Hi everyone,

Well June 27th had started off as a normal (for me) cancer/RA day.  I
had accomplished getting up, cleaning up and eating chores out of the
way by Mid-day.  I started feeling increased pains in my right shoulder
and arm, the site of the PICC line along with a pick-up in pains
elsewhere all over my bod.

Jeanne had been the temperature monitor and was on the fifth round of
checks which were showing spikes in temperature from 97.4 F to 103.8 F.
This was the trip wire for us to contact the Cancer Center right away.
Jeanne placed the call and having talked with several people was
instructed to bring me in to the Cancer Center packed for admission.

This took little time since we had prepared materials  for such a trip
already.  Of course,  I-71  was a complete parking lot fifteen minutes
from home.  Despite the tie-up it took just a little over an hour.

Lots of tests and  a lot of answers-- we won't know for at least 72
hours for this or that test.  Suspicions settle around either an
infection of the PICC Line or a combination Infection/ blood clot of the
PICC Line. It's too dangerous to consider removing the Picc Line at this
time.

The hospital was jammed and there was no room right now, but they were
pulling strings to get me a room.  I wound up in a single private room.
The PICC LINE was branched off for pain IV's, IV's to break up the clot
and IV's to control the infections  and every half hour a complete check
of all my vital signs.

About AM June 28th, we were told they believe I have no infection as
indicated by the routine test, but not by those 72 hour tests. I have
forgotten when during this ordeal I finally urged Jeanne to head for
home and avoid he morning onslaught of workers for early morning shifts.

June 28th a day of sleeping and routine blood tests and half hour check
on my vitals.  June 29th same as 28th, but I am showing no more signs of
distress, the PICC LINE is removed no signs of infection and want to go
home.  Grand rounds on July 1st, finally an answer, there is definite
signs of a blood clot, so, being sent home with prescriptions of
coumadin and Lovanox (injections).  I had asked them to seek permission
from my health care provider to allow for the Lovanox injections at
home. Pressing them to get permission got me out of the hospital, since
they could only be administered there prior to getting my health care
providers permission.  Sure wish I had thought of that sooner, would
have saved hospital costs and I could have gone home sooner.

Learning everyday how to work the system at the hospital to our advantage.

Don and Jeanne Whitely