Day 69 - UNM Hospital, A Rough Night Again...

India had a bad night again. It seems like every time we see a light at the end of the tunnel, it's followed by serious darkness.

She had steady pain from 10:00 pm until about 8:00 am. It wasn't the horrific screaming pain, it was just continual low level pain. We were both up most the night trying to keep her hurt under control.

It didn't help much that our nurse had terrible bedside manner, not to mention her forgetting and/or not wanting to sanitize her hands most of the times she came and went from our room. Sanitizing is mandatory for everybody coming and going from every child's room on this ward. It was just a couple days ago that India was on "limited contact" status. This "limited contact" was to protect India from being exposed to viruses because she was so weak.

India is finally sleeping now. I got her to eat some breakfast before she conked out. My little girl is very pale, more than normal. I'm feeling really frustrated. It seems like we've made very little progress since we came to University of New Mexico Children's Hospital.

Day 65 - UNM Hospital, Helicopter PTSD

On April 10th of this year, a helicopter crashed into the roof of our hospital; not far from our room.  

So I have to admit, when I see helicopters approaching to land directly above our room day and night, it makes me a bit nervous.

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 10 - UNM Hospital, ABC News

Day 6, 7, 8 - UNM Hospital, Update

The last 3 days have had some beautiful moments.

India had a suprise visit from her boyfriends mother. Daniels mother came to the hospital to let India know that daniel is going to come visit her this coming week.  India couldn't stop smiling as she stared out the window thinking about her love.

India's teachers Mrs. Lydia and Mr. Stuart dropped in to see their good friend. When they came into the room, India couldn't believe what she was seeing was real.

My dear friend Ray made the 600 mile drive to come support me and my family. I can't begin to say just how much his being here helped us. 

Day 5 - UNM Hospital - Pretty Good Day

India slept a whole lot today. We aren't sure if it's from her new meds or if it's from exhaustion brought on by the horrible pain she's been experiencing. 

She had another IV line fail, causing her arm to swell up with fluids. It's the 6th line to go bad in 4 days and this one was very painful. You can see in the photos below that India is holding her arm tightly.

India's weight is a huge concern, she is hovering around 55 pounds at 15 years of age. I put out a post on Facebook asking family and friends to bring food to the hospital so I could fatten India up. My little girl just isn't very interested in hospital food. And to be honest, we were both lonely and wanted some company.

I guess the past year has taken it's toll on me. I was told tonight that I was looking "chunky" by my old pal Barbara from Garcias on Central and my friend "Heidi" aka "1 of 9" said that I was looking old...

I'm hoping for another good day tomorrow, we deserve it.

Our view just before sunrise.

India trying to work the pain out of her arm after the IV failed.

India's swollen arm from the IV failing.

I wonder if this is how India sees her shadow.

Crazy Buddhist sister having dinner with India.

Day 4 - UNM Hospital, Nerve Damage & Weight Loss

The doctors are now looking at the possibility of India having nerve damage and that being the cause of her pain. They are starting her on Gabapentin in a few minutes to try and target this debilitating pain.

We weighed India today and she has gone from 67+/- pounds to 55+/- pounds. It's very difficult to get India to eat now. Imagine your 15 year old weighing 55 pounds.

India slept for most of the day; she's sleeping now. Neither India nor I have had more than 2 hours of sleep at a time in weeks; we are exhausted.

She is incredibly pail and fragile. As I sit and watch her sleep, I pray that India will regain the strength to recover and get on with life.

And all the while that this living nightmare is taking place, it's only me who is by her side each and every day; no excuses.

This breaks my heart and if I'm distraught, imagine how India feels.

Day 4 - UNM Hospital, The Pain Isn't Going Away

India isn't doing very well.  Her pain is back and wearing her out. None of the narcotics are working.

The doctors now think it's possibly nerve damage of some sort. They are moving to a different group of drugs that focus on the nerves. 

India and I didn't sleep again last night for the exception of 10 minutes her and 20 minutes there. We are exhausted beyond belief. The major pain last night started at 2:00 am. She is just now calming down.

My little girl can only handle so much.

Day 3 - UNM Hospital, Better Day

Day 2 was much better for India. She was exhausted, rested a lot and had much less pain.