Friday, September 9, 2016

Friday

It is the end of another week.  Not sure what was accomplished this week other than the usual…mowing, laundry, cooking…  repeat when necessary.

Thursday is the day we do the infusion to treat Far Guys Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.  We don’t plan anything for the entire day except the Infusion and a nap. 

Infusion

I encourage him to drink water until he floats away the day before and the day of the infusion.  Infusion time with the gravity drip is around 18 minutes right now…it was 14 when the port was brand new. Most days we get a blood return …but sometimes not. Every few weeks the Pulmonary Doctor has his Nurse check on us to see how we are doing.  We have the “stuff” to do an IV if we cannot get the port to flow.  Our daughter or niece can do an IV for us or we can go to the Infusion Center or to the ER.  We only have a three hour window once the “stuff” is mixed.  We mix after the port is accessed but that is no guarentee that it will gravity feed.  So every Thursday we breathe a sigh of relief after it has all been accomplished.

Far Guy can do the whole procedure by himself. He doesn’t need me to help…but he kinda likes it when I do. So far so good with the infusions, they are keeping him healthy although we still have to avoid crowds, germy and perfumy people.  The infusion solution costs $1,320,000.00 a year…it is a good thing we have insurance. It would be much more expensive if we went through the Infusion Center weekly…everyone has to get a piece of the pie.  Too bad I cannot bill someone. The infusion solution has been called “liquid gold.”

Mr Grumpy

Does Chance look grumpy?  Well he was.  I had just scolded him for licking his owie which is mostly healed.  He is over his ear infection…finally.  He is sleeping more and still has troubles going up and coming down the steps and he is stiff when he goes from laying down to sitting and than walking.  He takes “stuff” for his arthritis in pill form and on his food.  In two months Mr Grumpy will be 12 years old.  He is becoming quite particular in his old age…routine is his middle name…he likes his walks but only so far and sometimes he picks one of us over the other to make that last outing at night. (He refuses to even go up the steps if it isn’t the person he wants.)  Silly dog.

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14 comments:

Anonymous said...

You and Far Guy both very brave with this infusion thing. It sounds very scary and it is so necessary for Far Guy's health. The expense is out of this world and I am glad that insurance pays part of it but it still is a huge amount.

So glad that Chance can get some relief for his arthritis. It isn't fun for us who have osteoarthritis but we are grateful for any medication that helps.

Prayers and healing thought for all of you.

Shirley H.

linda m said...

Happy to hear that things are going okay for Far guy regarding his weekly infusion and that the infusions are helping him (the cost is outrageous). Poor Chance. I don't blame him for being grumpy as I suffer from arthritis also. Besides when one gets older sometimes the only thing that keeps us sane is our routine. Hang in there Chance, we all love you. Have a wonderful weekend.

DJan said...

Yes, Chance does look grumpy. I know what he means about routine, but it doesn't make the aches and pains go away, unfortunately. That infusion thing is a two edged sword: painful and expensive, but also the only thing that can help Far Guy. I am also sending you my prayers because I can't do anything else. :-(

Phyllis Pritchard said...

I like the cross saying "Faith" in the background. Faith that the Lord will continue to bless Far Guy's health with these infusions and that insurance will continue to pay for them.

Tired Teacher said...

I'm glad that the you have a backup plan ready if you can't infuse at home. It makes things less stressful. Even with the expense of the medication and the inconvenience, I know you are thankful FarGuy finally got a diagnosis and a treatment that is working.

Poor Chance is feeling the ravages of old age. Thanks for continuing to make him comfortable and as healthy as possible.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I'm glad the infusion is not as rough as it was before, but I would be like you...holding my breath to see if it will flow right. I feel just like Chance...achy and grumpy. Getting old is not easy- that's for sure. Have a great day!

Diane Dahli said...

You and Far Guy face your challenges with such aplomb! Such cool people! The cost for the infusion is beyond understanding. I hoped it was a typo, but am sure it isn't!

Red said...

I can't believe the number you quote for Far Guy's infusion. the mafia have to be involved somewhere.

Anonymous said...

Glad to know the Thursday infusions are going okay. Wishing you both the best as that continues. I tend to agree with Chance's attitude about routine. That whole laying to sitting to walking gets to me, too.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Wow that is expensive Red's comment made me laugh. We all need to laugh. HUGS B

Granny Marigold said...

It's good to know that so far the infusions are relatively trouble-free. One can only hope they continue that way.
That Chance. He has his likes and preferences no doubt about it.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I love your header! Oh the infusions are crazy with the prices but hope they save our life...or better it. He is a beautiful dog!

Terry and Linda said...

Chance a dog after my own heart.

Linda

Linda Reeder said...

You are doing a whole lot of taking care of around there. We gotta' do what we gotta' do, but you are a master.