Sunday, August 29, 2010

August 29: Day +58


Happy Birthday today to my daddy in heaven. He would have been 82 today. He passed away in 1997, and while I know that we will see each other again, I miss him.

There was a lot of missing going around today. Ali cried all the way home from Target because she misses Lucy, our pet dog, who is staying with grandma and grandpa back in CA. Angelique and I miss Bella, and we really noticed yesterday and today... not like on any other day it isn't palpable, but this weekend just really hit us. I think it's because the three of us went out into public to do stuff, and we just noticed Bella's absence the whole time. Tonight at Target, it was really evident. Just before we came up here to MN, we had turned Bella's car seat around to face front. It was really cute seeing Ali and Bella in the back seat together whenever we went anywhere. Well, that car seat has been empty, and a catch-all for magazines, Ali's toys, etc. for faaaaaar too long. The empty car seat was what tore me up when Angelique was discharged from the mother baby unit last June. That image hit me this weekend again. The other empty item that hurts to see is Bella's crib. It's been empty for so long now, I hardly remember her sleeping in it that first week here. Man, I miss that little girl. I can barely stand it.

The good news is that we started giving Bella the max dose of norepi and hydrocortisone and her blood pressure finally stabilized! We were also able to finally D/C the vasopressin, an antibiotic, and an antifungal. 3 less meds! Yay! We also figured out that we will run Bella on the Prisma at -10 mL an hour for 12 hours at a time, then run it at even/net zero for 12, then back again to -10 for 12, etc. We realized that Bella doesn't replenish the fluid from her tissues back into her blood stream at 10 mL an hour. So, if we continue to run her at that deficit for a couple of days in a row, even though she is still fluid up, her vasculature ends up too dry. Every day, we learn a little more about finding the balance for Bella while her body works on healing.


Ali's artwork adorns the walls of Bella's room...

It is an exhausting game of titration. While we really are giving it our best, I can't help but feel like we're failing her. For example, her weight is 14 kilograms today. She was 10 kilograms 2 weeks ago. Folks, that is just under 9 POUNDS of fluid that we have put on her in two weeks. That's no fun. We are now treating this ulcer on her head daily as well, and she sure didn't come over with that either. She has 5 open wounds currently on her from staff shearing her skin off with fingertips wearing dry gloves (three are underneath those two squares on Bella's scalp above). She has had over 10 since being in the ICU. Each wound is between the size of a dime and a quarter. I don't know about you, but if I tripped and skinned my knee and sheared off that same amount, I'd notice. I think the worst part of it is that of the 10+ wounds she's been given by staff, NO ONE has copped to a single one and filled out an incidence report. The only nurse with enough class to call this out has been Chris, her current daytime nurse. She is now entering reports for every wound Bella is given. At first, I was a little hesitant, after all, it's EB; sooner or later, we've all left our mark on Bella. However, staff has to be held accountable for whenever they injure a patient, no matter what the patient's diagnosis is, and regardless of intent. I would assert that over 95% percent of med errors and injuries are not malicious, but we must be vigilant to give the best care we possibly can at all times. Patients and their families count on this. After all, wouldn't you if you were the patient?

Sorry for the doom and gloom; this journey is not a straight line, it is not a paved highway, and it is not a glass-covered pond. It is roundabout; we are clearing the brush as we go, and it feels more like we are adrift in a big emotional ocean, where the waves lift us up, then crash down on us. Remember that life preserver analogy from a few days back? That is what keeps us afloat.

It's interesting; my faith doesn't always make me feel better. It is often far more practical. It helps my brain continue to function. My faith gives me just enough peace to fall asleep at night, and just enough strength to get out of bed each morning. I am grateful that the last place I am before bed is on my knees before God, and the first place I am in the morning is right back down on them again.

This journey has literally brought me to my knees! Having said that, I have to say that dropping to my knees has been a powerful experience for me, especially since I'm not a 10 year old with elastic legs anymore. Just the physical act of getting on my knees... it is such an iconic position of surrender. I don't care if you are doing it to pray to God, Allah, or anyone; just try dropping to your knees and remaining there for 60 seconds. The submission of ego and pride to the totality of a world that is beyond my control is actually very liberating. I can give up trying to control and carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. I can GIVE UP ( pay attention to those two words... ) my troubles, my fears, my concerns, my pain. Where can I give it? UP. To God. Give - up. May you never quite hear or read that phrase the same way again.

