Day 43 - UNM Hospital, A Difficult Request?

We are still here at University of New Mexico Children's Hospital after 43 days. 

India's "traction" water weight broke yesterday afternoon. It's now 4:45 am (the next day) and the hospital still hasn't replaced it with another water weight OR simple sand bags. So India and I have resorted to filling my computer bag with about 12 pounds of weight to make due and help her with her pain.

1:30 PM Update...

Next Day Update: http://moomock.blogspot.com/2014/05/day-43-unm-hospital-difficult-request-2.html

Day 24 In Boston - Post Surgery - "2nd Attempt Off Of Traction"

India and I started the day hopeful again despite the unthinkable just hours before.  We wake up each morning with hope despite a darkness most can't fathom that follows us like a shadow.  

I know this sounds incomprehensible, but "by the grace of God", most never experience what India and I do. 

Imagine holding your child's head pressed against yours as you sing, hum, or talk about beautiful times as you're trying to give comfort to your "baby" while your child screams in pain; shaking.

All the while, the tears of your child mixes with yours; burning your eyelids. 

Then your child's saliva begins to drip into your mouth from their frantic screams and you can taste their fear and pain in a way most never do.

Think about having to feel your child's sweat from the pain that is so intense that it saturates the clothing and bedding; being mistaken for urine by the nurses and doctors.

What about holding your child as she or he trembles and begs for help as the nurses and doctors are calling a "stat" because of a critical situation; with "your" child. Feeling the panic and fear while your child looks into your eyes asking for help over and over.

This has been our life before and has now been for the past two days.

This is our day today and many days before and nobody deserves this.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

https://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/she-doesn-t-deserve-this/114808

Day 24 In Boston - Post Surgery - "1st Attempt To Remove Traction"

Two weeks ago yesterday, Monday January 27th, 2014 - India had her hip/femur surgery at Harvard Boston Children's Hospital.

  

Yesterday morning, we took India off of her traction. Everything went well. India was making jokes with the nurses and talking nonstop about marrying Daniel.

A few hours later, I went to get India lunch. Just as I was getting back to the hospital a nurse calls me and says "not an emergency but that I should get back ASAP".

The minute I entered the room, India started sobbing and grabbed onto me asking for help; she was in a lot of pain. I tried to sooth her every way I could think of, including handing India a photo of her boyfriend "Daniel".  She put his picture against her lips, kissed it and then started crying again.

http://moomock.blogspot.com/2013/06/beautiful-love-may-24-2013.html

The nurses gave India pain meds. When that didn't work, they called a "stat" with the Orthopedic team. The Orthopedic team quickly put India back in traction and her pain eventually stopped. 

The doctor said they need to keep India in traction for another week.

India went to bed holding Daniels photo.

https://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/she-doesn-t-deserve-this/114808

Day 22 In Boston - The Day Started Good But Ended With Some Pain

India was a happy camper today until about 5:00; when the pain kicked in.

I'm grabbing India some good dinner, will get her super cozy and we will watch "Mamma Mia" for the 5th time today.

Tomorrow is going to be a rough and painful day. The doctors are going to try to remove her traction.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it goes smoothly.

We are grateful for any donations.

Day 19 In Boston - Update and Operative Notes

India is doing well today and in great spirits. This is a huge relief after yesterday where she was pale and very lethargic. 

The doctor is going to do an evaluation this coming Monday to see if India can be taken off her traction. If she can, then next Wednesday the pins in her knees will be removed and physical therapy will begin. If she can't come off the traction then they'll keep it on for another week.

If it were up to India, she'd be off the traction in the next 5 minutes and we'd be headed home for some chili.

Below are the x-rays and Operative Notes that outline what she went through in her surgery:

Day 11 In Boston - Traction

It's been another very long night. India is having quite a bit of pain.  Plus her anxiety level is through the roof.  India likes to sleep on her side but can't because of her traction. This frustrates her and she starts to cry, asking me to help. India has the beginning of a bed sore so she has to be constantly shifted which hurts. 

Yesterday evening, she spiked a fever and had to have ice packs placed around her body. Daddy was a little worried for awhile there. No fever since thank God.

Today, I'm going to try to feed her some sushi with extra wasabi (her favorite) followed by a milk shake and daddy/India screening of Willy Wonka.