{Karlton Bontrager}

Wednesday’s big event was the insertion of a PICC line. Was it a response to the stand-off of Sunday night? Or does it just make medical sense not to keep jabbing a patient each time blood work is needed or an IV must be administered? No one is giving us any answers, but someone made the decision to give Karlton a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC). We liked the idea right away. The new catheter enters the inside of his right arm just above the elbow and lies in a vein that goes up the arm and into the chest cavity. It ends near the heart. PICC lines can remain in the body for as long as a month and they do not require the maintenance of vein lines. In addition to administering medications and IV fluids through the PICC line, we understand that blood can be withdrawn through it as well. What’s more, Karlton is encouraged to move his arm while it is in place.

The procedure took place in radiology. Karlton’s eyes continue to be light sensitive, and the staff were sensitive to that. They kept the lights dimmed during preparations, and we covered up his eyes during the procedure. Once the lead had entered his chest cavity, the radiologists used X-ray video equipment to monitor their progress. At one point the line veered upwards toward the jugular vein. That was the exact opposite of the direction they wanted it to take. They inserted a bent wire to make the line curve downwards, and soon it was in place. In dictating notes summarizing the procedure, the doctor described the experience as “routine.” The reward for Karlton was getting rid of the vein line cut into the back of his left hand.

The PTA (Post-Traumatic Amnesia) questions are getting to be a nuisance. Karlton’s mind seems so clear to us. Yet he keeps getting tripped up on those silly questions, failing to earn a perfect score. Early Wednesday morning he was awakened from a vivid dream and asked where he was. “China,” was his answer. That’s where the dream had taken place. Then the PT arrived after breakfast. No one had bothered to change the calendar on his wall, so he gave the wrong day and date. The day previously, she asked her questions at 11:52a. He identified the time of day as afternoon and was scored incorrect because of 8 minutes! Maybe it’s time for pre-test reviews each morning.

The plan for Thursday is to take Karlton back to the ISIS Rehabilitation Center. Things in the hospital seem to happen slowly and change quickly, so we’re holding our breath. It will be good to shift our focus from a medical one to a rehabilitative one. And we’re almost there.