So I was back to the outpatient procedure center today for another injection. They went back to my SI joints this time. This was my first time getting the injection in the afternoon, and I felt less than confident at work without any nail polish, makeup, deodorant, or perfumes of any kind. Also, since I receive anesthetic medication, there are eating and drinking restrictions. My poor veins were in no shape to take an IV this afternoon.

The poor nurse tried each hand, insisting on injecting them with lidocaine first even though I told her that I didn't need it. My theory is that the lidocaine scares the veins away! Whenever they use lidocaine the vein disappears. With the second bruise forming under a fresh gauze pad, she told me that they have a rule to bring in a fresh pair of eyes after two failed attempts.

So the next nurse came in, and she knew me from past visits to the outpatient hospital center (always nice to be recognized I suppose). She decided to go after the veins on the underside of my wrist. I told her my theory of the lidocaine, even though she said that that was the most painful spot to put in an IV. (I don't find IVs "painful" at all...uncomfortable perhaps, but not painful.) I don't think that I have ever had an IV there before, or I would have remembered how awkward it felt to be unable to use my wrist without feeling like I had a long piece of sharp metal in there.

So, that IV was a success, though it was a small vein and they were worried about it collapsing on them, and I didn't really want them to go to my feet for the next try. Luckily, the little guy held up. The injection aren't a long procedure at all, fortunately. Meanwhile, Nick commented aloud that I would be a lousy drug addict with my veins. Guess I can cross that endeavor off my bucket list.

So, they wheel me back to the recovery room and I notice red dots on my arm that almost appear to follow the vein that the IV is in. I point it out to the nurse who brings several nurses back to look. Since it didn't travel ALL the way up the vein, they didn't think it was a reaction to the drugs, but none the less removed it immediately. Then they notice that the area of skin underneath the tape is strawberry-red too. As they begin pulling off the tape from my IV battle wounds, it's official. I've developed an adhesive allergy and it's in my file. Paper tape from here on out.

So, while all this is going on, I bring up shyly that I am registered to run tomorrow.



This is the run that I have participated in just about every year since Mom died (it was my first charity run ever, in fact). Even last year, a few weeks out of major surgery, I walked it. When I started working at American Family Insurance, I was pleased to find out that because they are such a huge sponsor of the event, my registration is free. They even deliver the race packets (I can register Nick under the AmFam team, I just had to pay the registration fee to ACS...I never mind writing a check to ACS).

I participate in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure every year as well, but because Mom didn't have Breast Cancer specifically, I suppose it doesn't touch me quite the way that the race covering all of the big "C" does. Being that I doubt they'll ever have an event for "Rare and Uncurable Cancer", this one is as close as I can get.

I was not prepared for the nurse to come back with a big fat "No". I thought she would say something like "Go by how you feel," or "Just stop if you feel discomfort." But, alas, this was not so. She said I could walk if I wanted, but even then she didn't want me walking a whole 5K.

I've had two different types of injections now, and I guess I forgot that this is the one that I can ruin if I overdo it. The other ones were either diagnostic and confirmatory injections in which they directed me to do all the activities that aggravate my pain. With a longer lasting medicine, they want to make sure it takes hold in the areas it was injected. I feel horrible that I won't be participating this year...especially with the tee-shirt and race big just glaring at me on the table, all ready to go.

Well, at least I have two bruised hands and contact dermatitis to show for my troubles. Is that a positive? Sure.

BUMMER.