December 11, 2014. Ridgeland, MS. The First Time.

Ken did a great job. It was the first time Ken used the new fancy catheter to withdraw fluid from my chest. All went well. We had observed the pulmonary doctor after he installed the catheter and everything was straight forward and simple. The problem came right at the end. Unfortunately, Ken was just one day after hernia surgery so he was still taking pain pills. And we did the task in the evening when he was tired. The Parkinson's also makes his one hand shake so he is not steady. The last task is to cover up the catheter and the 6"tube with a bandage, which will then allow showering. Unfortunately, when Ken put on the bandage, no part was attached to my skin. The quaze bandage was covering up everything necessary, but we needed to use multiple pieces of tape to keep it in place. It looks and feels very odd. We laughed and decided to do the process early in the morning. We are like the blind leading the blind. You have to laugh. Neither can take care of the other. It is actually very funny. My bandage is almost at my waist when it should be tucked under by left breast.. Every time I feel the bandage I smile.