Nursing!

Today was an awesome day!!! We got in home nursing set up. :) So while I am at work, Kyle is at home with Amelia, our four year old, Allison, our three year old, Anabelle and now her nurse! I can't lie though.. It was a little awkward first meeting her and getting everything set up. I know it will be awkward at times for Kyle though. Anabelle is still a baby, and sleeps a lot. So when she is sleeping.... What will the nurse be doing? Hm...

But she is nice, and pays attention. She did a lot of range of motion with Ana today which is awesome. I try to sneak it in throughout the day while at home, but between doctor appointments, medications, getting the girls whatever they are wanting, etc etc. So it's super nice to know it will get done throughout the week, every day. She is familiar with feeding tubes too which is a plus! And she likes to hold her; not afraid she will break her, hurt her or whatever it is that makes people to scared to touch her. 

We did however have a one night stay in the hospital over the weekend though... On Friday she spiked another high grade temperature. My first day back to work. Kyle was a trooper though. He took Amelia to preschool and took Ana (with Allison in tote) to the ER. It was his first time, and he had to do it with Alli too! He did awesome. They had to do blood work, again. Her white blood cell count was slightly elevated. I mean, normal range is 11,000-17,000, and her count was 20,100. See, slightly. An elevated white blood cell count could indicate an infection somewhere. So they cath'd her again to see if it was a urinary tract infection, and over an hour they got a DROP. No joke. The nurses tried to get an IV to get her more hydrated and get more urine for the tests.. I lost count, but I think it was somewhere around 14 attempts. And they all failed to get an IV started. The PICU doctor wanted to observe her overnight and repeat the blood work just to see. Luckily she is ok, and we only spent a total of about 24 hours in the hospital. 

He also recommended talking to other doctors of hers about getting a port or broviac. These are typically used for chemotherapy. But I think it might be a good idea. The hospital stay mid-July, the two week stay, was scary. Ana was very dehydrated. They tried many many times to get an IV started. They has the nurses on the floor try, the NICU nurses, IV therapy (supposedly super good at getting an IV), and then the doctor came in. I swear I could see his forehead starting to bead with sweat. He kept saying if he couldn't get it soon then he'd have to do a central (which requires anesthesia) or something with putting a needle in her bone... all because he was afraid she would go into shock. 
So, I think she should get it.. 

But back to this home nursing... 

It helps so so much. Today Ana had a follow up with ENT (Ears, Nose, & Throat). The nurse is able to assist Kyle at appointments, and went with him today. It helps not only to have an extra set of hands, because he will have to take one or both of the older girls. But also because she has the medical terminology in her back pocket. Luckily I am familiar because of my job, but Kyle is just starting to learn. And from our experience today, it also helps because she will be an extra set of ears to help remember what the doc says and relay it back to me. Kyle is just a bit occupied with trying to just manage just getting through the appointment with the girls. Oh yeah. I despise her ENT doc and we are getting a new one. She spent 5 minutes with them, didn't touch Ana and all she said is as follows. "Is she thriving? Good, she doesn't need a trach. I am referring you to a plastic surgeon to follow. (Do to microcephaly)". Helllloooo?!?! She has given us grief in the past too.. 

Ah. So nice to have help with the little stuff. I was telling her how nice it is that we can start focusing on ANABELLE. Not medicine, therapy, or any medical stuff (at least for a bit). We can enjoy our baby!! YAY!!!!!!


Also, it helps making going back to work a whole lot easier!! When I was home it was tough with two people, so I was panicked when it was just going to by Kyle. Not because he isn't capable, just because it's a lot for one person. 

*BIG SIGH*

I finally feel like the pieces are starting to fall together, in the right order! 
I'm totally jumping on this bandwagon and praying to goes for a good long while! 

With love, 
The Polks