Day 12 - UNM Hospital, "Crash, Boom, Bang"

Yesterday was absolutely brutal. India had major pain, we didn't sleep, it took the doctor 7 hours to come see us, we had to go through a new series of X-rays trying to pinpoint what's going on in India's little body and the hospital food SUCKS.

To add insult to injury, a helicopter crashed into our building just above our room. I thought it was a wind gust that made the building vibrate. Nobody was hurt but the hospital staff behaved as if Martians had landed, were eating the newborn children and a few of the geriatric patients.

India's best friend Kate was pulling up to the hospital with her mom and sister just after the crash. They'd made the 45 minute drive to come visit India to only be turned away 100 yards from our room. 

The reason given for not being allowed to visit India was vague and Kate's little sister left with the impression that somebody might shoot India, thus the reason for all the police. She was quite worried.

Day 11 - UNM Hospital, Doctor - Doctor!

This has been absolutley horrible for my daughter. We were up almost all night last night trying to control her pain. It became so bad that at 6:30 am that I asked for a doctor to come help immediatley. It was clear that we were headed down a very dangerous path that could be a life ending event for my child. 

It's now 1:04 pm MST, headed towards 7 hours since India was screaming in pain and I was asking for the doctor to come help; NO DOCTOR AS OF YET.

We did get an additional 2 mg's of Diazapam from the doctor who had to be tracked down and would only reply by phone. 2 mg's of Diazapam is a rediculously low dose, even when added onto her current scheduled quantities. 

My child was in so much pain that her shirt was drenched in sweat and she was trembling from the hurt. How the hell can a hospital and/or doctor not see this as an emergency. Especially considering that they are aware she is very medically fragile?

Day 11 - UNM Hospital, Not Good

It's 3:30 am and India has been having bad, bad pain. At first I thought she was just exhausted and being whiny. But after awhile, I checked her closely to find her body was wet from being in pain.

We administered pain meds and I curled up in bed with her to try and comfort my little girl.

There is something very wrong that is causing this terrible hurt in her little body so long after her surgery.

It's 7:00 am and India just quit screaming in pain. She is sleeping now as we wait for the doctors to arrive.

She was drenched in sweat and trembling as she said "help me daddy please" over and over for the past few hours.

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.