Evolution of a PICC Arm Band

Today I share with you the evolution of a PICC Arm Band, and the innovative nature of my husband! When Joe had his PICC line placed last Thursday, they sent him home with this long folded up tube of "stuff." The idea was to snip off sections as needed and use those sections to cover his PICC. As you can see from the first photo, the material is cheap, kind of ugly, and it kept falling off. Plus, no matter how long we cut the material, once it was on Joe's arm it seemed to be too short.

Being the loving wife that I try to be and a joyful newbie knitter, I decided that it would be fun to knit Joe a PICC arm band. In fact, months ago, I remembered that I had come across a free pattern at KnitPicks.com. I even had the yarn that they recommended - one that they said "minimizes pilling and stretching." It really is a lovely yarn. And I knitted up the band in no time. It looked absolutely beautiful! (not that I'm bragging or anything) For the first five seconds that is, then it proceeded to prove that it in fact, maximizes pilling and stretching. At least when knitted up by a newbie like me. It looked perfectly snug when Joe put it on. Even a little bit tight. But once those first five seconds passed it proceeded to stretch enough it could have fit around his thigh. *sigh*

Being the innovative person that he is (and loving - Joe was really intent on making the arm band work!) Joe suggested using bicep bands to hold the arm band in place. PERFECT!

But then, my innovative husband came up with an even more perfect idea that will have PICC line wearers everywhere running to their nearest sports store. Joe was watching basketball, and noticed that a bunch of the players were wearing these sports sleeves (they are actually called shooting sleeves in case you are sports illiterate and curious.) They looked like they had just the right amount of stretch, and because they are made for athletes, we figured they had to be comfortable and breathable as well. Yes, yes, yes. Joe is a genius. Maybe Nike will hire him to create a line called "NikeChemo." (Are you listening Nike? huh, huh, huh? We LOVE YOU!) The sleeve works like a charm. It also has the added benefit of creating instant long sleeves, which is perfect for Joe since he has to cover up when going outside to protect his skin from the sun. The nurses at the BMT office were so impressed, they said that they were going to share the idea with all of their patients with PICC lines. Apparently, patients have come up with some pretty crazy excuses for arm bands. Joe's so smart. He's also a wannabe athlete. (shhh...don't tell him i said that!)

We received some hopeful news today! After a bit of a delay, we finally got Joe's CMV results from both this past Tuesday and this past Thursday. Both were NEGATIVE. We were so excited. Joe talked to one of the doctors on the phone today, and he could practically hear the doc jumping up and down with joy! This was a nice change from yesterday. Yesterday, Joe and I went to the hospital for his Cidofovir. Joe also ended up getting another platelet transfusion. When we met up with the doctor he sounded so serious and concerned about Joe's progress. We're still gunning for a miracle as far as Joe's next bone marrow biopsy. Another thing that gave us a little bit of hope today is that Joe's WBC has inched up a bit more. It is actually higher than it has been in weeks. Hopefully this is a good sign. Keep on praying!!!!!!! Second transplant - pshaw!

Don't forget. There are still a few more days to take advantage of the "Thanks Mom Marrow Donor Drive." You can register to be a donor for FREE if you sign up before May 21. Please, please, please, help us spread the word. It would mean so much to us. (Thanks Tina! We saw that you posted about it. :) )

Day +117

Thursday, Joe and I went back to the hospital for his third round of Cidofovir. If Joe is CMV negative on Monday, then we party! If he is still positive, then there is talk of giving him Ganciclovir and Cidofovir. There is a hope that the two together might effectively take care of the CMV.

Thursday, we knew would be a long day. The whole Cidofovir process takes 6 hours. (Joe also got platelets again, but that was relatively quick.)In the past, we usually went home around 2 or 3 in the afternoon. But last week was the Week of Waiting; we went home at 7pm. Still, we are blessed that Joe is able to go home. (Dear Baby Livi and her mom have been living at the hospital since her transplant two months ago.) Not only that, but we were blessed by a visit from our dear friend Sheena. You might remember that when Joe was admitted to the hospital shortly after being diagnosed, Sheena let me stay at her place many nights so that I wouldn't be as far from the hospital. Sheena started attending our church and fellowship the same time that Joe and I did. In the past four years she has become such a good friend. Unfortunately for us, she is finishing up dental school and leaving Pittsburgh this week. We're going to miss her so much!!!!!! Sheena has such a huge heart, and she is also just about as silly as I am. Actually, she may even be sillier. In any case, she made our long day at the hospital on Thursday feel much shorter. Thanks Sheena!!!!

Since Thursday, we have had a bit of a break from the hospital. Unfortunately, also since Thursday, Joe's rash has become increasingly worse. On Saturday, after a call to the doctor, Joe was put back on Cellcept - the immunosuppresant that was stopped when we first learned Joe's graft had dropped. This whole treatment process is so crazy. Lower the steroids and immunosuppresants and the GVHD starts to flare. Increase the meds and Joe's CMV becomes positive again. Then there is the chemo which initially lowers blood counts that are already low. Crazy.

When Joe starts to scratch he always gets a lecture from me...or a little slap on the wrist. This time around though, he is getting pretty smart. Joe will seemingly vanish into thin air, and the house will become very quiet. Then he will emerge again, looking a bit sheepish and with some patches of especially red skin. Very suspicious...

Our friend Sha invited me to go to the symphony with her on Saturday evening. I almost declined. I'm not with Joe all the time. But I am with him most of the time. Up until last night, all of my excursions were either during the day or they were only a very short distance from home. What can I say? I'm an overprotective wife. But Joe convinced me that he would be fine and that I should get out of the house - not only for my own sanity, but so that nice friends like Sha still love us once Joe is well enough to be out and about! Well, I had a wonderful time with Sha. It was a really fun night of music. Plus, I got to see my Uncle Kao. When I got home in the evening, I reenacted the whole experience for Joe. I'm not sure that the conductor or the musicians would appreciate my impressions, but Joe seemed to get a kick out of it. :)

We go back to the hospital in the morning. I'll keep everyone updated. Speaking of updates, check marrowtrek.org sometime this week. Jim & Jesse should be putting up an update on their progress soon!

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ANNOUNCEMENT

If you look at our links to the left, you will see that one of the girls in our prayers is named Kailee Wells. She is only ten years old and has already had two bone marrow transplants. Six years ago, her parents had an idea for a "Thanks Mom" bone marrow campaign. Since then they have been able to work with the NMDP to run a national bone marrow drive each year in honor of Mother's day. There are drives being held all over the country with a goal of 20,000 new registrants. You can also register online for free while funding lasts. The event runs from May 7-21. You can learn more here. Please, please, please SPREAD THE WORD!
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Thank you Sha for the lovely card that you sent!!!!

Thank you Indiana Mom & Dad and Monroeville Mom & Dad for visiting us this weekend and bringing food!

Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.
~Matthew 18:19-20