical team for the surgery and immediate post op care. Who new I'd end up wit a crooked face? Ah well. One step at a time.
Steve, YES, this feels like a huge corner turned in my recovery. At times during the last month it has felt as if I was just stalled in neutral. Gettig the PICC line out was a giant symbolic step.
I talked to Dr. Louie last night too - he wants to see me the week of July 2 to draw more blood and check all levels. If things look good at that point, I am officially out of the woods! So, keeping a few fingers and toes crossed until then will be much appreciated.
Thanks to all for cheering me on thorugh this last chapter - hopefully it will all be smooth sailing from here!
Debbi - picc-less in New Jersey
