ChloeWatts.com

Monday, June 23rd:

June 24th, 2008 Posted in Daily News Post

Here we are, starting week three.  It’s hard to believe we have been here two full weeks tonight and that we are all still sane… to one extent or another. 

Chloe had a good rest last night but started the morning out pretty bad.  Dana knew it was not going to be a good morning after she first spilled coffee on one of our Doctors and a few minutes later christened another.   

The feeding tube clogged due to a certain medicine that probably should not go down the tube.  Unfortunately we didn’t find out how to unclog it until the decision to pull it out came down the pike.  Poor Chloe.  This is a miserable procedure.  They went for a size 10 tube again and after three tries another nurse came in and told them a 10 would not pass through.  Dana had suggested a size 8 to begin with.  Now with the nasal passage so inflamed a size 8 was a chore.  Chloe was the model patient even still.   

Her pain spiked throughout the morning and afternoon but seems to be a little less and holds on for a shorter period of time.  She is on heavier pain meds however.  That could, very well, be the reason for the difference. 

Her temperature is still elevated, although it has been almost normal a few times due to the Tylenol.  It’s a false sense of a turning point when she registers normal. 

The Spinal Tap results are not official yet but she, most likely, has surgical meningitis.  This is a treatable condition, albeit very painful in spikes.  She had an “impressive” amount of white cells in her fluid.  That is not necessarily a bad thing as they are the soldiers fighting this battle.  It does indicate something nasty is going on though. 

This afternoon was pretty good for her.  Her pain level was way down and she was pretty talkative, even though it is at a volume that is hard for me to hear.  She was making beaded bracelets when I arrived with Diane from Child Life.  Diane is a wonderful source of joy for Chloe. 

Another source of joy was a visit by a four-legged friend today.  Dr. Judy approved a visit by a golden lab.  Chloe ate it up.  The dog was actually on her bed being stroked into submission.  Later I asked Chloe if she wanted more of those.  She was pretty darn clear that it was a huge boost to her spirits. 

Dana had to leave to go home and care for her sick dog.  So now she has her dog on antibiotics, her son on his second dose of antibiotics and Chloe on everything under the sun.  You’d think she could catch a break here.  She was back by 7 P.M.  I was hoping she’d fall asleep and stay the night at home.  I was all ready to be there the night.  She’s way too much the Mama to do that though.  I’m glad she is vigilant.   

Just before shift change at 7 P.M. Dave and Ramona came by for a visit.  Chloe always loves to see them.  They stayed through the shift change.  You’re locked in the unit for an hour during the change of shift.  It happens at both 7 O’clock hours. 

When I left tonight she was tuning in Jay Leno for Dana… so she says…  She had an icepack on her head so the pain was creeping up.  So was her temperature.  It’s the time of night for that.  So pretty soon the nurse would help her sleep. 

As I was getting my hug and kiss from Wonder Girl she assured me that she would be getting better soon.  “It just takes a little while, but I’ll get better.”  She speaks the truth.

Blessings to all of you for your support.  Thank you for understanding my need to vent last night.  I’m much better after doing that even though it doesn’t happen very often at all.