Unexpected Twist

The plan yesterday was to have Kagan's PICC line changed when he went into the hospital next week for his next round of chemo drugs.  A plan that lasted for about 12 hours before being changed.

Today, we were running a little late to our appointment because Kaleb got up and made me homemade french toast (my favorite) before we left for the hospital.  I took time to enjoy his efforts for being so sweet so we were not right on time.

As soon as walked out of the parking garage I heard a " We have been looking for you!" came across the parking lot.   It was one of the sweetest oncology nurses, Sabine, walking towards us.  Her next words were that they had decided to remove Kagan's PICC line TODAY!   Kagan was like "No, that is not today".  She gently placed her arm around him and said that yes it was going to have to be today because they needed it removed before the PET scan.   He did resist a few times but she smiled gently towards him with her arm around his shoulder and begin to tell him all the great things about having it out for a weekend.  She is PRO!

Well, sure enough, as she escorted him into a room in the clinic things started hopping pretty fast. We were the only ones there today as the clinic only sees emergency and irregular scheduled appointments on Fridays so it was pretty laid back.

The ladies rushed to get him and get his IV inserted for the procedure.   The nurse in the office today,  AKA "G", came in and did a little vein searching.  She swabbed for quite sometime and then said she was going to give the IV one try.   1...2...3  - It was IN!   This is not normal as typically the nurses have a really hard time getting an IV started for Kagan because his veins are small and deep.

It was 11:01 and our PET Scan was scheduled for 11:00.   We rushed out of the clinic and made our way around the hospital to the Medical Arts building for the outpatient procedure to be done.  We begin to get registered to find out that our PET had been moved to 1:00 !  Erg...  I was suppose to leave the hospital to go get Kenadee at camp so now I was in a pickle.

Fortunately, a lady from our church was already at Lake Aurora and I was able to call her and get her to pick up Kenadee with the other kids she was bringing back today.  Whew... something went right but Kagan was disappointed not to get to take the drive out to Lake Aurora. Thanks Christine!

 So, we had to go back to the clinic now to get the  PICC line removed. 

That is what the PICC line looks like.   It was extremely long as they pulled it out.   Good news was that there was no clotting at the end or any signs of infection at the tips.

Then he gets a fancy new bandage filled with stuff to help prevent infection over the next few days.

Off back to the PET scan at the other end of the hospital just about three hours late.    It takes a little over 2 hours to get the PET scan completed.   With all the information, waiting for the radio active materials to get into the system and get the scan it is very boring.  Then Kagan has to sit in this position for about 45 minutes completely still and without talking.

We also were not able to get any results today as the nurse said they would read the CAT and the PET and other test all together.  This would allow them to give us an accurate report.  They said they would see us next week and if there is anything urgent the doctor will call us.  Now we wait.....