Saturday, January 9, 2016

1-9-2016 Update & Changing of the PICC Dressing Video

Everything has been going very well so far. Thank you everyone that is ordering a Team Tarallo Shirt. You're thoughts and prayers mean more to me than a shirt does, but it represents a symbol of strength and determination that more people need to see as they get challenged in life because we are the examples of both our younger and older generation. When the time comes to make certain choices we will all have a reflection on how others managed theirs. I'm honored to share my experience with all of you so more of it is clear to you and without so many blanks to fill in on your own and many more holistic options that have been around for decades to centuries.

Well, when I got my PICC Line (peripherally inserted central catheter) put in on Tuesday 1-5-16 it had a tugging feeling to it that was uncomfortable when I turned my wrist, bent my elbow or dipped my shoulder. I was told that it would take a day then it feel fine. The PICC line was inserted just a tad too much and that was causing the tugging feeling. When they changed the dressing and made the adjustments I had asked if I could shoot a video, but France wasn't there to do it, but I do have the changing of the dressing after a couple of trips into the shower with it wrapped up. Between moisture and condensation it is destined to need to be redressed and I have to wear the PICC for the 3 weeks that I'm here. So here is the 5 min video of the redressing. I'm not that fat, its the camera and gown I swear, but I am that bald! 



I've been able to exercise in the gym that they have here which is only a treadmill and a bike, but it gets the job done. My goal is to go in the gym 4 times a day and get a half hour workout in each time. This way I'm moving, keeping my circulation going, getting some sort of a heart rate up. As the days go on I may not even be able to go into the gym as my platelet level drops.

150,000: Activity as I wish
50,000 - 150,000: Bicycle, Treadmill and Weights (no restrictions)
20,000 - 50,000: Bicycle (light resistance), Treadmill (no incline), Weights/Resistance Bands (light), Walking as tolerated.
5,000 - 20,000: No use of the exercise room (no bicycle or treadmill), activities in my room, moving arms and legs seated or in bed.

I'm not trying to push myself, just trying to keep moving so I have my strength later on when I'm really weak which is in the upcoming days. France got a nice shot of my light idea of a workout wearing my Team Tarallo Hoodie.





More to come as the days pass. I'm trying to keep it interesting and less like a daily diary of events.

Anthony