I am tired and in pain. So many things happening…

A few weeks ago, our washing machine abruptly stopped working. Thankfully, since it was during Memorial Day weekend, we were able to get a good deal on a washing machine. We had to survive two weeks without a washing machine. This would not have been a big deal, but while my laundry was in the washing machine is when the machine broke. A neighbor generously offered to finish doing my laundry. I was able to get the load of laundry done, but I still had other laundry which needed to be washed.

On Saturday, a new washing machine was delivered. I was so thankful and grateful to be able to get the rest of my laundry done.

On Monday, I had a doctor’s appointment. The physician played around with my tracheostomy tube. The pain this caused nearly brought me to tears. For two days, I have been having significant pain around my tracheostomy tube. The pain is finally getting better today.

My pancreas has been crabby. Eating food makes it hurt. I am trying to eat, but I am also trying not to agitate my pancreas. It is such a delicate balance. I am thankful for my IV nutrition called TPN. This helps get me calories and nutrition through my vein. It bypasses my pancreas and does not cause me pain. The TPN provides about half to three quarters of my daily calorie needs.

Yesterday, when a small load of laundry was in the dryer, the dryer abruptly stopped working. My heart sank. The dryer now needs to be replaced. At least we have a washing machine. We will just have to hang up everything around the house to dry.

I found out today, after corresponding for over a month with the company who makes my tracheostomy tubes, they are not going to replace my tracheostomy tubes which have been recalled. Despite providing the tracking number for the package, they claim the package is still in transit. The United States Post Office states the package was delivered on May 20. It seems I have lost both the cost of shipping the tracheostomy tubes and the tracheostomy tubes. This is quite frustrating. Tracheostomy tubes are expensive. They are about $80-100 each.

This comes at an inconvenient time as I only have one tracheostomy tube. I have requested more tracheostomy tubes from my respiratory company, but the tracheostomy tubes are on back order.

I am completely drained of energy today. I was going to lay in bed all day. As I got all settled down, my TPN pump started beeping. It said there is an error on the pump. Please contact my provider. Thankfully, I have a spare TPN pump. I had to get the back-up pump out and program it. I then had to disconnect my TPN from the broken pump and connect it to the new pump. It seems to be working ok. I have to wait until next week to get a new pump because my TPN shipment was already sent out for this week. Thankfully, I have a spare TPN pump I can use.

I am laying in bed and about ready to fall asleep. This all has been so stressful on me. I hope nothing else happens as I just want to rest and nurse my sore tracheostomy and aching pancreas.