Hell Hath Frozen Over!

Why, you might ask.  Well, that is because this girl actually used her vest today!!  WHAT?!?! Yes, it is true - I cannot tell a lie :)

I couldn't wait to share this astronomical feat with you all!  Thanks to my buddy (hi, John!) - I was given some extra motivation to drag the dusty beast out of the garage.  Will assisted me in finding it over the weekend, and man was it dirty!!  So, we left it in the garage (strategically placed right in the middle so I see it and have to walk around it).  This afternoon, I took the plunge and along with some handy Clorox wipes managed to clean the sucker right up.

So, tonight at 8:33pm, I sat down to do my HTS treatment and hooked myself up to the vest.  Oh, the memories came flooding back as the vest filled up with air and then started to shake me.  All was going well, until about 3 minutes in.  That's when the itching started.  This is not just a little itch that you can scratch.  Its the painful, rubbing, burning itch...and its right across my chest! AHHHH!!!  So, for the remaining time, I just sat in agony and tried to not think about it.

I managed to get 20 minutes in (as long as it took for my HTS)!! Woohoo!!  And after it was all said and done, I'm left with a beat red chest : /  I coughed just for a second during the treatment, so I'm anxious to see if I start coughing tonight.  I'm sure Will will happily tell me if I keep him up.

The dogs weren't really fond of the vest - they don't like the noise (frankly, neither do I!!).  Will and I tried to introduce it to them before I used it and they mostly backed away and barked at it.  Thankfully, they just stared at me like I was crazy when I had it on.  It's bad enough having the TV turned up so loud just to hear it over the vest, let alone having those numbskulls barking at me at the same time.

My goal is to use my vest during my HTS treatment every day.  Right now, I am only doing one HTS treatment a day, but plan to up that to twice a day in the coming weeks.  Baby steps - that's what I have to tell myself.  I think I will reward myself this weekend for taking that first step!  What to do?  Massage? Pedicure? Sour Patch Kids? :D

My audience
On another CF note, I'm due to start Cayston on Saturday...so, I had a lovely shipment arrive of my meds today.  I'm sure my insurance company loved seeing that order : /

Cayston, handset, Zenpep and Hypertonic Saline


Comments

  1. Hey its me again :)

    It seems what you experience is normal. But I can tell you I haven't noticed this. I sugges wearing a cotton shirt like a PJ shirt you don't want it to be to thin or to thick. Also, try using Will's white t shirts maybe put on two of them.

    This link may help you.
    http://forum.cysticfibrosis.com/archive/index.php/t-2682.html

    I suggest calling Hil Rom and telling them about your itchiness.
    I want you to feel more comfortable and get the benefit of vesting and HTS.

    Keep using it and trying out different things! Good luck :)

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  2. I used to get the super red, itchy, uncomfortable chest as well from the Vest. For some reason when I got the newer vest the problem went away. If you haven't gotten a new Vest (the fabric part, not the machine) in a while and you have a Hillrom Vest they will send you a new one free. It is worth a shot since it is free! Good job being more compliant- there is nothing to lose from taking better care of yourself.

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