Sunday, March 6, 2011

Shots

We're hoping to be discharged soon.  She was nauseous and sick this morning, but it seems to be manageable with some medication and a nap.  She has some acid reflux, so we add another medication to handle that.

Today, we did the training for something I have NOT been looking forward to: shots.  Scarlett will need a shot every morning for a few weeks after this chemo to bring her white blood cell counts back up.  I was surprised to hear this a few weeks ago when I picked up a big batch of prescriptions at the pharmacy; they handed me the needles and told me that the nurses would teach me how to use them.  I'm not too squeamish around needles or blood, but using a needle on my baby is a whole other thing.

While Chris was here for his morning visit before work, we had the nurse give us the necessary lesson.  She showed us how to draw up the medication into the syringe, how to clean the vial and the injection site, how to hold the needle at a 45 degree angle as we squeeze a little bit of arm pudge.  Then, she pushed up her sleeve and had Chris give her the tiny bit of saline we had practiced with.  Yes, really.  She said they usually suggest practicing on an orange, but it was more helpful to feel it ourselves so we knew it didn't hurt too much.  We all gave each other a practice shot to see how it felt to push the medicine in and the stick of the needle.  We'll see if it is just as easy with Scarlett's tiny arm tomorrow...

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

You're all so strong. I know the shots have got to be hard. But, hey, maybe you can get settled back home and away from the teenage schedule? Just wanted you to know; still reading and thinking of you all.

Tonya said...

Nurse's are never squeamish around needles :) I am a RN and have let students start IVs on me before. That was very nice of your nurse to let you practice on her. Don't feel bad injecting your baby girl, you are helping to make her stronger!!

Anonymous said...

I've been following your blog and haven't commented before. I pray for your little girl every night but I also pray for you and your husband. We had friends who went through something similar, only with a liver transplant, and just watching them broke my heart. Your little one is such a fighter!
Sending my love and prayers to you- Renea

Jamie said...

O my, you are a wonderful mommy to do that for your baby. I can't imagine how hard it must be to give her a shot yourself but you are a good mommy to give her this "life-saving" medicine. I say life saving because she has to have a good blood count in order to live. I will continue to pray for you and Scarlet

Molly (from BBC March 2010) said...

Giving shots makes me think of your "momming up" post--I guess this is one of those times that you have to mom up. I can't imagine how hard it is to go through all this--you three are all so incredibly strong.

Anonymous said...

This breaks my heart. I am a pediatric nurse practitioner at the peds office my daughter goes to. I have worked there as a nurse for 5 years, poking numerous babies...but I cannot poke my own. I always ask one of the other nurses to do it. You are a very strong woman and a very strong mother. Although I do not envy your circumstance, I do envy your strength. There are times I feel overwhelmed and exhausted with my daughter, then I read your posts and realize you are far stronger than I have ever had to be so far. Good luck in all your struggles this week, I pray for Scarlett and your family every day.

snowbird said...

I will be praying for you as this next step comes into play. God be with you and Scarlett. Prayers for a peaceful night and a better day tomorrow.

Irene K said...

UGH, stay strong. That sounds difficult but you can do it. Thinking of Scarlett, Love from Austin TX.

Becky said...

I read your blog all the time, but have never commented... I just wanted to let you both know that you are AMAZING parents!! Your family is in my thoughts every night!! Keep up the good work! Sending love from, Becky and little KayLeigh bug all the way from Belgium!

Keri V. Kennedy said...

The frontline treatment for the seizure disorder my daughter has is injections of a medication called ACTH, so I too have had to go through the difficult process of giving my little girl shots daily. Its NO fun.

I will suggest one thing - its what we did. Have one person set up to be the shot person, and one person be the "rescue" person when it is done. This also give the shot person a chance to clean up the supplies afterward without worrying about the crying baby. Some families I know trade off. We kept it always me giving the shots, and Daddy ws the rescue person. and no - Becca doesn't resent me for the shots ;)

AC said...

Oh, Mama (and Papa!), I admire how brave you both are. I know that you just do what you have to do, but I'm sorry it includes sticking your Butterfly.

Keep strong! Sending good thoughts your way.

P.S, sorry about the shoes. I got a new purse (it's massive - I guess when you go big, you never go back) and I'm still LOVING it... maybe purses are the way to go! :)

Tiffany said...

You can do it! I can't imagine how hard it would be, I can't even look when my LO gets a shot, but you are so strong and with God all things are possible. The shots will help her get better, so they aren't a bad thing.

Anonymous said...

When my son was born he had a displaced anus and had surgery to correct it at 3 days old. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Then the surgeon had to teach me to dialate my son's bottom. I had to stick a little tube up his bottom and he would just scream, and I would cry. I finally called the doctor's clinic and told them I just could handle it. I'm so sorry for what you're having to go through, but you are so strong! I hope everything goes well for you guys from now on, just know I'm praying for your and your beautiful daughter.

Janet said...

You can do this! My dad had to give me two shots a week for my allergies for years. It never hurt. I got used to it as a little kid. Your baby will too.

Keep fighting the good fight! She sure is a cutie!

Chelswhit said...

Just curious if you can give us an update on how we are doing donations wise. The ladies on the Aug 2010 birth board sure are praying and trying to help out. Just wondering if we're doing good on donations since your donation ticker doesn't show how much we've raised for sweet Scarlett! Praying for you always!

Sonia said...

I heard about Scarlett's fight through BBC. My family and I are praying for Scarlett to recover quickly.