Will he take it? He always does. Imagine my fears, worries, etc, are in a big backpack on my back. Imagine God walking up behind me, and when I drop to my knees, He grabs ahold of the pack, holding it in place, essentially lifting it off my back. It remains suspended behind me, and he places it over to the side, ready for me to grab and throw back on should I choose to. See, it's always my choice what I do with my backpack. I can give it up, or I can take it up. Being the imperfect human I am, I do a mixture of both. God's always there to take it, and it's always there for me to take back. Either way, I always have a choice.


"Visit the Doctor," By Ali...

Tomorrow morning: more biopsies. Speaking of biopsies, Ali played clinic nurse today and had me (the doctor) give her, me, Angelique, and the baby doll biopsies. Ali wrote out a schedule (see below) and drew how many biopsies each person was supposed to get and at what time their appointment was. The scribbly lines represent our names... Start saving for med school, right?


If you don't chart it, it didn't happen!

13 comments:

  1. Greetings from India.

    I have been reading your blog for quite a while now but have never commented...but I just wanted to send good wishes your way. I am sorry you have to go through this hard time but in the end it will all be worth it. And, we all know it. :)

    Just hang in there. It's all going to be fine.


    Saudamini

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  2. I'm so sorry to hear that today was such a hard day. I can only imagine the pain you feel not being able to have Bella with you all of the time. I take it for granted that I am a stay at home mommy and I get to be with both kids 24 hours a day. It's hard enough leaving them behind with a sitter for a few hours. You and Ang are so strong. And you're such great examples. God is Great! Lots if prayers are continuing your way. Stay strong.

    Take Care,
    Amber McLaughlin,CA

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  3. We all miss Bella - can't wait to see her up and bright again.
    Love and hugs

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  4. Falling to my knees tonight, and lifting Bella, Ang, Tim & Ali unto the Lord...may you find comfort in resting your cheek in the palm of HIS hands. I'm so sorry that you are feeling heartbroken today...may GOD shield Bella, with the blood of Jesus, tonight and throughout the week.
    Thinking of you Bella,
    nicole

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  5. My son (12 years old) have just come back from a trip with Scouts from Austria and when he showed me the picture of a little church in the middle of nowhere, he told me he prayed there for Bella. In every little corner you are all in our prayers.
    How you wouldn't miss your sweet little girl??
    We also miss her ...
    Mariana

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  6. Tim,
    Thank you for being so strong, not only for your family but for all of us who are on this journey with you too. Your faith, courage and strength in the Lord are a testament to us all. You are doing much more than you could ever know. Hang in there. Matthew 5:3-12. Lots of love and prayers, Laura V. Germany

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  7. The empty objects are the hardest... that and the other children with the same age... That was what affected me most, when Matilde was on the NICU. I can only imagine how hard was yesterday to be with a family that had a baby girl same age as Bella...

    But be sure that soon you will see Bella smiling, clapping, "talking", walking, and occupying her objects!

    "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." Matthew 21:22.

    Carla, from Portugal

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  8. I also miss Bella awake and part of your family. I am just a reader of your Blog. I can not image the pain you all are having. I so wanted Bella to fly through this BMT. Every day I check out your Blog I just pray they are getting her off the vent and that she will pee. No one wants to still be in ICU on day 58-59. Please God help Bella make pee and get off the vent.

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  9. My heart is full for you today. May you continue to give UP. I loved that. Yes, God is fully capable of carrying and lifting us...if we just allow Him to do so. Praying for peace and healing. What a mighty God we serve.

    Susan
    A friend in NC

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  10. WHAT A GREAT DAILEY DEVOTIONAL!!

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  11. Bella is so lucky to have an awesome family awaiting that awesome baby to come back to them! Emotions, faith, trust can travel in cycles when we humans get stressed and worn down. You are a strong person to see that and to GIVE UP and trust again day after day. All our prayers!

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  12. I love Ali's artwork and writing. She's so smart! The day is half over with and I hope it's a good one...I can't wait to read tonight what it all had in store for you. Praying for more 2 steps forward and no steps back.

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  13. Still praying for Bella and your family. Your words are inspirational and your view on life is amazing. Keep the faith.

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