Massive Muscle

Although Jeff tried to persuade us that it was just his “massive muscle,” I thought his hospital bracelet looked a little tight on Sunday and Dr. Kennedy thought his arm looked like it might be a little swollen on Monday morning.   She ordered an ultrasound to check his PICC line.  Sure enough, there is a non-occluded blood clot around it.  Treatment is elevation, heat and a low dose of anti-coagulant. 

The oncology physical therapist encourages Jeff to get up and walk.  Activity is important since he is going to be hospitalized for so long.  He hasn’t felt up to a walk every day; sometimes his anti-nausea meds make him too wobbly, too sleepy.  On Sunday he asked me to tidy his hospital gown to prepare for our walk “around the block.”  He paused at the doorway and asked, “Does my hair look alright?”  Ha!  You mean that new crew cut?

Yesterday, nurse Courtney agreed to disconnect the IVs so Jeff could shower.  Woohoo!  While toweling off, he noticed his skin tone is a little orange from the chemo.  After he was dressed and before he was re-connected, he made a break for it – to the door to look up and down the hallway.  He felt liberated without the IV pole.

Jeff looks forward to visitors.  They distract him from feeling cruddy and he likes to hear what everybody is up to – on the “outside.”