AAARRRRGGGGHHH!

This is a frusterating email to write.
I want to share a new need, but have been struggling, with my family, to not drop into a full press depression.

Mom got to UW about 3:30. I didn't get there until after 7:00 last night.
When I arrived she was still not hooked up to anything,and the nurse was comng in about 8:00 to take blood from her port. Enter the problem. They were unable to get blood from the port. Now she had to either have a blood draw from a vein, or wait to have the charge nurse come in and de-access the one side, and then re-access both sides again and try to get one of them to work. Since she is such a tough poke, they opted for the latter. The one clogged port was able to receive i.v. meds, but not give any blood. Her nurse had not accessed a double port before and wanted the charge nurse to do it. The charge nurse had a meeting to go to so she ddn't get back to access until after 10:00PM. Mom had requested some lydocaine creme to numb the skin first. Her skin was bright red and raw. The hospital nurses at both Providence and UW had removed and replaced the coverings and tape over the port multiple times and her skin was tender, bright red and swollen. The creme burned and when they cleansed it to start the procedure, it burned like straight alchohol.

Now, usually I stay wth Mom and hand hold during these procedures, and I did. But last night she felt pain when each side was accessed. A lot of pain. I was not much support. I cried my head off watching her go through this one more time. It was finally done about 10:35 and they were able to draw blood through one side to start the blood type and cross. She was exhausted as was Daddy.They had been up since 2:30 AM on Monday morning and she just wanted to sleep for a little bit. She had taken some oxycodone about 9:45 so it may have helped her sleep for a bit.I left them about 11:00 after we got Dad's bed made, so unfortunately they got to bed really late.

I talked with Dad about 9:00 this morning. Neither port site will give blood this morning. Hence the AAARRRRGGGGHHH! Now what? the Dr.'s are in the hall talking and will discuss the options to address this.

She got one unit of blood through the night. She will get another today, platelets, and potassium. She is very weak and in constant discomfort. PLEASE pray for a repreive for her. God is still in control. He is still watching over her. I remind myself of that day and night, but honestly that doesn't mean we don't get discouraged.

I know the Dr.'s will do what they can to resolve this situation with the port, but I felt so discouraged this morning. Then I was reading in Psalms and I read:

Psalm 118:8 "It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man."

This morning I was asking what were the Dr.'s planning? What did they think will resolve this? What are they going to do? Relying on other people and the Dr.'s is part of living, and being in the hospital. That's why we go, but my ultimate trust must remain in His hands. I have to keep my eyes lifted up. God is sovereign. He will decide what is best and when.

I will ask you though, to keep us in your prayers as well.
It's easy to let things discourage. I am praying that today will be a new day of positve results and a clear direction.

We as a family thank you for all your prayers and encouragement.
This blog is a special blessing to us.

With love,
Kimberly and family