My Bridge
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Healing has been my main focus these past couple of days. I have been embracing my time at home with my beautiful family. 15 days. That was the number of days we had to spend apart. 15 days was how long I was at AFCH. It was full of so many changes, it all seemed like a big whirlwind of medical layers. It further proved my idea that you really never know what life has planned out, because I know I was not expecting for any of this to happen. It marked a new turning point in my journey, my digestive tract no longer tolerating feeds. I fought for a long time to be able to handle nutrients through my NJ tube, but my intestines had other plans. I began to depend on PPN, which is partial nutrients through an IV for a few days before we decided to elaborate further with TPN. TPN stands for total parental nutrition. That means I now get all of my brownies, strawberries, and chocolate (or should I say nutrients!?) through my bags.
I am getting this through my brand new PICC line.
It is a central line that is in my left bicep and empties right about my heart, so I can receive the nutrients and fluids my body needs. I also now get IV fluids for 12 hours during the day, and then TPN for 12 hours in the evening.
This was a hard choice to make since it really shows how now a new issue has risen with my intestines, now it is not only my stomach. And it was even more startling to realize I can not only tolerate sips of water and Pirates Booty, as the pain and bloating became too much. Once we were finally able to stabilize my other health conditions we realized this was my bridge to Nationwide. Nationwide is finally TODAY, and I am so ready for it. My PICC line will keep my body alive and going so I can go get further testing to see how my body is causing so much havoc.
After my amazing GI doctor gave me the go ahead, I was able to liberate myself from the NJ tube. It was a 110 days of having a feeding tube on my face that very day. I felt so much anticipation as one of my wonderful nurses prepped me with towel and helped me whip that sucker out. Once I was done pulling it out of my nose (yes, I pulled it out and it was AMAZING) I felt a wave of emotions: joy, excitement, fear… I felt so raw in a beautiful way.
I now have home health nurses training my WONDERFUL Momma and I on how to do my new medical regimen. I have my new rescue medications for my BP, my new IV pumps, and so much more. I also had the chance to meet the kindest lady who came and did adaptions to my brand new backpack so I can rock a cute bag with my pumps.
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With all of these changes, I am thankful for my bridge. My bridge to Nationwide. My bridge to better days. My bridge to knowledge. My bridge to continued hope. I can take all of these new hurdles. I can take them because I will always keep my faith in God and I am ready for more. I am ready for each beautiful day in life. I am ready to continue. I am ready to continue living, living my own beautiful journey.
Hugs,
Isabelle
This is so awesome Isabelle! Now I can keep track of you without bugging your mom every day ? I just know you are going to get the answers you need. Documenting your journey is just one more way of showing how remarkable you are! Love you! Tina
Thank you!!! And we love being bugged by you 🙂 😉 Lots of love!!!