Ball: Rolling

We made it through Day 1.  I was somewhere between wanting to just go to sleep or throw up for most  of the day.  Checking in solo had its challenges beginning with extracting her from the minivan. Of course she was crying and once she saw her bag land on the wheel chair, reality pelted her like a cold shower during a cozy nap.  She was glued to me like one of those clip on koala bears. Thankfully, the perceptive gentleman working at valet parking escorted us upstairs even with a detour due to a down elevator. Coworker Stefanie crossed our paths at just the right time to help carry my lunch and help us access the patient elevators, continuing our ascent to floor 11.

Overall, things went smoothly in clinic. We were able to sedate her enough to tolerate a bed ride back to the Cath Lab so I could hold her mask with the anesthetic until she went to sleep.

She now wears some "special jewelry" on her neck that keeps her from getting poked. It is not a PICC line, but a central line in her jugular, stitched right in there with special tape. We can administer the heparin and draw blood from it so there are no repeated pokes. This is a good thing as blood draws the typical way are torturous. This line is also in a place where she can't see it or be bothered by it when playing. We are so glad she is not the kind of patient to try ripping the wires from her body!! She is cautiously respecting her extra accessories.

We hit the play room a few times (they have lots of matchbox cars and a variety of garages and ramps on which to use them), ate a cheeseburger and broccoli, and are getting used to pulling our IV pole around. She was even being silly over dinner and making us laugh.  It has really helped to have little presents to give her to lure her back to the room since you have to work hard to get her back there for any procedure or check-up. She even asked for a present at 3AM when we had our first blood draw.

This is our first time in the new hospital staying overnight. Accommodations are much better! We have our own mini fridge in the room as well as a bathroom and shower  that I can use if need be. So far, Bernie is refusing to wear any form of hospital gown. I am picking my battles and that is one I don't really care about right now. Body by Bernie is in full effect.

Today we just hang out. The calm before the storm. Not sure yet where we are on the case schedule, but that can always change anyhow. Day 2 here we come.