Today was River's last infusion with the home health care nurse. Except that infusion didn't really happen. Those pesky IVs kept coming out and River's little veins did not want to cooperate for the replacements.
Our first home infusion Wednesday morning with Sarah, the nurse, was no big deal. His hospital-IV was still going strong; but by yesterday, it no longer worked. She coaxed a vein to work on the second try, and made him an extra large splint/boot to try and immobilize his foot enough to get us through until this morning.
He klonked around, and climbed, as if he didn't have two pieces of wood taped to his foot with plenty of fabric cushioning. And that stethoscope is a new favorite. He presses the end (pulled off and stashed somewhere else by Liam in this picture) up to my heart, his, or Piper's and whispers a beat: bum-bum-bum.
And then this morning, the IV was still in place, but it had formed a clot in the base that Sarah could not work through.
She stuck him 4 times, trying to work her way into a vein. Two of them worked initially,but then slipped before she could give him all of his medication. He ended up with maybe 1/3 of a dose. She didn't have the heart, and he didn't have any more ready veins, to continue.
Since his bleeding finally tapered off yesterday, he should be fine without the last of his last dose.
From all of the attempts in the OR through all of the pokes today, River has had a total of 15 needle-sticks since Monday. He has the marks to prove it. And he is one good little patient. He cried and responded to the pain, but he never fought it. Instead, he buried his face in my neck, leaned into me, and watched Sarah work.
It was terrible to have to hold him still, feeling his pain. I would have taken all 15 needle pricks for him if I could. But all I can do is pray that he won't need a 16th.
Despite the ordeal this morning, River still smiled at Sarah, waving goodbye, when it was time for her to go. And he has been in a great mood all afternoon. He is one amazing little guy.
Oh Dorth, how strong you had to be! How strong River had to be! Knowing you, you probably were amazing and calm, but I bet you wanted to cry your eyes out! I almost did just picturing the whole terrible thing. You're right, River is one amazing little guy to wave and smile at the strange woman causing him the pain! It's fun to think how his sweetness will carry him on later in life, too. Love you guys. Sorry today was so hard.
ReplyDelete