Homeward Bound - we *think* ...
;)
Saturday, August 13, 2005 at 12:24 PM EDT
Sam continues to do well, though the vomiting is still an issue.
She has a demo wheelchair to practice on,
and she really likes it, and does quite well with it.
She also ate some of Dad's BBQ pork rind chips the other night --
yes, they're gross, but she actually asked for them, chewed and swallowed them, w/no coughing or vomiting. Go figure.
The care conference was fine; we discussed plans for kidney care (check-ups once a week, here), home care (nurses will come by the house to help w/the feeding tube and other stuff), and rehab (either at home or at the Eastgate satellite office). She's keeping her one access line on her arm (the one they were going to take out yesterday), so when she has weekly labs drawn for the kidneys, they don't have to poke her a million times to find a vein. The dialysis catheter will stay in, too, just in case.
It's very overwhelming and a bit frightening to think of her away from the safe hospital setting, but at the same time, we want her back home so much. Of course, w/things being subject to change, we might still be here after Monday... I've already heard the phrase "if she actually goes home Monday" tossed around a couple times by different docs, so there could very possibly be a delay. I'll try and post again Monday as soon as I know anything for sure.
Thanks,
Jessica
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So now it's "Homeward Bound ... maybe?"?
:rolleyes:
Life wouldn't be nearly so much *phunn* without a lil uncertainy!
:p
Give 'em till 3:00 pm or so to "let" you go home ...
Then *GRAB* Sammy an make a run for it!!
:D
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"Mom" says a few words ... and Road Trip Reports ...
:)
Wednesday Afternoon, August 17, 2005 at 05:39 PM EDT
Hello. We are at the library up the street, until I get the laptop up & running at home. Sam is in the kids' area w/Daddy.
The transition home was as smooth as it could be; we had loads & loads of stuff to bring in. Daddy, being mechanically inclined, had the feeding machine set up quickly. Mommy was just reclined. Just kidding; he let me mix up her formula.
Our first nursing visit went well; she was very nice.
She had an hour's drive out to the "boonies," and was greeted, after dark, by our 130-lb. rottie. (Rob was on his way to our neighbor's w/the dogs, to ensure a peaceful arrival for the nurse, but there's always "the one who got away"!) She was a brave woman, withstanding both that and our house-under-construction. She was w/us until nearly eleven, and we finally got a cranky Sam down to sleep, as she was up late.
It took a while to sort out her various and sundry meds (which are still making her vomit), but we feel like we have it all somewhat under control now. She slept well, and had a nice first day at home the next day, w/stroller rides, time in the swing w/Mom, and a heartwarming reunion w/her Cozy Coupe. Mom drove her down to the lake to look around, and later on she cruised our porch in her coupe w/Daddy, waving hi to the dogs along the way. She's had a few drinks, but no food yet -- another goal to work on.
Last night she met a new nurse, who only lives 10 minutes from us. Sam was very cute for her, all smiles, and had another good night.
Today she enjoyed a trip to Kroger's, where the pharmacist helped us make even more sense of things.
Words can't express how wonderful it is to have her home, and when we're on the road, to see her back in her car seat. (That empty car seat these past few months was so hard to take.)
Tomorrow morning we see her ped, and see the kidney doc on Friday.
We'll continue to have @4 nursing visits per week.
Let's hope the rest of the week goes well, and Sam gets a stamp of approval from the docs!
Thanks,
Jessica
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WOW! ~ Road Trips!! :D
Kroger's and now the Library ...
Quite the Lil Girl About Town!!
WELCOME HOME, Sammy!!
"Life on the Outside" ...
:)
Thursday, August 19, 2005 at 11:21 AM EDT
Sam continues to enjoy life on the outside. ;)
Yesterday she saw her ped, and we just went over general stuff re: her illness. After that, we visited the library in Felicity, and enjoyed visiting everyone there. Later on that day, Sam spent time on our swing and in her car. She also tried a little rice and a few bites of plum.
We just finished w/the kidney doc, who checked her over, and drew some labs, which I will get the results of later. She'll come back down in a week. All 3 of us will be typed/tested then, too, just in case we have to consider a transplant at some point. (If Sam should need dialysis again, they feel it's better just to go the transplant route, as dialysis is merely treatment, but transplant is more of a "cure.") We'll have to cross that road when we get there.
We'll see another home nurse later this afternoon,
then hopefully enjoy a nice weekend!
Thanks,
Jessica
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Life just keeps gettin *Better & Better*!
:D
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Another "Busy Day" for Sammy ...
:)
Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at 06:20 PM EDT
Sam had a busy day today.
We enjoyed the beautiful weather this morning, and took another walk to the lake. She really enjoys being outside and looking around at everything, and saying "hi" over and over to the dogs, who walk alongside the stroller.
After that, she went to see all her friends at Precious Resources, and had lots of fun. Then we went to the library to see more friends, and she conked out on the way home from all the excitement. It was so nice to see her enjoying the other kids -- something she has really missed these past months -- and smiling and laughing.
Mr. C got her to try some apple slices, and Mrs. C gave her some peaches; she kept a lot of it in her mouth for a while, but we think she might have swallowed some! At least she's willing to take bites. Vomiting is still occurring, but nearly always after meds, so it's pretty predictable.
Tomorrow we have PT;
hopefully the medical environment won't upset her too much.
Thanks,
Jessica
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Stay HAPPIE, Sammy!! ;)
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