Thursday, June 11, 2009

Infection Does Not Equal Allergic Reaction

Oh barf the past couple of days have been kind of lame. So I left you last on Tuesday, telling ya’ll I was headed to the ER because my tube was infected. So I get there, in lots of pain, and they gave me fluids and electrolytes and tried desperately for about 15 minutes to get some blood; poked me profusely, gave me morphine and an x-ray, then announced that I didn’t have an infection, but that my tube was indeed messed right the bloody hell up. My ER doc told me that I needed to go back to my old GI, even though I didn’t want to, because no other doctor would want to mess with a tube that already had complications; a liability, you see. (Damn that L word again!) So he told me he’d already called Doc K and had an appt scheduled for me to go in the next morning at 9 am.

I get there yesterday, and Doc K, after hugging my legs and calling me a “sweethot,” looked at my tummy and told me that I was allergic to my tube. Yes, folks, that’s right. The Briester, who is adept at becoming allergic to pretty much the whole world, is now also allergic to feeding tubes. He said that it was reaaaaallllly hard to even be allergic to this stuff, but I did it, wow I’m proud.

So the redness, the blood, the leakage, the pain…not an infection, but an allergic reaction. Isn’t my tummy grody? You're dazzled, I'm sure. ...And you’re lucky I didn’t show you the nastiness underneath the tubage…I had some discretion, lucky you! (And don't make fun of my band-aid marks. They wouldn't wash off!)

And the tube’s fate?

It’s OUTTA HERE!!! (Well not yet, but soon…)

So what do I have to do?
Eat Eat Eat Eat Eat but I already know that, and I already do. But even more so, since I’m conveniently allergic to every other form of “aid” I could get in that area. Man…

So tomorrow I’m leaving on a mini-vacay with the fam. And when I say fam, I mean the whooooolllle fam damly. Here’s the post from last year’s trip…yes it’s a tradition to go to Moab, Utah. (We’re on year two of that tradition, haha.) Anyway, I’m excited, but also a little nervous because I’ll still have my tube at that point and I know it’ll hurt pretty badly. Oh wellsies it’s not like I’m not used to it paining me so…sigh…so tomorrow, nothing but SUN, FUN, HIKING, TUBE LEAKAGE, and FAMILY SCUFFLES. Whee!

13 comments:

Heather Lindquist said...

Oh my gosh...that pic looks horrible! I can't believe they're making you keep it in longer when you're that allergic to it. Why couldn't they have scheduled an appt. like yesterday or today? Man, that sucks. Maybe you were meant to live on some other planet, b/c earth doesn't seem to work well with you, ya know, with all your allergies! Keep us updated and let us know what happens. Have fun on your trip!

K said...

I'm so sorry that your tube is causing so much shiz. I hope you can have fun on your trip - I love Moab. Keep us updated!

brie said...

H, they couldn't take it out right away because they have to schedule it via surgery. Le sigh. But hopefully next week it'll get yoinked. Can't wait!

Unknown said...

You're definitely going down in the books as one of the "special" ones... congrats on making their medical practice a fun journey ;-)

Hang in there and have loads of fun with the fam.

Sarah said...

Holy that looks like it kills! You're brave Brie. I hope your vacation is a blast!

Flighty said...

Oh honey, owowowowow! That looks dreadful! :( I am glad you get it out soon. Now you just have to rally around food. Yay for maple donuts though, right? I <3 maple too. :) Hang in there, Brie. *hugs*

Anonymous said...

I'm kinda glad you're getting the thing out because these things have just been causing nothing but trouble for you. And that picture looks McNasty and the tube looks huge -- way bigger than I remember it being when I saw you in May. I'm so sorry you have to go on vacation with that, seriously. I hope it doesn't disrupt your vacation too much. I remember seeing pictures from last year and it looked like you guys had so much fun.

You've been through SO much in the past year, geeeez. You're a tough woman. Oh, I mean chick. We don't like the "W" word, I know. :)

kristin said...

My goodness, Brie! That thing sure looks painful. I'm sorry that it is. :( That's no fun and is some major suckage. At least it's going bye bye!

You're so tough, Brie. I really admire how tough you've been through everything.

Have fun on vacation! Moab is pretty! I love the red rocks of Utah! Have lots and lots of fun and post a picture of two when you get back, okay?!

Love ya!

-kristin

Telstaar said...

Far out! That sucks hunni, big time... on so many levels.

Thinking of you and humm, pity they don't giv eyou morphine to go away with!!!!

*huggles*
xoxo

Wrapped up in Life said...

I love your honesty.

Misty said...

oooohh....will you show me the tube thing in Moab? Maybe there is something I can pick? See you there!

Sarah at Journeying With Him said...

I always tell D I'm allergic to all food and can't eat it because it will make me gain weight and have an allergic reaction when I am feeling cranky and ED-d. You've taken my tactics to a new level by ACTUALLY being allergic ;)

Jk, I know it blows. I'm sorry this will make it harder :( At least you may feel better without an infected tube. I wonder if the button would have worked better, those lameos.

Brooke said...

Oh Misty you are so disgusting!! Of course that is the first thing she would think of! Ah!! I love our family :)

So sorry about your tube :( I didn't know until today. I feel bad I didn't even see you in Moab. Everything was ssooo fast and soo quick. Weird. Let's get together this week. Sorry you are in pain. Love you! I better see you stuffing your face. I will do so with you if you need me to. No problemo.