1st Pump Fill

5.13.25
This was my first appointment back at COH Irvine since my surgery. My first stop was at labs to get some blood-work and then Mike and I went upstairs to meet with the PA Scott Thompson. He reviewed my blood-work and then it was time to head up to the infusion center for my first pump fill. I was so nervous going into my appointment since the "pump study" that was done in Duarte was so painful. First thing they had to do was remove the gauze that was tapped over my pump incision- so we got to see that for the first time- the incision was much bigger than I thought it would be. The nurses gave me an ice pack to numb the pump area and thankfully it went smooth and nearly pain free. The nurse poked through to the pump (with a needle the size of a sewing needle), pulled out all of the liquid that was remaining in it, then injected it with saline and pulled that out. Then they filled it with heparin. Heparin is a blood thinner and anticoagulant that prevents and treats blood clots. Once she was done filling it we headed home. The next day I felt really tired- I took a nap around 12 and then was still so tired in the afternoon, I ended up going to bed at 6pm. I am not sure if it is at all related but it is definitely something I will be paying attention to.