March 1, 2001

A few days before my discharge, a male nurse (or a student, not sure) came into my room and told me he was there to remove my staples. OHHHHHHH NO!! I told him I wanted my mom to be there with me. He asked when she would be there, and I told him around noon. It was 8AM at the time. He left the room and went to get a nurse. When he returned he asked if a nurse would be okay instead of my mom...I agreed even though I didn't want my staples taken out. She started at the top and worked his way down. I felt every single tug and pull from the staple remover scissors. Each staple left 2 holes that were bleeding. In all there was 31 staples. After he was finished removing the staples I asked him what would happen if I fell down on the ground. He said that the cut may rip open. Then he placed his fingers along the edge of my scar and said "Don't let anyone do this to it". He began to pretend like he was trying to seperate and pull apart the scar. I was still a little worried about it so he placed sterri-strips across the cut the whole way down to the bottom. He told me to leave them on till they fell off on their own.

March 4, 2001

My doctors wanted to send me to a nursing home after I was released from the hospital. At first I was okay with it. Then I began to think of all the negative aspects...ALOT of old people, and possibly one for a room mate...Old people snore...no offense but some old people stink..and who would want nursing home food? I'm sure they wouldn't let my mom bring me Mcdonalds. I wanted to live again, not be tied up in some nursing home for another 3 months. The next time I seen my doctor in the hospital I told him that I changed my mind and I wanted to go home with my mom. It was fine with him. March 2, 2001 They started tappering my TPN so I wouldn't have to go home with a PICC line again. Finally this time I would be free at home and not have to worry about my TPN anymore. But now since I no longer have the TPN I have to make sure I eat enough, or I will be placed back on it. I am sure that since I'm taking the prednisone I will have no trouble eating since one of the side effects is increased hunger. TPN is very exspensive. One day for me at home cost my insurance $1700. Yes, I said for just ONE day. I was in the hospital until March 4, 2001. They took me off of the TPN IV feedings and I was able to eat a small amount of food without much trouble. It was enough food to satisfy the doctors and assure them that I'de be ok on my own. I got to go home yeaaaa!

Please..don't stop reading now...